He Brews
IVOR
"congratulations, Mr. Lynch. Your loan is approved."
"thank you, sir. I will put this on good use."
I shook the employee's hand, quite too enthusiastic at that. I had applied for this loan for almost a month now, and yesterday I got the call that finally, it was approved. P200,000 payable for two years. I know, it was a risk, but now that I have nothing else to play my cards with, I'm exhausting all my resources. What is life without any risk anyway?
"please sign here, please." – the employee said and handed me a black ballpen. My name was written in bold, capital letters at the bottom right of the document. I read it first, making sure that it was what I was offered. Then, once I was sure, I affixed my signature. Three copies. Three signatures.
I was all smiles as I went out of the office with the check. Outside, Peter was waiting for me. He was already wearing the university uniform. Unlike me, he has a scholarship to get himself by. I had none, I'm not one of the smartest so when we had to cut expenses, I had to give up my schooling too.
"we're heading to the bank, man!" – I said
"you got it?!"
"yes!"
The two of us jumped like insane animals, causing some of the passers-by look at us with a scorn. I muttered an apology.
"let's go? What time does your class start?"
"1 pm."
I looked at my watch and we still have 43 minutes before 1. I owe him a meal, so right after I encashed this check, I'll buy him lunch. I was carrying a backpack too and it was where I was planning to place the money.
Peter flagged the first jeepney that passed and we sat on the seat closest to the entrance. The bank is only a kilometer away from here. Peter offered to pay for the P15 fare so I let him. There were four other passengers in the jeepney, all were wearing university uniforms. Right, this jeepney will pass there. I felt a hint of envy, but I quickly shook it off.
No turning back, Ivor. You're here, you're doing this.
The main reason I obtained a loan is to start my own humble coffee shop. Our landlord has offered us the small commercial space across our apartment spaces. It wasn't grand, maybe around 600-800 square feet. Not a lot, but that would do. I'm just starting small anyway. I'm making use of the coffee-making training Peter and I had back in Senior High School. We had a completion certificate at that and well, I had brought the knowledge with me, even now.
Just the thought of it all makes me excited. I know a little about how the business works. I don't expect it to be successful at the first month or so, that's why it's a risk. But it's a risk I'm willing to take. I remember my parents tell me to always be bold and brave. It was them who doesn't forget to remind me that no good thing comes from being comfortable.
"hey, man. We're here." – Peter said, poking me on the shoulder
We got off the jeepney. This is it, we're now standing in front of the bank.
"I'll just stay here. remember to put all the money in your backpack then use the clothes you have to cover them. After that, I'm heading straight to school and you're heading straight home. You're going to keep it on our secret compartment, okay?"
I nodded. it's funny how I'm the older one but Peter would always seem like an older brother to me. after saying yes, I approached the bank's direction. The security guard asked me what's my transaction and I said I need my check encashed. He gave me a number for the counter and opened the door. Here comes my fresh start. I walked towards the bank's entrance smiling like an idiot.
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"so, where do you want to have lunch?"
Peter's back was facing me. I found him outside, seated on one bench, playing mobile games. He was surprised to see me behind him.
"did you-"
"yes, man. Come on, let's have lunch."
His face brightened. I actually know where he's going to say, but I just asked him. you know, in case he has someplace else.
"unli wings?"
See? I was right. Hunter's Unli Chicken Wings. We have that just around the university's corner and we always wanted to eat there but it was too costly. At least for us.
I nodded and we rode another jeepney going there. It wasn't crowded this time of day. It's usually vacant (or maybe occupied by less than ten people) by lunch. It's crowded in the evenings, when college students finish their classes and would like to bond with their friends.
We paid for the unlimited experience. P499 pesos each, making the two of us a thousand. That's fine. Peter deserves to be treated in a nice place. I paid at the counter while he found us the perfect seat. I gave the exact amount to the cashier. The P1000 bill was still crispy and new from the bank.
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The fried chicken platters came in different flavors: soy, garlic, snow cheese, sweet and spicy, adobo, cream and cheese and the like. We ordered three platters at a time. They weren't using any utensils here, too. instead, they gave us cellophane gloves and we ate by hands. Exactly how you can enjoy the chicken on the best way possible.
"so what's your next step then?" – Peter asked in between mouthfuls
"clean the commercial space?"
"right. also we can start buying the coffee machine this weekend. And other stuff like coffee beans, mugs..."
"right. oh, we also need tables and chairs."
"about that, our landlord has lots of them. We can ask him if he can lend us."
I nodded.
This feels nice, doesn't it? the start of something new. I may not be in college anymore but I am treading on a different path now. I am shooting my shot on becoming a small business owner. I'm starting here. just a little step at a time. After all, those little steps are the one that matters.