"I don't know much about the business world but…this interview is supposed to be a big deal, isn't it?" my mother said as she smiled proudly at me.
Looking down at the letter that had just been delivered to our small apartment earlier today, her eyes widened as she continued to read the words printed on the page on repeat as if she couldn't believe her own eyes. I don't blame her, even I couldn't believe that I had been selected to interview at such a large and well-known company.
"I guess it is, mum…" I replied, trying to sound as calm and composed as possible.
However, on the inside, I was screaming with joy, and it was all I could do to contain myself from jumping up and down in excitement. Even if it was just the first step of getting my foot through the door of this company, I was thrilled to get a chance to interview at Jessen & Kays, the leading advertising and film production company in the country. No, in the world!
I peered over my mother's slim shoulder to see the letter that she was holding in her hands. Slowly, my mother turned around and handed me the letter so that I could finally see it for myself. The whole event seemed more real once I felt the invitation letter in my own hand.
It was just a single piece of paper, but it felt heavy as if it was made of metal instead of just plain paper. If I can land this job, then I can unlock my life and finally become a professional full-time employee and help lift the financial burden of my family.
"I better go make dinner! Let's celebrate!" my mother cried out excitedly as she headed towards the small kitchen at the back of the room.
I've been working hard my whole life towards this moment. I cannot let this opportunity slip by!
My name is Karina, Rina for short. As you've probably figured out by now, I come from a very poor family. More accurately, my father passed away from illness when I was just a baby leaving my mother as a single mother. My mother and I live in a small town on the outskirts of the city where she worked her whole life taking on various odd jobs around the clock just to make ends meet.
I spent my entire childhood staying home alone until I could go to a public school near where we lived while my mother went out to work to put food on the table. She worked at any job that would hire her ranging from being a waitress, a gardener, a florist, a babysitter and then progressing upwards when she finally landed a fulltime job as an assistant cook in one of the local restaurants in the small town that we lived in.
I realized earlier on in life that if we were to survive, I would have to find a way to be less of a burden to my mother as much as possible, especially financially. I learnt that we had to support each other, and I could contribute by being less demanding and doing my best to take care of myself. I hated being a kid, not because I couldn't wait to grow up into an amazing adult and do all the things that seemed fun that adults could do, but it was because I hated how useless and helpless, I was at that time.
**knock knock knock**
Firm knocking sounds on our front door brought me back to the present as I instinctively got up from where I was sitting at our small dining table and headed towards the door. Not many people visited, let alone knew where we lived, so I had a pretty good guess already regarding who was at the door.
"Hi Auntie Jane. What a pleasant surprise. Want to join us for dinner?" I greeted the old and slightly frail looking auntie standing in front of my door wearing her signature red knitted jacket.
"Congratulations! I'm dropping by because I heard the awesome news from your mum! Congratulations!" Auntie Jane exclaimed excitedly before taking my hands into her thinner ones and squeezing them tight.
News travels extremely fast in this small town, doesn't it? I bet my mother gave Auntie Jane a call the moment she disappeared into the kitchen. The speed that gossips and news travels in this small town should never be underestimated.
"It's a little bit too early for that. I haven't gotten the job yet. Oh, you should come in," I replied as I smiled back at her and motioned for her to enter.
Auntie Jane walked in carrying a bag as she patted my arm on her way in. I closed the door after her and gestured for her to take a seat on the sofa. Our apartment was small so there wasn't much space to welcome guests which was why we hardly ever invited anyone over.
Auntie Jane was an exception because to my mother she was like an older sister in everyway and to me, she was like my second mother. She helped keep an eye on me when my mother was away working when I was younger since she only lives next door. Auntie Jane lives alone and doesn't have children of her own, so it was quite natural that we quickly became like family to each other.
"Dinner is ready!" my mother called out from the kitchen with perfect timing.
"I'll help!" I called back as I hurried into the kitchen to help carry out the plates.
"Is Jane here yet?" my mother asked energetically. It was clear that she was in a splendid mood.
"Yes. She just got here," I replied smoothly as I helped my mother bring out the food.
"Monica! Your food smells so good as always. I'm here to congratulate your dear daughter in person! I'm so proud! I'm so happy!" Auntie Jane said happily as she clapped her hands together.
Once we were all seated at the dining table, the three of us chatted away while we ate dinner together. It's moments like these that I think that despite all of life's hardship that I am actually quite lucky. We were poor but we were happy enough. I have these two wonderful women who I consider family right here with me.
--To be continued…