A relative of mine had opened a restaurant one time and I decided to work there briefly since I had a lot of time on my hands, it was a big restaurant that bubbled for a really long time until it was closed down for personal reasons. When the restaurant was still in business, I worked as a waiter—I enjoyed my job because I got to make friends with my co-workers and meet someone that gave me a reason not to hide my pain.
Although I was much younger than my co-workers, but I was treated like we were all the same age—we laughed, chatted and had fun together. I had always looked forward to going to work each day.
There was a guy I was closest to then, his name was Michael, I was drawn to him after I discovered he was the same age as I was. It was 7:00am on a Thursday, the restaurant had not opened for the day, I sat on a chair chatting as usual with one of the cleaners.
Good morning, please I’m looking for the manager’s office. I’m here for the interview. Michael said in a low voice, looking timid.
Are you sure you’re here for an interview? Why do you look so shy? And why is the tone of your voice so low? Would you even be able to answer the questions when you get in? The cleaner asked.
I’m sorry if my voice really sounded low but I’m very sure that I will do well in the interview. Michael answered.
It’s okay, let me show you to his office, I got up, took him to the manager’s office and left afterwards. After a while, he came out of the office smiling which meant he had gotten the job; without hesitation he wore his apron and joined us in serving food to the customers while learning what and what not to do.
That was when Michael and I became friends, his reason for getting a job was to save up some money before entering the university.
We became really close, and I became a friend he could confide in.
One day, we had an influx of customers, it wasn’t a festive period, so why were they so much customers? I thought to myself. The customers were so much that it became difficult to keep up with the orders, everyone was everywhere, serving and shouting over one another. I was in the same section with Michael, so our paths kept crossing, Micheal can you hang on without me for a while? I want to quickly use the restroom I said. No problem, I’ll try to he replied.
I immediately dashed to the restroom, when I got there I arranged myself and rested a bit before going back. I got back and resumed taking orders, while in the rush of it all, the tray I carried slipped out of my hands, sending the plates into the air before finally shattering on the ground. The whole restaurant paused for a second and everyone looked to my direction.
I felt so embarrassed and prayed for the ground to open up and swallow me, seeing that the ground wouldn’t open, I bent down picking up the plates and cleaning up.
Are you okay? Michael came over to help and knelt down beside me.
I guess so , I was still too embarrassed to speak or lift my head up. The rush of everything had gotten to me, I was too exhausted.
If only I had passed my entrance exams , I sighed.
What etrance exams? Michael asked.
Jeez! I bit my lower lip and closed my eyes in realization.
I had just let the cat out of the bag.
Nobody had known that I really didn’t want to work there, that I wasn’t really looking for a job to pass time or trying to help out a relative. The truth was that I failed my university entrance exams for the second time and was too ashamed to let anyone know except my family who knew already. So I decided to work at my relative’s restaurant to take my mind off the heartbreak of failing my exams.
You have always looked cheerful, no one would have guessed that. Go and clean up inside, I’ll finish up here don’t worry. Michael said giving me a soft smile.
I thanked him and left.
Later that night, I replayed what had happened in the restaurant in my head and what Michael said No one would have guessed… Maybe I had over-hidden my pain because I felt I would be judged. But I realized that failing my entrance exams didn’t make me a failure or working at the restaurant, so I finally let myself be human and that made me feel lighter.
After that day, I learnt that letting the cat out of the bag (planned or unplanned) can sometimes mark the beginning of one’s healing.
