My Last And My Only

Chapter 156: Changing Schedules

A few days ago, after her second interview, Aiah had been sitting on the edge of her bed with her phone in her hand, trying very hard not to check the screen every few seconds.

The interview itself had gone better than she expected.

The first one had been formal and careful, full of introductions and polite questions. The second had felt a little more relaxed, though no less important. They had asked her about her experience, how she handled pressure, how she worked with other people, and what kind of schedule she could manage if she were hired. Aiah had answered as honestly as she could, trying not to sound too nervous, trying not to sound too eager either.

When she left the building that day, she had felt that strange in-between feeling that came after doing everything she could and still not knowing what would happen next.

She told herself not to hope too much.

Hope made waiting harder.

So she spent the next few days trying to act normal. She helped around the house. She answered messages. She pretended she was not thinking about the interview every time her phone buzzed.

Still, when her phone rang that afternoon and an unfamiliar number appeared on the screen, her heart jumped so quickly it almost hurt.

She answered on the second ring.

"Hello?"

The voice on the other end introduced herself from the company, and Aiah immediately sat up straighter.

"Yes?"

There was a brief pause, just long enough to make her stomach tighten.

Then the woman said, "We're pleased to let you know that we'd like to offer you the position."

For a second, Aiah did not speak.

She stared at the wall in front of her, as if the words might rearrange themselves into something easier to understand.

The woman continued, explaining the next steps, the documents she would need to submit, and the details she would have to prepare before orientation. Aiah listened carefully, trying to keep her breathing steady while her mind raced ahead of itself.

She had gotten it.

After the second interview she had been so careful not to expect anything, and now the answer was suddenly real.

"Are you still interested?" the woman asked gently.

Aiah swallowed.

"Yes," she said, and this time her voice was clear. "Yes, of course. Thank you so much."

The woman sounded pleased. She gave her a few more reminders, told her someone would contact her again soon with the schedule, and then the call ended.

Aiah stayed where she was for a long moment, phone still in her hand.

She wasn't crying.

She wasn't laughing either.

She was just sitting there, stunned by how quickly something she had wanted for so long had finally arrived.

Then, slowly, the feeling settled into something warmer.

Relief.

Excitement.

The beginning of a new routine.

That evening, an email from the company arrived with her orientation details and start date.

Aiah opened it expecting a little more time—maybe two days to organize everything, maybe a few more lazy mornings before work officially began.

Instead, the message made it clear that they wanted her to begin in two days.