Start of Something New

"We have arrived." Ms. Alena said, or should I say, mother? The thought of having her as my other mother is just unbelievable. I didn't expect them to accept me wholeheartedly as I am not any blood related to them. And the fact that I feel kind of nervous about forcing myself on them. Err, should I say it or not? But still, Ms. Alena has already initiated it. Perhaps not now, maybe soon.

I settle myself by glancing over the store we have stopped. From the outside, where we are standing right now, the store was made of most wooden materials, and if they are glass, the windows only possess it. There are no really fancy decorations outside. The store was built between two enormous trees. Hmm, it makes sense, though, that its only decorations were the tree leaves that mostly fall from its branches.

"Tila," I silently read the store name's outside. It was written on a simple placard with a black and white combination. Well, at the least, the store was decent enough to look at. Although it looked like an antique, its unique location gives justice to all people who love nature. This is a dream place for many; who wouldn't, right? I even fell in love at first sight of this store.

"Let us get inside." Ms. Alena said as she was smiling over Kela and me. She must sense that we are pretty behind her for a minute. I agreeably nodded to what she said. As we stepped inside, my feet paused nearly at the entrance door, blocking its way. I didn't notice how my breath hitched from observing the interiors inside this store. Since I was associated with a lot of business, I was exposed to a lot of environments, which gave me the chance to be in and out of the country. I never saw anyone with an interior like this!

"W-wow!" Kela reacted as she started running to check some decorations closely. It seems that I am not the only one fascinated by this.

The store interior was nothing like the for which is displayed outside. Inside were magically decorated, although it looked like a small store outdoors. It was actually built with a second floor, to begin with. The interiors were serving brown and green pallets complementing its location near nature. The wooden furniture was scattered in a minimal way where a customer could quickly move. The lightning surrounding the cafe was all from the natural sunlight rays, which reflect all around the four corners of this room. But I can see a little light hanging from within. It must be the lights used when the darkness falls. And there were a lot of small plants hanging from its ceiling, accentuating the plain tables and chairs. I am not sure what it is, but dust fountains were sprinkling around the four corners of this room. If I can compare it to anything, this must be a fairytale-inspired cafe. The interior really is magnificent! I can't help but be mesmerized around here.

I was standing at the entrance of the cafe with my jaw dropped. Then suddenly, a small echoing chuckle was released by Ms. Alena.

Shoot. She must have seen me being ignorant of all of these things. Well, she can't blame me though this is my first time appreciating the classical way of furnishings. I have been surrounded all my life by technologies, and now I just say I prefer being in this simple part of interior designing.

"It looks like you have decided already." Ms. Alena said as she realized how I was in awe of this place. I nodded excitedly at her remarks. However, being ignorant to what will be my possible work here. The workplace environment is making me excited to start working now. This is it! My first new job in this new world.

"Hello, Alena, who is this lady beside you?" A middle-aged woman around in her 50s occurs from the back door of this cafe. Her gray hairs were showing, and the wrinkles on her face were quite visible. Her old wrinkly clothes were also visible in the eyes too. This must be the owner, and she seems really welcoming and humble. Perhaps we can work together well in the future.

Ms. Alena smiled immediately as she hugged the owner. They seem very close to each other, and reasonably, they nearly look like a mother and daughter tandem.

"This is Rovina, my other daughter," she said as she was pointing her hands in my direction. There was an evident shock in the owner's eyes.

"Other daughter? I presume that you only have Kela. For the last years, we have worked and known each other. I never knew you had an eldest." she curiously asked as she examined me from head to toe. She was leering at me as if I had committed something terrible. On behalf of my nervousness, I just smiled at her and bowed my head a little bit to acknowledge her that I was here and listening.

"It's a long story, Risa. Rovina is not my biological daughter, but I am her guardian now." Ms. Alena explained as she sensed that I was getting uncomfortable by the owner's leering stare.

"So, what brings you here? I'm quite busy right now, so I can accommodate you for a few minutes. You see, I have not opened yet, and I am preparing to welcome the customer." breaking her eye contact with me, she busied herself, wiping all the dirt from her hands. It must be all from the preparation she mentioned earlier.

"Uhm, I heard that you were short of people here. It seems that your cafe has been slowly getting known. And I assume that you need help, perhaps?" With hopeful eyes, Ms. Alena and I have started at the owner—Ms. Risa rather.

"She badly needs a job right now. And I am hoping you could help us a little bit? Ms. Alena released a soft chuckle. The lingering stare was brought back to me again.

"Are you see she's going to work? Ms. Risa suddenly took my hand. She was observing it carefully.

"Based on her physique, she isn't used to work. The softness on her hands was delicate enough to be ruined. Are you sure she's capable?"

"Of course! Rovina is intelligent, so she can help you and learn from you instantly!" Ms. Alena defended me from all of her friend's assumptions.

"Sigh, I don't have any other choice. In fact, how can I say no to you?" For the first time, I saw Ms. Alena release a genuine smile. She then turned to me and did the same.

"Okay, you can start now, Rovina. I am sure you are eager to know what you need to learn here. I sincerely welcome you." Ms. Risa said as she was extending her arms for a hug? This must be their way of greetings here. I accepted the hug Ms. Risa offered. After all, she will be my new employer for the next few days; I don't even know when I can return home.

"Now, now. Can we help too? I took a day to help Rovina find her a job, and you already have accepted her already. We thought it would be a long day. So as a sign of gratitude, we'll help you with your openings now." Ms. Alena initiated. The happiness on her face was visible. We then chuckled with each other, feeling each presence comfortably.

"Is sister Rovina going to work here now, mother?" A little voice interrupted us from our small laughter. Kela, who has been occupied with the interior, is now standing beside us three with her curiosities visible in her eyes.

I crouched down to level Kelas's diminutive height. Tugging her quite messy hair, I smiled while staring at her. "Fortunately, yes, Kela! These days, this will be the new place I will be occupied with work. But still, I will make time for you to bond." she nodded happily and hugged me out of her feelings at the moment.

Settled already, we have already started to help with the things that are needed to prepare for today's opening. Ms. Alena and Kela are busy with the arrangements of the furnishings inside. Ms.Risa, we're occupied by wiping all the dust and cleaning the equipment used to make the coffee. I, on the other hand, was busy sweeping and wiping clean the tables. Fortunately enough, I know these kinds of chores, the simple ones which are not complicated yet. After everything was done, the four of us stood together side by side, observing the progress we had made since this morning. Continued enough, we smiled to each other that now it was better than ever.

"Now, Rovina, I hope you are ready. This will be a long day for us." Ms. Risa said as she was looking at me.

"Yes, ma'am, I can learn immediately. Please bless me with your knowledge and guidance." I am sincerely flashing a genuine smile at her remarks. She then turned the small wooden signage to indicate the store was now open and ready to accommodate.