The Encounter

CHAPTER THREE

"So, Ms. Ito, this what exactly what happened to your position..." a rather stoic-looking woman in her 30s sat behind a minimalist desk explaining to her her employment. Himari had just received an expected bawl from her executive chef over an international call. She recalled imploring to an assistant secretary from the human resources department for Shintaro's contact in exchange for a concert ticket to a rock band Gazette an hour ago that morning. She had just basically ruined her savings only to listen to a relatively irate boss. Ex-boss.

He is so full of himself and too neglectful of his team! I.hate.the.world.of.him! She silently cursed Shintaro for her unfortunate job experience. On the other hand, she snapped it as she was also to blame.

"Are you listening, Himari?" Ms. Han, the stoic HR officer was begging for her ability to focus.

She hesitated but Ms. Han only heaved out a deep sigh of exasperation and sympathy. Himari was the last person scouted for a job with a three-month contract and the first person to exit as stipulated in the company agreement. This was questionable but what choice did she have to make? She had none and to receive her last payment for her services for the last ten weeks was undoubtedly necessary for her to make ends meet till she found another job.

What a bummer! She thought to herself and bid farewell to the officer after she understood and signed some documents. Yes, maybe she was never fit in restaurants although she was actually interested in cooking or ushering people or doing routines like washing the dishes and cleaning the tables. At twenty-eight, her life was like a laver in the ocean - it landed where the water was taking it - and stayed there until it thrived or died.

At first, she never understood why her Aunt Becky took her to Nagoya fifteen years ago away from her foster family in Singapore. Yes, she was an orphan to her late parents who died in a car crash when she was five. It was a family trip, unfortunately a bad one, but she miraculously survived. Her aunt, Becky, her mother's sister could not take care of her then because of her alcohol and drug dependent husband who was now in prison sentenced for life charged of murder to a Japanese businessman.

She was put up for adoption. Luckily, she had a good home to Mr. and Mrs. Koh who never had a child since their marriage commenced. They must be in their 60s now. Later, Himari knew her aunt and the Koh couple had a side agreement. She felt like a toy but Aunt Becky was her only real relative. It was difficult for a minor to cope with everything she suffered - family loss, environment adjustments, and language barrier. She never had a proper education in high school so she just dreamed of running her own business someday.

"What now Himari? What are you going to do with your life? Are you going to be like this forever? Shall I just kill myself? No. Ugh!" She was blabbering to herself as she was walking down Shijodori Street and halted before a seemingly troubled woman over her phone by the first stall of shops. "Sumimasen. I'm sorry to have eavesdropped but you are looking for a worker?"

The woman looked up and down at her and said, "Follow me."

Must have been a good decision of not killing myself! She happily thought as she trotted after her shugo tenshi.

"Ohayou gozaimasu, minasama! I called you all today for two important announcements," Ms. Suzuki, her guardian angel that time spoke to everyone before opening. Six months later and Himari got the opportunity to work longer than she had expected. Her hopelessness shed some light. She was contented and well-paid for her position as a salesclerk in one of the Nishiki Market Commercials' shops. NMC was far by one of the biggest market conglomerates in Kyoto and she was astounded by this fact. She would love to learn more and stick if the heavens were good to her this time. But who was this lady beside her? The smooth-skinned, sophisticated woman whose Asian tantalizing eyes that complemented her upturned nose were marvelously pinned on that oval-shaped face.