Chapter 4: A new environment and a new challenge

Every students were in the gymnasium to attend the

opening ceremony and welcoming of the freshmen in the college. It was

Danielle's first time to see such a big crowd. The President of the University

was speaking on the stage with his subordinates.

Danielle couldn't believe her eyes that there were so

many freshmen and different colleges in just one University. She met new people

but never attached herself to anyone. She remained focus on her goal in life.

As time goes by, Danielle had adapted herself to her

new environment but she never go into any deeper relationship with her male

colleagues or make a deeper connection with her fellow freshmen. She remained distant

but knows how to handle with her colleagues.

From her first month in college until the end of the

first semester, Danielle only focused herself in her studies and in working.

She can go along well with anybody as long as they don't show some bad things

on her.

In Greenwich, Danielle became known for being responsible

and obedient staff. One day, a branch manager came to visit and Danielle was

the only crew who was doing almost all the work in the service area. The other

crews were having secret conversations in a corner.

“ I noticed one of your crew a while ago.” The new

arrived branch manager said to Mr. Donald who was sitting, facing him in a

table. The branch manager is none other than Mr. Flix.

“ You always noticed anyone here in my branch. Who is

it this time?” Mr. Donald laughed in mockery.

“ Why don’t you go and look around for yourself? To

see on what's going on in the service area?” Mr. Flix made a grin.

Donald somehow felt bewildered and he stood up and

walked away from the table. He went straight to the service area and saw how

dedicated Danielle was in her work while the others were only just fooling

around. He went back to the table where Mr. Flix was waiting for him.

“ Well...What did you find out? Am I only teasing you?”

Mr. Flix said when he noticed that Mr. Donald's face darkened as if he saw

something bad that made him angry.

“ I'll settle with them later after work. No one

messes with me. “ Mr. Donald said with displeasure.

Mr. Flix smiled secretly and they continued having their

break. After Mr. Flix got out of the building and it was already closing time,

the staff and crew of Greenwich gathered in the service area and discussed

about what happened today.

“ Do you know that I was humiliated just now by one of

our branch manager in the main branch?”

Everyone started gossiping while Danielle remained

silent. She knows that ethics should be preserved when in a conference. Unlike

her colleagues, they were gossiping as if their superior was not present in

full of them.

“ From now on, when I see anyone of you just fooling

around in time of work, you are going to have a disciplinary action. You know

the rules of this company. I also received a letter from the main Branch. Some

of you are being promoted from your position. Namely: Mark, Danielle and

Stella. Congratulations to the three of you and keep up the good work!”

Hearing their names called and being promoted, Danielle

and Stella went home happily.

But there was also a bad news when morning came. An

unexpected visit came to Danielle. It was Jenny, her cousin.

“ Hi, Danielle! How are you?” Jenny asked when they

were sitting in the living room.

“ Hi, Jenny! I'm okay. How's Nanang Elsa?” Danielle replied

back.

Looking a little hesitant, Jenny bravely looked at her

in the eye. “ Nanang Elsa is not doing well. She has been hospitalized yesterday

and she wanted to see you. Do you think you can spare some of your time to go

and see her?”

Shocked by the news, Danielle stood up. “ Oh my God! Wait

a minute. I'll just change my clothes.”

She dashed into their room and took her wallet. She changed

her clothes and looked at Stella. “Hey, Stella! Can you please tell Aunt

Cynthia that I'm going to stay in my Grandmother's house today and I’ll come

back tomorrow.”

Stella was playing with her phone when she saw the

rushing Danielle who looked pale and worried. “ Okay. How about work?”

“ I'll take the earliest bus tomorrow so that I could

catch up for work. Please bring with you my uniform and place it in my locker

when you go to work tomorrow. “ Danielle said.

“ Okay. What's your schedule tomorrow by the way? “

Stella asked curiously.

“ It's 9 in the morning. I saw your schedule and yours

is at eight in the morning. Please don't forget my things.” Danielle pleaded. “

I have to go now. Bye!”

Rushing outside their room, Danielle forgot to wear

her shoes. She was wearing only her slipper. Jenny noticed it and laughed a

bit.” Danielle, your not wearing your shoes.”

“ Damn it!” Danielle blurted out loud and she rushed

again going back to their room.

The three girls were surprised to  see her come back. “ Hey! What’s wrong!” Ivy

asked, looking confused when Danielle showed up again in their room.

“ I forgot to were my shoes.” Danielle answered while

taking off her slipper and putting on her rubber shoes that she usually wear in

her day off.

“ Should I bring your shoes tomorrow as well?” Stella

asked when she saw that Danielle didn't bring anything with her aside her purse

where her working ID, School ID, wallet and cell phone were in.

“ Yes, please!” Danielle replied and went back to her

cousin.

Upon reaching the doorway, Danielle opened the door

and went outside the house with her cousin. They took a bus in going back to

their province and Danielle felt nostalgic as she looked at the familiar places

around her.

“ Danielle, If Nanang ask you why you came, don't tell

her that I came to pick you up. She doesn't want me to tell you her condition.

She has high blood pressure and that she needed continuous medication because

she's already old and it's risky especially

if she's all alone in the house.”

Jenny and Danielle were sitting next to each other

inside the bus.

“ Okay. Don't worry about the hospital bill. I'll take

cate of it.” Danielle said ina sad tone of voice.

When the bus stopped at the Provincial Hospital,

Danielle and Jenny stepped out of the bus with their things. The market is just

at the side so they decided to go there first to buy some fruits and her

Grandmother's  favourite which is

Ginataan. Jenny was surprised to see that Danielle had a lot of money on her

wallet. She was intrigued.

“ Danielle, where did you get all that money?” Jenny

blurted.

“ Well, I had a part time job back in the city. I'm a

service crew at Greenwich. I didn't tell Nanang about it and that's the reason

I come home here often only.” Danielle answered.

“ Wow! You're working there. That's cool!” Jenny was

fascinated by her answer.

They began walking towards the hospital. Jenny helped

in carrying the things they bought from the market. As they entered the

entrance gate of the hospital, they were silent for a brief moment. Jenny lead

the way when they entered the hospital building.

As expected, there were many patients inside the

hospital and it was a busy day in the hospital. The nurses and doctors come and

goes. Danielle observed that she used to say to her father that she will become

a nurse when she grows up but her ambition was altered into becoming a teacher

in the near future. It's the only option left for her to reach her real goal in

life.

When they were walking towards a ward made for elders,

Danielle came back to her senses and shook her head side to side.

“ We're here!” Jenny said to her.

They opened the door and immediately, they saw their

grandmother at the first row of bed. They approached her and there was the

nurse and Doctor checking their grandmother's condition.

“ Excuse me, Doctor, how’s my grandmother?  Danielle asked immediately to them.

The Doctor looked back and saw her. “ Your grandmother

is stable now. She can be discharge now. Go to the nurse’s station later to

settle her discharge papers and go to the billing section to pay her hospital

bill along with her medicine. “

“ Thank you, Doctor!” Danielle and Jenny said in

chorus.