I opened my eyes to see an unfamiliar yet oddly familiar ceiling . It took me a second to realize — I wasn't in my dorm . I was home .
Guess I've gotten too used to hostel life .
I got up , prayed Subuh , took a shower , and headed to the kitchen . The quiet morning air felt different here — warmer , calmer .
Mom was already up , busy with breakfast . She noticed me and smiled ."Oh , you're up early for someone who just got back ," she said .
I chuckled lightly . "Guess my body clock's still stuck at school ."
She laughed softly , handing me a plate . "Then let's keep it that way . Eat first before it fades ."
I ate while thinking about my family . Everyone seemed busy with their own world
now . I was probably almost an adult — sixteen soon , though technically still fifteen .
Mom and Dad worked all day . My younger siblings were in school . I could study ,
sure , but not the whole day . The silence at home felt heavy .
Maybe I should get a part-time job , I thought . At least it'd kill the boredom ... and maybe I could help a little with expenses . I didn't want to just sit here and rot from doing nothing .
I went to the same convenience store from last night to try applying for a part-time job .
Morning . Sunlight slips through the glass door of the small convenience store . Aizat pushes it open , the door gives a soft clink as it swings back . A male cashier , is behind the counter , scrolling on his phone .
Aizat : Morning . Uh … are you guys hiring ?
Cashier : (looks up, relaxed) Maybe . Who's asking ?
Aizat : I'm Aizat . I live nearby . I was thinking of working here during the holidays .
Cashier : Hmm . You got any experience ?
Aizat : Not really , but I can learn fast .
Cashier : (chuckles softly) Everyone says that . Still … we could use an extra hand . It's just stocking shelves , cleaning , handling the register sometimes . Think you can handle that?
Aizat : Better than staying bored at home .
Cashier : (nods) Fair enough . The manager's not in yet . He'll drop by this evening . You should come back then .
Aizat : Alright . Thanks .
Cashier : (gives a faint grin) No problem . See you later , Aizat , right ?
I got home after that, placed my phone on the table , and made myself a plate of fried rice . I cooked it the way I always did — simple , nothing special .
The taste was the same as as i remembered .
I waited until evening . By then , my family were already home . I told them I was going for a jog — but instead , I headed to the convenience store .
Ariel : There he is .
Manager : Oh , so this is Aizat , right ?
Aizat : Yes , that's me .
Manager : Ariel told me you're interested in working here part-time . You have any experience ?
I just realized I never asked for his name .Well , now I know — it's Ariel .
Aizat : Not really . But I learn fast , and I can handle cash or stock work if needed .
Manager : Hmm , good . We mostly need someone for morning shifts and weekends . Think you can handle that ?
Aizat : Yeah , I can . I don't have much going on during the holidays anyway .
Ariel : He looks reliable . I say give him a shot , boss .
Manager : You vouch for him , huh ?
Ariel : Yeah . Met him yesterday — polite , quiet , not the type to mess around .
Manager : Alright then , Aizat . You can start tomorrow morning . Just basic stuff — stocking shelves , cleaning , helping customers if needed . We'll see how you do .
Aizat : Got it . I'll do my best .
Manager : Good . Be here by six . Ariel will show you the ropes .
Ariel : (grins) Looks like we're teammates now . Don't be late , rookie .
Aizat : (smiles faintly) I'll try not to .
The manager walked away after finishing his talk with Ariel — probably about work . I turned to Ariel .
Aizat : How'd you know I came here last night ?
Ariel : I was here last night .
Aizat : Really ? I didn't notice you . There was only a girl cashier and —
Ariel : — and two other girls ?
Aizat : Uh~huh ?
Ariel : I was stocking shelves at the back . I only saw a good-looking boy paying for his bread and drink .
Aizat : … Right. So, tomorrow morning ?
Ariel : Yeah , but I won't be around tomorrow morning .
Aizat : Why ?
Ariel : I'm on the evening shift . I was just here today filling in for someone .
Aizat : Oh , that's fine .
Ariel : You'll be working with that girl .
Aizat : What do you mean by that girl ?
Ariel : You know , the one from last night .
Aizat : Didn't she work the evening shift with you ?
Ariel : She switched . Guess she likes mornings now .
Aizat : Hmm , I guess I can make it work .
Ariel : [grinning] You think she's cute , right ? Right ?
Aizat : Nah ...
He kept teasing me while explaining everything , like he already knew what I was thinking , he atcually let me listen to Aria voice message that she send to him so i can remember her voice properly .
I got home a bit late because Ariel kept our conversation going too long . I didn't mind — he was a nice guy . When I arrived , Mom was cooking in the kitchen . She told me to take a shower and join her for dinner. Her cooking was as delicious as ever . Everything felt normal after that .
The next morning , my family rushed off to school and work. Once they left , I packed my work uniform into my bag , locked the door , and rode my bike to the convenience store .
