CHAPTER 2
She keeps tossing and turning in her bed on the night before her interview. She has a lot of things that’s been bothering her lately. She’s been thinking what would it be like living alone in Japan without her grandma around. Without her mom or her brother and sister visiting her every now and then. It must be tough, on her mind. She can do this. She knows she’s going to miss them but she’ll get over it. The first month would be the hardest but after that she’s gonna fine. She assures herself she’s going to enjoy life, to see the country on her very own eyes, taste and smell the city. Oh, what a fantastic life it would be. She smiled without knowing what the future might be for her. She closed her eyes and forced herself to sleep. She has to prepare herself for the big day. Her interview…Yikes!
Thea woke up early in the morning filled with excitement. She’s pretty enthusiastic about it. She then went to take a bath and after prepared for her breakfast. This is the day, she said. I’m gonna be okay. Everything’s gonna be in the right place. I’m not gonna fail. I’m going to make it, she assures herself. She has fried fish, a cup of rice, an apple juice and piece of fruit for her breakfast. After the meal, she washed the dishes and prepared herself. She’s going to the embassy now. Her appointment time is 10 in the morning. She’s been waiting for this weeks ago and Thea can’t believe this is the day, her interview. It’s 8:44 in the clock. She grabbed her bag and look in the mirror one more time and took a deep breath. Yosh, she said. She hurriedly rushed off out of the house and she happens to see a taxi cab with a passengers. It was Mr. Diaz and his wife. Mr. Diaz is a seafarer. He often comes home every year. His wife must have picked him up in the airport, she thought. She smiled and waved the couple. They smiled in response. Thea signaled the taxi driver to return to her after he drop off the couple just two blocks away from her house. The driver nods to her. She can’t believed her luck, she thought.
The taxi driver arrived minutes later and she hopped inside the taxi with her fingers crossed. She then told the driver she should be in the Japanese Embassy in an hour or less if possible. The driver nods and smiled. While in the taxi, Thea was thinking about the interview and what are the possible questions. She should answer the questions with the best answers. She should not let fear controlled her or else she might not be able to go to Tokyo if she failed the interview. She thinks positively and prayed she’s gonna be granted with the tourist visa. She already emailed Mae about the interview after Thea got the schedule of her interview. Her friend wishes her the best. She knows Thea could make it. You know you’re a feisty one, don’t you? Mae said in her e-mail. Mae is already been preparing her other room for Thea. She’s pretty excited too. At last , Thea’s 1 block away from the Embassy. She puts a smile on her face and hope for the best. She will get that visa.
She paid the driver and gave him an extra tip. He was happy. The driver said thank you and wished her good luck. Thea smiled back and said thanks to the driver for it. The taxi took off. She took a step and smiled. This is it, she thought. The “make it or break it” moment of her life. She entered the building and asked the guard where she should go if she an interview. The guard pointed her to the north building. She said thanks and she continue on walking to the north side of the Embassy. She was pretty and well dressed today for the interview. She looks confident with her business attire. She wore the black blazer with an off white chiffon blouse inside and paired it with a black slacks and a killer stilletos she bought especially for the interview. She knows she has to look good for this interview. She must impress the interview.
Inside the lobby of the north side of the Embassy, Thea found herself filled with other fellow visa applicants wanting to go to Japan too and waiting for their number to be called for the interview on the glass window counter. She was #24. She sat down on a vacant seat patiently waiting for her number. “Number 15″ echoed on the audio speaker box on the upper right side of the 3rd counter. She straighten herself up and prepared in her mind the answers she was intend to say to the interviewer. I have to pass this interview, Thea said in her mind.She noticed each applicant, the amount of time for the interview was around 5 to 10 minutes and there were 5 interviewers. The next number called was 16, then 17 and 18 with 5 minutes interval prior to the previous number being called. Still, rehearsing in her mind the words she prepared. She already anticipated the possible questions and she’s been in this situation before when she went to see her dad and his family in UK. so she already knows the drill. It was 2 years ago and she spent her Christmas there. ” Can you please come to the 5th counter # 21? ” echoed on the audio speaker box. The lady who’s number was 19 was denied for a tourist visa. Maybe she don’t have all the complete requirements needed for the interview, she thought. The number16, 17, 18 and 20 was granted. She felt great for them. ” #22 on 1st counter ” echoed on the speaker. Thea took a deep breath. Only 1 number left before her next turn. ” #23 on 4th counter please ” said on the speaker. She took one deep breath…inhale…exhale…inhale…exhale…she thought. Relax, i can do this, she said to herself. Alas! her number was being called.
The interviewer seem pleased to hear it. She crossed her fingers, braved herself and hope for the best….This is it!
end.
