Chapter 3: The Almighty Raviora

Raviora’s Point of View 

“Four bottles of beer for table fifteen, please!” One customer said. 

“Right away, Sir!” I replied. 

From here on the table I am cleaning, I immediately fixed all the mess and placed the plates above my tray. 

I smiled at some of our customers. It’s actually a resto bar where some of our clients are adults and want to drink beer even if it’s still lunch. 

My workmate, Ada, lent me four bottles of beer the moment I passed the trays full of plates and more utensils inside. She smiled at me and I did the same. 

This is my usual routine every day. Waking up in the morning, working, going home and vice versa. I am still mourning, yes, but I still made it up for everything while I mourn.

“Thanks,” the man said. 

“You’re welcome, Sir.”

Successive entries of customers entered. I showed them a big smile before leading the way to their seats. 

Both of them are couples. I can see that the girl is holding a bouquet of red roses. The girl is wearing a jacket and I am wondering why since it’s cold outside and even here. 

“Is today your anniversary?” I smiled. 

The girl looked at me as she smelled the flowers her boyfriend gave her. “Yes. Sweet, isn’t it?” 

“Happy Anniversary, babe.” 

I was about to puke because of how the guy kissed her girlfriend. I rolled my eyes because of it. The girl giggled because of the torrid kiss her boyfriend gave her. 

“May I know what’s your order, Ma’am?” I prepared my pen and paper. 

“You,” her boyfriend said. 

I was stunned for a second. Me and his girlfriend looked at each other while the man, who said offensive, smirked. 

“Excuse me, Sir?”

His smirks grew even bigger. I saw how his eyes drifted on my uniform, or my boobs. I don’t think his girlfriend saw it. She looked away when I talked.

I stared at her girlfriend for a moment. I can see that she’s pretty. Her hair is long, pinkish red lips and I can say that she has curves. My eyes went to her arm when I saw how her jacket lifted when she moved. 

I clearly saw a purple mark in there. 

“You, what’s your special dish here? I’ll order it.” His boyfriend said. 

It took awhile before I said something regardless of her purple mark on her left arm. 

“We have two special dishes here, Sir. Here...”

I handed him our menu. He checked it while my eyes were on his girlfriend, who’s looking at me meaningfully. 

I couldn’t specify what her eyes say, but she looks scared, devastated and nervous. 

“Can we order a chicken?” She sounded so sweet as the girl held the arms of her boyfriend. 

“No. We’ll order two special dishes, number one, and a beer for me, plus water for her.” He said with finality. 

“Alright, Sir. Maybe you want to add more? We h–” 

“Two orders of special dish number one, a beer for me and water for her.” The way he said those made my skin shiver. His voice was rough, it’s like he’s angry that I’m asking for more. 

Even his girlfriend said nothing. It’s like she got shocked too, yet she smiled and clung to his boyfriend’s arm. 

He sighed heavily before looking at me darkly. 

“Alright, then. Kindly wait for fifteen-twenty minutes.” 

That was the last thing I said before turning back on them. Why was he angry and looked darkly at me, by the way? I just asked if they’ll order for more! 

Ugh. Customers and their meanest attitude. 

I smiled at my workmate who’s still at the counter while our manager went out from the kitchen. 

“Oh. Didn’t you hear the news from Tori?” she said, asking concerned. 

“It’s okay, Ma’am. I can handle it.” 

“Dear, your friends are right. You really don’t know how to listen,” a small chuckle came out from my lips. 

Our manager is very kind. She’s not like the other manager who’s very strict and feels superior. She really treats us well, and that’s the reason we all like her so much. 

Yes, I am still mourning and there have been days when he passed away, but it doesn’t mean I will not continue living. 

“Well, I think it’s in the blood, Ma’am.” Tori smirked at me.

The three of us chuckled. “Says the rule breaker, huh?” I mocked. 

I waited patiently. Fifteen minutes had passed when the food was ready. I immediately served their food because it looks like the couple are fighting. 

“Excuse me,” I said. “Here’s your order, Ma’am, Sir.” 

The girl looked at me while his boyfriend looked at my boobs again. Damn. I don’t know if it was just an accident in his first attempt, but I think he’s being suspicious.

Tori immediately gave them a bottle of beer and water for them. 

“Raviora, right?” He asked. 

I nodded. “Yes, Sir.” 

“May I get your number? Just in case–” 

“We do not give personal information to our customers. Excuse me,”

He’s irritating the hell out of me. Is it for real? I can say that he's a pervert and... well uh, manipulative and abusive?

I really wanted to ask or confront the girl about what happened to his arm and I have this hunch it was her boyfriend’s fault. I just remained quiet. 

My shift will end soon. Some of my workmates need help. That’s why I tried my best to divert my attention on working when I saw the couple walking out from our restaurant. He’s grabbing the girl’s hand and I think the girl is hurt. 

I was about to go after them when Tori stopped me. 

“Her boyfriend seems abusive. Don’t try meddling with them, Raviora.” She warned. 

Tori noticed it too. 

“But she’s in danger. We need to help her!” 

