Without Preamble

Summer Job

Chapter 1

Summer Job

Anelle hummed the latest hit single of Taylor Swift as she donned her belt, the finishing touch of her ensemble. She's getting ready for her summer vacation job adventure. This is her fourth time traveling to Metro Manila for her temporary summer job as a private tutor. She is already a regular teacher in the public school of her town San Isidro. But due to the minimal activity of regular teachers like her during summer break, three years ago, she tried applying online for a summer job in Metro Manila. Her experience had been very encouraging: the pay was good, her previous pupils and their family were accommodating and generous - showered her with gifts after the sessions - although a parent or two were somewhat too polite if not quite distant. But overall, she enjoyed the experience, and the online placement site staff were also friendly in real life, so, she had always looked forward to her "summer job."

They did not have a comfortable life. Her parents were hardworking farmers who spent most of their time tilling their small farm. When she started working, they at least got a little financial help from her to send his two younger brothers to school. She also accepted tutorial jobs during Saturdays for youths from well-to-do families in their town. She gets to keep some of the income for herself.

She or her family did not have a house or property in the metro, so, she stayed with her nearest kin, her cousin on the paternal side - Janice who also happened to be one of her best friends. Janice's mom and her father are siblings. Janice's two-bedroom condominium unit is located in Quezon City. She would often relocate residence depending on her work assignment as area manager in a cosmetics company.

"So, where are you headed today? At 1Advance office?" Janice asked while applying facial make-up. Janice is pretty, considered tall like her at 5 feet at 3 inches for Filipino standard. Her long, silky, black hair made her facial features stand up with her fair skin. They both have the same tan skin color growing up. But Janice who had been working and residing in the metro for more than a decade has now fairer skin than hers. Janice has a lot of body, skin, and facial rituals before sleeping, before taking a bath in the morning, after taking a bath, and before going out. It must be a requirement in her work as a manager marketing beauty products.

She woke up earlier than Janice, so she prepared their breakfast of rice, eggs, tomatoes, coffee, and ripe mangoes which she brought from San Isidro while Janice took a bath. But she was already done with her clothes and minimal make-up while Janice was still in front of the large mirror serving as a divider between the living room and the kitchen. "No, I will meet the 1A coordinator at Paramount," she replied. 1A is the shortcut for the placement agency she was working with. Paramount is a landmark for commuters along E. De los Santos Avenue or EDSA, formerly called Highway 51 during the American occupation of the Philippines. It was the longest highway in Metro Manila connecting south and northern Luzon provinces. Said landmark is just across EDSA, walking distance from SM Grass Residences where Janice's condominium unit is located.

"Wow, that's good, no traffic!" Janice beamed. Her tone immediately turned sad. "Good for you... Me? My destination areas are also here in Quezon City for now, in Cubao, Kamias, and Kamuning branches only! But the travel time going to Cubao alone will take years! Imagine..." She stopped applying her mascara to gesture her protest by hands with enlarged eyes. "Look, here are my choices: take a commuter jeepney going to Manila Rail Transit, then, line up in a very long queue, with for a couple of hours for a 5-minute train ride, go down, board another jeepney along Aurora Avenue for – like – a waiting time and a ride that takes more than an hour?" Again, she turned to face the life-size mirror. She continued working on her lashes. "And then, the other choice: take a Grab taxi for about an hour's ride due to the heavy traffic. And spend like three hundred just going to the first branch! Sometimes, the fare is even bigger! It is a scam! Why! 20% of my income will go to Grab if I will ride a taxi regularly!"