Chapter 01

“Are you sure, Budang, that everything I need is in the folder?” I asked my friend, Budang. That’s her nickname, and we’ve all gotten used to calling her that, especially me.

I went to her house early just to get ready. She’s good with makeup. I, on the other hand, just comb my hair and put on baby powder, and I’m good to go, unlike now. I need to look presentable and not like a frumpy old woman.

Because today, I’m taking a chance on getting a job. For the first time, I’m applying for a job in the building I sometimes pass by at night. According to the sign outside the gate, they’re looking for a secretary. It’s one of my dreams, to be a secretary and for my boss to fall in love with me. No… wrong… wrong… it’s just my dream.

And since the sign has been up for about two months now, and I always read it, I thought maybe they were looking for me. When I asked the guard if the position was still available, he said yes. But when I said I was applying, he said I wouldn't get hired because I looked like an old woman, especially in my clothes, that rude guy. Others said I wouldn't be accepted because I was too young. I wanted to punch them! Doesn't he know that my clothes are stylish and my looks are just right for my age twenty-one? I may be small in the eyes of others, but not to me, because I'll fight fair. I was tough on the streets before, and I still am.

“Yes, you girl. Everything you need is inside your biodata, birth certificate, school ID, postal ID, barangay clearance, and even your period dates are all there,” she said, making me smile widely. I can always count on my friend, who’s like an older sister to me.

We’re neighbors, and she’s the only one who’s been my friend since elementary and high school, until now. We consider each other siblings, just from different mothers and fathers, but we’re more than just friends.

“Thanks, Budang. And if they ask where my driver’s license is, I’ll just say I don’t have a car, so why would I need a driver’s license? Right?”

“Right, Unique.”

“And if they ask about my passport, I’ll just say, Why do I need a passport for this building? I’m not applying for a job abroad. I’ll only get one if this building moves to another country and I need it as an ID. Unless they send me abroad. Right, Budang?” I asked again, in case she missed something in her instructions. I shouldn’t make any mistakes in what I say to whoever interviews me later.

I need to impress them with my soft words so they'll hire me. Please, dear God, grant my wish. Amen.

Budang styled me again. After curling my hair, she put on my makeup. Budang’s dream is to be a makeup artist, so she’s practicing now. She’s in college studying business, while I stopped after high school because my parents couldn’t afford my tuition anymore, especially after my father was injured in an accident. Cars collided, and he was one of the victims because he was riding his motorcycle home.

Thankfully, my father wasn’t seriously hurt. So even though it’s hard, I’m finding ways to help them. At night, I sell balut on our street. I’ve been robbed a few times, so when I have money from selling balut, I put it in my bra for safekeeping. No one knows I hide money there. Sometimes, all I have in my small wallet is fifty or twenty pesos. Sometimes, I put a toy snake or cockroach in my wallet so that if a thief opens it, they’ll run away in fear.

That’s what you call a mindset.

“There, you look expensive and unique now that you’re all made up.” My cheeks flushed at my friend’s words.

“Of course, I have the best makeup artist in front of me and it's you, my Budang. So thank you so much for the free makeover. And as I promised, Budang, aside from my family, you’re the first one I’ll treat. Yay!” I said.

“Whatever, Unique. Just do your best later, and if you pass the interview, I’ll be happy for you. Good luck and congratulations in advance.” she said.

“Oh, now I’m pressured. Just kidding. We can do this. Since you can’t come outside the building, just pray for me. Thank you again, Budang.” I said before kissing her on the cheek.

After Budang finished styling me, I hurried to say goodbye and get to my interview early. I hope I pass because this is my only hope, and I want to experience an office job that I’ve always dreamed of, but never had because my parents couldn’t afford my college tuition, especially after my father got sick.

“Just one more, just one more! The jeep is leaving. You, get in! Get in!” What? “Just one more,” kuya, and we’ll get off your jeep. There are barely any seats left, and he’s still calling for more passengers.

“Kuya, our butts are about to get burned from sitting here for so long, and you’re still calling for passengers. We’re packed like sardines in here,” I said.

“There’s still vacant, Miss.” What? I’m in a hurry, and there’s still room?

“What do you want, kuya? One more passenger, or should we all get off the jeep and find another one? If there really was space, we wouldn’t be complaining,” I said. The conductor just scratched his head. Good thing he listened to me, he said it was full and we were leaving.

“You’re brave, young lady. I was going to say that earlier, but you beat me to it, so thank you,” said the old woman. I smiled at her.

“Because they’re getting used to it, Lola. It’s annoying. My butt has been about to fall off from sitting here with no space. I’m clinging on tight,” I said.

“It’s okay, dear. I’m getting off soon, so you can sit comfortably in my seat, okay?” she said, and I smiled widely.

“Okay, grandma, thank you very much.” I said. While waiting for Lola to get off, I thought she was close to her stop, but she might get off before me. Bad luck.

Anyway, hopefully, I won’t be unlucky later at my job interview. Whether it’s a secretary position or cleaning their ceiling, I’ll take it. I don’t want to be choosy. As long as it’s a job with fair pay, I’m game. I’m good at housework, and I’m not fussy, so I’ll take anything, as long as I get hired.

A job, that’s what matters, having a salary to look forward to, instead of just hanging around at home and watching the loafers in our neighborhood. If I do that, I guess I’ll become lazy and a loafer, too.

Life is hard these days, so you have to be hardworking in everything. Like others, I wasn’t born with gold plates and spoons on the dining table. Just a simple malunggay soup with three fish makes me happy and it makes my parents and me happy.

Maybe tomorrow, Lord will give me a better life. As long as my father gets better, I’m extremely happy, and my mother doesn’t have any ailments, that’s a blessing, I’m happy.

So I’ll do even better to improve our lives. I want to give my parents, who raised me, a good life. For now, instead of just staying in my room, I’ll try any job I can get to earn money for medicine and our daily food.

And now, standing in front of this building, I’ll try to get in and become one of their workers.

Maybe I’ll become the new CEO here. Just kidding, my dreams just flew off to another place. I should stay grounded.

I should start by being low-key before living like a princess.