Choices and Infinities

Chapter 1 - Us

I didn't realize how long I have been in this position. Based on the strained feeling on my neck and the slight burning of my eyes, I can say that I have been staring at it for more or less 5 minutes. I might have forgotten to blink. If not for the middle aged woman who asked if she can my share seat in the middle of this quaint Starbucks store, I wouldn't have woken up from this trance.

"You silly girl, you still haven't changed. It's only a VISA! It's not a big deal!"

I thought to myself while smiling.

Still, here I am slowly caressing the seemingly leather maroon passport cover while staring at my first ever visa. I am already imagining myself walking to my designated gate in the airport.

I was about to sign off from my computer earlier today when my passport was handed back to me by our Travel Logistics Specialist from work. My Business Visa for India has been approved. I still cannot believe how life brought me here. I pondered as Chris Martin plays in my earphones.

It was only 2 months ago that my Senior Manager and good friend, Kit talked to me about this upcoming business trip in India. I was drafted to be sent there to help expand our operations. Our company is growing by more than 500 people in India to ensure business continuity in times of national emergencies and calamities.

I work for LUCENT, an international business organization specializing in Information Technology, Consulting and Outsourcing. I work in the Operations Wing under the Health Administration Tower.

Our clients are US based health insurance companies and we take care of a large fraction of their Operations outsourced offshore.

"Aynnie, Sorry but I need you in my office in 5 minutes. Really urgent! Thanks!"

Kit tapped the metal side panels of my station to get my attention while I was immersed in a conference call as she walked by the aisle in the carpeted production floor.

"Alrighty, I'll just wrap this call up! Be there in a sec!" I shouted back as Kit passed by like a bolt.

I have known Kit for 6 years. She has been my Manager and my rock in this company. We didn't start out as friends right away. I was her direct report when I was still a Junior Lead. She believed in me when no one did and she helped me bring out all my needed skills for this job. Above all that, she allowed me to lead people and do things as I would. She allowed me to be myself. We naturally became friends as we went through our mentor-mentee relationship throughout the years. I think it was bound to happen if you get to know people sincerely and if you share the same core values. With Kit and me, we both have our families as the prime motivation cause and the people of this company as the source of daily inspiration.

"Yes, Boss? What do we have here?" I call her Boss no matter how many times she tells me not to.

I greeted her as I closed the glass doors of her office. I like her office. It showcases a view of the horizon meeting the concrete jungle. Blue skies are in contrast to the high-rise buildings of the city. I sat in a swivel chair in front of her table.

"Well, we are going to India to start up our project there. We need to be there by May. That means that we only have 2 months and a half to take care of all the paper works and we should be starting right now."

"Uhmm... I tth...think you need to know that I don't have a passport yet?" I stammered while biting my lip since she has been telling me for years to get a passport in preparation for business travels. I never took it seriously for I am used to not getting what I want. Being selected for business travel is a big deal. The person should be ultra-reliable and in a talented team such as ours, we are all reliable. I never expected to be selected for this at all.