Atleast We Know Our Dreams

“ It was when our first customer came and then the moment he entered this restaurant, I heared him say 'what a monochromatic place', and I was like ' that's a cool name for a restaurant, it sounds freaking elegant'.” He sounds excited like he's telling the best story he read- he even mimic how that first customer uttered the words. 

That was what Sir Flinn said after I asked him how did they come up with naming the restaurant as ' Monochromatic'. His eyes are gleaming and I wonder that he doesn't know the meaning behind that word.Obviously.

This is our first day of work- a work which I am not sure if we will receive a good pay. A work without proper contract or anything legal. It's really complicated right now.

Miss Mia messaged Sir Flinn that she will take a day off since she can't bare witnessing the' worst decisions' for the business. I chuckled lightly and I really admire Miss Mia for her honesty.

 We arrived early today and I got surprised to see Sir Flinn waiting outside. He's wearing a baggy pants and a white polo paired with leather shoes. Old man's fashion. When our eyes met, he immediately stood up and his lips formed into a smile. I saw how his blank face turned into a happy one. He's hiding his pain, I know. I am a veteran in this section.

It was eight in the morning and other stalls are already busy. While us, we are busy looking at them. I can already sense, by just looking at this four-cornered room, it is really hard for us to rise just like the other stall. Ours is the black sheep of the street. The first one to get close, but the earliest to open. We need to change a lot. From the name, the designs, the menu, the attitude of the staffs, and their still a long list ahead of what to change. But, the moment I decided to step in this small room, I know, this is a place for me. 

We are now gathered up in a table. Tim beside me, and we're facing Sir Flinn. He's smiling and I don't know why. But when no one's looking at him, I'd catch him with a blank face- the tired and ' i am giving up ' face. I cleared my throat to tell them we are starting our ' business discussion'.

“This is our first meeting for the change of this dusty place.” I started. “So first of all, why is the business going down?” I asked looking at the both them.

“It never went up. It's always down.” Sir Flinn uttered in an almost whisper voice. Well, he has a point. I clicked the head of the pen and glanced at the doorway. “As you can see, other businesses are doing real fine, and ours should be like that today, but unluckily, we're the opposite of them.” I took a deep breathe after.

Sir Flinn suddenly frowned.

“That was deep.” His response was barely audible.

I tapped the table with an enough force to catch their full attention. Tim over-reacted and said he almost scream from surprise.

“ Any suggestions?” 

“Change the name.” Tim responded with no energy.

“Aside from that?”

Sir Flinn stood up from sitting. He moved his chair and roam around in front of us. He put his hands on his pocket and stared at the view outside. My eyes keep on following him and waited for him to speak.

“How about...” He then stopped from his slow walking- which is weird because he really tries to look serious and tried to convince us that he's using his last braincells.

“ About?” I ask slowly like a Kindergarten teacher. 

“Okay.” I spoke. “ We need to change the interior design, the menu ,how the staffs socialize with the customers and there's still a long list ahead after that.” 

Sir Flinn went back to his chair and murmured something about the monochromatic thing. I almost screamed when there was a loud sound coming from slamming of the door. I turned my head to the direction and it was Miss Mia. Even though she is a low-tempered person, being here is highly appreciated. She sitted next to Sir Flinn and chew the gum in her mouth.

 “ What now?” She spoke, breaking the silence and the stares. 

“ I just can't get it why we need to change the name of our-”

“Cause it's boring.” Tim cutted off Sir Flinn who looked hurt. 

“No. no, I mean Monochromatic means boring. I didn't mean to say it was boring by the word itself, but it is really boring. It means boring. Like literally.” Tim explained himself and Sir Flinn is listening attentively. 

It took us a long time to convince Sir Flinn. After that, we tackled about important stuffs. Miss Mia suggested a new set of menu and we still need to take actions to agree over it. 

It was three in the afternoon when I got the chance to talk with Miss Mia. “Thanks for coming.” I offered her a handshake and I got scared when she just stared at it. But after three seconds or more, she shake my hands and it warm my heart. “ I have anger issues.So bare with me.” Miss Mia laugh- a soft laugh that conceal her deepest untold battles and I can detect grief in her gorgeous dark brown eyes. 

Tim and I walked home since the apartment is just a distance away. The wind was blowing with a warm breeze. The lonely streetlights and us. 

“ You think we can make it?” I asked Tim. 

“Well” Tim begins. “As for now, it seems unclear. But atleast we know our goals. It doesn't matter how long it will take for us to finally make it, as long as we know why we are doing this.” 

I breathe a small sigh of relief. 

“Do you not miss your parents?” He examined my face after. 

“Of course I do. But I'm curious and I want to see where this adventure will take me.” My voice cracked in the middle part and I just suddenly thought what are they up to right now-are they happy? or mourning?

“But sometimes, I thought to myself that they have a lot of secrets to tell me. Why they made me an ignorant to the reality and made me believe life is a fairytale. I'm worried that I will see them one day and I still haven't found myself.” At last, I speak, my words rushing out in a choked whisper. I felt my eyes stinging and it was too late for me to stop myself from crying.

We finally reached the gate when he hold my hand. It touched my heartbeat for a second. It was just his soft hands but there's something that connects it to my soul. I feel my heart exploding. I can do nothing but look into his eyes. He brings his hand to my face and gently dries my tears with the pad of his thumb.

“ Don't worry too much, I believe in you. You are enough. No one can soothe the burdens you feel if you won't let go of the past. There's more sweet adventures ahead of you. Just take it easy, okay. I got you.”