Through The Darkness

“Miss Williams, I’ll be assigning you for our august Interview hiring, starting tomorrow, so be here on time, please. Can you do that?” Ava answered it with an awkward smile while scratching her nape; she was holding a pile of papers on her hands, when her supervisor asked for her.

“Yes, Sir.” She said, Lorelei, her supervisor nod and walk pass through her, she made her way to her own table, she sighed as if it was her last, while looking at the folders, which is taller than she is, and she has to read it one by one. These are all the applicants, trying to get a job to their company, it was her duty every August, and most of them has this chance once a month.

Ava is a psychology graduate, she passed the board exam on her first take, but it was not easy as she was expecting, most of the companies she applied for was all looking for experienced applicants to hire, and she can’t do anything about her, fortunately she got a job in Costa Luna City, it’s the main city of spring field. A publishing company that sells thousands of books per month, their company was also contacted by different agencies, to commercialize their books, since they can actually reach out to their writers. However, you can’t make all the people around you to love you or to like you, especially those people in the higher position, and her best example? Her supervisor.

She bun her hair and folded her sleeves, and started to do her job, reading applicants overview, and what they are applying for, experience is a plus, so she can grasp a bit to the people she will be meeting tomorrow, it can also save her plenty of time to do other works.

---

“How was the first day as assigned interviewer?” Alysa, her friend teased her, while holding a paper cup containing a black coffee on left hand.

“It’s not even funny nor entertaining, why it has to be me this time? Ugh! Of all months, why August, have tons of deadlines to meet yet I still have to sit down on that freaking room and interview tons of applicants who can’t even decide for their lives even their answers.” She said, frustrated, “What a bad luck.” Ava continued, adjusted her glasses because it almost fell off her face, there are only two vacant position, and she has to review five hundred curriculum vitae.

Ava heard Alysa’s laughter as if she was really enjoying her frustration, she felt Alysa tap her shoulder, so she lifted her eyes to her friend. “Come on, don’t worry, you will get through that.” She scoffed with that remarks, knowing her friend Alysa, she do not really meant it. “But hey, I heard your supervisor, she was rapping again?” Ava cannot help but to laugh. “She won’t need any microphone, her voice is all she need, and she’s a real monster, ghad!” Alysa pulled a nearby swivel chair next to her table, since there are just few people left in their department, it’s already their lunch break, while her, she haven’t even done at least half of her loaded work.

There are too many people looking for a job, but yeah, I cannot blame them, this company offers a great deal for every employees, she muttered, while still choosing between these applicants.

She did not even bother to answer, but chuckled with what her friend said, all her workmates are all so used to their supervisor, hearing scolding her, Ava doesn’t even know why she was being scolded in the first place, with her OIC, everything she do has a mistake, well except for being late, that was really her fault.

“Haven’t you used to it? I practically take her morning preach as my breakfast before even getting my own coffee, before I even sit on my chair I might cry, but it was three years ago, her scolding became my morning routine.” They both laughed, she finished her some of the folders before arranging them on the other side of her table indicating that she had finished reading it, and it passed the company’s criteria.

“Whatever you say, Ava, but hey, at least it did not reach up to the law department, I think it stops in our department, she will be surely a death of you!” she overreacted, “And excuse me, will you please lessen your caffeine intake? That is your life! Moreover, what will happened? Your acidity will kick in, and your productivity level will decrease, then what? That witch will not let anybody hold any of your work and let it sleep for how many days while waiting for you? What the fvck is that, right? Everyone kept on saying sorry every single damn time.”

“Hey, shut up, someone might hear you.” Ava reminded her, Alysa just rolled her eyes and zip her mouth, and will you stop that gay language? It makes you really looks like a gay, and besides I lessen my caffeine intake, it’s just a small portion compare to what I was really drinking.” She insisted.

“Excuse me? I’m too pretty!” she exclaimed and raised her brow, that made Ava chuckled. She fix her pencil skirt before standing up, she left her folded sleeves and grab her purse, she was planning to eat outside since she still has half an hour to eat.

“Okay, whatever you say, just shut up; I’m having a migraine, goodness, Aly.” She said, a bit annoyed.

Aly just nodded, she knew her friend and her tone, she know when to shut her pretty mouth, as what she was always telling people, and she knew that Ava haven’t got enough sleep these past few days, so she remained quiet althroughout their lunch.

--

The following morning, like what Ava’s supervisor request, she manage to arrive at their office half an hour before the scheduled interview for applicants, she wouldn’t want to get nag again by her head, she has no time for that, she’s too tired, after helping her youngest brother with his home works who’s in his fifth grade, and she can’t bring herself to ask his brother since he’s busy too, in college, who’s taking food and beverages management. She came home that Sunday in her Mother’s request, she barely goes home since she started working on the city.

