Chapter 2 The Message Sender

CHAPTER 2

3:00 am Tuesday, In Asian Country

A 28 year-old woman is sitting inside a company shuttle service of one of the world’s largest chocolate factories in Asia.

She is Jessica, the message sender. Jessica checks the messages on her cellphone while the shuttle service is heading to the company. Then again she read the message of Zamir, the man whom she chatted with last night. She chatted with him because in the message request of her messenger she found a message from Zamir dated years ago. Zamir just says “Hi“ in his message. Jessica wonders why she got a message from this man. The man seems to come from another country. So to answer her curiosity Jessica sent him a message that contains only a question mark. He got a reply from him but it’s funny how this man didn’t know why he sent a message to her.

Their chat went on but Jessica didn’t reply to his last question last night. Then after serious consideration she decided to reply to him this morning.

A serious consideration because she doesn’t want to give any personal information to a stranger.

“In Asian country, “ Jessica replied because Zamir was asking what her country is.

They have different time zones.

It’s 8:00 pm Monday in Albania right now.

Zamir is talking to his grandfather. He secretly reads the message for his grandfather Jacob discussing an important matter about the new business he wants to start. As expected Zamir has to give his full attention while his grandfather is talking because Zamir is his grandfather chosen successor of his position when he retired.

His grandfather is a billionaire. He holds the highest position in one of the large incorporations in their city.

Jacob wants Zamir to be his successor so he is very strict to Zamir in all aspects, all the time. Strict in the sense of discipline.

Jacob is very strict. He demands total obedience concerning behavior. His rules must be obeyed by Zamir.

When his grandfather calls their maid to get some documents in his room upstairs, the old man is not looking at Zamir. Zamir makes a quick reply to Jessica.

“Okay. How old are you?”

“I’m 28, how about you?” Jessica replied.

“Same. I’m 28.Are you married?” Zamir replied.

“Yes!” Jessica replied. She lied to Zamir. She is single but she doesn’t like to tell the truth to strangers like Zamir.

“Oh that’s good. Do you have kids?” Zamir asked.

“Yes, I have.” Another lie from Jessica.

“Really, that’s nice. How many kids do you have?”Zamir asked again.

“I have one .” Jessica answered. She told another lie. Then she asked Zamir, “How about you?”

“I’m Single.” Zamir continued typing his reply for Jessica. He didn’t notice that Jacob, his grandfather, was talking to him again.

Jacob noticed that his grandson Zamir was not paying attention to what he said. He noticed that Zamir was busy checking his phone.

Jacob shook his head and frowned. Then he calls Zamir to get his attention.

“Zamir, what is that? His grandfather called his attention.

Zamir lost grip on his phone because he was so surprised when his grandfather called his name. He almost dropped his phone on the floor but he was able to catched it before it fell on the floor. His grandfather wondered why he behaved like that this time.

When Zamir managed to compose himself again he answered his grandfather’s question.

“I’m just searching for a good location for the new business you want to open. As you have said, you have not decided on where you want to put that factory. So I decided to search for a good location. Probably I will find some good places when I search on the internet, that’s why I’m checking my phone for the result.” Zamir makes his answer long enough trying to convince his grandfather that he is listening to him.

“That’s good Zamir. So give me your written report about the result of what you have searched for tomorrow in my office. Okay?”

“Yes Grandpa, I’ll give it to you tomorrow.” Zamir answered quickly.

Zamir knows his grandfather is not a fool to believe easily on his cited reason that’s why the old man asked for a written report.

When they finished talking about the business, Zamir immediately went to his room to do what was asked by his grandfather Jacob.

While he was doing the report he found himself sending a message to Jessica again.

“You know someday I want to have my own family just like yours.” Zamir sent his message.

Jessica read his message. She doesn’t know what to reply because she is just lying. She feels a little bit guilty because she senses that the young man is serious about his statement.

