"You'd better go and bring home a man. God knows how long are you planning to get married. Your old enough" my mother shouts at me from the screen.
"What's that? I can't hear you!" I shouted back as I grabbed the pan from the top shelve. I clearly heard what she said but everytime they say something about marriage, I can't help but sigh. I spun around and faced the camera and saw my parent's sad face. I sighed the second time and smiled weakly.
"Yeah yeah, of course I'll go. That's an opportunity and besides this is a major project, I can't afford to lose that." I said feeling defeated. Everytime this happens I would avoid the topic as much as possible. Let's just say I haven't met the right man yet or maybe I was destined to be alone. Nah, I'm still young to be talking about that.
"Okay then. I guess you don't miss us that much seeing how you won't come visit here before you leave for Paris" said my father, breaking the awkwardness. He always makes the situation better with his jokes. I smiled and teased him "Eh? If I visit you, you won't let me go to Paris, would you? Just like last time, mom had to pry your hands off me" I laughed as I remembered how he tried to stop me when I went out of the country for a trip. "Yeah, you'd better not come here, he might lock you up" my mother added with a hint of smile on her face. I am always close with my parents especially my dad. I smiled and felt guilty, I miss them so much but I can't visit them. The day after tomorrow will be our flight and I have to report to our company tomorrow.
"Jeez, don't be sad. Go chase your dreams, we will still be here when you need us. You know where to find us." I got teary eyed when dad said that. "Of course I'm not sad, you're my happiness, both of you. That's why I don't need a man" I replied and laughed lightly. "Don't cry, It'll ruin your make up" mom said getting teary- eyed herself. "You're the one to talk" dad said chuckling. As he wiped my mother's tears. I watched them as they smiled to each other, remembering what mom said earlier. Hekk. I just can't imagine me like that with a man. "You'll got to experience it soon when you are in the right person" I came back to my senses after I heard my father. "So hurry up and hunt your man before we arrange you to someone" he added playfully. "Why should they rhyme?" I laughed at him. "You should become a writer instead" I added. We talked for about thirty minutes about random stuff."Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say, we have to go. Lexa will be here any minute." mom said. "See you soon. Mom ,Dad. Tell Lexa I said Hi" I replied before giving them virtual kisses and ended the skype. I love my family a lot and I know they only care about my future that's why they keep bothering me about marriage. But they also understand what I feel and waits for me to introduce my man to them. And that would happen many years from now.
My family consists of me as the last child, my dad, mom, my brother and then my sister and her family. Lexa is my niece, my sister's daughter, who is the first child. My brother is a surgeon and he's super busy for a family says he. Since my family had been separated for years because of work and we never had the chance to visit, my parents wants all of us to celebrate Christmas together. Lexa can't wait to go, so her father will drop her at my parents house today.
I tidied the table and put the laptop back on the sofa. The company I was working with gave us a major project and was held in Paris. I was beyond excited when they announced the group who will be handling it. I can't believe I was one of whom they choose given the fact that I don't have enough experience to be in this field. But maybe this is how I will prove that Im good at this and they will never regret me being in their company. I ate my dinner and washed myself for bed. I brought out my luggage and begun packing. Layla, one of my team members said that I should pack some clothes that will last me for a month. After some time of packing, I decided to retire for the day.
~Kringgggg~
I forced my eyes to open and get ready for work. Last night didn't help since I packed some of my stuff leaving me to sleep around 11. I walked to the bathroom half asleep and stripped my clothes. I switched the shower on and was immediately startled by the cold water since it's mid autumn, just a month till snow comes. I did all my morning routine and went to changing clothes. Women takes time on picking clothes where they feel comfortable, presentable and also fashionable. That's the case for me too so I dress appropriately and simple. I put on a white long sleeve top and a blue jeans. I put on an army green parka jacket and dabbed a little lipgloss. Lastly I put on my black boots and grabbed my bag and went off to work. I arrived at the company no later that 8:30, which is our working start. An almost 1 hour drive from my apartment when you include a 5 minutes stop over at my favorite coffee shop and when there's a traffic. I was greeted by Jordan, one of my team mates who is also the youngest of the group. Our group consists of Vincent Medina, the project manager which made him the teams leader automatically. Jake Wilson, senior architect, Lyla Taylor, architect II; me, and Jordan Miles, architect 1. Jordan and 1 are friends and we graduated at thesame university. We decided to join in the same company and was accepted.
"I can't believe we will be off tomorrow, have you packed your clothes already?" I can see the excitement on his eyes and I can't help but smile. "You really want to go that much?" I asked him even though I know the answer. He looked at me as if I've grown two heads. "What! I thought you're with me" he exclaimed. "Ofcourse I am. But don't get to excited. Now, if you please let me sit and enjoy my coffee before it gets cold." I said giving him a smile and tapped his shoulder. As I sat down, Layla, who sits beside me, extended a paper. "Read this and summarize it, you'll do the reporting, 1 to 2 pm." she said curtly. She was neither nice nor bad. She's just a straight to the point person.
I managed to do the summary and studied a bit for a better report later. I don't know why I was suddenly doing the report but I won't back down. Jeezz, I didn't have the time to grab a snack and now I'm hungry. Let's just get this thing done and treat myself a proper meal. After 1 hour and 30 minutes of explaining and another 30 of talking and talking, I am finally free. I waited for the department head and other high ranking architects to leave before heading out. "That was a nice one, let's grab you some food" said Jordan while helping me pack our stuff. "Yeah, thanks a lot for helping" I smiled to him. We are about to head out when Vincent, grabbed my hand. " A word please" I looked at him and said to Jordan "Wait for me at the cafeteria". When Jordan left us alone, he let go of my hand. I was a bit awkward since he is my senior so I waited for him to start talking. "That was a great presentation earlier. I hope you continue to do well." He started. I smiled awkwardly "Thank you, sir Vinc.."
"You can drop the sir, besides well be working on the same project. Just call me Vincent" he cut me off. "Okay Vincent". It's very awkward for me to say this because he's my senior but I don't want to be mean besides he said so himself. "Let's go for a lunch, I haven't had one too" he invited. "Okay, cool. Jordan and I are about to go have some too."
"Oh, that's good then. We should also invite Layla to come. We should get closer since were on the same team" he added. "I'll go order food, Hanna, what do you want?" Vincent asked. "I.. broccoli pasta salad" I managed to voice out. He seems nice, he will make a good team leader. We talked about random stuffs and joked around. The awkwardness seems to be gone, even Layla talked and laughed with us too.
"You shouldn't be late tommorow. Remember 7:30 am sharp, we need to be all at the airport. Late comers will not join this trip. And that would be bad so I suggest you sleep early and set your alarm clocks." Vincent said as we part ways. I went home straight, I have alot of packing to do.
