After working endlessly for straight two hours, Flora was on her way to the bar counter to take a break, even though she was fully aware that it was against the rules of the club.
A mere waitress was only allowed to take a break from work, once an event or party was over, not while the party was on.
So, as a waitress she has to work for five hours straight every night without taking a break. Moving here and there like a robot, till it clocked midnight.
Indeed, it has been quite exhausting!
Notwithstanding, for a long time now, Flora was already used to it. Just that, tonight she was feeling different. Her heart feels unnaturally heavy.
She thought it might've been as a result of straining her body too much these days. Or perhaps, she might've just placed it down to the fact she was suddenly becoming lazy to work.
But the actual truth was, nowadays, Flora has begun to see her existence as a problem itself.
First, she had put the blame on her parents for leaving her too early in life. If they hadn't had to leave her too soon, she would have become way off better by now. She had thought.
Then, she blamed her uncle next, for mistreating and making her life miserable. And, so it goes on. She just kept looking for who else to blame, but herself.
Until now, she suddenly realized her errors. She had allowed her uncle to decide what would be of her life, as well as used the death of her parents as an excuse for failure to stand up for herself.
But, that was now in the past.
In just one moment, Flora made a tough decision to take her own fate in her hands. She was not going to let her past be an obstacle to her present any longer. Not even that ruthless uncle of hers was going to control her life anymore.
However, in every goal set aside, there was often a difficult challenge in opposition to one's success.
Flora's biggest challenge was clearly her uncle. In order to succeed, she needs to break free from his captivity. She would have to come up with an excellent plan to get rid of him somehow.
As for now, she has no choice, but to carry on with her regular life, while waiting for an opportunity to knock on her door.
Signing, Flora placed her tray atop the din and helped herself to a seat on one of the bar stools.
At this, the bartender who was standing behind the din, noticed her presence and abruptly turned his attention to her.
He was David, the only friend Flora got to have in this godforsaken place.
"Are you okay?" he asked, perusing her face, his gaze filled with so much concern.
"I'm fine." she lied, and it immediately showed on her face.
She can't fool him. He knows her better than anyone. Though Flora was never the cheerful type right from the day he knew her, he has certainly not seen her in this mood, either.
"But, you don't look fine to me. By chance, were you harassed by one of the customers here again?" He inquired, already bubbling up.
"No. It's just," she began and paused.
"Just what?" he urged on.
"It's just that I'm tired of this damn life of mine." Flora was finally out with it. "Look over there! I haven't even served half of this multitude. Yet, I've been working for a good two hours."
Without a word, David picks up a bottle of whiskey and pours it into an empty bottle, which he offers Flora.
"Thanks," she said as she reached for it. After two sips, she felt a bit relaxed and gently placed the glass back on the din.
"Wait! How do you know that this was just what I needed?"
David gave a thin smile. "It's obvious. All you need is to relax your mind and see your present state as a story to tell someday. Trust me, will you be someone great in the future?"
Flora was dazed. She did least expect to hear something similar to the thought she was having recently.
Could it be that David was also sensing something ahead just like she did moments ago? Flora briskly shook the thought off her head.
Not like she didn't believe in his words, nor in herself, but the reality of her present situation loomed large, making it quite difficult to see things from the perspective, rather than her failure.
"You think so?" she wanted to confirm her doubt.
In a firm voice, "No. I believe that one day you'll be free."
Flora went silent for a long while the moment she heard that last bit.
Freedom.
She has once felt how it was to be free, but it was something she didn't have in presence.
Yes, she craved to be free. She wants to fly across the world, sail across the sea in a yacht, or a powerful speeding boat, drive a land cruiser through the wind, and live her life like every normal girl of her age.
"Waitress! Two bottles of rum over here!" someone called annoyingly aloud, in the midst of the crowd, disrupting Flora's thoughts.
"Coming in a minute, asshole!" She equally shouted a response back.
For some reason, David was impressed at the way Flora randomly switched manners to suit others in the most embarrassing situation.
It just piqued his interest.
"My drinks on the tray, please. I need to get back to work." She was full of energy again.
"What a pity! You would have to go back to work without finishing your drink."
"Maybe, after the party is over, let's have a drink." Flora quickly suggested.
Martin was glad to hear that. "Sure. Mira would be glad to join…"
She abruptly cut him off mid-sentence. Why does he always seem to talk about nothing else, but she?
"I mean…just the two of us."
"Huh?" Martin had a raised eyebrow.
"See you, later," Flora immediately disappeared before he could even have the chance to ask any question.
. . .
Some hours later, the party ended and the club began to empty. Flora and Martin carried their drink to the top of the roof, where the entire view of the city was more visible from that height.
Flora moves ahead of Martin and perches against the railing, lifting her face up to the sky.
The galaxy was full of bright twinkling stars. Flora could see a trace of a half Moon sitting up high in the sky. Looking straight ahead, it was full of tiny lights from different sources scattered all over the city.
Flora sighed, dreamily. Wish she could just stare forever?
Right then, Martin came up from behind her and went to stay next to her, holding his glass with one hand and the other resting upon the railing.
For a moment, Flora closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, then slowly exhaled.
"I can't recall when last I've been up here?" she said, without opening her eyes.
Martin gave one of his carefree smiles that never touched his handsome face.
"Me too." he chins in.
Again, they both fell silent.
Meanwhile, Flora wanted him to say something more to fill the gap between them. He was habitually fond of leaving the talking to her and she really hates it, just as much as she hates the way he often distances himself from her.
But whenever he is around that woman called Mira, the Martin she knew transforms into a different person entirely. She'd never believe to have heard him laugh out loud two days ago, if she hadn't witnessed it with her own eyes, on that fateful night he was chatting with Mira at the din.
Filled with this thought, Flora couldn't help it, but tried to steal a glance in his direction.
Thankfully, Martin wasn't looking at her direction or else, she would have been caught. His gaze remains stagnant in the distance.
Flora wondered whether she was the one he was thinking about right now that made him appear this lost?
The more she thought about this, the more angry she became.
At this point, she doesn't really mind if she does something desperate right now.
She can't continue to hurt herself any longer. She can't continue to die in silence and watch another woman take him away from her.
Martin was the only human in her life that she has finally come to love and cherish. He was the one who never stopped encouraging her, even when there was nothing to keep her going. He was the only one who cared to know whether she was alright or not. He was the only one who didn't treat her like trash.