Kevin Atienza
The weight of the day's events had already pressed down on my shoulders as I entered our small apartment. The tiny living room seemed even smaller, and the atmosphere was far from welcoming. Elvie was seated on the couch, her expression somber, her eyes fixed on me as I entered.
I greeted her, trying to sound cheerful despite the growing unease. "Hey, Elvie. How was your modeling gig today?"
She didn't respond immediately. Instead, she continued to scrutinize me, her gaze sharp as a knife. After a pregnant pause, she finally spoke, her tone laced with accusation. "Is it true? Did the bank you work at really go through a recession? Did they lay off most of their employees?"
My heart sank. I hadn't wanted to talk about my job situation, especially not with Elvie. But it seemed like news traveled fast, and I couldn't hide the truth any longer. I nodded, unable to meet her eyes. "Yes, Elvie, it's true. The bank had a major downturn, and a lot of us got laid off."
She didn't hold back her anger, her words like a sudden downpour. "And what are you doing about it, Kevin? How are you going to pay the rent, the bills, or even put food on the table?"
I took a deep breath, mentally bracing myself for what I had to say next. "I've found a new part-time job," I admitted, my voice a little hesitant. "I'm going to work as a cashier at a small cafe. They're paying me $200 a day, and I'm still actively looking for something better."
Elvie's anger flared, and she didn't mince her words. "You're useless, Kevin! A measly $200 a day? How can you expect to support us with that? How will you give me money, buy me the things I deserve?"
My throat tightened as I tried to find the right words. I wanted to explain that I was doing my best, that I had taken this job as a temporary solution until something better came along. But before I could respond, Elvie dropped a bombshell.
"I want a break-up, Kevin," she declared, her voice cold and resolute. Without hesitation, she began packing her bags, hurriedly stuffing her belongings into a suitcase. Her actions were harsh, unforgiving, as though she were erasing every trace of herself from our shared space.
My heart felt like it had been ripped from my chest. The woman I had loved, the person I had thought would stand by me through thick and thin, was leaving. Her words stung like a thousand needles, and all I could do was watch helplessly as the person I thought I knew walked out of my life.
As the door closed behind her, I sank onto the couch, my head in my hands. I had lost my job, and now I had lost the person I thought I would spend my life with. It was a crushing blow, and in that moment, I felt utterly alone and defeated.
The tears welled up in my eyes, a painful lump forming in my throat as Elvie's departure sunk in. I hadn't cried like this since the night my mother had passed away, and the emotions I felt were almost identical – a crushing sense of loss, helplessness, and despair.
As the tears streamed down my cheeks, I couldn't help but question my own worth. Maybe Elvie was right; maybe I was truly useless and didn't deserve her love. After all, what had I accomplished in my life? I had lost my job, couldn't provide for her, and now she had walked away from me without a second thought. Was I destined to be a failure in everything I did?
But in that moment, amid the overwhelming sadness and self-doubt, another thought began to take shape in my mind. Maybe I needed to stop dwelling on what I had lost and start focusing on myself. It was clear that I needed to find a way to pick up the pieces of my life and move forward.
I wiped away my tears, determined to change my perspective. Elvie was gone, and there was no changing that fact. But I still had control over my future. I had to prove to myself, if no one else, that I wasn't worthless. I had to find a way to stand on my own two feet and carve out a path for myself, even if it meant doing it alone.
The pain in my heart was still there, but it was slowly being replaced by a newfound resolve. I couldn't change the past, but I could shape my future. And as I sat there on the couch, tears drying on my cheeks, I made a silent promise to myself that I would do just that.
The next day arrived, and though my heart still ached from Elvie's departure, I knew I had to face the world and carry on. I showed up at the café for my new job, determined to put on a brave face, especially for the customers.
I found it surprisingly easy to adapt to my role. Whether it was taking orders, brewing coffee, or arranging pastries, the tasks came naturally to me. Lily, the cafe's owner, had been kind and understanding, and I appreciated the opportunity she'd given me.
As the morning went on, the phone rang, and Lily answered it. It was an order for delivery to a nearby love hotel. With the other staff occupied, she turned to me and asked if I could handle the delivery. Without hesitation, I agreed. It was a chance to prove myself and contribute to the café's operations.
With the order in hand, I made my way to the love hotel. The rain from the previous day had left the streets glistening, and the city had come alive with the hustle and bustle of daily life. I couldn't help but feel a sense of purpose as I navigated through the familiar streets.