Stick 'Til The End

Timothy Williams lied. I punched him many times but it wasn't too much like what he truly deserves. Everytime I ask him “ Was it true?” or “Did you really saw them?” His forehead wrinkled and his lips are slightly open, then he would reply “ I'm... quite unsure, I think.. it's just me or maybe... my eyes are getting worse.” Then I would punch him, again and he would act like he's hurt and fall to the ground.  

I couldn't sleep properly because of it. Even though he already admitted it was a lie, there's still a part of me keeps on believing it. 

'Cause what if they are here?

Are they searching for me?

Are they worried?

Will they take me back to that small village?

And if they are really here, I shouldn't be afraid. They can't force me to go back to where I came from. Two decades are enough for me to get stuck in a small village.

Later that morning, the stall was still close when we arrived. After some time, Miss Mia arrived with a lot of boxes- grand and sealed cartons. Tim helped her and he said it was 'really lightweighted'.

“What are these boxes for?” I mouthed while Miss Mia is unlocking the locks of the stall. Other stalls are starting to open,too. “ We will know later, when Flinn arrives.” she said and her eyes sparkled with excitement. I can help but to feel enthusiastic as well.

While waiting for Sir Flinn, we cleaned the stall and take off the unnecessary stickers pasted on the wall. Some goes like " Rock My World!", "Have fun eating." And it's frightfully maddening when there's a saying in the wall telling you to have fun eating when it doesn't end in an exclamation point. “It mirrors an emotionless person.” As Miss Mia would describe it.

Sir Flinn arrived late. He explained his stomach got upset from the expired milk he drunk yesterday. I already told him it was expired but he really insisted to try it, so now he's paying the consequences.

“ Should we open it?”

“ Of course. We couldn't just stare at it until-”

“Okay Mia. I got it.” Sir Flinn cutted off Miss Mia and she just rolled her eyes after. We are already used to her anger issues.

Our eyes stay still on the box. Sir Flinn slowly and carefully cutted it, then bubble wrappers appeared. Tim motioned to move as he is eager to take the bubble wrap. I stretch my arm to keep him from moving. “ Later, idiot.”

After some cuttings, the stuffs are finally revealed. Cans of paints, paintbrushes, new wall designs- the gorgeous ones. There's this saying that I really love, it says " You are not lost, maybe confused." 

Maybe I am.

But If I am lost, I feel great with it.

I might be lost but being lost is a wonderful adventure.

Bubble wraps are now scattered on the floor. Tim is currently painting the walls with a baby blue colour. I arranged the wall designs and planned where to hang it.

I placed the ' home is where the heart is ' near the door. Then I also added the dry flowers next to it. Old fashioned but still elegant.

Days ago, we decided to stay being the black sheep of the street. But now, in a good way.We already planned what to serve, what are the colours of the walls, and the goal of our stall. But I never thought it could be this day that we will change the environment of our stall. 

At first, when Sir Flinn told me I am hired, I am already planning all of this in my head. I realized not all people loves to eat in a crowded place like most of the stalls here. I want to make a home for people like me, who prefer serenity than people. People are scary, you know. 

 Miss Mia also confessed to me that she is struggling with her cooking skills and said she is insecure about her look. There was a time when I saw her standing in front of the mirror , she would be disgusted looking at her own reflection.From her dark complexion, curly hair and to her weight. I would tell her ' Miss, your skin is so pretty' or ' you raised you daughters very well and pretty like you' .I told Tim about it and every now and then, we would compliment her. Not because she needed it but because she deserves it.

That's why every morning, we love to do our affirmations. When mopping or when wiping the door, you would suddenly hear words like "Miss Mia! I love your curly hair!", “ Hey Kath, you drop something." Then I would gaze at the ground and then Miss Mia would continue, “ Your crown, cause you are a queen.” Or I would call Tim and say “ Hey there Mr. Williams, thank you for always being there with me.” And I really mean it. I don't think I can be where I am right now if there's no Timothy Williams.

The best people are those who keep in touch with your soul, those who know if you are not okay by just a simple gaze. And I found them. Sir Flinn once told me that the best people are mostly absent in your victories, but they are still cheering you. And when you are alone, they will be alone with you. Like the moon. Who stays with you in the darkness.

We continue working after eating our late lunch. The walls are now colored with baby blue and the designs are now placed to where they belong. This is great. Sir Flinn buggered off to somewhere. He never tell us where. And I wonder how much all of this cost. 

“Do you know where Sir Flinn is?” I muttered to Miss Mia who is now placing the books in the bookshelf. We decided to put a bookshelf so that customers can read some books if they want to. It was Tim's idea.

“ Don't worry too much 'bout him. He can handle himself and I'm sure he'll be back sooner.” She replied in her silvery voice.

I just nod after and marched to the cashier area. I stared Miss Mia and Tim as they talked outside. I smile looking at them as they get along well. Time passes by so fast -and now, I am here. To my home. It's a small world. You didn't really know who are the people that will make you whole pieces by pieces. You still haven't met all the people you will love. Little did you know, you already rode a train with them or maybe, you are sharing the same dreams.No one knows.

I didn't know I feel asleep in the cashier area. It was almost sunset when I woke up. I stood up right away when I saw them working outside. I can already see Sir Flinn and it seems like they are already putting up the name ' Home'.

“Got a good sleep? ”said Miss Mia while smiling.

“You should've wake me up.”

I walk to where they are and yes, they are already putting up the name 'home'. They used a stair made of metal-I don't really know what it is called. Tim's the one who nailed it. After finishing it, Tim went down and move the stairs away so that we can see how it goes. It was exceptional.

I was astonished when I realized a lot of changes was brought up in the entrance of our store. It was also painted in baby blue and there are now hanging plants. There's this iron bench with a little table on the side-with succulents on the top of it. Just wow. I missed a lot while sleeping.

Miss Mia seemed to notice my reaction and she pat me in my shoulder. “Tim suggested that. He has good taste.” 

My eyes wide open and my eyebrows raised in disbelief. He proudly nod. “ Yes. It's me. Timothy Williams.” he mumbled in a hush tone.

We watched how the lights move in the word "home". It was heartwarming. “This is it.” I heard Sir Flinn uttered it in a low voice. I stared at him and I realized he got a lot of gray hair already. But looking at his eyes, hopes and dreams are what I am seeing. Sir Flinn is like an old version of me, except that he is really optimistic. 

I sometimes wonder if he has children or where is her wife. I wanted to ask my questions about him but now is not the right timing. 

I took a deep breathe and cleared my throat. 

Everyone, gather here. I want to tell something.” I said in my orotund voice.

“Today is the day we built our home.” I paused as I noticed how Tim closed his eyes from cringe. “ There's more ahead of us, and let's always stick together until we will reach our dreams and hopes.” 

Miss Mia stretched out her hands in front of her. I smiled and placed mine on top of it.

“Please bare with my anger issues and I hope...” she paused. “ No one will left home.” she said making me froze in my feet. That was something I didn't expect. 

Sir Flinn placed his hands on top of mine and took a small deep breathe. “ This is just the start and it means there are still a lot of challenges to face, but as long as we are four, we'll get through it.” he stated with a low voice only us could hear.

We all stared at Tim who's now opening his eyes and stared at us and I saw his chin trembled. He stared at our hands and later, he stretched out his hand and place it on top of Sir Flinn's. He close his eyes again ang I can't help but to smile. I cans sense his trying hard to express his gratitude.

“Please...” he started and then open his eyes. 

“Take care of me.”