Chapter Forty five
Nelson and I sat opposite to each other, around the table, eating. The day was not busy at all as Nelson told me. Things were not as good as they seemed to be. This restaurant was going downhill. Only Five customers arrived throughout the day. And we hardly made any money.
However, there was an exception. One where I got a tip.
After Nelson had told me that I got a tip, it was hard for me to believe it. I was on the verge of freaking out when Nelson told me about a tradition that I had never heard before. Japanese restaurants don't take tips, in fact it is considered offensive. My on-the-verge freakout died down hearing this. Seeing the change in my energy, he smiled and shook his head.
"Don't worry. Since this restaurant is not in Japan, the owners adapted to the environment. It was their personal choice." He said, then continued. "They made an exception. If the tip is given to the server for their service and not on food, they can keep it. It's a bonus and appreciation for their hard work." He told me.
He gestured to the bills and told me that I could keep the tip. Hearing that something clicked in me. Last past few days have been the worst days of my life and yet somehow, they were also one of my luckiest days too. I mean everything that happened with my brother sucked but I got help when I needed it the most. Who gets help when they need it the most? It was too convenient.
Suddenly, having extra money from serving felt too much of a blessing to me. Even though I earned it, I could not forget that I was able to earn this extra money because of the person sitting next to me. He gave me a place to live. A job. Three meals a day and most importantly, he gave me the much-needed safety that I required at the moment. Knowing that my brother might be lurking out on the streets looking for me, gave me chills but knowing that I did not need to feel scared about that was relieving.
I pulled out the tip and with a look of satisfaction, knowing that I earned it by working, I extended it to Nelson. Nelson was eating from his bawl when he looked up to see my extended hand. He frowned and stared at me with confusion.
I smiled. "Here. It is for you. I would not have earned it if it was not for you." I told him and gestured for him to take the money. Not feeling sad or bad that I was giving away my extra earnings of the day. I needed to hand it to him and show him that I appreciated his help- Everything that he has done for me.
For not just providing me with a home and help through all this mess, but for being so helpful and nice. Turned out he was not a jerk as I presumed him to be and was more than just a nice person. He helped a stranger in the worst situation and that too, without batting an eye or judging.
He proved me wrong. He was genuinely a nice person and probably more. I just hope that this was his real self and hopefully don't turn out to be a completely different person like Mike. God, Mike made me have some trust issues.
Seeing me extending my money to him, Nelson wiped his mouth from the back of his hand and shook his head. "Why are you handing your money to me? It's yours." He said. Somehow, his answer made me respect him even more. Now I did not feel at all bad for handing it to him.
"No. It is not. I only got to earn it because of you. If you had not given me this job then I would not even have it." I told him.
Mike straightened and his whole face turned serious. "Viri. Just because I gave you a job does not mean that I get to take away your earnings, especially the ones that you earned from your customer, because he was happy with your service. I can't take it." His voice seemed serious too.
"I understand. But, I think I should share this money with you. For ... you know ... for your troubles and for lending me a place to live." I told him.
Nelson sighed. He untangled his arms and picked up the spoon once again. "My answer is no." He said, a tone of finality in his tone.
"Having you here is no trouble for me since I was already wanting company for a long time. And as per for this-letting you live here? You are paying rent by helping around the chores of this house and work. So, no need to worry about that." He answered me. He pointed to my bowl with his spoon and told me, "Now eat your food before it gets too cold." He told me.
I accepted his decision this time and retracted my hand. My stomach growled in hunger so I decided to eat at last. I can worry about these later, but first I wanted to fill my stomach with some delicious food. So, I dig in.
For a few minutes, both Nelson and I ate in comfortable silence. But then finally I struck up a conversation about the restaurant.
I asked him if the restaurant had always been this slow and if the numbers of customers were always this low. Nelson told me yes. When I asked him that if this business was running this low then why were the owners still running it? That's when Nelson told me that it was because they wanted the people of this place to know about the Japanese food and how delicious it was. He further explained that the owners were rich but wanted to stay in touch with their birthplace. That's why they opened it.
I thought about the restaurant when I went to sleep that day, but then my thoughts faded into worrying about school and Shirley. What must have been happening with her right now? What was she doing right now? I hope my brother did not hurt her or did something stupid. I missed my classes, what will come of my marks? Will I be able to complete my studying this year?
... and before I realised, I had fallen asleep.