It's a cliche, 'first love never dies.' Ultimately your first experience in love influences how you become in a relationship. For Pam, the idea of falling in love again died with her first love.
It was one summer when Pam learned she is being assigned to a project for a telecommunications company in the country. This is her first major assignment aside from doing coding job off shore as in their company supporting the main office in Australia.
"You will be part of the Billing and Charging Delivery team," the resource manager in their company explained to her. "Some onshore consultants will be joining the project and you will get to work with them."
"Yes ma'am!" Pam enthusiastically replied.
"Pam, call be Dina. Stop using Sir and Ma'am here in the company, remember we are first name basis here." The resource manager is middle aged woman. Pam being fresh graduate has been very polite with everyone in the office. This is her first job and her first big project after being employed for 6 months. Not everyone will have this opportunity to take part on an important project.
She returned to her work station in glee. One of her colleague asked her, " Is it the Project X with B Telecom?" Pam just nodded her head.
"Lucky you! I wanted to be part of that project. Too bad my skill does not match. Break a leg Pam!"
At 21, Pam is hungry to succeed in her chosen career both her parents were retired lawyers but they never influenced her to take law. Instead, they supported her in her IT course. She dreams of having her own start up company or at least becoming a principal architect for some software. This is the primary reason she joined this company. They specializes in customizing solution for telecommunications.
Another nosy co worker approached Pam, "so you are joining Project X?"
"Hmm"
Rebecca rolled her eyes, "I was asking politely here what is with the hmm."
"Becky, yes i am joining Project X. Was there something wrong with that? I am sorry." Rebecca also known as Becky is the biggest brat in the office. She picks on everyone.
"I wonder what is the criteria for the resource selection, clearly i was also good in C++, Java and UI design."
"Can you be not this sour Becky? Are you looking down on Pam." A voice from behind was heard. It was Jenna one that can be considered senior in the pool of off shore programmers. She has been in the company for 2 years.
God knows how much Becky wants to be chosen. She competes with almost everyone and she is particularly interested to know the much talked about senior consultant from the head office.
"Hey Pam let's meet up here and go together B Telecom." Jenna suggested. "We can take a taxi from here its just 10 to 15 minutes away. How about we meet 8am here?"
"Sure!" One could see how excited Pam is which made Becky's face turned uglier.
"That's the spirit." Jenna smiled at Pam. "This is a big break for you. First major project. And!" Jenna intentionally highlighted the last word. "The consultants from the main office are extremely good looking."
Becky clenched both her hands in jealousy. She knows Jenna is senior programmer so Pam snatched this opportunity from her. "Wow make this company proud! Take home the good looking consultants with you."
Everyone looked at Rebecca's direction.
"Are you blurting out what your feelings here?" Jenna fired back.
"Isn't what you and Pam are planning to do with extremely good looking consultant?" Putting words into their mouth, Becky reverted back. Truth is this was her plan. She always wanted to have an expat boyfriend.
"Becky, I don't know what made you think we are in a consultant hunting mode in this project. I just said it out as icing on the cake. Having GOOD looking or should i say GOOD people around," highlighting the word good every time she spoke, "to work with, over a GOOD project, isn't it a GOOD thing?"
Everyone else who hear what Jenna said either smiled or chuckled. Becky was silenced by fierce Jenna.
"I will put on good words about you Becky when they ask for additional programmers or support." Pam said it earnestly. She does not want to have bad blood with anyone in the office.
"Thanks." Becky sarcastically said turning her back murmuring to herself what Pam has said 'i will put on good words about you...duh'
Pam and Jenna looked at each other and chuckled. Becky is such an immature brat. She is of same age as Pam but she acts like 12 most of the time.
"By the way Jenna, what should i wear tomorrow?" Pam is curious, in the office they are casually dressed. Most of the time she comes in jeans and blouse. When there are presentation and she is tagged as a resource by their pre-sales account manager, she would go for the smart IT look. Since this is an ongoing project she is not familiar with the set project rules. There are client who wants their consultants and partners to be in strict formal business attire and there are client who doesn't care.
"I heard they are on smart casual attire but since we are joining a little late why don't we dress up a bit?"
"Like suits?"
Jenna laughed, "Pam we are programmers here not Project Managers or Principal consultant. We can either wear the smart IT look* or come in business casual.
Still thinking of what is appropriate to wear, Pam returned to her files reviewing the application package for billing and collection. She needs to refresh her knowledge of their base solution so she can configure well as required.
Late at night, feeling excited. She looked at her wardrobe in the dormitory. In one floor there are 4 rooms 2 of which has its own bath room, she got one of which for privacy. Before finally choosing, she pressed a number on her phone.
"Mom! Hello! How are you?" Pam had to share this good news to her Mom, she wished she is right beside her. "I am assigned to one big project with B telecom."
"Pam, congratulations dear! Mom is proud and happy for you." Her mom's voice still sound dignified as a former practicing lawyer despite her weakening body.
"Have you been taking you medicines regularly." She misses her mom. They were living further south bordering the last key city in the metro and the next nearby province. It was extremely difficult for her to commute as she never learned how to drive despite having a car at home. Only his dad who already passed away used to drive.
"Of course, your Ate Nini is taking care of me." Her mom was referring to their old nanny at home. Ate Nini raised her up when she started to walk. Her mom was working with an NGO and her dad a corporate lawyer. They had to hire a nanny to look after her. Ate Nini was a member of their family.
They spoke for a few more good minutes until she bid her mom goodbye. For all her firsts, her parents are the first to know.