“Look, girl, I saw how the man looked at your boobs earlier. He’s a pervert, abusive and I guess manipulative too. It’s their problem! Don’t try interfering, girl. You might get yourself in danger.” 

I slowly nodded. Tori is right. It’s not my business to meddle, but I’m terrified, sad, and concerned about the girl. 

I agree with what Tori told me. The way the man pulled her girlfriend up without finishing their food, I can say that he’s furious and the girl is hurt. 

Another customer came in. Something is pushing me to come and save the girl. I closed my eyes as I looked at Tori, who’s busy wiping the table when I immediately went outside and searched for both of them. 

Three minutes have passed. For sure, they are still here. I used my eyes to locate their whereabouts when I saw a man and a girl fighting near the trash. 

“Do you think someone will rescue you, huh?” He said darkly to her girlfriend. 

He grabbed her hand, and the girl cried. Damn this man! 

“I-It hurts... Please, James.” She pleaded. 

It shocked me when I saw the man named James slap the girl. 

“And now you’re hurting, huh? Damn...” 

James was about to slap her when I ran towards their direction and slap James’ back using the wood I saw in the street. 

I immediately grabbed the girl’s hand and both of us ran. When I looked back at James, I saw how hurt he was and groaned so much. He’s laying in the bed as he shouted for the girl’s name. 

Both of us reached a few meters away from him. It is when the girl suddenly looked at me. 

“W-Why did you do that?” She said, gasping for breath. 

I did the same too. I feel tired running and I am short of breath too. “I-I saw he was dragging you out, and I thought you n-need my h-help...” 

She hugged me so tight. “Yes! I r-really need help...” 

“He’s abusing you, right? Is he your boyfriend?” 

“I wanted to break up with him, but he won't let me. He’s hurting and abusing me.” 

My eyes drifted on her left arm. “The purple mark on your arm. He did that to you, too?”

She said nothing. I waited for minutes, yet she only looked down and bit her lower lips as her tears rolled down. 

Now I know. My hunches and Tori’s are right. That asshole! 

I felt sad for her, to be honest. She’s pretty, young, and naïve. I couldn’t see someone hurting a girl like her. Even if she wouldn’t admit it, I already know the answer. I sighed heavily. 

“Do you want to report him to the police station?” 

She shook her head as if she’s begging. “No.. No... Please. H-He’s dangerous...” 

“What about you then? Are you going to be okay? What if that man will–” 

“I’ll run away...” she said, full of courage. 

I stared at her. She’s crying and I really wanted to report him, but she disagreed knowing he’s really dangerous. I can see that she’s scared. 

I looked at her. “What’s your name?” 

She looked at me for a second before looking away. “Y-You saved my life...” 

“It’s because I know my hunches were right. Are you really sure that–” 

“Thank you...” 

For a minute, I felt her warm hug. She looks happy, scared, and nervous at the same time. I should worry myself right now because I don’t know if James saw me. 

A car stopped in front of us. Both of us looked at it. I thought it was James, but the car’s owner beeped. 

“I will repay you someday...” 

I flashed a soft smile. “Just promise me one thing. Live and don’t come back in here and to... him.” 

“Victoria. Victoria is my name.” 

That was the last thing I knew before Victoria vanished in front of me. I don’t know who it was but I think she knows the car owner. 

I let out a heavy sigh before going back to the resto bar again. It is when I saw James inside. He looks messy and when his eyes drifted on me. The tables were on the floor, looking so messy. 

Tori went on with me. 

“You!” He shouted darkly. “You’re the one who beat me with a stick!” 

My hands went cold. 

“Excuse me?” I asked politely. “Have you seen me doing that to you?” 

There was a long silence between us in front of many people. He didn’t see me! Damn... It is when our manager butted in. 

“Looks like you’re mistaken, Sir. My employee, Raviora, ordered her to buy something outside.” She asserted. 

My heart beats so fast that I don’t even know if I’d survive. 

“She’s talking with my girlfriend earlier!” 

“Just like what our manager said, I went out to buy garlic in the market but the vendor said it was out of stock.” I lied. 

Some customers are hissing inside. The guy, James, looked so pissed. He looked at me darkly as he pointed his fingers. 

He slowly approached me. When his eyes met mine, I couldn’t stare at it for too long. He made my heart throb and my knees tremble. James brought his face to my ears a little. 

“I will never forget you,” 

When he left, Tori and our manager immediately went on with me. Others are fixing the tables and chairs that he has destroyed. 

I bit my lower lip. 

“So mean!” Tori said. 

Ms. Sarah looked at me. She’s our manager. “What happened?” 

“Nothing, Miss.” I assured them. 

“You didn’t really go after that girl, right?” 

I didn’t answer Tori’s question. I fixed my things because my shift is done.

Tori and I don’t have the same shifting time. I’ll come home earlier than her. Some of my workmates left, too, so I did the same. I saw my workmates outside and was with them until all of us decided to part our ways. 

The streets are dark, I can say that, yet I still went home just by myself without James. When I went home, it surprised me when I saw the loan sharks sitting pretty in our living room.