My Tragic Fate

“Waiter!” Another costumer raised her hand to catch my attention. 

“Yes!” I ran to her table carrying a black pen and a notepad. “What’s your order, Ma’am?”

“Give me another piece of strawberry cake and a float please.” The strictness in her eyes is very relevant. I could already tell that if I make a single mistake, she’ll sue me to death. 

How did I know? It’s because I’ve encountered a lot of customers like her before.

As I turned my back, she called me again with her cold voice. “Oh… And please don’t call me Ma’am. I’m still young. Call me Miss.”

“Y-yes… Miss.” I bow my head apologetically. Told ‘ya.

“Go, now. Don’t waste my time.” She rolled her eyes and started talking with her bunch of friends again. Whew. Who would want to waste your time, anyway?

I pursed my lips, sighing heavily before placing her order in the food area.

“Hey… are you alright, Evie?” Asked Clinton who’s in charge of the upcoming orders.

I let out a small smile and chuckled a bit.

“Yes. I’m fine. Why did you ask?”

“You look so weary. Is something bothering you?” His eyes squinted worriedly. 

“No… I’m just a bit tired for today.”

“Yeah. You've been working nonstop since morning. You should rest for a while.”

I giggled. “I can’t do that. I don’t want my bonus to fade that easily.”

“Oh, damn that bonus.” He rolled his eyes before making his way to the kitchen.

I stayed there for a couple of minutes before serving the orders to the customers. Just like what Clinton said, I am working my ass off since morning, nonstop. Being a waiter in a high end restaurant is very tiring especially when you have a demanding boss that always nags. You can’t rest because it’s not part of your payment. No time is intended for resting so you should pick your butt up and work! That’s the motto to get more money.

How I wish to lived in another world, living like a princess away from this stupid reality.

“Are you heading home now?” Asked Clinton when I was doffing my waitperson dress. 

“Yeah. Sort off.” 

“Walking alone, again?” He grimaced.

“I don’t have any money for a cab.” She shrugged.

“Ah… How I wish to have my own car to drive you home,” he shook his head. I chuckled a little before pulling my bag closer to my body.

“See you tomorrow, Clinton.” 

“Yeah. Safe home, okay?”

“I will!”

I walked my way to the back exit of the restaurant where the dirty and smelly dumpster will meet you first. I sighed and started walking between the smelly streets, holding my breath until I reached the lane where all types of vehicles were driving fast towards their destination.

A girl like me wearing a simple T-shirt, skinny jeans and a pair of old sneakers looks out of place walking from the grand exit of the restaurant. It will just make the customers uneasy and disgusted, seeing trash like me walking grandly from its red carpet. Well, that’s what my boss said.

Those words keeps ringing through my ears a couple of times now, so I got used to it.

“Hey sweet.” Some random girl called a man with her flirty voice making Evie cringed.

It was past 9pm and predators and whore were coming out of their caves. Calling some oldman wanting some pleasure and paying them back for their service.

Ah, how I wish that Clinton is walking with me at this late night hour. Damn that creepy boss making him work overtime! 

Clinton Hernandez is my one and only friend. We met at the restaurant, too. That time, I was working part time, he approached me with his kindself full of generosity. I had just turned 18 in my mess up world and he became my first companion. He was a savior, a well trusted friend. For almost one year that we’ve been together, he never does anything to make me upset. He’s the friend that I always wish for from the very start and I’m happy that God gave him to me. 

Even if I don’t have any family, he gave me a friend to lean on in times of need. And for me… that’s enough to continue living in this world full of misery.

“You wanna fight, ha?! You dipsh*t bastard?!” I heard a loud scream nearby. And I could already tell… A gang fight is starting. I pursed my lips and decided to take a different route home. It will take longer but I don’t have any other way to go home safely.

I took a deep sighed and bent my head down for them to avoid noticing me. Every night this is how dangerous my life is. There’s no night I keep praying for myself to get safer. For me to avoid any accidents on my way home. This life is so tiresome, but I don’t have any choice. I need to live and stand on my own.

After walking for about 45 minutes I felt so relieved when I heard the bark of my dog, Hawlie, in front of our apartment. I laughed when he ran his way to me and licked my hand excitedly.

“Oh boy. You miss mommy so much. Do ‘ya?”

We went inside my old apartment. My apartment is all enough for one person. I’ve been living here for about two years and this is the only place that my grandma left for me to stay. It’s a bit old but having a roof to stay in when raining and snowing is all enough for me. I don’t need anything extravagant. “I’m home now, Hawlie.” I chuckled.

I placed my bag on the sofa and walked inside my little kitchen. “What do you want to eat today, huh?” I scanned the fridge and saw only a pack of noodles and a piece of over ripe carrot.

“Oh, I guess I need to buy some new food for us to eat tonight.” I rubbed his head and picked up my jacket. “Guard the house, Hawlie, while Mommy will buy us some food.” I laughed when he barked as if he could understand my words.

The weather is getting cold. I guess winter is coming early this year.

“Ah! The nearby stores are closed already.” I mumbled. I don’t have any choice. I’m starving. I need to buy some food at 7/11 and that’s too far from here. Damn poverty!

I sighed and started my journey to the convenience store. While walking, I counted my money and smiled. “I guess this is enough for me to buy some sushi for both of us, Hawlie. It’s good enough for tonight and for tomorrow morning.”

