The big bus inched forward toward the entrance of the big building, Sunny accommodations, where it stopped to allow the tired occupants to alight.
Women moved back and forth, staring at the new group. Not by word or expression did the women exhibit condescension but interest towards the new group. These were the new workers, poised,confident, amusement were evident. The evidence of proper training for what lay ahead. At the far end Reign watched the other women, like herself, they were here to work. They all were between the ages of twenty and forty,would be expected to demonstrate corporation, social skills and polished articulation of the Arabic language.
They were supposed to move gracefully to fit the space it was assumed they would inhibit as workers. For that reason, all the sixty two women were to pass through the receiving line today.
Beyond her group she watched the busy roaming faces of the other girls who came earlier she assumed. With a blank face she noted the beautiful gardens some of the women tended.
Her turn to see miss Fatma, the campboss. She walked up the staircase her stomach twisting with nerves, her knees wobbly with fear. Once inside,she went over towards the table, hopping her messed nerves wasn't affecting her appearance. Actually, given that Neema had worked on her, she knew she wasn't looking that bad. She decided with more hope. Done,
She joined the other women outside. Nobody inquired what had transpired in, but it wasn't their fault, she knew most of them had only met that day. Some had made friends, Reign was her own problem she knew. She naturally was quiet. A certain woman whispered something to a lady beside her, their gaze darting in Reign direction.
Repressing the uneasy feeling that the women were talking about her, Reign looked focusedly in front, pretending that she was fascinated by the vegetation tended.
By four o'clock the receiving ceremony was over. Waiting in line of the room allocation was Reign. Boredly she stared at the building that was to be her new home for the next two years. Horribly afraid it will be as vacant as it was outside. She glanced at the woman standing beside her, and as if the other lady read her thoughts, she nodded, 'Yes, only beds and a one kitchen at the ground floor.'
'I was afraid of that,'
The other woman, who looked way older grinned sympathetically, and Reign remembered her name, Sally, Sally Kims. Reign had always thought she seemed nice.
"What is your career here?"
"Tea girl, in the ministry " Reign told her.
"Same, Sally repeated, wrinkling her nose. "I've been here before, this place is hot and more of a prison , be careful".
"I guessed ", Reign replied with a depressed sigh. Wishing she were home.
Sally and couple of other girls slumped in beds immediately they walked in the room as Reign skipped up the stairs to the rooftop.