Ava immediately settled herself and prepare her materials she will be using for the interview, her co-worker who’s assigned to the room next to her was also preparing his materials. It was a plain room, this was use for meetings with a few attendees, like this one on one interview. Just a swiveled chair, an office table, and two conference chairs, there are also Chinese evergreens, or Aglaonema, which she knew means long life in Chinese, and some apricot blossom on the side table near the mini sofa, since the designer of their office is a Chinese, she lowered the AC to lessen the headache she was feeling, she regret that she did not eat those packed breakfast, her friend Jacob offered her earlier.

When eight o’clock strikes, she informed the secretary using the intercom to let the applicants in, he can see that the applicants have something to brag, she can see that with their curriculum vitae, some came from prestigious Universities, and some has countless job experiences, and award, but she was bothered if this interview will be good since she was not feeling so well.

The interview went well, she did not expect that she will be enjoying talking with the applicants, they practiced, they know what they are doing, she thought, she had enough applicants for that day, and there’s one more remaining.

“Good morning.” The applicant greeted her as soon as he entered the room. She looked at him, thinking where she had seen him.

“Good morning,” she greeted back, “Have a seat.” She offered, and opened his vitae, “You must be, Mr..” she halted, it’s a very familiar name, Noah. Noah Levi Carter.

“Carter. Noah Carter,” he said and offered his hand to shake, “Nice to meet you.” He was wondering if he met her before, she looks very oddly familiar.

It’s been years since Ava saw him, he changed drastically, his appearance she can’t even remember her the first time she saw him again, she misses him, but he was the least person she wanted to see, Noah became a memory of her friend, he caused her death. I will never ever forgive him, she thought.

“Miss?” she blinked upon hearing his voice, he patted her in the hand, which she immediately widrawn, “Are you alright?” he asked.

She nod, “Yes, my apologies, alright, Mr. Carter, nice meeting you too.” She said, “Please take a seat.” Since the guy is still standing in front of her.

She felt that familiar tingling feeling, she felt whenever he is around, way back years ago, shut up, whatever you are, we are done.

“So, you’re an immigrant? Why would you like this job?” she asked, trying her very best to be casual as if he was just a mere applicant like the other people she spoke with.

“I just want a job.” He said, casually. She waited for his next words, trying to figure where this interview was going, she waited for a minute, but he remained silent, as if it was the only sentence he knew, her forehead creased.

She nod, and write down his so long interview answer, “That’s it?” Noah looked at her as if confused, I answered her question, what does she want now? He thought. “You just wanted a job?”

“Uh, yes?” unsure of his answer. “Is there a problem with my response?” this was his first time applying for a job, so he doesn’t know how, he did not have the time to look into internet how he should act and answer.

Ava looked at her and put down her pen, “Are your aware what position did this company was trying to fill in? had you read our post? Countless people want this job that you’re applying for, and you came here, telling me that you just wanted a job? You’re wasting our time, if you’re not serious about this then, leave.” She said, in a very serious tone, I’m not playing with you, this a serious matter, she wanted to say.

“I’m sorry.” He said, “This was my first time looking for a job, and uh, I’m quite nervous, so, uh, sorry.” Ava almost laughed when she heard his apology, she knew it was his first time, but she never expects that he’ll apologize quickly.

“Okay,” she faked cough to remain her composure. “We will call you then. Thank you and have a great day.” She dismissed him and start to fix her things and some papers on her table.

“Really? That’s it?” she stopped from what she was doing, “Why can’t you say that if I’m hired or not? Do I really have to wait if you’ll call me, or not?” her browse lifts up, unsure if she heard it right, he’s demanding? In front of me?

She wants to fix things in a calm manner, “Look, sir.” She starts. “I have a very simple question for you.”

“Spill it.” He answered, that made her blood boil for a while.

“Have you ever promised someone, and that person held that promise for a very long time, but all of a sudden that promised crush her, since you can’t fulfill it?” Noah looked confused with the question he just heard, is this some kind of riddle? He almost asked.

“No, not yet.” He answered, instead.

Ava nod, “Well, you’ll going to experience that if you won’t stop demanding for a job right at this moment, we have to consider a list of what ifs’, you’re not the only applicant who wanted to have this job.” Amusement fills Noah’s face, upon hearing that.

“Okay, okay.” I get your silly point, miss.” He surrenders, “I love the idea. Well, okay, I’ll wait for your call.” Noah answered and stood up; he was about to go out when he remembered something. “Anyway, what’s your name? you haven’t introduced yourself earlier.”

Ava did not think twice and put up a small smile, “It's me, Ava, fancy meeting you here.”