When I arrived at the store, I picked up all the food we needed and paid for them. I went back to my place happily as I saw Hawlie barking and running my way again.

“We got some food and it’s your favorite!” He jumped happily. We went inside the apartment and eat our food for the night. After that, I took my night bath before going to bed.

“Tomorrow is a tough day again so be a good boy Hawlie.” 

I let myself fall off to sleep beside my beloved dog in bed. Hawlie is the only family that stayed beside me up until now. Just like Clinton, this friend of mine is the only thing that makes me want to strive for a living.

I woke up around four o’clock in the morning without Hawlie in bed. I stretched my body and moved out to look for my best bud. I smiled as I saw him sleeping peacefully in front of our door. I guess he guards the house the whole night as he used to. 

I prepare myself to go to work and prepare food for Hawlie for the afternoon. Whenever I think about him being alone here makes me feel so bad. My little buddy is always alone… just like me. 

Well, I guess this is the life God gave to me. All I need to do is to treasure it and accept it. I’m sure there will be a very beautiful surprise coming it’s way. Patience is a virtue for me, and I’m hardly holding on to it.

My Mom and Dad died in an accident five years ago. I was just a thirteen years old child back then. Since that time, I have been left with my grandmama. She dresses me, she takes care of me and she treats me like her only precious granddaughter, she became my guardian angel and I never thought for that to end up so fast. She died 2 two years ago because of cancer, leaving me behind all alone, without no one.

At a young age I already felt the strong agony of being lonely. And I never expect for me to still live this far. I’m still eighteen, but I feel like I’m already a sixty year old lady striving for living. But when I met Clinton and Hawlie, my hopes grew wider everyday. It feels like I'm starting to build my shattered self again. I found hope with them. My darkest days started to light a single spark and it made me feel so strong to strive back myself. I want to find my purpose, that’s why I’m still doing my best despite these awful hardships everyday. This is for my new self after all. And I’m happy to slowly witness my own light and pretension.

“Bye Hawlie! Be a good boy okay?” I wave my hand to my dog who’s acting so suspicious since morning. He’s barking and whimpering. It’s making me feel so bad living alone in this state. This is the second time he’s crying. The first one is when I first met him on the street having a big scar on his leg and now… what’s wrong with him?

I arched my brow and walked towards him. I patted his head and smiled when he stopped. He’s trying to reach my hand too. 

“What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

He barked again and bit my shirt. I gasped when I thought about something. 

“You don’t want me to go?” I asked. He barked at me. It seems like a yes to me. I sighed and let out a small smile.

“I need to work, Hawlie. We can’t have food if I won’t work— Hawlie! Stop messing with my shirt!” I stood up when he didn’t stop. “Hawlie… Mommy will be home so wait for me okay? I will never leave you. I’ll be back at the same time as always. Be good, Hawlie.” I smiled, patting his head. He started whimpering again. 

I’ll be late to work if I don't go now. My boss will surely scold me to death. I sighed sadly while trying to say goodbye to my friend. While walking on the Street, my shoulders feel so heavy. I wonder why Hawlie is crying like that? Is he ill? Should I stop by a vet to ask about Hawlie’s situation? Ah… I think I should. I’m worried about him.

When I arrived at the restaurant, I started to dress up for serving. Like yesterday, I was still working without taking a rest. I don’t want to end up being humiliated by my boss again for not working properly. 

“Did you eat?” Asked Clinton. We’re on our thirty minutes break for lunch time. 

“Nope.” 

“Then, let’s eat together. My treat!” 

My ears flop as I hear Clinton’s magical words. “I won’t reject the offer!”

He laughed. “Come on!” 

We went out to the restaurant and decided to eat in the small stores nearby. The food in the restaurant is too expensive! I can’t even afford a single slice of their sandwich. It’s just stating how unfair the world is for someone as poor as me.

“Hey! Wait!” Clinton stopped me. I hummed and stood beside him. He pointed his finger on the other side of the road. “Is that… Hawlie?” He asked.

My body started to react and became so attentive. I squinted my eyes to look for Hawlie and I almost lost my weight when I saw him barking towards us. Although it’s so noisy because of the vehicles, I can still hear him from afar. 

I smile wide and scream his name. “Hawlie!” 

Why is he here anyway? But before I could do anything my smile faded when I saw a young little girl running her way in the middle of the street! My eyes widened when I saw a fast moving truck towards her.

My heart thumped fast. I gasped and hurriedly ran through her way. 

“Evie!” Clinton screamed. 

I heard the scream of some people too as I grabbed the child's arm. I pushed her through the other side. As I was about to run to avoid the impact, the truck was already an inch away from me, leaving me in shock. 

That’s when I knew… I was already lying on the street, soaking from my own blood. Can’t move a single thing. I suddenly saw a light that came out from nowhere. It’s calling and absorbing me in. What is that?

Is this what death looks and feels like? It’s so… welcoming.

Every second, my eyes got so blurry. I can only see little dots and hear some cries and barkings. It’s… It’s from my friends! But whenever I try to move, an excruciating pain will hold me up ‘till I lose my breath. 

Should I die like this? Can’t I say goodbye to my friends first before leaving? My body is slowly giving up. I heard Clinton’s crying voice again, begging for me to hold on. 

I smiled for the last time. Well if this is the end… I will gladly accept this tragic fate, without any regrets.