The Adventures of the Goddess of the Night

CHAPTER 9

Today is Sunday, the stalls will definitely be more crowded than usual. I've been preparing to open the stall from half an hour ago, clean the cots, sweep the floor, wipe the tables and furniture. I saw Mbak Su and Pak Imam coming out of the house in neat clothes like they were leaving.

"Erin, you take care of yourself. Me and Ma'am Su want to pick up someone who will accompany you to work here," said Mr. Imam.

I nodded my head with a smile, then resumed my unfinished work, so that the stalls looked clean and comfortable. Mr. Imam and Mbak Su had gone to the car he rented and disappeared from view.

I swiped the sweat that was dripping against me using a tissue, I took a glass and filled it with water dispenser, opened the thermos of ice cubes and put it in a glass. In a few gulps, the water in the glass was already empty toilet soaked my throat which was attacked by thirst.

Stay relaxed while waiting for the first customer to come. I play a game on my butut phone to drive out the saturated, legendary xenzia snack game because it's the only game on my phone.

*****

Late in the afternoon, the car driven by Mr. Imam turned into the yard next to the shop. I stole a glance from inside the stall, curious about someone who would be my friend here.

Mr. Imam and Mbak Su got out of the car, followed by a woman who was about 24 years old. Her body is crazy short, my height. Her hair was straight rebonding to the shoulder, her skin was yellow, but her expression when I saw her, I could hardly describe it. I don't know why I feel uncomfortable being stared at like that.

Her name is Sari, she's a widow child one comes from Trenggalek. From tomorrow he's been working with me and sharing duties. I hope that with Sari I will be at home here, although I myself do not know whether we will become friends or not.

*****

The next day, I did not find Sari beside me when I opened my eyes. I immediately rushed to take a shower and got ready. I saw Sari cleaning the inside of Madam Su's house.

I'm so ashamed of myself, as long as I work here, I never helped clean Ms. Su's house at all. Every morning after waking up, taking a shower, and having breakfast, I went straight to the stall and cleaned up. But the house I never cleaned. Ms. Su herself also did not allow me every time I helped at home and told me to focus on the stalls.

After breakfast I go to the shop. This time Sari has also handled all the work I used to do. There was nothing else I could do but sit around waiting for customers to arrive.

"Sir, I can't wait for me anyway, sorry I'm not good not to help" I said.

"Udah is not papa, I am used to this when working" he said turning to me, then back facing forward.

For a moment we sat together in silence, not knowing how to start the conversation. Sari also looked engrossed in her phone, like she had no interest in chatting with me.

After a long wait, finally the first customer came, two young people I did not know. Sari only glanced at him briefly as the two young men sat on the southern couch then looked at his phone back and smiled to himself for some reason.

I stepped over to the two young men and asked for his order. They ordered two cups of milk coffee and I rushed to make them. When I finished I delivered it and joined them.

"Monggo was appointed to the mas" I said, letting them drink his coffee.

"Come on, what's your name, Ma'am?" ask the guy in blue with the hair a little gondrong.

"Oh, his name is beautiful, like hehehe's," said the other guy, he wears white clothes, his hair is neat, and if he smiles too sweetly.

But I did not admire him as much as I admired Zahir. I don't know why even though many guys come and go and come here, only Zahir attracts my attention. The rest I only consider a friend so that it can be a regular subscription here.

Zahir often comes with his friends, but that does not mean I can get closer to him, because he is difficult to approach. And I know enough myself not to expect more from him, considering I'm just a coffee shop waitress, not worthy to get more attention from him.

"I'm Hendi, greetings yes," said the long-haired man extending his hand which I immediately shook.

"I'm miko" said the man in white, taking turns to shake my hand.

There are so many topics we talk about. They were so engrossed, we joked with laughter as if we had known for a long time. For a moment I forgot, all the sadness I had and tried to forget.

****

The red matic motor that I had memorized turned into the side yard of the stall, where the motorbike and the cots were neatly lined up. Someone I really didn't want his presence with, he took off his helmet and got off the bike.

I pretended not to see him and immediately sat down to Hendi. He has been here for 2 hours and has not intended to go home, this opportunity I use to avoid Mr. Bambang who walked to the stall while pouting at me. I threw my face away, not wanting to make contact with the middle-aged man.

Sari got up from her seat and kept the phone in her pants pocket. He greeted Mr. Bambang while inviting him to sit in a chair in a stall. I am grateful there is Sari so I do not need to serve orders and also whine Mr. Bambang.

"Fiuhhh... fortunately I was free from the old bandot." I murmured softly.

"Why Rin?" asked Hendi who heard my murmur.

"No papa. That was the fathers who just came, horrified the same people,"

Then I told him all my experiences facing Mr. Bambang's behavior. Hendi did not stop laughing at me who became the target of an old bandot like Mr. Bambang. I hit his shoulder softly in shame, but did not make Hendi stop laughing even more bitterly.

"That's a hell of a hen," I grumbled, folding both hands on my chest while turning my lips, hoping Hendi would stop laughing, but it seemed like Hendi wasn't satisfied.

"I stay here, if I still laugh at me, not loyal, my friend," I said pretending to be angry.

"Yes-yes sorry," said Hendi then sipped his coffee until it runs out "plus another donk."

"That's what a barrel stomach is, kog is not full, already two cups are still added as well." I muttered as I went to make coffee.

Miko was just shaking her head looking at me and Hendi was like tom and jerry. We only know but have been friendly for a long time, making Miko smile no matter what she thinks.