Machiatto Encounter

Chaotic August

"Are you sure you're quitting your job here, Sefi? What about your study leave?"
"I can go on with it next year. And yes, I am sure."
"Well, if you really want to focus on your future career in the Call Center industry, I will support you but I am not closing my doors for you."
"Thank you so much!"

That's how my conversation with Rita went. I'm glad she didn't burst out with anger at me. I really thought about that. So, I'm officially leaving the coffee shop for good since I am about to start working as a Communication Skills Trainer. Yes. After how many months, I got the promotion. This is a good thing. However, I had to let go of my part-time job in the coffee shop. One of the people who pushed me to go for the Trainer post is my boyfriend, Joseph. Yes. We became a couple after almost two months of courtship. I'd have to thank the first rain of May for that. Fast, isn't it? Well, what can I do, cupid's arrow hit me.

By the time I went outside the coffee shop, I saw him standing while somewhat leaning in a wall while checking his phone. Then, I approached him. The moment he realized that I am in front of him, he showed his brightest smile and kissed me on the forehead. Now that's sweet.
"You're blushing." He said.
"No. I'm not." I insisted.
"Well, your face is so red." He chuckled.
"Fine. I'm blushing." I started holding my cheeks. Whoa. My cheeks are so warm. Now I'm embarrased. I think my face became more red than ever. Yikes! Then, out of the blue, he kissed my forehead again. "Okay. Stop."
"What?" He seemed shocked. "It was just a kiss in the forehead. Besides, you look cute when you're blushing." Then, we started walking on our way to work. "You know what, I'm proud of you because you made the right decision. You chose the best decision in your life. I knew you would right from the start."
"Well, if you really think that focusing on my career as a Trainer is the best choice, then I believe you." I smiled. "I have to admit that I'm a bit sad for leaving the coffee shop. I was there for years."
"Well, you can visit the coffee shop anytime you want. But your career as a Trainer will do you good if we talk about long term plans. Take me as an example." He continued. "The reason why I opted a career in the Call Center is because of the opportunity to grow career wise. So while I am working as a Call Center Agent, I already have this mindset to really do good because I am aiming for promotion. It may not be now. But I'm working hard for it as early as now. That's why I kept on telling you before to go for the Trainer post instead of the Coffee Shop. You do know that you can't serve two masters at the same time forever. Right?"
"Yeah. You have a point." I sighed. "Its just that working there has become a part of me."
"Then, remove it from your system. You're living a different life now."
"But I can't just do it in a whim. Like I said, I was there for years."
"Then, put more focus on where you are right now rather than you always reminiscing your good old days in the Coffee Shop." Now he sounded a bit mad. "You have to put your past behind if you want to go on with your life. Do you always have to be like this, Sefi?"
"Fine." I said with a weak voice. "I'll put my past with the Coffee Shop behind."
"Don't just tell me that. Show to me that its for real." He said with an authoritative voice.

The next thing we knew, we are already outside our work place. When we are about to get inside the entrance lobby, I stopped for a while. I felt sad for a moment. Then, Joseph held my hand and I looked at him.
"Look," He said. "I may have been harsh to you earlier. But I was just pointing out what's best for you because I love you. Okay?" I just nodded. "Don't show that face to me. You look weak. Don't show to people how weak you are. Remember, you're a Trainer now. Okay?" Then, he kissed me on the forehead, pulled my hand and led me to the door for us to get inside the entrance hall together.

August is almost over but it felt like the month just started. There were a lot of things I need to attend to - training modules, reports, evaluations, meetings and another set of meetings almost every single day. Is this really what I wanted to do for the rest of my life? Well, I seem happy despite of the stress. As long as Joseph is by my side, I'm okay with everything. He's been pushing me to really work hard no matter how stressful things are. He would always remind me why I signed up for the job so that I have a reason to keep going. Most of the time, he's right.