Because of that Jessica wants to change the topic of their conversation so she sends a message like this,”

“ What is your job, right now?“

“I’m a businessman.“ Zamir replied.

“Oh that’s nice .” Jessica replied.

“ How about you?.” Zamir replied.

“I’m just working at the factory. Nice meeting you Zamir.” Jessica replied and ended their conversation when the shuttle service arrived at the company where she is working.

“Same to you, Jessica, .” Zamir replied.

And then Zamir got too busy doing his report when he didn’t receive any reply from Jessica.

*****

This is really what type of life Jessica has.

Jessica wakes at 3:00 a.m. at her small apartment, a 2 hours ride going to the factory where she is working. She arrives at the factory at 5:00 a.m. for a quick free meal at the canteen, then starts work at 6:00 a.m.

At 6:00 a.m. her shift begins. Inside one of the largest chocolate factories based in Asian country, Jessica , sits on a stool and catches the chocolates on the conveyor to put it inside the box. Her task is to help complete 3,000 pieces of chocolates in a box — her workshop’s daily quota. Seated in the middle of the assembly line in her company-mandated uniform and white company shoes, she waits for the conveyor belt to deliver pieces of chocolates to her station. She places it inside the box. She has just several minutes to fill one box.

Working at a company like this is not easy. If you do the same thing all day long you can become numb, but she got used to doing this type of work. She does not complain. This is her job, and for now she’s comfortable doing it.

At 11:00 am. is her lunch break. Time to eat a free meal at the canteen. Today, she was given rice and scrambled eggs with eggplant.

At 11:30 a.m. is the end of break time. She will go back on the Line. At 6:00 p.m. her shift ends. Jessica will return to the apartment she shares with her grandmother and Aunt Clara.So at 9:00 p.m. she is at home to sleep.

She’s renting a room together with her grandmother and only Aunt, Clara. Her grandmother is a widow and has only two children. Her father and her Aunt Clara. She is living with her grandmother and Aunt Clara because she is an orphan. According to her grandmother, her parents died in a car accident. But because Jessica has a temporary amnesia she doesn’t remember when, where and how that accident happened. She doesn’t even remember who she really is. What she knew about herself is what her grandmother and Aunt Clara told her, that she is Jessica. She has had amnesia since she was a teenager. And until now she hasn’t regained her memory.

They are renting a room because they came from the countryside but her and her Aunt Clara’s workplace is in the city. Most of their relatives are living in the countryside. Their life in the countryside is not easy. They belong to a poor family living near the sea.

Their way of life is catching fish and selling fish on the market. Her Aunt Clara wants to run away with that kind of life in their hometown. So her Aunt Clara decided to bring her and her grandmother to the city. Her Aunt Clara finds work as a sales lady at the largest mall in the city.

From that work of Clara she was able to support Jessica’s studies at public school in the city. When Jessica finished her studies in highschool she got a job in the city. At first Jessica works at different manufacturing companies as a contractual. Fortunately, she became a regular employee in the present company where she is working.

Out of her salary Jessica is helping her Aunt Clara in providing their basic needs and paying the apartment rentals. Now that her Aunt Clara has two children and her Aunt Clara’s good for nothing husband left and went with his mistress, Jessica needs to help her Aunt Clara. Because of that Jessica stays single and doesn’t get married yet.

Aside from that she has a personality disorder so finding a partner in life is very difficult for her. Her previous relationship all ends in break up for all men that who became her relationship partner don’t understand her attitude and behavior. For she always experiences constant changes in emotions. As a result her relationship partner leaves her or vice versa. Jessica wants to say goodbye whenever she notices there is a change of treatment than usual from her partner. She ends the relationship to avoid the feeling of being hurt or the feeling of being abandoned.

******

On the other hand, Zamir’s life is the opposite of what Jessica has.

He is considered as a young billionaire in the society where he belongs. He has all the possessions that are needed in order to be happy or successful.

Zamir seemed to have everything – good looks, charm, and plenty of money.