Madam Maria

"I'm Jennifer Everdeen, please cooperate!" I said introducing myself to my colleagues.

I was a little nervous, but at the same time happy because I was finally accepted for work. I think this is a good start for me, I got a very comfortable place to live and it's close to my place of work and I also got a job even though the salary is not that big, but I think there's no harm in staying like this for a while.

"Lyra, for your first assignment, can you arrange these detergents on the shelves? You can continue! Can you do it?" asked the manager.

"I can! I can do it!"

"Okay then, good work!" said the Manager as he left, leaving me with a pile of detergent that had to be arranged neatly on the empty shelves.

I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, to welcome this bright day with new life. I remembered that I hadn't called Mom since the last time I asked her to send money. It seems like mom is still very angry with me and dad doesn't ask about me at all.

I thought back to the last time I set foot at home. His father, who was starting to run out of ideas to change me, asked me to marry his co-worker who was much older than me. A man who already has three children. I really don't know what father was thinking to match his beautiful daughter with a middle-aged man like that.

I think my father looks down on me and thinks that I should get married quickly so that I don't have to burden him anymore. But, carelessly choosing a mate for his daughter just so that his burden would be reduced, isn't that very cruel? Am I that bad that he thinks it's impossible for an established man to want to take me as his wife?

"Damn... damn... annoying! Many people say that I'm beautiful and sexy? Why do I have to be matched with an old man like that?" I shouted in my heart. Just remembering it makes me this angry. It would be better for me to leave the house and prove to them that I am not a family burden whose job is only to make things difficult for my parents.

"Excuse me! Can you help me?" I was snapped out of my reverie when I heard a woman standing next to me and asking for help.

"Yes? Is there anything I can-" my sentence stopped when I saw the face of Grandma Maria who had helped me at the bus stop at that time.

I was silent with my mouth agape, my heart was beating fast, remembering his wallet which I had hidden in the wardrobe. Grandma Maria smiled, looking at me closely. Honestly, if I could, I would want to run away from this place because it could be serious if he found out that I was the one who stole his wallet.

"You... Lyra, weren't you? the girl at the bus stop that time?" Grandma asked. From the look on his face and the way he spoke, it didn't seem like he was angry or knew that I was the wallet thief.

"Ah... yes... yes, that's right! Grandma, how are you?" I asked confusedly. Just like a criminal who is hiding his crime and worse, I am indeed a criminal.

"I'm fine! Do you work here?"

***

"Yes, that's right! I-I work here! Um... this is my first day at work, hehe... Grandma, did you need help, right? W-what can I help you with?" I asked, wearing a strange nervous smile. Honestly, I'm scared and even now I'm trying to control my shaking hands.

"Thank goodness then! You finally got a job! I want to buy detergent, can you get me the one on the top shelf?"

"Oh... of course you can! I'll get it, no need to worry, Grandma! Ah... here it is, is there anything else I can help you with? I'll get it whatever it takes for Grandma. Just tell me what Grandma needs!"

"Ahahaha... you're so funny, Jenni! Thank you very much for your help, but I've got everything I need. Then, good luck with your work! You have to be enthusiastic, okay?"

"Y-yes, of course I'm very excited! Hehehe..." I said while laughing awkwardly.

"Then see you?" Grandma said as she walked while pushing the trolley containing her shopping items.

"Um... Grandma, w-wait!"

"Yeah? You want to say something?" Grandma asked while turning to me. Grandma Maria's smile was exactly like my grandmother's smile. It makes me feel sorry and very guilty. Now how should I make up for it?

"Umm...that, since you have helped me, can I help you too, Grandma?"

"Help? What does that mean?"

"I-I mean, how about I help you buy the things Grandma needs and I'll take them to Grandma's house? That way, Grandma doesn't have to bother shopping anymore!" I said. I felt nervous, it might sound strange for such a bad person to act like a good woman who likes to help.

Grandma Maria smiled, I feel guilty, I don't even deserve to see her smile. If Grandma refuses, I will still do everything I can to make amends until I can return her wallet.

"You can really do it, Jennifer?"

"O-of course! Grandma just needs to contact me and tell me what you need. Give me your home address and phone number, that way everything will be easier!"

"Ahahaha... that's true, isn't it? OK, I accept your offer. Give me your cell phone number, if I need anything, I'll call you!" Grandma said. I feel very happy, at least this way I can feel a little less guilty.

"Okay!" I said relieved. I wrote my phone number on a piece of paper and gave it to Grandma.

"Thank you, Jenni! You are a very good girl!"

"N-not really, Grandma! Ahahaha..." hearing Grandma Maria praise me, I felt like a very hypocritical person.

"Then, I'll go home first! Work well, see you?"

"Bye, Grandma! Be careful on the road!"

I waved at Grandma who walked out with her shopping. One thing you were grateful for, like Grandma didn't know that I had taken her wallet or maybe she didn't think that a wolf in sheep's clothing like me was the one who might have gotten her into trouble.

***