The moment I stepped inside — "You're late ," a familiar voice said .
I looked at the direction the voice came from . It was her , standing behind the
counter .
"I helped my mom get my siblings ready for school . I already told her I'll leave earlier starting tomorrow ," I explained ."Sure , but that doesn't change the fact that you're late ," she teased ."Can't you just let it go this once , it's my first day after all ?" I pleaded ."Fine , you're such a hassle ," she said , pretending to sigh ."Thanks ," I grinned . "By the way, what's your name ?"She tilted her head slightly . "Can't you read my name tag ?"
I glanced at her chest — well, her name tag — and read the name printed there .
"Aria ," I said . "Pretty name ."
She gave a small , satisfied nod .
I headed to the back , changed into my uniform , and checked the task board . She handled the counter while I worked on the shelves .
While restocking , I caught myself glancing her way — just a bit too often . She
noticed .
"What are you staring at , huh ?" she asked , half-fierce , half-curious ."Nothing ," I said, smiling . "Just thinking what a pretty name Aria is ."
She froze for half a second . Her hand , holding a packet of chips , stopped mid-air ."W-what are you even saying ? Focus on your work ," she said quickly , turning her face away .
I shrugged and went back to stacking the drinks . Didn't really think much of it .
From the corner of her eye , Aria stole a glance at me , her cheeks slightly pink . She tried to hide it by pretending to wipe the counter .
The store went quiet for a while , just the faint hum of the fridge and the sound of plastic bags rustling . It felt calm — maybe too calm .
Then, she suddenly said , "Hey , new guy , don't slack off or I'll report you to Ariel ." , "Sure ," I replied casually . "Like he'll believe you ."
She puffed her cheeks slightly but didn't answer .After a moment , she crossed her arms and said , "You're kinda full of yourself , huh ?""Not really , just honest ," I replied , sliding the last bottle into place .
"Tch ." She rolled her eyes but couldn't hide a small smile ."You smiling ?" I asked , smirking ."In your dreams ." she reply .
I chuckled quietly and went to check the stock list . For a few seconds , the only sound was the hum of the air conditioner and her tapping the counter with her pen .
When a customer walked in , she greeted them with a sweet tone — a tone she never used with me .I muttered under my breath , "So she can be nice ." , "I heard that ," she snapped , shooting me a glare .
I raised my hands in surrender while putting on a faint smile .
She turned away with a small huff , pretending to focus on the register .Still , I caught the hint of a smile tugging at her lips before she hid it .
I pulled out my phone during a quiet moment .Nadia had posted a story — her outfit of the day ."Pretty ," I muttered under my breath .
When I looked up , Aria was giving me a sharp look . Her tone turned a little colder than usual ."Something wrong ?" I asked .
"Nope , just you slacking off during work hours ," she said quickly , turning away and pretending to check the counter .
I blinked , confused , but shrugged it off and went back to arranging the shelves .
For the next couple of hours , not a single customer came in .The store was quiet — too quiet . Only the faint hum of the fridge filled the air .
Aria leaned against the counter , scrolling through her phone . I was sitting on a crate near the back , pretending to check stock but mostly just bored .
It felt strange , the silence between us after that small argument .
"I don't know if I should tell you this ," I start."What is it ?" she asks , curious ."I want to give something to someone , but I'm bad at it ," I admit , spilling whatever comes to mind ."Huh ?" she tilts her head , confused ."My best friend's birthday already passed . I wished her , but didn't get to give her anything .""Oh, she ? You mean your best friend's a girl ?""Yeah ," I reply simply ."Oh . Well … what's she like ?""She's shy , caring , shy , pretty , shy —""Stop , stop , stop ! How many times are you gonna say shy ?" she interrupts ."How many times are you gonna say stop , shorty ?" I tease .
She makes a cute but annoyed face that I kind of like . Without realizing it , a satisfied grin slips onto my face .
"It sounds a lot like me ," she says suddenly , puffing her cheeks a bit . "If it was me , I'd probably want a cute animal doll or something ." , "Hmm , you ? Shy ? i let out a faint laugh , "I'll think about it . Thanks anyway ." , She nods , a faint smile forming , though she still looks slightly annoyed with me .
As my shift ended , the sky outside had already turned orange . I took off my work uniform , pack my bag —
"See you tomorrow ," she said , not looking at me .I smiled . "Yeah, see you ."
I walk out the through the front door , the door gives a soft clink as it swings back .
On my way home , I thought about what she said — a cute animal doll , huh? I chuckled to myself . Maybe I'd start looking for one tomorrow .
That night , I lay in bed , scrolling through my phone again . Nadia's story was gone . But somehow , I kept thinking about Aria's annoyed face from earlier . I laughed quietly .
"Not so bad for my first day …"