OUR TIMES

Chapter 7

1 September 2024

It is the end of my second year in college. Tomorrow I am gonna be in my fifth semester. It is quite exciting and fearful for me. The good news is that I've been studying for two years now in Columbia University, and it is a great accomplishment for me.

But the bad news is that my scholarship will end by the end of my sixth semester. In the fifth semester my scholarship only able to pay my tuition fee, the life expense I have to cover it on my own. FYI, the cost here in New York is quite expensive. 

So in order to finish my studies here. I have to work hard, get another scholarship and make more money from my part time job. I need to find more part time job. Yeah I know, that's easy to said than done. Hopefully, I can do it.

In the meantime let's start some party! Am I right friends? This holiday, I'm thinking about going on.... You know,  getting down with her in my boarding house. What's that for an holiday vacation!

Anyway maybe I will also spent a few days with the gangs in our basecamp. The hangout cafe. Yeah... just hangout cafe. This holiday I also planned to come back to Indonesia. Yeahh... I have the money. I'm not always a cheap ass. 

7 Oktober 2024

I really struggle in my fifth semester. I've got no time to spent with Violet and my friends lately. I think they didn't know about my problem and I intend to keep it that way. The last thing I want is that my friends and Violet to pity me and always try to help me. I didn't want to be their burden. I can deal with this.

Lately Violet and I rarely went out together. One or two times, we still went out sometimes but the aura it's not like last year. Eventhough she still keep checking on me, asking me "When were you empty Evan?"

Lately I always said to her that I had a work tonight in the restaurant. So she knows that I took an extra part time job, but she doesn't know the reason. Because, I don't want her to know.

Lately I also not been a good boyfriend for her. My focus is on my survival here. I don't want to tell my parents either. All I want them to know is that their son is studying in America with a full scholarship until graduation. They still have two daughter and one son to worry about in Indonesia. They still have my brother and sisters to worry about.

For a month now, I have been working a part time job as a waiter in this one, meh restaurant... Nearby Manhattan. The money is quite nice but I work everyday, the night shifts. The torture in the body every morning wuihhh... 

Eventhough the money is enough. But you know me, a master of cheapass.My strategy lately was to join in on any event hold by club organization. If I get lucky they give food and drinks to the participant who has joined the event. But sometimes they only give drinks in the ends, which is unlucky. One times in this quarter life seminar they didn't give us anything. Damn you quarter life crisis! 

The bright side from this strategy, I also get to know more people and make new friend from this strategy. One of my new friend is Clifton, he said that he had been working for a long time in an EO ( Event Organizer ). That's a good news.

Usually in nights after coming back from work. I also have to buy food outside in the cold night... But most likely by the time I finish my shifts, all the food store already closed. And when that happen. Only 7-eleven and 24 supermarket is my saviour. Damn, okay New York. 

19 Oktober 2024

I got an opportunity. Two days ago, I resigned from my work. Because last week Clifton help me out to apply for his EO. It only a three months contract but man the money is so good! Much more than my previous salary as a waiter for that mediocre restaurants. The EO manager count me in and put me as a waiter along with others. This event organizer was big. And last night,          I was put up to work on a huge reception event. I think it was a reception for some big businessman in New York. 

Last night was a tough night, I ended up coming home at 11 pm. There is so much people in the reception, that means a lot of people to help and serve. But something happened though. In an unallegedly time and place where people standing around, talking, eating, walking around, shaking their hands, and celebrating.

Someone called my name. When I look at the source of the voice.
I see a blonde girl, using a white frame eyeglasses standing and waving at me. Calling my name. It was Nadine. She approach me quite shockingly. I am quite surprised to. Still holding my tray drink I ask Nadine

" What are you doing here Nadine," I ask Nadine curiously and quite embarassed.

" I was about to ask you that too.", she replied. Before I said any word she ask me again.

" Did you work here Evan?"

" Yes I do, a friend of mine help me to apply for this job Nadine. I needed the money." I replied back to her. She still doesn't give her answer to my question before. She nodded for a while and said back.

" You know Van, you can work at my father restaurant if you want to. Do you know The Axyz? My father owns it Van."

" Really your father own that?", I said shockingly to Nadine

The Axyz was one of the top fifty restaurant in America. It's located in Philadelphia and the Axyz has known for it reputation on their unique and new idea in food business. People loved the place.

So getting a reservation in there was very hard. It's limited on space but the quality is one of the best in my opinion. Well I can't say that, I haven't eat there yet... But I didn't expect that Nadine father own the Axyz. That's why she is in this event. The businessman must have some sort of business partnership together with Nadine father.

" Yess." ( she laugh a bit ) then continues, " I think my father needs more waiter or cook helper, I forget..."

" Really?", I said excitingly.

" Yes Evan, you should apply for it. It would be good for you."

I can only nodded happily at Nadine announcement. She reached her pocket and pulled out her wallet and looked around. She grabbed a pen that hang in the pocket of my white shirt.

" Let me borrow that."

She pulled out a card and write at the back of the back of the card, and give my pen back. She holds the card and give it to me.

" Here, this is an Axyz card business. On there, there is the contact details that you needed Van, and I also put my number in the back of the card. In case you needed anything, just ask me Okay."

I thank you Nadine for all of that and said that I will try to apply for Axyz. She nodded and went back to her father who called her from the left side of the hall. As Nadine went to her father, her father looks at me and I quickly responded smiling and nodding my head slowly to him showing my respect. He just smiled and bring Nadine to his friends and I continued my work for the night.

Nadine help really was a breeze in my mind. All this time my first impression to her really wasn't good. Back at the stadium I though she was this nerd girl, a fangirl to the jocks. Well maybe she is. But well last night she helped me and maybe  prove that I am wrong. She was just as kindful as Violet. Her help give me an opportunity and I won't wasted it. Thank you, thank you so much Nadine. I needed that job