I had asked to be placed in the evening shift for a change. I am tired of working late nights with only disappointments as my companion. Even if I don't find anyone I can see myself with, I'd at least enjoy enough listening to other people talk.

That's how I find myself standing in front of the bar, waiting for an order of drinks.

It's a Saturday night, and the luxury bar is crowded, filled with impeccably groomed people with their stylish clothes. Although I am in my black and pink uniform, I've done what I could to make myself attractive.

I've been taking lessons from Shefali on how to apply makeup. I'm still not very proficient in it, but I'm learning and I notice the women who frequent such establishments as these.

They say you dress for the job you want.

To be a part of the glitterati, one has to learn how to glitter.

I take the full tray back to table and serve the order. Another table calls me and I take down their order, expertly jotting down their complicated drinks. I've become quite adept at this.

I go to the bar to give the list to the bartender and then lean back against the counter to survey the clientele, waiting for the order to be ready. Mostly working professionals and businessmen form the crowd, occasionally I spot a couple of teenagers who are trying to hide their young age behind their heavy makeup and stylish clothes.

Is that it? Is that the reason I'm still just a waitress? Do I need to put out myself more? What am I doing wrong?

"They are not what they look like."

I jerk in surprise and turn by head. A man sits beside me at the counter, a tumbler in his hand.

"Excuse me?"

"Those girls." He nods at the young women I was scrutinizing. "What do you think they are?"

"I don't know." I reply, "I think they are trying to have some fun without being judged by the world."

He laughs, a soft, melodic laugh and I look back at him. The man isn't much older than my twenty two years, he definitely looks to be within his twenties. He has a pleasant countenance. He gives off an aura of being a friendly guy, simeone one can feel comfortable with.

"For a waitress working in the Riverside Bar, you are naïve." The boy gestures towards those women again. "Tell me what you see when you look at them."

"I see- youth, I see beauty. I see the beautiful clothes and the charming smiles. They are happy to be out here. The boys with them are making them happy."

He laughs again and touches my fingers where they rest on the counter. "Now, try a little cynicism and look again. Do you see that older woman sitting right next to their booth?"

Frowning, I look at where he is pointing and see that he is right. There is an expensively dressed woman sitting all by herself in the next booth, watching the two couples.

I focus on the couples once again and see what I missed the first time.