chapter 3
"Hamad, what has gotten into you? Have you truly lost your mind?!" Sara whispered to me, her voice filled with concern.
"I'm sorry, Sara. I just... I need this opportunity," I responded, trying to convey my determination.
"Hmm, a test? That sounds interesting. If you can solve this problem, I'll consider hiring you," the burly man said, seeming intrigued by the idea.
"Okay," I agreed, feeling a glimmer of hope.
He handed me a paper and a pen, presenting me with a math problem. It wasn't an easy task, but I had studied similar concepts in my final year of high school.
After some time, I finished solving the problem and handed the paper back to him.
He glanced at it for a moment, a look of surprise appearing on his face. "How did you...? No, never mind. I'll hire you as promised," he declared, impressed by my abilities.
"Thank you," I replied with a sense of relief. It seemed like the tide was turning in my favor.
"But let's get one thing straight. You can't just barge in and demand a contract. I provide the best working conditions in this area, so you should consider yourself fortunate," the burly man stated, his tone a mix of sternness and pride.
My excitement dampened as I glanced at the contract he handed me. It was almost like a slave contract, with unfavorable terms and conditions.
"Sir, I appreciate the opportunity, but I can't agree to these terms. It's almost exploitative," I asserted, refusing to accept such an unfair agreement.
He smirked, seemingly unfazed by my reaction. "If you're not interested, feel free to find employment elsewhere. Good luck finding a better offer in this town," he retorted.
I exchanged glances with Sara, realizing that my options were limited. I couldn't afford to be too picky given our circumstances.
"Fine," I relented, my voice tinged with resignation. "I'll accept the job, but I expect fair treatment and better conditions in the future."
The burly man shrugged nonchalantly. "Sure, sure. We'll see how things go," he responded dismissively.
As we left the establishment, Sara gave me a sympathetic look. "Hamad, how did you solve that math problem? It seemed beyond difficult."
I hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to explain the truth. "I... I've read books on various subjects, including advanced mathematics," I replied, avoiding the details of my previous knowledge.
Sara regarded me skeptically, her eyes filled with suspicion. "Is that so? Well, I suppose it's possible."
With that, we spent several more hours searching for alternative job opportunities. However, it proved futile. Everywhere we went, the options were either non-existent or even worse than the previous offer.
"I told you to give up," Sara remarked, a hint of frustration in her voice.
I took a deep breath, mustering the last bit of determination within me. "No, I won't give up. I'll go back to him."
Returning to the burly man's establishment, I noticed a glimmer of surprise in his eyes. "You've come back again? Changed your mind, have you?"
"I want to accept the job," I stated firmly, my gaze meeting his.
A smirk formed on his face. "You're always welcome," he replied, handing me the contract once again.
I signed it reluctantly, knowing that I had little choice. This was my only opportunity to earn money and gather capital for my future plans.
"Your work begins tomorrow, so make sure to show up. As the contract states," he reminded me.
"Fine, I will," I interrupted him, halting his words.
I had no other choice, and the only thing I could do to earn money was this since I didn't have a penny to start with.
I will accumulate capital and start my own business in the future.