Chapter 6 - The Love of War

Everything was about to change for Daisy when she was leaving Pitești to work at one of the renowned Automotive industries in Slatina. She had never stepped out of the house without a family. She was going to be on her own for the first time. As astounding as it sounded to work at a prestigious firm, she was more than terrified to leave her home. Daisy's first dream came true about working at an MNC. She would have never known that she could even land at such a place, had she gone with Kansas State University has managed her finances in some way or other.

Daisy for the first time in her life realized that it was a true blessing in disguise. She could help her family survive when her father, George lost his job 8 months ago. Daisy was learning to get comfortable at her newly shifted house in Slatina. Apparently, she was living with her 'bout-to-be sister-in-law, and two other friends – all three of them Doctors and Daisy, an engineer by profession. Daisy had long working hours and luckily it never clashed with the other three doctors as their shift timings always varied. Finally, the day arrived when Daisy was about to set foot into the automobile premise for the first time.

To date, she had seen various kinds of industries ranging from ship manufacturing to transformer manufacturing to casting companies and hydraulic industries – However, she had never seen an automotive company. The premise was huge and breathtaking. With HR's call, candidates like Daisy - who were selected through university were asked to gather. Daisy realized that they were a batch of 25 candidates who had been recruited through similar prestigious universities/colleges. Daisy and her batchmates, of them, were welcomed with a rose, file, pen, book, cap, and chocolates. Daisy could not refuse to go more skittish.

They all were recruited as Graduate Engineer Trainees, who would be trained in various departments for one year and based on their performance - a designated department would be allotted for them to work. That's how the HR brief started. Since the batch was new, none of them recognized each other. The HR team asked all of them to pair up with someone sitting next to them and interact with one another for 2 mins. Once time is up one by one, everyone will say something about the other person that they learnt during that 2 min tiny conversation. Daisy found it a very provoking and refreshing activity. She was paired up with John and the timer began. He asked, "where are you from?", Daisy replied, "I am from Pitești" How about you?"

John replied to Daisy, "Well, I am from Slatina…so what have you studied?" Daisy replied with Pride in her eyes, " I have done Mechanical engineering, and you?" John was surprised to see, how a beautiful young girl is interested in engineering and that too Mechanical – that was something rare of a kind for John to know. Daisy asked John, so describe yourself – what's your USP? John replied, "Well I have a leadership element, I have won elections at my university that I am very proud of! And he added, Tell me about you." Daisy replied, " I am someone, who dreams of becoming a world leader. And that's how John and Daisy like every other person in the conference room found two minutes very short to even begin a discussion. That's how Daisy's first day in her corporate world began.

Daisy was all alone in this industrial world; at home, she was still getting along with her doctor roommates. Exploring the streets of Slatina, she went by herself to see the museums and palaces in the nearby vicinity. Yet somehow, she felt alone. Initially, Daisy was deployed in Paint Shop, where she was learning how the automotive parts get paints with huge production capacity. Daisy was deployed with two colleagues, who were responsible for taking training under the guidance and support of Mr Walter. Daisy was always good at interacting with people. She had a touch of friendliness that helped other people to open up before her and really speak their minds. Mr Walter had experience in previous companies – specifically related to chemical industries. Mr Walter was just as interested to share his knowledge with trainees like Daisy and others. In due course of time,

Daisy was comfortable with being around Mr Walter. Early morning, when all the trainees were having breakfast, Zeynep asked everyone at the table, "What are you going to say for the shoot?" and Daisy replied in utter shock, "What shoot are you talking about?" Zeynep could not help but reply with the exclamation, "Didn't you check last night's mail? It's mentioned that we have a shoot starting from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM." Daisy was shocked to hear this news, she did not know what she will speak when Zeynep and other friends had already prepared from the night before. Daisy as shocked as she was, was also surprised and started wondering, what she could possibly speak, that too prepare in the short span of time, as Daisy was allotted the first slot for the shooting, as per the shared schedule.

The time of shooting came when Daisy realized she had to take a lot of shots, as she was continuously moving and did not be stable. It was then, and a few weeks later the final video shoot came. It was all over the internet, where Daisy's speech had been used several times and she was the first to be cast for initiating the speech. However timid it may sound, Daisy was already celebrating her rose-coloured spectacles all over her face. She always liked standing out from the crowd – even if it meant standing alone at times. This led to increasing conversations with Walter, who had just recently joined. Daisy and Mr Walter were comfortable with each other, such that both had earned their trust. One fine day while leaving work,

Daisy received a call from Emma, her about-to-be Sister-in-Law (who was head over heels in love with Daisy's Cousin's Brother), who said, " Daisy, you should not come home, it is heavily snowing and the weather will continue as such. If possible, please stay at your friend's place for a while. Even if you decide to come at all to our home, don't complain that I did not inform you." And that's its Daisy's heart starting pulsating even faster. Daisy immediately got off the bus and called Mr Walter and said, "Mr Walter, have you come to work by car? If possible, can you take me along and drop me at my place?" Walter replied, "Yes I have brought a car today, wait for me at the gate – I'm reaching there in a few minutes." And that's several minutes later, Walter reached the car parking area. Daisy and Mr Walter set off to drive towards their home. The workplace was 45 mins away from Slatina. Even before they reached halfway, they saw themselves stuck in huge traffic due to heavy snowfall in that area. It was 10 PM night, and they had spent time waiting for the traffic to get relieved. But the traffic was too stubborn to ease off their trip.

