Traizle
"When will you pay for the house rent? You are still not paying for the water and electricity bill for this month." said Amelia, the property owner of our house.
"I am sorry about that, but I can promise that I will pay next week." I answered, almost pleading to let me pay next week.
"But you should pay everything, are we clear?" The property owner asked.
She nodded. "Yes, thank you." I said as I bowed, to express my gratitude.
We were too short in money this month. My last wage paid for our last rent. I even paid half of our electric and water bills for last month. I must keep money with me for Lyndon and Layzen's allowance.
I started to ride on my old motorcycle. I went home to get the motorcycle, but the proprietor saw me and asked for the payment immediately.
After a few minutes of traveling, I reached the snack bar. "Traizle, you have a delivery. Kelvin went out for a delivery too, minutes ago." the owner of the snack bar said. "Right away!" I responded as soon as I received the order I needed to deliver.
Riding on the motorcycle, I am thankful that this is still working even though it is old already. How can I deliver orders if this one surrenders?
I really have to think of any solution to my problems. I must work tonight. I need many customers. Should I just consider Z—
"Ahh!" I screamed as I was flying somewhere. Someone bumped his vehicle against mine. "Ah!" I howled as I held my hips.
"Hey! What the hell are you thinking!" A man shouted as he approached me. I help myself to stand up. "The lights have turned green already, but you are still not moving! If you do not want to go, then go to the side! Do not bother others!" The man said angrily.
"S-sorry about that, Sir." I apologized.
I can't even answer back, knowing it is partly my fault.
"What can you do to the scratches that your old motorcycle did?" The man asked.
'I do not know. I do not have any money to pay you either.'
Those are the words I wanted to respond with, but I can't get my own lips to move and speak. I can't even move a little.
"What now? What are you going to do with the scratches?" he asked again as he looked back at his car.
"I-I do not have any m-money to p-pay you." I answered stuttering.
"What? You cannot pay for it?" The man asked, cannot believe what he heard.
I suddenly remembered the order. "Give me your number, I will give mine as well. I will pay for you tomorrow. I still must deliver the food.” I told him, speaking fast.
"How can I trust you to pay for me tomorrow? You might run." the man snickered.
I quickly got the snack bar's card and gave it to him. "I am working here, as you can see. I promise to pay you tomorrow." I answered.
We talked for a while, before I could calm the man down. He seemed like he would not let go of what happened. Money problems again.
After making him agree to my request, I immediately drove to the place I needed to go to. I asked for forgiveness for being late to the customer, telling them that I got into an accident. Thank God, that the one who ordered did not get mad at all, saying it was okay.
After that, I sat on my motorcycle. My whole body is aching, especially my hips. It is like they are dislocated, causing me to hurt so much.
After a few minutes of rest, I started the engine to go back to the snack bar. Entering the snack bar is killing me already because of my hips. When I finally entered the snack bar, I quickly sat on the nearest chair.
"Traizle?" I heard Kelvin ask. "Are you okay?" He added.
I nodded, limping as I walked. "Yeah, I am." I answered, trying to hide the fact that I was aching all over my body.
"Traizle, what happened to you?" The familiar voice said.
I lifted my head to see who was speaking, as I expected it to be him, Zarsuelo. “None," I answered. "Do we still have orders to be delivered?" I asked Kelvin.
We glance at the owner of the shop who’s talking to her telephone. "The owner is talking on the phone already, I am going now to deliver another one. Are you really okay?" He asked again.
I nodded again. "Yes, I am. Go now, you might be late." I answered.
Kelvin glance at Zarsuelo and said, "Can you look for her?" he told him before leaving.
"Did something happen?" Zarsuelo asked.
I was about to look up, but Zarsuelo matched my height position already. "My motorcycle bumped against someone's car." I answered, almost whispering.
"What happened to you?" He asked again.
"I flew and fell on my hips first. My whole body aches." I answered.
"Let's go to the nearest hospital to get you checked." he offered. I waved my hands immediately, declining his offer. "They need to check you up, what if it is serious?" He continued.
"Do not worry about me, I will just rest for a few minutes." I spoke.
Going to a hospital will cost me more money.
"Oh Traizle, do you want to take this delivery now?" The owner asked. I tried to stand up, but the pain was unbearable. I cannot help but to cry out in silence because of the pain. "Are you okay?" The owner asked worriedly.
"She got into an accident," Zarsuelo replied. "I told you we should go to the hospital." he insisted.
The owner held my hands and asked, "Do you want me to come with you?"
I shook my head. "No need, I will just go with Zarsuelo. Tell Kelvin that I am not able to deliver orders tonight." I answered.
I do not want to bother someone's work.
"Okay, text me if you need anything," the owner said. "Can you look after her tonight?" she added, asking Zarsuelo.
"I will take care of her, do not worry," Zarsuelo answered before helping me to stand up. "I called my driver already. Let's wait outside." He continued.
We waited outside for a few minutes before his driver came with his car. We went to the nearest hospital and let the doctor check me.
"When did this happened?" The doctor asked me.
I counted the time in my head. "About a half-hour ago." I replied.
"How did this injury occur?" He asked again.
"Someone bumped his car into my motorcycle, and I flew and fell on my hips first." I replied.
"Do you have any other injuries aside from this?" The doctor asked.
"I do not know." I answered stuttering. I started to check myself to see if I had any injuries. None in my lower body. I lifted the sleeves of my jacket and saw some small flesh wounds. "Ah this?" I asked, showing the flesh wound I'd gotten.
"Does it hurt?" The doctor asked back.
I shrugged my shoulders. "I don't know, my hips hurt more than they do." I responded.
We did a physical exam before diagnostic testing, to test if the injury is serious or not. When we got the result, thankfully, the injury was not serious, not that thankful because I should rest for a week. The doctor gave me prescription medicine for pain.
And the last thing we needed to do was pay the bill. "Zarsuelo, can we take a sit for a while?" I asked Zarsuelo as we were about to head to the information desk.
"Yep. We can, Cerezo," Zarsuelo answered, and that made me look at him. "Does calling you Cerezo upset you?" He remarked.
We sat on the chair. I look at the paper I am holding. How much will this bill cost? I still have to pay the man tomorrow. Where can I get money to pay our rent and bills?
"Anyway, I texted your brother—I have his number because he is a good player. I lost to his team last week, if you did not know." he said, explaining when I looked at him, mentioning my brother.
Lyndon never told me about that. "What are you doing at the snack bar a while ago?" I asked.
"Of course, to bug you," he answered quickly. "I was in Singapore last week. That is why I can't bug you." he added.
"I thought you had given up on your plan." I answered.
He shook his head. "Giving up is not in my vocabulary," he responded. "I won't let others see your potential." he continued.
He is certainly persistent. What potential does he see in me? "Will you really give me a job?" I asked.
Zarsuelo nodded. "Why would I bug you if I didn't, right?" He asked back.
I sighed. "It is unlikely to be done by someone who has a position like yours, because it is too weird and confusing at the same time." I answered.
"You are the weird one," he responded. "If I ask someone to work for me, they will definitely agree without thinking twice. They won't hesitate to accept my offer, because I am Matthew Zarsuelo." he added.