“ Greetings ~my dear.” She stared at her as she straightened up. “ How may I help you?” She asked. A broad smile instinctively displayed on her face as she answered.
“ I'm Aimscious Nelson from the town before~” She pointed. “ I'm here for the job vacancy...the part-timer, I mean. I saw the notice when passing.” Her eyes dazzled like a puppy's. The lady instinctively fell in love with her personality. 
“ Oh...right, I actually need a sales assistant,” She said, as she dropped the watering can in her hand. “ You can start tomorrow at 7:30 am and close at 5:30 pm if you are okay with it.” She further explained. “ Let me know if you have any problems or questions.”
Aims was happy but then, drawn into thought for a moment– not so sure if she can really combine the two but then, she had no choice but to give it a try.
“ I'll love to work with you, Ma'am but the thing is...” She fidgeted, feigning a smile. “ I'm a first-year student in the University and might occasionally leave for lectures...will that be okay with you?” She asked, not so sure what her answer might be. Her face instantly told her nervousness.
“ Please...I really need this job to finance my studies ” She pleaded but then, the lady's smile instinctively relaxed her.
“ Don't worry, my dear~ you can start tomorrow. ” She said and Aims hugged her in excitement. This took her off guard and she chuckled, tapping her back in the process– her lips curved in a smile.
“ Mrs. Nina, that's my name...just let me know when you need anything. I'll be glad to help.” She assured, redrawing from her. The sincerity in her eyes made her feel more like a daughter to her.
Aimscious nodded with thanks. Finally, she bid farewell. “ I'll see you tomorrow then.” She started and cheerfully trod off. Nina stared at her back as her back faded in the distance.
                                                ****************
The night was hot and the sky was oily black of old coffee. The streets were almost empty,  most shops closed up for the night when Aims alighted. The streetlights illuminated the almost vacant sidewalk as she trod along.
Finally, she hopped into her room. It'd been a very hideous day–she felt drained and exhausted. Her feet could no longer take it anymore. She instinctively tossed her bag aside as she slums into bed.
“ Gosh...such a hell of a day it was.” She groaned in pain as her body cracked up. “ This is killing me.” She cried almost in a whisper as she turned to her side, stretching out. 
Just then, a ding tone got her searching for her phone again. Lazily, she dragged herself across the bed, reaching for her bag, and rummaged it out. 
“ Whom am I speaking to?” She answered without checking the caller ID.
“ Hey...Aims~” A cheerful feminine voice called. “ It's me, Lilia.”
“ Lilia?” She shot out of bed, her eyes widened in surprise. “ Is this a dream or something?” She giggled which made Lilia burst with laughter. 
“ It's really me, Aims.” She chuckled.
“ Such a pleasant surprise~ what happened.” She leaned back, relaxing her back over the wall as she straightened up. “ I couldn't reach you ever since you left...”
“ I'm so sorry, dear~” She answered, feeling apologetic. “ I had a problem with my phone so lost your contact~ anyways, guess what.”
“ Come on...not the guessing game.” She exclaimed with excitement.  “ You know I'm bad at that.”
Lilia laughed and went on. “ I'll be joining you tomorrow .” She announced and they all screamed in cheers. “ We'll be in the same university just like the old times.”
“ I can't believe this...I'm so happy.” She expressed, remembering growing up with everyone around but not anymore. A tinge of tears erupted in her chest but instinctively shook it off.
“ Just give me a call when you arrive... I'll meet you up.” She said.
“Alright, see you later then.” They bid their goodbyes and the line went dead afterwards. Mart's message spontaneously caught her attention as the call ended.
“ How did it go?... I alighted a few hours ago. Sorry for the late message.” It read. Briskly, her fingers rolled over the keyboard. 
“ It went well...I'm sure to start lectures next Monday although I'm yet to receive a mail.” She replied.
“ Alright, let me know if anything and for the finances, I'll handle that.”
“ No worries, I got it under control~ I was able to secure a job today.”
“ Oh, really?...okay, if you say so. Just let me know when you need anything.”
“ Noted. Got to go now~ I need to get something to eat and rest. I'm so drained right now.”
“ Talk to you later then, good night.”
“ Good night...” Her last text read. Shooting back to her feet, she dropped the phone and headed over to the kitchen.
                                          **************
To the east, the dark horizon was beginning to turn blue with the first hints of sunrise when Aims got off bed. She was up earlier than usual~ she got a job to secure.
Mrs. Nina Scott, the café ow err was already in when she arrived. She was waiting for her. “ Oh, you're here.” She turned on hearing the door ding open. “ Over here~,” She waved her over to the counter where she was busy noting down a few stuff.
“ Good morning, Ma'am” She greeted and Nina responded with a smile.  “ You came so early today,” She noticed, her lips drawn into a warm smile. Aims just nodded– taking a stand next to her. “ My mum always said, the first impression matters.”  Aims highlighted which made Nina chuckle. “ Such a brilliant one you are” She praised and Aims smiled, scanning through the shop for a moment as she tried to orient herself.  “ Just call me, Mum...I prefer that.” “ Huh?" She jerked her head up as if coming out of a trance. She couldn't believe why Nina was being so nice and warm to her~ she reminds her of her mother.
“ You're more like a daughter to me now, dear... I hope you'll see me as your mum as well.” This brought tears to her eyes~ her face beamed with smiles. A mother was what she'd yearned for all along.
“ Really?" She cried and Nina nodded. She just couldn't hold back her joy– instinctively, she fell into Nina's bosom. “ Thanks a lot, Mum. I promise to be a good daughter. ”