CHAPTER 2- CIERRA

“It’s strange how sometimes a dream can feel so real that you can’t differentiate it from a past reality or a warning of what is yet to come.” I murmured to my best friend who had just woken me up from one of the best and only dream I’ve had in a while with a knock on the door. To be honest, I can’t hold it against her for long because I definitely had to wake up early to go to work at the most atrocious place ever. Okay that was extreme.

Do I hate my job? If you asked me this six months ago when I started working at McAnthony Facilities, I would have responded with a big no. But as a result of intensive twelve-hour shifts and underpayment, this job has not lived to my expectations a single bit. My sorry ass for thinking things would change. Plus, my mother and siblings need my help now more than ever and I feel a wave of responsibilities that I can’t keep up to, this makes me fell so small and useless. So, two weeks ago, out of desperation, I took a bold step to apply for an executive position at the Department of Computing and Cybersecurity at the prestigious Vans and Sterling Company. The type of place that could change my life.

Typically, it takes them about a month to respond with an invitation to interview regarding the job position you are vying for. That happens to be the final process for hiring. Once you pass, you would be hired for the position.

 “Earth to Cierra”, my best friend said, snapping me out of my thoughts.

I blinked. “Girl, you know how I’ve been thinking about this position, I just need to get accepted for the interview to get a chance to prove that I’m well-deserved of the position.”

“Yes, I know very well my love, and you know I always add you to my prayers. Okay go ahead and tell me about the dream.” She smiled softly thinking I was about to give her the tea

I shocked her as I said this. “Girl do want me to be late for work today?” I laughed as her facial expression was priceless. “Alright, lemme take my shower I’ll tell you while I get dressed.

“Are you sure you’re not going to get some sleep?” I asked her fully aware about the fact that she was tired from the night shift.

“I will after you tell me about the dream” She responded while using her phone.

 “Yes ma’am.” I said as I headed straight to the washroom to take my bath.

The water was so cold, so I opted for warm water because I knew damn well that cold water will end up giving me a catarrh which would result in a headache and I’m not down to get a headache knowing very well that my job is enough headache.  I took out my retainers and brushed my teeth, did my face care and stepped into the shower, I made it snappy and in about 20 minutes I was done. I went to the bedroom to get dressed for work, my work only required its workers to be strictly official on Mondays and Tuesdays, so I decided to go for the work Lactose today and pair it up with my baggy black jeans’ trousers and black sneakers since it was sunny Wednesday morning and I didn’t want to get sweaty.

Linds, my best friend, was here in the bedroom trying to get a story out of me. I told her everything that happened in the dream and the fact that she interrupted the part where I was going to see the face of the mysterious man who stretched out his arm to me.

“Oh no” she said in regret, realising what she had caused by waking me up.

“You don’t need to worry, it’s good you woke me up.” I said to reduce her guilty conscience.”

 I sprayed my favourite Victoria Secret body mist and perfume; it is part of my everyday routine because I love to smell good. Then, I headed to the kitchen for a quick breakfast before I finally left for work. My best friend stays at home to catch up on her sleep because she’s a nurse who works the night shift while I go to work during the day.it was 7:30 am meaning I had just 30 minutes to get to work so I had to set off. I took a taxi right in front of my building, that’s one thing I love about the City that never sleeps, New York City.

In about fifteen minutes, I was in front of the McAnthony building, I looked up to the building and sighed out of frustration.

Hmm.

 No bad vibes today. Not here and definitely not now, when I’m going to meet my friends. I smiled and whispered under my breath that today was going to be a good day, in fact a great day.

 While reciting that mantra, I climbed the stairs to the second floor, my department’s domain. Then I went straight to my desk, said hi to my coworkers and continued an ongoing project we’d been building for the past week. It was coming out very well and that motivated us to keep on going the great work. If only our salary was a better motivation.

My coworkers are the best. They were all here about two months before i came and they have been the best work ‘big siblings’ I could ever ask for. I have built a great relationship with two great women, Chelly and ivy and with Jaden whose cocky behaviour drew us close. I am ever grateful to God for them

I requested for a cup of coffee with donuts from Ms Joy, a kitchen staff who comes to take our orders each morning. That is my regular order. Ms Joy has always been such lovely lady and never once complained about how the heads of the department treated her. I admired that character because I needed that type of patience in my life and at work. I mean it was her job, and she surely didn’t want to lose it.

Coffee came sooner than expected, still steaming hot, and my friends and I discussed yesterday’s episode of Love Island while we ate. This was our regular routine, we would discuss the whole episode, break down every character’s personality, outfits and attitude toward the other Islanders. Each of us had our personal favourites that we were routing for to win the game. Routing so hard as if our perceptions might change the outcome of the show. This was definitely my favourite part of the day, we argued about the pettiest things and that’s what made me love our friend group.

After that we went back to our work, heads in our computers, not ready to take any attitude from our bosses who could be a pain in the ass even when it was totally unnecessary. They complain about every flaw and expect it to vanish the next second. I was tired of them, especially Mr. Fitz who treated me like I was something scraped out of the trash can. My friends always insisted that he felt intimidated by my skin colour. I didn’t know how true that was, but I guess I believe them since they started working here two months before I did-so maybe they knew something about him that I didn’t.

We worked non-stop until it was 6pm. Today’s work mostly included Software Developing and Programming, Website creation which was my personal favourite because I got to shape the site’s design exactly how I envisioned it. Emailing and endless printing works followed. Then, after two more hours we called it a day.

Today had gone by so fast and productive since we were all engrossed in our work, we started to pack and prepared to go back home. We normally went to McDonalds to get some food before we take the subway to our respective homes and today was no different. I am forever grateful for my friends at work because I know for sure that without them my workdays wouldn’t be as light and fun. I go to work everyday looking forward to seeing them, confide in them and have our little discussion segments on shows we’re hooked on. I thank God for them often, such a blessing they are - especially Jaden who has been there for me from the very day I walked into the office. From being a shoulder to cry on when work gets overwhelming or I have family issues to being a financial support when I need it the most.

We arrived at the McDonald just a couple of blocks away from the office, got our usual takeout and I also got my best friend’s favourite, cheeseburger and fries, before we started our walk to the subway. Whilst admiring the new billboards that were up, one caught our eye immediately- there was going to be an SZA concert next month!

We were all excited about that like a kid in a candystore or highschoolers who met their celebrity crush. And we were about to meet ours!

I checked the tickets prices, and it was 50 dollars, fair enough because it was SZA we’re talking about but not so fair for me. I had to save up for this.

We reached the subway in about 30 minutes mainly because we were slowed down by our chatter and loud laughter while chatting about the most random topics on the streets of New York. Happiness is indeed free.

 Never in my 24 years have I felt this much freedom, and to be honest when i first dreamed about moving here, I imagined I would be living my life from club to club, going to the bar every now and then and having multiple boyfriends. That was the childish mentality I had about living in a new city, I thought I would completely break free from the leash my parents had on my but somewhere between college and my first job I realised that the so-called leash my parent had on me was for a good cause and was there to guide me. What I thought was a hold back had turned out to be a protection, a quiet shaping into the woman I am becoming.