Broken Love

Cynthia Leo - Gotten a menial job

Chapter 02

It was Monday, I realized that I needed to get a job.

I've been relying on my mom and Roselyn for the past three years after I graduated.

Making my mom proud was my priority and it's also a surplus to my caree

Somnolent, I stood up from the bed, reached my wardrobe, I rummaged through the hangers and I found my precious gown, a lovely gift from Roselyn.

Because it was my first day in search of a job, I wouldn't want to look unprofessional.

I couldn't help but feel a sense of nervousness tingling through my spine when surveying the dress I was putting on.

It was a deeming-blue shirtwaist dress having a belt around my waist to allure the dress.

My heart was hefty with the thought of leaving my mom behind, so I decided

to notify her before leaving.

I came out of my room to hers, but there was an unusual silence around her room.

’ It's past seven she ought to be awake and praying. Is she still sleeping?’ I thought to myself.

Frustration knotted in my stomach, sending a shiver down my spine when I found my mom lying down on the floor recklessly and almost unconscious.

“Mom,” I called with a crackling voice, tears blurred my vision.

I mumbled soberly when I heard no response.

My heart flew.

Immediately, I took her to a community hospital where she was admitted, with the little money I was going to use for transport in search of a job.

I raised an alarm for help but the neighbors refused to accompany us to the hospital.

The nurses bustled in and out of the rehabilitation room where my mom was kept.

I sat down on the waiter’s bench, murmuring silently.

"What are they doing? Is she gonna make it?’ I asked myself.

Many dreadful thoughts ran through my mind.

Having waited for the doctors for over an hour, I approached the dark-skinned nurse behind the counter,

“How is she doing?” I asked soberly and dreadfully.

“Ma’am please hold on, we'll get back to you, “ she said, pitifully but with a tinge of mockery.

A few moments later, the nurse directed me to the consulting room. I helped myself into the office.

“You may take a seat,” the doctor said in a calm and nicest tone.

”W…what happened to my Mom?" I stammered.

I was shocked and devastated by the whole scene.

“Your mom is suffering from Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(CO

PD),” he said.

"Sorry Doctor, but please, what does that mean? " I asked ignorantly.

"It's a chronic inflammatory disease that obstructs airflow from the lungs” he explained and I gasped.

"The disease has badly affected her and she would need surgery. Failure to carry out an operation on her early can and might lead to death, " he said, causing me to yelp.

I was left speechless and dumbfounded. I just cried because my brain could not work properly. The information it received is too much for it to process.

Of all times, why would Mom choose now to fall sick, the hardest of times? How are we going to get the money for the surgery?

How?

I stared into space, crying, and mumbling with words.

“ How is she doing? Is she awake?” I asked the nurse beside Mom's bed.

“She will be fine, she just needs proper bed rest,” she said.

“ You will be charged $1200 for the treatment and medication” she predicted.

“Ohh! Ok. Thank you very much for your kind gesture,” I managed to smile.

I stifled my emotions and slithered through the door.

The bill cost a lot.

"Where will I get that kind of money from?" I pondered for a while, before realizing that mom does have a piggy box where she saves some little change.

Immediately, I ran home and checked the box.

“Atlas, I'm lucky," I beamed happily.

I was excited and relieved.

I dug my hands into the safe. The total money was $1590 and it was enough for her medications.

I rushed down to the hospital.

By the entrance, I saw a poster on the wall.

It entails hiring a housekeeper for $200 Wow! That's a nice pay. I can apply.

I quickly copied the address down on a piece of paper before dashing into the hospital.

I made payments for the bills and also purchased some drugs which the money could get.

I pleaded with the nice nurse to help me watch over Mom while I proceeded in the pursuit of the job.

I went to the address I had copied down and it led me to a company

I explained myself to the gatekeeper, who directed me to the boss's office.

I sat in the waiting room for more than thirty minutes before I was directed to an office.

CARLEY ANDREW was written boldly on the door.

With a single tap on the door, I walked in.

My stomach grumbled out of nervousness and ambivalence.

The sight of the almighty lady seated across me, made me have double mind about coming.

“Go.. Good day ma’am,” I stuttered, standing close to a seat opposite her table.

She glanced at me slightly and returned to what she was working on.

“E… Excuse me, ma’am, I am here… ” I fought my timidity and tried to speak but was cut short by this cranky woman.

“Take your seat,” she said, finally looking up at my face. She accessed me from head to toe, scanning my dress.

She's a beautiful woman no doubt. She has dark brown bob hair matching her brown colored eyes and her oval-shaped face. She was putting on a shimmering gown which indicated money and that alone, qualified her elegance.

I sat down on the comfortable swivel chair but I wasn't comfortable. I sat with consciousness because the woman opposite me looked like a very aggressive and intolerable woman.

“I suppose you are here because of the job of a maid? “ She asked with a sneer on her face.

“Umm… yes Ma’am, I saw your poster, and I'm here for the job” I replied hoping I would be lucky.

“Hmm… Quit the explanations? Are you sure you can work for me?" she asked as if doubting my efforts.

Before I could respond, she said,

“Well, you’ll have to work in my house then. I don't trust you can handle office issues."

I wasn't even given a chance to express myself and let her know that I was capable before she started dishing out rules and regulations to abide by.

“Always make sure you bathe frequently, dress nice, and also smell nice,” she said in a harsh tone, rolling her eyes at me.

“I am a woman of dignity and I am allergic to bad odors, especially from young girls like you. ” she continued.

"My bad but you stink, " she mocked and stifled a laugh.

I couldn't help but smell myself if I smelled bad. I stared down at my worn-out shoes with tears in my eyes.

I haven't started and I have received some insults. Well, I'm going to work with her nonetheless. It's better than being jobless.

“You’ll resume work on Wednesday, meet my secretary and get the address of my house and also get the prospectus from her because I have laws you must follow. Kindly get out of my office,” she said harshly.

I felt embarrassed and hurt, the tears trickled down my face when I stood up to take my leave.

She disregarded my loyalty.

I never knew such a beautiful woman would be this bitter. She's too surly and vicious.

Immediately I left the company, I rushed back to the hospital to check on Mom who needed my attention.

Reaching the hospital, the dark-skinned nurse approached me.

“Your mom is awake, you can go see her,” she said with a smile on her face

However, I badly wanted to see her, and I wanted to surprise her with my new job.

I walked in and sat down on the seat close to her bed. I clenched her hands to mine, kissing them affectionately.

“I'm sorry Mom, I'm sorry that… “I said, crying intensively.

“It's okay, I will be fine,” she said wiping off the tears from my face with her thum

“I've got a job, a menial job, but I'll work away from home. ” I sobbed.

"That's good news, Cynthia, " she smiled weakly.

"I hope you don't mind me leaving you. I have to work for the money to pay for your surgery. " I asked.

“I will be coming home to check up on you” I continued.

“I want you to take good care of yourself, don't worry about me, okay?” she said, holding my cheek and looking straight into my eyes….