The Start

Dahlia Marie Rivia

I can feel the cold wind brushing to my shoulders as I was running through the streets of Paris, France. My trench coat is moving along the breeze and my small backpack is almost falling from my grasp. As I was about to reach the end of the Elysees Street, I came into a halt.

"Beautiful," I gasped as I admire the tall and distinct structure of the Eiffel Tower right upon me. The light surrounding the tower added more ethereal feels to me. I just cannot stop but to admire this every damn time I walk pass through it.

Ilang linggo na rin ako dito, at ilang linggo ko na din akong namamangha dito. Di na ata ako masasanay, which is good on my part. Since hindi naman kasawa-sawa ang pagmangha dito. Up until this moment, it still bring chills to my body. I don't know why but the Eiffel Tower gives off a magical vibes towards me.

I came back to my senses when I heard my phone ringing.

"Shit! I'm so dead," I mumbled while running again towards Le Patisserie, a famous restaurant and café here in France, wherei I am lucky enough to work in.

I open the white transparent door and quickly went up the stairs and tried to hide my face to my boss. I covered my face with my bag while going straight to the bathroom to change my clothes.

"Lagot na naman ako nito," I said, as I am putting some make-up on my face. I tied my hair in a messy bun then one last look at the mirror and I'm done!

After kong masatisfy sa aking itsura, lumabas na ako sa comfort room. I went straight to the kitchen and grabbed a tray full of pastries. I checked the table number first, before delivering it to the customers.

I smiled at my co-workers as I walk passed them.

"Hey Aalia! Your late again. Your lucky Lucy is still not here and if so, you will be a dead meat." sambit ni Samantha sa akin. She's one of my co-workers and also one of my closest friend here at work.

"Well you know me Sammy. I just can't help myself but to enjoy the Eiffel tower's majestic view. I think I will never stop admiring it" I respond to her with a big smile.

Nakita ko siyang umiling. Siguro nasanay na lang siya. Ito kasi yung lagi kong palusot. Well totoo naman pero and mas totoo kung bakit ako nalalate ay dahil natatamad ako. I didn't really plan to work here in Paris. My dream is to tour around this beautiful place as a tourist!

Pero sa kamalas, malasan naman. Pangalang araw ko pa lang dito ay nalaman ko na scam pala ang tutuluyan kong hotel plus yung packaged tour! And the worst thing that ever happened to me is, I lost my freaking bag which contains my cash and and travel necessity!

I can still imagine my face streaming with tears. I'm lucky enough that I still have some cash left in my pockets with my cell phone. After what happened to me, I don't have a choice but to find a job and work and luckily the restaurant and café that I am currently working in finding some employees.

All I have to do is earn enough money to buy my plane ticket back to the Philippines.

Cash, Plane Ticket, Home

That's my priority hangga't nandito ako sa Paris. I hope everything will go according to plan.

I hope so.