The early morning sunlight streamed through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the little living room. Lala stirred under her blanket, rubbing her eyes and stretching with a soft yawn. It wasn’t a school day, but she wasn’t planning to spend it lounging around either. Today, she had an important mission — helping her mom at Bon’s Beauty Spa.
“Lala, wake up, sweetheart! We need to get going if we want to open the spa on time,” Mom called from the kitchen, her voice bright with energy.
Lala sprang out of bed and hurried to get ready. She quickly pulled on her favorite pink t-shirt with a little flower embroidered on the front, paired it with denim shorts, and slipped into her comfy sandals. She tied her hair into two playful ponytails, glancing at herself in the mirror with a determined grin.
After a quick breakfast of warm rice porridge, Lala and Mom headed to Bon’s Beauty Spa. The spa was just a short walk from their home, nestled in a bustling street corner filled with shops and little cafés. The glass windows reflected the morning sunlight, and the pastel sign above the door read “Bon’s Beauty Spa – Relax, Refresh, Renew.”
“Alright, Lala,” Mom said as she unlocked the door. “Today will be busy, so we’ll need to work together.”
The moment they stepped inside, the familiar scent of lavender oil and fresh flowers greeted them. Mom switched on the lights, and Lala immediately began her tasks. She loved being part of the spa team, even if she was the smallest member.
First, she helped Mom arrange fresh towels neatly on the shelves. She carefully rolled each one into a perfect little cylinder, making sure they all matched. Then she went around placing small vases of flowers on the tables — bright yellow marigolds and white jasmine that Mom had picked earlier that morning.
By the time they finished setting up, the first customers began arriving. A gentle chime rang every time the door opened, and Lala loved greeting each person with a cheerful “Good morning!”
The first client, Auntie Srey, came in for a facial treatment. Mom guided her to the soft treatment chair while Lala handed over a warm towel with both hands, just like Mom had taught her. Auntie Srey smiled warmly and whispered, “You’re such a good helper, Lala.” Lala’s cheeks flushed with pride.
Next came a young woman wanting a manicure. Lala set out the nail polish bottles in a perfect rainbow arrangement on the counter, making it easy for the customer to choose. She even helped by bringing over a small bowl of warm water for soaking the hands, careful not to spill a drop.
By mid-morning, the spa was buzzing. The sound of soft instrumental music mixed with the gentle hum of conversations. Mom was busy moving between clients — giving facials, massaging shoulders, and applying face masks — while Lala darted around, delivering towels, offering cups of herbal tea, and tidying up workstations.
“Lala, could you check if we have enough lotion at Station Three?” Mom called over.
“On it, Mom!” Lala replied, running over to check the bottles. She found that one was almost empty and quickly replaced it with a fresh one from the storage cabinet.
Around noon, Bon — the owner of the spa and Mom’s good friend — came in with lunch for everyone. “I heard my best little helper is here today,” she said with a grin, handing Lala a packet of fried rice wrapped in banana leaves. Lala giggled, feeling special. They sat together in the break room, enjoying the meal while chatting about their favorite spa treatments.
After lunch, the rush continued. A group of three friends came in for pedicures, and Lala happily fetched foot soak tubs and little slippers for each of them. She listened to their light-hearted chatter, smiling as they complimented each other’s choice of nail colors.
At one point, a customer accidentally spilled a bit of water on the floor. Before Mom could even ask, Lala had already grabbed a small towel and carefully wiped it up to keep the floor safe and dry. “Thank you, Lala, you’re quick!” Mom praised, giving her a little pat on the shoulder.
As the afternoon wore on, the spa’s calming atmosphere seemed to wrap everyone in a cozy, relaxed feeling. The scent of lemongrass and mint filled the air, and Lala couldn’t help but close her eyes for a second, enjoying the peace — even though she was still busy.
By the time the last customer left in the early evening, Lala was feeling tired but happy. She and Mom began the closing routine: folding the last of the towels, wiping down the counters, and sweeping the floor. Lala carefully watered the flowers in the vases so they would stay fresh for the next day.
When they finally locked up the spa, the sky outside was painted with shades of orange and pink from the setting sun. Mom looked at her little helper and smiled warmly. “You worked so hard today, Lala. I couldn’t have managed without you.”
Lala beamed. “It was fun, Mom! I like helping and making people smile.”
As they walked home hand in hand, Mom promised to make her a cup of sweet hot chocolate once they got back. Lala’s steps felt light, even though her legs were a little sore from all the running around. She knew she’d sleep deeply that night, dreaming of the spa’s warm lights, soft towels, and the happy faces of the customers she’d helped.
And in her heart, she carried the quiet joy of knowing she’d been part of something special — a busy, beautiful day at Bon’s Beauty Spa.
