Grabbing Dreams
Chapter 18 SIDE WORK

Today the working hours are over, Kanaya leaves in a hurry to get out of the office and wait for the bus on the side of the road. Not long awaited to come. Kanaya immediately went up and looked for an empty seat. The clock on the phone screen.

"May I not be late" he murmured. He leaned back for a moment on the back of the chair. His body feels very tired. But he has to prepare physically. Today was his first day at the restaurant.

Yep. Since her father entered the hospital, Kanaya tried to find additional income by working at a fast food restaurant in a mall. One of Rita's friends has helped Kanaya to work part-time there. He works after the "RR" Group. Tired indeed, but as hard as he could he would do it for the sake of his family.

"Come, Nay, take your clothes off." exclaimed Dini, Rita's friend who had helped her.

As fast as lightning Kanaya put on her new uniform and immediately joined Dini at the cashier section. This afternoon, there were a lot of customers coming. Kanaya is kept busy on her first day of work.

"Please ma'am, which menu will you choose?" Kanaya served with a friendly and polite smile to a middle-aged woman before her.

"Fried chicken package 1 two servings" said the woman had chosen the menu she wanted.

"I want fries and ice cream too, oma." whined a little girl he was leading.

"Add what he wants as well" he added with a smile.

Kanaya returned the woman's smile and repeated her order once more and was answered with a confident nod from her. When she was about to hand over some money, the girl shouted to someone who was walking towards them.

"Of Reino!!" the screech was happy then poured into the man's sling spoiled.

Kanaya is surprised not to play to see Reino walking towards the cashier table while holding the girl. Their gazes clashed. Kanaya tried to look natural even though her heart was racing again when Reino looked at her for quite a while.

"Let Reino pay, ma. Mama brought Sesilia to the table." pinta Reino while lowering the boy from his carrier. He took the wallet and handed a card to Kanaya to pay for her order. He received the card without looking at Reino.

Reino did not let go of his gaze from Kanaya who was serving him. There were a lot of questions about the girl in his mind right now. He wanted to take her out of the restaurant and ask her directly. But he still refrained from disturbing and bothering Kanaya who was working. He chose patience.

After all the orders were completed, Reino brought a tray full of food and passed from the front of Kanaya.

"Why should I see Mr. Reino anyway.." he muttered slowly. He could still sense that Reino was still watching him from afar. That makes Kanaya a little groggy. Fortunately, the state of the restaurant was getting more crowded until Kanaya could momentarily ignore the presence of Reino there.

****

At 10 o'clock Kanaya came out of the restaurant where she worked. He walked hand in hand with Dini and some of his new friends. They tell each other stories until their laughter is heard from a distance.

Reino who had been waiting in the parking lot immediately moved and approached them.

"Day!" call him, making Kanaya jump in shock because it turns out Reino is waiting for him there.

Dini and her friends looked at each other. They say goodbye to Kanaya thinking Reino has come to pick her up. *Maybe Kanaya's boyfriend, thought they were compact*.

Kanaya stood there, her mind and heart were out of place. Reino's arrival to the restaurant made him really surprised.

"I'll drive you home?" tawar Reino who quickly retorted a nod of Kanaya's head.

His friends were gone, of course he had no ride home. There was no other choice but to accept Reino's offer even though he knew the man would interrogate him later.

"May I ask you something?" reino asked at a glance to look towards Kanaya while remaining focused on driving.

"May, sir." answered Kanaya briefly.

"Why do you work there? Do you want to quit the office?" finally the question that had stuck in his heart since just now slid off.

Kanaya took a deep breath. Being this close to Reino always made Kanaya seem short of breath. Especially being confronted with questions that he was actually reluctant to answer.

"It's not so, sir. I don't want to quit my job at my office. It's just..." Kanaya could not continue her sentence. He lowered.

"What's all, Nay?" Reino is still waiting for an answer.

"I need extra money" he replied Kanaya finally, there was a drop of water in the corner of her eyes that made the girl momentarily turn her face to the car glass.

"My father was sick in the village. It costs a lot, sir. So, I had to find some extra income. He helped me get to work at that restaurant. Anything I would do for my family." she explained.

Tears scrambled down over Kanaya's cheeks. When talking about his family he becomes very fragile. Though all this time, he never once told his grief and burden of life to anyone but Rita. He does not want to be pitied by anyone. Especially to the trouble of those closest to him.

Reino pulled the car over. Unknowingly, he grabbed Kanaya's body and carried her into his arms. Kanaya was surprised but somehow her body did not refuse Reino's embrace. He felt his muscles weak. He fell in the arms of that man. The first man to hug her softly and warmly. He sobbed slowly.

"Cry, Nay. Don't carry the weight yourself." whispered Reino as she stroked Kanaya's hair gently as if she wanted to feel what the girl felt.

Reino drowned in his own imagination. Feeling Kanaya in her arms now seemed able to affirm her feelings for the girl. Is this what it feels like to fall in love? inner Reino was troubled.

***

Ms. Hana, Kanaya's boarding mother, is seen waiting on the porch of the house. His face looks worried. Kanaya doesn't usually come home this late. He is waiting for Kanaya to be accompanied by Rita. Seeing a car stopping in front of his house, he stood and waited.

Kanaya gets out of the car, followed by Reino. They both enter the courtyard and are greeted by Hana and Rita.

"Why does he come home one night, Nay?" ask Mama Hana worried. She was like her own mother to the residents of the room.

"Sorry, ma'am, the restaurant just closed at 10." replied Kanaya as she kissed her hand. His eyes were on Reino.

"I'm Reino, ma'am." timpal Reino introduced himself while kissing Hana's hand. Miss Hana smiled.

"Sir Reino is our boss in the office, ma'am" Rita explained. He smiled silently observing the two creatures before him as if satisfied to catch wet those who went home alone.

"Oh yeah? Well thank you very much, son Reino has brought his mother's son home. Sorry to bother."

"No hassle, ma'am." said Reino, looking at Kanaya with a smile.

Duh, heart! batin Kanaya groggy. He glanced at Rita who grinned happily.

"I go home first, ma'am." said Reino when he realized

the night is getting late.

"Yes, son Reino. Be careful on the road."

Kanaya escorts Reino to the gate and waits for a moment until Reino's car disappears in the dark of night.

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