'Take care of the house, Clitche. I want to go to the houses again. If your dad asks of me, tell him I went somewhere, okay? ', Anny declared.
'Okay Mom. I will... '
'Good morning Gran' Vanzy interjected, with Dazzy behind him.
'Good morning (to Dazzy) Where were you since yesterday, young lady?' Anny queried with a long face.
'Hmmm.... I was with Vanzy all day'
'Don.....'
'Honey, why didn't you come home yesterday? Gran told me you went to play with your friends. Next time you tell anyone of us about your decision, and stop behaving like an adult, okay? ', Jen interjected Vanzy.
'Yes Dad', Dazzy replied, hugging him.
'And by the way, who is he? '
'He is Vanzy. He's the one I was with yesterday.He's living in the fourth house'
'Oh! He's the one living there. Glad to meet you finally. You can visit here anytime whenever you're lonely.'
'Thank you sir ', he replied with a smile.
'(To all of them) I have to get going now. Take care '
*Better be*, Clitche thought.
'Let me see him off ' , she made to go.
'If you move an inch ...', Clitche threatened.
Vanzy left.
'I'm sorry ', Dazzy pleaded, lowering her head.
' You're sorry? Sorry all the time. Thank your star for not meeting me in angry mood'. Clitche walked out.
'You deserve to be punished. Haven't I warned you not to go near him again? How could you...? '
'Gran, Vanzy is not the kind of guy you guys are thinking of. He's generous, jovial, chirpy. Even though he can be annoying at times(kissed her teeth). If only you could give him the chance, you will see that I'm telling the truth '
'Just keep shut, okay?. I don't know what to do with you anymore ' , Anny left in anger.
'Okay, I will. I know you will later realise that I'm telling the truth '
* * * * *
'Good afternoon sir. You are welcome to Rose Eatery. What's your order sir? ', Clitche said politely.
'You look like Rose itself. Sweet flavor ', the customer commented.
'Thank you sir. (stretching the menu book to him) Here is the menu book sir'
After looking through the menu book for some minutes, he hand it over to her.
'You don't have the food I want here', he said.
'I'm sorry sir..'
'But I can order for something else ', he said, clicking his tongue.
'You', he added.
'Me? I'm not on the list of food offered here. Can... '
'You're the one I want, I don't want anything else ', he made to rub her arm but was stopped by Clitche.
'Don't ever try that with me again. Next time you try this, I will show you part of me. Clot'
'(holding her hand) I'm sorry, I didn't know it will get you angry with how I said it. But I mean what I said, I want you ', rubbing her arm again.
Suddenly, a thunderous slap landed on his cheek. 'You slapped me? '
'Yes. And I will do it again and again if you don't keep your filthy hand to yourself damn self '
'How dare you!?'
'How dare you too! '
'What's happening here? ' the manager interjected.
'This lady slapped me just because I was rubbing her arm'
'I'm really sorry about that (to Clitche) Apologize to him'
'Why should I? '
'Because he's a customer '
'He deserved the slap '
'Apologize to him or I fire you', the manager threatened.
'Fine! I quit! You don't need to fire me. I quit! Fuck your job!', slamming the menu book and her apron on the table, she left.
* * * * *
'Vanzy, come and eat. You've been working tirelessly since morning. Aren't you tired? ', Anny asked.
'I will eat when I'm through with this.'
'Gran, Vanzy doesn't eat these kind of food we do eat', Dazzy declared.
'Honey, how do you know? ', Jen
queried.
'Dad,you know he's my friend. So I know him well'
'But still, he has to eat something. Go and prepare his food since you know what he eats', Anny said.
'Don't worry Gran. I can eat your food also'
(Bell ring) 'Go and check who it is '
'I will go instead, Gran', Vanzy offered.
*Opening the door*
'Welcome Clitche. How was work today? '
'Thank you ', Clitche replied sharply, and walked past him.
'Why the long face, darling?' , Anny queried.
'Come here, sweetheart ', Jen said.
'We will discuss about it later ', Clitche replied, walking to her room.
'Alright. Go and undress then come back '