Chapter 43 - Slowly but surely

After seven months on the job...

"Manager, you called for me?"

"Ah yes, Mr. Teslan. I've some good news for you. After seven months of observation, I evaluated and concluded that you're a competent, inspired, excellent hard worker. This place is cleaner than ever. Congratulations. You're now a regular employee of this establishment. You'll have a 5% salary increase and also a promotion."

Promotion...?

No way...

I got promoted...?

I really thought this janitorial work will never end! I really thought that "promotion" doesn't exist anymore in this world! YES!!! I want to shout and jump for joy!

"Before, you're the ground floor janitor. But now, you'll be the second floor janitor! Isn't that great?! You really leveled up, Mr. Teslan! You'll still have your responsibilities on the ground floor, that's for sure. But now, the second floor will also be included to your cleaning duties. Congratulations, Mr. Teslan. I look forward to your excellent work and loyalty for more years to come!"

Silence...

What am I supposed to say to this kind of situation...?

You're kidding me, right...?

I'M STILL A JANITOR?!

"Thank... you... Sir...?"

"You're welcome! You're welcome! You may now return to your work. Carry on. Carry on."

"Yes Sir..."

I got promoted...

To the second floor...

Sigh...

Oh well...

I can do nothing but to appreciate that so... let's celebrate...?

Sigh...

Just a little bit more... Just a little bit more...

Don't forget the fact that I'm getting closer to Nikita. Never forget that...

======================================================

After another six months of hard work...

"Mr. Teslan, you're one of the best employees I ever had. I just can't help but notice your hard work and the cleanliness of this restaurant. Congratulations! You are now promoted to kitchen work and have another 5% salary increase. You can now leave your janitorial duties. You're now the Kitchen and Dish Cleaner of this restaurant. You'll also have the responsibility to clean the tables and properly arrange the spoons, knives, forks, and chairs of 1st and 2nd floor. Got it?"

"Yes Sir! I'll do it right away!"

YES!!!

I can finally approach her now! Our distance to each other is not so far anymore!

I'm a paranoid, that's for sure. But with this, I know, I'm sure she will not think lowly of me anymore.

Now, I have something I can present to her, that I'm a responsible, hard-working guy!

It's not much, but at least it's something!

Tomorrow... In the evening...

I'll muster up all my courage...

And ask...

"Can we be friends...?"

======================================================

(8:00 P.M.)

"Sup Son! You're late!"

"Good evening, Dad. And as always, I'll say it again and again, Overtime."

"Hmmm... You've been doing overtime work since you started that job, Teslan. Even on holidays. You also need to rest, son. Don't abuse your body."

"I can't promise that, Dad. I need to save lots of money for the future!"

I sat down and started to eat my dinner.

"You've been smiling a lot these days. And you're really radiating with happiness and positive energy tonight, son. Did something good happen?"

"Yes Dad." I said with a smile.

"What is it?"

"I got promoted to the kitchen."

"Nice! You're not a janitor anymore. Good work."

"Thanks Dad."

Silence...

"So... How are you two lovebirds doing?"

"We're not lovebirds, Dad."

We're not even close.

"It's just a metaphorical expression, son! Don't take it too literally! So, back to my question. How are you two doing?"

"I'll try to talk to her tomorrow evening, Dad."

Crud... MY TONGUE SLIPPED!!!

"AH YOU UBER SHY CAT! I KNEW YOU HAVEN'T TALKED TO HER YET! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA!"

Thanks for boosting my self-confidence, Dad.

"I-I'm taking my time, Dad! Slowly but surely!"

"Twelve months have already passed, son! That's way too slow! What? Are you waiting for her to make the first move?"

Well...

Kinda...

That would be really nice...

(To be honest, I've even fantasized that she'll be the one to approach and befriend me.)

"You're chasing rainbows, boy! That will never happen! Your-crush-also-has-a-crush- on-you. Yeah right! That would only happen in your wildest imagination, son! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!"

Your words of truth is the place where dreams die, Dad.

He suddenly stood up, placed both of his hands to my shoulders, and looked me seriously in the eye.

"You should be aggressive, Teslan! You should act quickly or someone else will steal her from you! You should secretly follow her when she's going back home! But before she can enter her home, take her by surprise! Surprise Attacks are very effective, Son! Corner her into a wall! And then whisper to her, '~You're my destiny~.' It's a foolproof plan I guarantee."

YOU'RE PUTTING DISTURBING IDEAS TO MY HEAD, DAD! AND THAT "~YOU'RE MY DESTINY~" LINE IS SO 1970'S!

"She'll definitely punch you in the stomach, run away, report you to the police station for harassment, and I'll put you to prison myself! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! Oh I'll be famous! All the people will call me 'The Great Retired Detective of 21st Century!' Just like Emperor Peter the Great of Russia! He didn't even spare his own son's rebellion!"

EH?!! YOU WANT TO PUT ME INTO JAIL?! BUT WHY?! I DIDN'T EVEN REBEL TO YOU! HAVE I DONE SOMETHING WRONG?!

He removed his hands to my shoulder and sat back on his chair again.

"I'm just joking and teasing you a bit, son. You know, to lighten up the mood. You're way too serious about that girl, young man! I'm just trying to make you loosen up."

I am dead serious about her, Dad. Like, "Marriage-In-Front-Of-The-Altar-Till-Death-Do-Us-Apart" Serious.

"Teslan, I know you're more than determined to capture the heart of that young girl..."

"Ain't no mountain high, ain't no valley low! Dad!"

(Dad's thoughts: Poor girl.)

"O-kay... Well then, Teslan, I give you my full blessing and permission to court her."

Silence...

Is this for real...?

Did my Dad just give me the go signal to court Nikita...?

No way...

There's got to be a catch or something!

"But you need to answer my three questions first. If you answer them all correctly, I myself will root for you."

I KNEW IT! Oh well, what the heck!

"Ask away."

"What's her full name, Melo?"

"Her full name is Nikita Wardensio, Dad."

"Hmmm... I see... Second question, do you love her?"

"Yes Dad! Of course! My love for her is like the never ending flow of a magma chamber!"

(Dad's thoughts: Goodness gracious, that sent shivers down my spine!)

"Why?"

Silence...

"Well... She's hot..."

"MAKA CHOP!!!"

"OUCH!!! THAT KARATE CHOP AGAIN?! WHY?! WHAT DID I SAY?!"

"Your answer to question #3 is wrong. Therefore, your answer to question #2 will also become wrong. That's one out of three, Teslan. You failed the test. I will not give you my blessing and permission to court her. In fact, I'm prohibiting you to date her!"

"HUH?! That's absurd! How can my answer to your third question be wrong?!"

"I'll gladly tell you why. If your so called 'love' is based on beauty, what would happen to your 'love' when her beauty is gone? You'll look for someone else? Someone much younger and beautiful than your old first love? Remember this, Teslan, charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last. Her heart is what matters the most. And please do not use 'love' as a tool to deceive someone just to get what you want. That's not love at all. I'm sure this Nikita is one heck of a head-turner. But that reason is not enough. Think again, Teslan. Why do you love her? Think hard. The decision you're going to make is a life-changing one so you better think twice, but don't think thrice! Aw! Do not forget, you're going to spend the rest of your life with someone if you'll continue to pursue this. If you found out the answer, talk to me again. Good night."

Dad slowly stood up and moon-walked to their room.

Huh...

That's actually a great hard question...