Chapter 3: Behind Each Downfall
I am now living in my Grandmother's house, she's 65. My mom is her first daughter and I am closer to my mother's family compared to my father's. Anyway, me and my little brother, Raven, is living with Grandma, together with Aunt Mana and her lover, Uncle Bernard, Uncle Marlo and Aunt Daisy with her three kids which were my three bratty cousins basically. Perhaps that's what an extended family is called.
I glanced at the circular wall clock and saw it's already 2:35 in the afternoon.
"Hmm.. I still have enough time." I murmured to myself and silently crossed the dining area towards the comfort room, checking the cabinet outside, picking my bath essentials and a new bathrobe.
I removed my clothes and turned the shower on. There was a body mirror below the shower and watched my reflection through the smoke. Like what Grandma said, I look thin and pale. But I still had the right figure and the curves at the right places.
I covered myself with the bathrobe after the quick shower. Then wrapped my hair with another towel.
At my room, I took my lotion, concealer, face powder, clay blush and deodorant. Then I dried myself and put my underwear and bra on. I sat on my bed afterward and applied the lotion and deodorant. Then dried my hair next with a blower.
With only my underwear on, I crossed the room and stood before the closet, choosing what to wear. I decided on a simple long-sleeve white blouse and black pants paired with a black and white pumps.
I dragged the chair before my folding bedside table, placing atop the latter my make up set, and sat at the chair before the whole body mirror.
I let my black, shoulder-length hair fall, slightly tucking the bangs behind my ears then I applied a light make up.
I placed a pair of small pearl earrings, a woven local leather bracelet on my right wrist and the silver wrist watch by the other having a quick glance at it to find that it was 3:30 already.
I grabbed my black coat. It was the coat from the corporate attire I had tailored when I was still in college. Then I picked the dark blue cardigan as well, slinging the shoulder bag over my chest before having a quick glance at the body mirror beside my folding bedside table.
I crossed the room and opened the door. As I was about to close it back, a white fur ball whisked past my legs and entered the room, jumping into the untidy bed. It was my pet cat, Snow.
"Snow! Get out now. Oh, god. Don't waste my time!" I strode back to my room and lifted the cute cat with my arms. Then I surveyed the room and winced. To the far corner is a sofa set littered with unfolded clothes. Then the table before it has unkempt pile of folders, papers and stationery supplies. My silver laptop was closed atop them. Next to the sofa were a tall shelf with books and envelopes filed. Then at the foot of my bed was the closet and shoe rack.
Snow jumped off of my arms and strode out of the room when Raven called her out, perhaps it was feeding time. Anyway, that was a nice save.
I locked the door and walked down the narrow hallway. At the living room, my three cousins were singing Karaoke. Aunt Mala was there as well, leading the group. They were loud and yeah, they were out of tune.
I looked for Grandma and found her on the dining room, sitting by the sliding door leading towards the small flower garden. She was cutting plastic, recycling them inside a plastic bottle to be her design in her flower garden.
"Grandma, I didn't notice you earlier. Did you go outside again?"
"Yes, but it was just brief. I collected the plastic from Judith and Rosie." She replied, showing me a paperbag full of plastic.
I sighed. "Grandma, you know how dangerous it is outside for seniors. Your age are most vulnerable to the virus. Please look after your health."
"Yes, yes. And you too. Your work schedule isn't appropriate; you might get sick. You should really ask for a change of schedule."
"It's fine, Grandma. I was able to adapt to it so it's bearable. As for the change of schedule, I'll file a request after I get the current project done."
"I see. Good. You might be young but you really should be mindful of your health. You won't notice the harm done in your body yet but you will suffer later on in your older days."
"Yes, Grandma. I understand." I replied. I was the one who told her to take good care of herself but it ended up with me getting lectured. Anyway, "Grandma, I will be leaving now." I said, lifting her hand towards my forehead.
"Have you had your lunch yet?" She asked.
"Ah. I didn't. But it's fine, I will have dinner at the company canteen."
"Don't skip your meals, goodness. Look at how thin and pale you are. You need to eat something nutritious to make up with your lack of sleep. Do you still have vitamins?"
"Yes. I don't forget to take them."
She sighed. "Fine. I won't take much of your time since you're running late already." She said, slightly squeezing my hands. "Okay go on now. Be careful on the way."
"Okay. Bye, Grandma."
I bid my goodbye and put on my face mask. Outside of the house, waiting by the small gate attached to a bamboo fence was my brother Raven, wearing a blue face mask. He was carrying an opened umbrella.
