"Mandy"
Today is the first day of my job here in Milan
That's why I need to wake up so early,
I'm living alone here in my apartment
My friend provided it for me
I never thought I will work this far again,
The last time I work this far away from my country
is when I was a Tutor in Dubai
I'm 23 yrs old at that time
That is 4 years ago,
And every time I remember it
It just gives me heartaches.
my cell phone ring
I pick up my phone on my bed
While I still feel sleepy
It is my friend Abbie in another line speaking in an irate voice.
"It is your first day I’m not expecting you to be late
I know you’re still on your bed
You’d better get your ass here now
I have something to tell you"
Then she hangs up,
I get out of bed quickly
I rush over to the bathroom I take a quick shower
I wear my bathrobe after that
I blow dry my hair and take off my bathrobe
And I put my clothes on,
My room is located on the 6th floor,
While I'm in a rush it looks likes the elevator is having an issue,
So I decided to take the staircase,
I was gasping for air when I reach the main floor
as I walk so fast through the exit door I bump into a familiar figure
my lips bump into his chest
And my pink lipstick stain his white t-shirt,
"Oh what a bad day"
those words pop on my mind
when I lift my head I see him smiling at me handsomely
And he whisper on my ear
"Long time no see Mandy Sukkasame what a small world"
I'm a bit shock and I reply instantly
yeah, what a small world!
suddenly I came back to my senses
0ooooooh I'm going to be late
So I walk away from him quickly
I give her a smile and I see the warmth in his eyes
I need to go now I have work to do
I don't want to be late,
He just nods his head and
smile back at me,
The shop I work at is just nearby my apartment building,
it takes less than 20 minutes of walking to get there
Finally, I reach my destination.
Good morning Abbie
I give my lovely friend my big smile
Hey, what's that face I'm not late!
"did I say that you're late Abbie reply sarcastically "
Abbie Di Mitri is my only friend
we grew up together in an orphanage,
when Abbie Di Mitri turned 11 years old
an Italian couple adopt her,
Abbie De Mitri and I never lost in touch
since the day she left me at the orphanage
she always sends me letters and she often calls me.
she never forgets to visit me every time
their family having a vacation.
So many years had past and we are still friends,
I'm 27 years old now and she's 29
She is married but I'm still single,
Well that's one of her dream to have her own family
and I'm happy for her.
"Have u had breakfast? Abbie asks"
I reply quickly
I didn't have breakfast yet
Oh come on let's have breakfast first
before we open the shop Abbie says
We ordered our breakfast online
2cups of coffee and 2 large burger and potato fries,
We sit near behind the transparent glass wall at her shop
We having a chit chat while we're having our breakfast,
She says,
" I hope you will bring good fortune to my shop Mandy"
I just wink and smile at her
Okay, I will use all my charm to attract all the customers outside
Then she burst out laughing.
After we laugh we get silent for a second
And I told her I saw Ethan this morning,
" Who's Ethan? " she asks
Ethan he is the brother of my former boss
I reply coldly at her
Abbie
Oh, I remember He is the brother
of the man you hated the most!
When and where did you saw him?
me
I saw him this morning,
I was in a rushed and I bumped into him
accidentally
Abbie
Where did you saw him?
me
in the lobby at the apartment building
Abbie
Did you talk to him?
Me
NO, I'm in a hurry to get here Madam
Abbie
did he tells you something when he see you?
Me
What things he’s going to tell me
We’re not related to each other
he just says long time no see
And I pause.
Abbie
do you have an idea what he's doing here? "
Me
I don't know what he's doing here
and I'm not interested to find out either
I answer coldly again.
In the back of my mind words are keep on coming in
I hope I will never see him again
Then I hear a loud tap on our table
Abbie
Mandy your mind is flying up in space again
Come on let's start working
I want you to make a gown for my little daughter
Me
it's my pleasure Abbie
I will make four gowns for little Sandra so she can choose!
Abbie
Two gowns are enough
little Sandra will be on delima on just picking a gown,
don't give my pricess a hard time
Then Abbie laugh
me
Okay, I will follow whatever you say
because you're my boss then I smile so wide at her,
There are no many customers that day Abbie De Mitri
and I continue our conversations,
suddenly Abbie ask me this
Abbie
aren't you tired Mandy?
me
What do u mean I quickly response
Abbie's get quiet and listen eagerly while I'm talking
This is the job I like the most Abbie,
designing dresses, making gowns,
making personalize presents
I don't want to go back on teaching
that job is not good for me it's very stressful
And I'm with you now,
working for you will be fun
then Abbie smiles at me
Abbie
you're so cheesy Mandy it makes me feel itchy.
She began scratching her arms then we burst out laughing
how about I set you on a blind date?
she says
me
"NO way" my fast response
Abbie
Why not?
and she keeps on persuading me
Me
listen Abbie
I don't want to waste my precious time
on any stupid blind dates!
Abbie
When you grow old who will take care of you
She trow a question again
me
Can't you see I'm working so damn hard
so in the future when I get old
I will just hire someone to change my diaper,
After hearing that Abbie laugh at me sarcastically.
_____________________________
Our long day in her shop is Finnish,
Abbie
Do you want to go home with me and have dinner with us?
me
No, I need to finish something
I have to finish reading my precious book
in my apartment
And I beam with a smile
Abbie
I really feel sorry for you bitch
then Abbie shake her head while saying those words to me,
me
Okay I'll go home now see you tomorrow Madam Abbie Di Mitri
My prince in the book is waiting for me at home,
Abbie
Mandy I think you need to see a doctor
you're mentally ill now
me
Listen Abbie those men in my books
they gave me more excitement
than the real men here in this world
Abbie
"oh Mandy Sukkasame you're such a pity"
me
See you, tomorrow madam De Mitri!
I gather my things and dash off.
