My Employer Can Pour Her own Tea

To the new beginning

I was very young when life forced me to make the very hard decision of leaving my home country and family to work overseas as a live-in helper. I was young and stupid, I don't even know how to take care of myself, let alone take care of a family with children who doesn't speak the same language as me. It was a hardship, to say the least, but I managed to overcome it. And here I am 13 years later, in another interview with my prospective employer, as I decided to transfer to a new employer after the contract with my previous employers ended. it was a hard decision, but definitely, a change that needed to be taken. 

As I sat across from my prospective employer, she told me that my job would be simple as my main focus is her 6 years old child, who is very active. She then added that household and cooking come after. She mentioned that she is a very easy employer and unlike other employers out there, she definitely can pour her own tea. that sentence sure caught my attention, as with my previous employer, I was literally their very own extension of arms and legs.  if they wanted a drink, the first words out of their mouth were "Dita...." and there I went to get whatever they wanted. It was mentally and physically exhausting during every meal time, they wanted me to sit with them at the dining table instead of sitting in my room eating all alone, but every time I'm about to eat, my then madam would be asking something like " Dita, can you grab pepper for me" or " Dita, can you give me some cut chilies" or "can you pour milk for my child"  or  "can you make fish sauce" or  "can you get chilly sauce", and the worst part is those were happening in one sitting.

My gastritis issues worsen ever since I started eating together with them at the dining table. I remember I lost my appetite because every time I am about to put food into my mouth they asked me to stand and get them something. these employers too told me during the interview 8 years ago that they were very easy, the adult can clean up after themselves and they can settle with instant noodles if things got busy with the newborn that was coming in a month. I remember thinking in awe upon hearing that. but, they were so quick on changing their mind in less than 3 months. thus, hearing my prospective employer say that she could pour her own tea and that she is an easy employer, activated my skeptical thinking.  I was not expecting much from that, but when the time came for me to join her family, she proved that some employer could actually pour their own tea. 

I remember preparing her lunch and putting the food on the dining table that day. She sighed as she sat down on the chair, and told me how her work has been crazy since the morning, and that she was starving. I was hanging the clothes on the balcony at that time, and without many words, she stood up and walked to the kitchen then proceeded to pour her own tea. I was so used to being asked to grab drinks or whatever by my employer, I ran to her and offer her my assistance, which she kindly declined. She told me that "Don't worry about it, I can get my own tea." trust me when I said I was quite taken aback. I remember thinking, "Let's see how long this will last."