Chapter 7 : Career?

After what had happened at La Nona, I began to think about the next steps that I had to take. Thinking about my declining bank account balance, I immediately surfed the internet looking for a job that suited me. But unlike before, I was more careful.

One evening, I spent my time at Dr. Love surfing the internet. There, I spent almost seventy percent of my time looking at the vacancy ads posted on the internet. I wrote down every position that I had applied.

By that time, I had already applied many but I still had not received any response from them. It was fifteen minutes passed nine but I did not want to leave Dr. Love because there was nothing to do at home. Gina told me early on that she was going out with her boyfriend Hani. I did not want to disturb Norman because I knew he was busy with his friends. "Well your romance can't defeat their bromance" Gina often said that every time I complained about Norman who always spent time with his best friends.

I started playing with the dictionaries I installed on my computer. Something I always did for so long.

After playing for a while, my heart was moved to find the word 'career'. I did some research a few years back on how people defined career success. But I had never checked its meaning formally because my understanding of career was 'work'. After checking out some dictionaries and websites, I wrote down some of the meanings that caught my attention.

According to the Cambridge dictionary, ‘career’ means the job or series of jobs that you do during your working life, especially if you continue to get better jobs and earn more money.

According to the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka dictionary, 'career' means 'work or profession that is a long-term activity of one's life'. The second definition is 'career'. I also searched how some famous people defined career.

"Playing with the dictionary again Marina?" asked Ally who was busy delivering drinks to the customers. I replied him with a smile.

"Diane !!!" said Ally as soon as a woman in a kebaya stepped into Dr Love. Her name was Diane. She was our senior in college and just like me, she loved spending her time at Dr Love. She looked so beautiful in her dress. It was overwhelming, in a great way.

"Oh my goodness! Marina is here…" after a short chat with Ally, Diane realized I was there and came up to me quickly. As usual, we hugged when we met.

"Diane. You smell so good!"

"Really? Better than our last meeting?"

"Yes!"

"I created my own perfume."
"You are kidding me?”

"Of course not. I think everyone should be able to design a scent based on their personality."

"Oh no! It’s hardwork."

"No. It’s very simple. All you need are oils."

"You mean different types of oils?"

"Exactly! You should come to my place. I can show you how," Dianne winked as she smiled.

"Okay,” I nodded.
"Great!"

"Diane, did you just came back from a wedding or something? I know you wouldn’t wear that kind of dress unless for certain occasions. It’s beautiful anyway!"

"Really? Thank you, Marina! You’re right! I just came back from a wedding, and I am so proud of myself because I watched what I ate and I watched what I drank," Diane said with a smile.

"Who got married? You?" I teased her.

"Had it been me, I would not have been here Marina," replied Diane with a laugh.

"You're right. So who got married, Diane? Do I know her? Him?"

"My friend's cousin, Mel. I think you met her once years ago."

"Sorry I can’t recall."

"That’s okay, Marina. Doesn’t matter."

"So how’s StarHub? Your new workplace. And don’t you miss Telekom?” I asked.

"Oh yes. Sometimes. Everything is fine at my new office. But as usual. New place. It will take some time to adjust. Oh yes. I heard you are no longer at La Nona. Is that right?"

I nodded. Acknowledging what she heard. For a few weeks, I had to do the same routine of telling what had happened between Zara, Shazlin and me at La Nona from A to Z. If I had had my way, I would not have but I admit it was fun.

"Wow! So those bloggers are right. I thought the fighting part was fabricated."

"Yes. I wish I had recorded it."

"So you're looking for a job right now?" Diane asked.

"Yes. Do you know of any vacancies? You new workplace maybe?"

"I’m not sure. I can check it for you. But I have a suggestion. You might want to consider it."

"Oh. What is that?"

Diane dug a business card out of her wallet and handed it to me.

"I got it from a friend of mine."

"TNS Research International?" I read the company’s name. I never heard about it before.

"Yes. He worked at TNS before," explained Diane.

"As a what?"

"Interviewer."

'Interviewer?' I began to imagine the interview work I used to see on television. Before I could ask any more questions, she took out her phone and called someone.

"Wait a minute. I'll call Mary."

'Who is Mary?' Diane always thought that the people around her knew her other friends.

"Okay. Do you have any plan tomorrow?" Diane asked me after she finished her conversation with Mary.

"What time? I’m not free in the evening," in my mind, I remembered my appointment with Norman at eight o'clock.

"Noon"

"No plan so far," I shook my head.

"All right Marina. Good! Then you can follow me to the Capital Square Tower tomorrow. I will take you to TNS Research International! ''