The snowfall created a romantic atmosphere in the car. Mr Walter couldn't resist but kiss Daisy very passionately. In the midst of the crisis, Walter and Daisy decided to return on their way to the workplace – find something to eat and move towards Slatina from a different route. Walter stopped his car at The Red Wood Inn for having Dinner. Mr Walter considered staying in for the night if things did not turn out to be favourable. However, it was only a matter of time that could tell whether snowfall could reduce or become even worse.

The road, bridges, and residential areas were all terribly blocked making it a difficult time for humans in urban areas to carry out their day-to-day hasty deadline. Luckily, it was in favour of Daisy and Walter that helped Mr Walter and Daisy to take over another road to reach Slatina, once their dinner was finished. The road was bitterly scary and too isolated for regular traffic movement. A lot of trees had fallen due to the heavy storms. Daisy could help nothing but pray for herself to reach home safely. It was 2 hours post-midnight when they reached Slatina without much hassle as earlier. Mr Walter asked, "Daisy where would you like me to drop you." Daisy replied, " Well I have no place to go as of now,

Emma has already warned me to not come home – it will cause me much trouble. If you don't have any problem, you could take me to your place. Once the storm calms, you can drop me back at my home. Daisy did not find Mr Walter's home that appealing as she imagined, but she had no choice but to live with him at his house until the storm settled. Mr Walter offered his casual clothes to Daisy to help her get comfortable and feel at home. Having a long day makes it a tiresome journey for both. Walter was attracted to Daisy and could not help himself but catch Daisy in her arms and make love to her.

Well Daisy had been to Sebastian's place earlier, he did try making love to Daisy, but he did not, respecting her choice not to do anything if she did not feel comfortable. But Daisy had not met Sebastian for the last two years and probably thought it was her right that she did something for herself, instead of expecting very much from another person. Daisy was learning her way to surrender herself to life and go with the flow – to learn to accept whatever comes in the way. It was her first night alone with a stranger, making love to her – the first time when she lost virginity. Daisy marvelled at the beauty of nature, how God had created everything so perfectly – keeping each minute detail in her mind. The snowfall & the storm was terrible – leaving the house with no drinking water or electricity. Daisy had started to feel body weakness due to dehydration. She asked Walter if he could drop her home, but she did not feel good enough about her health. Walter took his car and wanted to drop Daisy back home safely. But life has its own detours. The ones that we never see, and they come before you to turn your life upside down, all at once -either for good or for worse. When they reached Daisy's living area,

Walter realized that the roads had still not opened. And he said that car could not go any further so Daisy would have to walk 5 KM from here all on her own, to reach her home, Daisy replied, "Mr Walter, I am not feeling well, if I was, I would not have asked you for a ride early morning. I am not sure if I can make myself reach home – all alone without any food or water. Mr Walter said, "Don't worry, let me give you money, here have some breakfast, and once you feel good - you can start walking towards your home." Daisy was not convinced with how Mr Walter left, but she said, "OK let me try, if it does not work and I feel my health gets worse, I will call you." Daisy sat wondering at the restaurant table, while the meal was being prepared for her.

Daisy was thinking about crazy occurrences in life and how the previous night had ended, it was all going on there in her mind. While watching all the road traffic and people going here and there, she suddenly saw Mr Walter accompanied by some lady. Mr Walter walked up to me and said," She lives nearby, if you do not feel like going by walk all the way to your home, you could stay at her place for a while. Daisy felt like she caught a thousand bucks cash prize and she decided to stay at Demeter's place. Daisy fell asleep like a baby at her place, and she felt better. Demeter encouraged, her that she could do anything while she was there. And Daisy told, "since we don't each other quite well, if you guys are interested, we could play some fancy games like Truth Dare or something similar."

Demeter replied, "yes that sounds good, we can play that." It was played for an hour, where Daisy revealed secrets of her last night too. Daisy had a good time with Demeter and her roommate, and they became good friends in just one day. The next morning, Demeter asked Daisy, if she would like to have breakfast before she left for home. The roads were clear, and the Storm had settled down. Daisy enjoyed the hot cocoa with freshly baked chocolate muffins and left for her home. Daisy felt better than the previous day and her energy had also been boosted when she had everything off her chest that was going on her mind. Later that afternoon, Mr Walter called, when he got to know that Daisy had returned to her home, and in excitement, Daisy told how they played the game - truth dare and how she had revealed about Mr Walter and herself. Knowing this Mr Walter became furious and told, "Daisy, how could you tell the such thing to a mere stranger, whom you have barely known in just one day – how can you trust someone so easily?" he hung up the phone in anger. Later Daisy started thinking about it, what made Mr Walter so furious that he did not want anyone in the company to know, that he was with Daisy. Daisy thought to herself, that Mr Walter had just ended a seven-year-old relationship with his ex-girlfriend. Was Daisy her rebound? Would he get back to his girlfriend if things did not work well with Daisy? Well possibly, Daisy thought of all her options and decided to leave Mr Walter as Daisy felt it was for the best that he could get back to his girlfriend instead of Daisy. Daisy being spiritual and connected to Nature, always felt the vibes of people, whenever situations came up. She followed her instinct, even though it was difficult for Daisy to leave because she felt he was the one – until it turned upside down.

Daisy believed that making or taking the right decisions never meant that it would be easy, but she was ready to do the right thing always and stand by her decision. A few months went by, and Daisy learnt to be on her own, sometimes surrounded by her roommates over dinner, or sometimes spending weekends at home in Pitești. Daisy spent most of her time with her work colleague - Lumee, who used to speak everything about her manager. What he used to say, how he assigned work to her, and how crazy he was. Daisy got fascinated with her stories, how she was always unstoppable when it came to talking about him. Perhaps, that was the beginning of another new love riddle in the fantasy world of Daisy!