"Thought you don't plan to work today." He said, pushing the gate open.
"Like I will. I don't have time to skip work when you're asking for a phone." I replied and watched from the roadside as Raven close the gate back.
"That's because my phone broke down. It was already slightly damaged then Snow jumped on it. It's your cat's fault." He replied, carrying the umbrella between us.
He usually accompany me to the waiting shed and also fetch me there when I got home from work. How sweet of him. Yeah, right. He's only sweet because he's asking me something.
The walk to the waiting shed is 5 minutes. I bid my brother goodbye when I got in on the motorcycle. Then from the waiting shed to the company I'm working on is another 10 minute ride.
Outside of the company is a tent. I entered through there and got sanitized. It was simply alcohol being showered on me. By the exit of the tent is another tent with the front liners sitting before a long white table. There were several folders placed on it, with a label on the cover stating the different projects.
"Good afternoon." I greeted as I swiped my palm before the thermometer and scribbled my temperature on the paper.
"Good afternoon, Miss. You're later than usual."
"Yeah. I overslept." I replied with a small smile.
After passing the first check. I passed through a small room where there were 5 sink. I quickly washed my hand and had it dried with a hand drier. Then outside of the room is a hallway leading to a covered court where another table of front liners were waiting.
An employee in white robe greeted as he handed a similar white robe to me. Then the employee sitting before a computer inputted the robe number.
"I676" The employee inputted my employee ID number.
After receiving the white gown, I headed to my locker and put on the robe and hair net. I took my wallet and phone before pushing my shoulder bag into my locker and locking it.
At the company lobby, there was the receptionist area. I inputted my access code and had my biometrics taken before proceeding to the Production Area where the offices were located. Like how seen in a company, a working area is separated into terminals with their own personal computers, headset and swivel chair.
I walked down the corridor. The sound of keys clicking on the keyboard was already a familiar sound. I lifted my left arm and glanced at my wrist watch. It was 5 minutes before 4, just in time before work started.
I sat at my designated area and turned my PC on, typing in my password and opening the various websites and accounts I will be working on as a customer service representative.
I took a deep breath and stretched my arms before starting on my first four-hour work.
I started working here 2 months after the outbreak hit the country last year, 2020. It brought fear to many, and I understand that they put their safety and health on priority. Many had taken long and abrupt absences so I used this opportunity to apply for work.
Luckily, or maybe the company was lacking hands that time, I was immediately contacted. I could still remember that I submitted my application letter and resumé on Monday morning and got a call the next day then had my entrance exam, typing test and interview just all in the same day. And by Wednesday, I was ready for orientation. Then they gave me the 2 remaining weekdays to process my requirements. Like, what the heck! This is my first official job, could you at least give me a week?
Well, as it was already a modern era, most of my requirements were registered online so no hassle. I actually don't know about it until my co-trainees advised me what to do.
Now that I'm thinking about it, it's quite a funny and roller coaster experience.
When I applied for the job, I was still a second-year college student. It was my plan even before the outbreak happened that I will take a 1-year sabbatical from the pressure of studies. The outbreak just came right in time. At the same time, me and my sibling were in great need of cash. Among us 6 siblings, three were already in college. My 3 younger siblings were all in high school as well. Apparently, aside from our daily living expenses, a larger portion is used in our educational expenses.
So, as the eldest, with the permission and understanding from my younger siblings, I took the 1 year break from school and climbed the ladder in the corporate world. With the grace of the God, I was promoted as team leader. That was the reason for last night's get together.
Within a year, I was able to save enough and my house is currently being built. My siblings are telling me they want to live with me so I intentionally designed the house to be big. Apparently, me and my siblings were living in separate households. They were living in our father's relatives, which happens to be in a bad blood with my mother's side.
Me and my siblings don't mind it tho, especially that they knew my house is being built and they could move in soon. This was made possible because Grandma gave me an area on her land from her farm. Despite the family feud and challenges, thankfully, we still had some support from our Grandma. Maybe because she was feeling guilty towards us when our mother left us for another family. Still, I love my Grandma. She's like a mother to me already.
It was Grandma who rushed to the hospital when I tried to suicide. I lost my mind and drank several tablets and was rushed to the hospital. I regretted it because I might not have seen my mother cry but it hurts just the same to see my Grandma cry silently, whispering endless sorries, blaming herself and mom for leaving us just when we lost our father.
Yes. I admit it. I was hurt and lost.
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