IT’S OKAY CRY
Season 2. Episode 15.
Story by Miriam Edem (Miriam Eyen Efik)
The next day Grace and her twin were already set to leave,
“Take care alright, Precious whispered to Hope and she nodded waving them bye.
“Bye sister, Favor and Faith said to them and Anastasia drove them to the park.
“Will you be going to school? Hope asked Favor.
“Stupid question, am already dressed up for school, Favor replied and went in with her sisters.
They quickly ate their breakfast and left for school leaving the used plates on the dinning.
Hope picked the plates and left to the kitchen tidying it up.
The house wasn’t swept, she had to do it and Anastasia returned.
“Welcome mom, Hope said to her and Anastasia saw her dusting.
“Hurry up and dress up, you’re following me to the shop, she replied.
“But mom I thought you’ll be taking me to the school for registration, Hope said.
“Look at your mouth, will you have asked that question if Dite didn’t pick you up from the streets? Anastasia angrily asked.
“Sorry mom, Hope replied and slowly went in to take her bath and left with Anastasia. The restaurant and the bar was quite a big one, and Hope saw 3 girls there who were helping out Anastasia.
“Are you new here? One of them asked Hope inside.
“No, am her daughter, Hope replied.
“Daughter? She has 4, another said.
“You won’t understand, I grew up else where so am back, Hope replied.
“If so why are you with us serving? She clearly told us you are one of us, the girl said and Hope didn’t want to believe that.
“No you are mistaken, maybe you didn’t hear her clearly, Hope replied.
“Okay, here is your apron, the girl said and gave it to Hope and quickly concentrated on her work.
“Do I really need this? Hope asked.
“You need that as the waitress, customers are waiting outside for you, they replied and Hope opened her mouth shocked. A lady handed a tray of food to her and she slowly took it.
“Your…… Mom said you shouldn’t mess up, the girl said smiling at her and turned to get another tray ready.
Anastasia was outside busy collecting peoples order while she will inform the girls inside.
Hope came out with her hands dancing with the tray and Anastasia went near to her,
“If you drop any of my plates with the expensive meal on it, you will hate me for life, Anastasia said Hope swallowed.
With her experience eating in big restaurants with Monica, she served them the same way and melted inside how life in just few days has turned around for her.
“You have a new waitress ma? The man Hope served asked and Hope looked at her.
“Yes she just resumed today, the other girl was too lazy, Anastasia replied.
“I love this one, she’s good, the man said licking his lips and Hope left with the tray.
Hope couldn’t believe what is happening but she had to keep calm, got the rest of the trays and served.
It was noon and they were only few people drinking, Hope decided to use the opportunity to eat her breakfast.
Anastasia phone began to ring and she picked up,
“Hi Julia, how are you doing? She asked.
“I’m good, there’s a surprise, Julia said.
“Surprise? What’s that? Anastasia asked..
“Where is your restaurant located? Julia asked and Anastasia reminded her.
“Oh oh yes, don’t worry you’ll see it soon, Julia said and dropped the call.
“Whatever, Anastasia whispered and was checking the sales list.
Minutes later a flashy car parked and Anastasia was happy to welcome whoever it was.
A young girl and guy came out rather,
“Best nanny in the whole world, the girl said smiling at her and Anastasia couldn’t believe it..
“Palesa? Palesa is this really you! Anastasia shouted carrying her up while Palesa laughed.
“Nice to see you again, I wanted surprising everybody, Palesa replied.
“Come sit down please you’re welcome, is this the surprise Julia called to tell me? Anastasia asked when they sat down.
“Yes, I just arrived and I told her not to tell you I’ll be coming, Palesa replied.
“Why didn’t you tell anyone you’ll be coming down? Anastasia asked.
“I was worried about dad, when i learnt of his accident I couldn’t help but worry. And mom refused when I wanted coming down, so I decided not to tell her after all grand mom accepted. This is my childhood friend Jason, he asked to come with me, Palesa said introducing Jason to her.
“Good day ma, Jason greeted.
“You’re welcome, you both are very welcome. What should I offer you please? Anastasia asked.
“No no, mom actually…….. “Julia doesn’t eat native dishes and you Haven’t either. Am going to bring a sweet delicious meal you won’t forget in a hurry, trust me, and don’t say no please, Anastasia interrupted and Palesa looked at Jason.
“Alright, we will love to try, Palesa said.
“Thank you, just a minute, Anastasia said and hurried inside telling the girls what to do.
“Be snappy and make sure everything is perfect, Anastasia said and carried an expensive bottle of wine with 2 glasses, while Hope looked at her wondering why she is so excited.
“I have never seen her that way before, guess you are also surprised, one of the girls said and Hope nodded.
“Maybe they are important, Hope replied looking at the girl and wondered why she looks so familiar.
Hope brought the tray out to serve them but Jason couldn’t take his eyes from her.
“Thank you, Jason said when she was done serving them.
“Please enjoy your meal, Hope replied and left.
“Okay, where are we going to start? Palesa asked looking at the food before her…….
A lot of discussions were going on between Anastasia that Hope had to take the orders and served whenever customers enters.
But in all of this, Jason couldn’t help but admire Hope and wished he could talk to her.
Hope came out with the tray to serve a guy, while serving she saw him bringing out a cigarette,
“Sorry its not allowed here, can you please put that off? Hope said to him.
“Are you okay? Who are you to tell me what I should do? Woman where did you take this bitch from! The guy shouted and Anastasia excused herself from Palesa and went to them.
“What did you do? Anastasia asked her.
“He was smoking and I told him to put it off, I thought is not allowed in here, Hope replied.
“Why didn’t you ask first before saying that to him huh! Just one day working you have upset my best customer, Anastasia shouted on her.
“excuse me, I see nothing wrong in what she told him that will result to the insult he gave to her, he should apologize to her, Jason said.
“No no you don’t understand, here I make my customer happy and welcomed. Please go sit with Palesa I’ll take care of the situation here, Anastasia replied but he turned to Hope.
“are you okay? Sorry about that, Jason said and Hope nodded.
“Am sorry please, it won’t happen again, Hope said and left with the tray immediately.
“Am sorry about that please, please pardon her, Anastasia said to the angry guy and he settled down.
Anastasia went in and met Hope bowing her head,
“You should have told your new waitress the rules and regulations of your place so this won’t happen, Hope said immediately.
“Don’t you dare raise your voice on me, Anastasia said.
“Who am I here anyway? Your daughter or your worker? Hope asked.
“I have 4 daughters, wherever you came out from I don’t care. You are lucky I gave you a roof to cover your head and food, but you have to work for it. Work for it Hope, and if you don’t like it this way, then take your leave, Anastasia said and Hope nodded cleaning the tears that dropped.
“Fine, accepted but please I need the do’s and don’t of this place so your customers will be happy, Hope said but Anastasia left to continue her discussion with Palesa.
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