The Grammar Analyst

The setting is so calm, the trees are enchanting, and butterflies are flapping its glowing wings. The birds are humming into Christian's ear, which sounded like the angels are singing a solemn piece. The beam of light made Christian's pale face glow. It brings life to the surroundings. Thus, it was truly a fascinating scenery.

However, all good things must come to an end. The peaceful setting switched into his neighbors blabbering about random things, and the vehicles are loudly honking. The enchanted trees turned into high-end buildings, polluted factories and traffic lights. Also, the busy road where humans looked like a colony of ants who are rushing towards their own workplace. Christian thought that the birds screamed unpleasantly. He immediately got up from his bed, just to find out that it was the piercing sound of his alarm clock. And not just that, the blinding rays of the sun met his eyes. "Argh!" Christian whimpered as he went to the window to close the curtains. "What a great start for me." He let out a sigh. Christian shrugged, then he decided to just do his daily morning routine: Washing his face, toasting a bread, taking a shower, brushing his teeth and the routine that consumed the most of his time, choosing a nice clothes that will suit his likings. 

Christian stood in front of his closet, still undecided what to wear for the rest of the day. He looked up, noticing the digital clock above his closet. 8:55AM. "Piece of sheet, I'm late!" He shouted. He picked out random clothes to wear, and white shoes to match his 'plain' outfit. And at last, the 'fashionista' went out from his condo and hurriedly ran to his workplace.

It doesn't take Christian that long to reach his workplace, but it won't change the fact that he is late. Christian stopped in front of the building, so that he could catch his breath. He holds his knees, as he breathes heavily. "I needed to adjust my alarm clock." He thought. Christian looked at his wrist to check the time but, "I forgot my wristwatch!" He said with a dismayed tone. He uttered an 'irritated-Christian-Simoune'  sound and check the time on his mobile phone instead. 9:25AM. 

Christian is thirty minutes late, which is better because he is usually one hour behind. He couldn't help not to wonder, Why am I not yet fired. He let out a chuckle. His phone rang, and it caught Christian's attention. "Hello, this is Christian speaking. What can I do for you?" He answered the phone call, completely unaware who is the caller. "Hello, this is Ezekiel speaking. What can I do for you?" Ezekiel mocked him. Christian, on the other line raised his eyebrow. "Yeah right, what do you want?" He asked. Ezekiel is silent for a few seconds before he responded. "I believe that you are still at your condo. I called just to inform you that I won't be around, there is an emergency in the house." Ezekiel explained. "Also, I hired a Grammar Analyst for your story. She will check the structure of your draft. Because, I don't want to edit your nasty grammar anymore." He added. Christian is pissed on what Ezekiel have said. "First and foremost, I'm already here. Secondly, my grammar is precise. By the way, what is the name of th--" Christian couldn't finish what he is about to ask because he heard a 'beep' sound. This bastard! He irritatedly went inside his workplace instead of calling Ezekiel back. Shugo Chiba Publishing House, Inc. 

Shugo Chiba Publishing House, Incorporated (SC-PHI) was built two years ago. Despite of being a young publishing house, they produced outstanding literatures. Not just the literatures are outstanding, but their authors, editors and other working staffs are skilled. The said publishing house had won multiple of awards and, people are wondering 'What is your secret.' It is amusing that their secret ingredient in producing magnificent pieces is just simple. Connection. For literati working under SC-PHI, connecting with the readers is the most important skill they needed to nurture. It is how you attached those strings to the readers, in order for the writers to pass through the emotions he wanted to express. Because of that they made not just a marvelous piece, but a different world. 

Christian entered the elevator as he pressed the third floor button. The elevator door is slowly closing until a girl shouted from a distance. "Wait up!" she said loudly, enough for Christian to hear. He immediately pressed one of the control buttons, which is the 'open button.' The girl immediately entered as she catches her breath. "Thank you!" She said with a relief in her voice. Typical Christian, he only gave her a smile. The girl was about to press one of the floor buttons but she pulled back. "What floor?" Christian asked. The girl just shook her head before responding. "Oh, third floor as well." She said softly. Christian just nodded and let the awkward silence overtakes the elevator. 

As soon as the elevator reached their respective floor, it opened. Christian let the girl leave the elevator first. Gentleman. He thought. Christian let out a chuckle as he went directly to his office desk. He placed down his bag on top of his desk, taking out his laptop. When he was about to open his laptop, someone called his name. "Christian, someone wants to see you in the conference room." One of his co-workers said. Before he stood up, he let out a deep sigh. Christian had no choice but to meet the person waiting for him at the conference room.

Christian knocked before he entered the conference room. She looks familiar. He thought. "Good day sir, I-- It's you!" The girl was about to introduce herself but she is surprised on what she saw. "Oh, the elevator" Christian said plainly as he sits on a vacant chair. Christian rested his chin on his palm before asking. "Oh, what do you need by the way." He asked. The girl stood up as she takes a deep breath. "I'm Joyce Haris, Mrs. Haris asked me to give you this guideline sheet for grammatical structure." She explain while introducing herself. Christian looked at her confused. Is this the one that Ezekiel is talking about? He thought. Christian nodded as he took the folder that contains the guideline sheet Joyce is talking about. "So, Mrs. Haris is your mom?" He asked. Christian noticed that Joyce became uncomfortable when he asked her the question. "You don't need to answer that." Christian said while scratching the back of his head. Joyce, who seems startled shook her head and responded to Christian. "Yes, but I can work independently. I can produce a piece without her help." She said proudly. Christian looked at her surprised, rather amazed on what she said. "I just asked if she was your mom, don't be pressured." Christian chuckled. "But I believe in you." He added. Christian gave her an encouraging smile before he left the conference room. 

Christian went back to his desk, staring at the folder he just received. He sat on his sliding chair, then he reads what is written inside the folder. His forehead furrowed as he reads the 'guidelines.' His mouth formed an 'o-shape' overwhelmed on the informations included in the list. He immediately took his draft and checked if he passed on a certain guide. 

Redundancy- Failed

Words- Chosen words are repeated

Transition- Not smooth.

Christian dialed Ezekiel's number. As soon as Ezekiel answered the phone call, Christian shouted. "You never told me she is a perfectionist! Did you know that I failed the first three guide, and there is a ton left!" Christian complained. On the other line, Ezekiel couldn't help but to laugh. "What do you expect from a legend." Ezekiel said while chuckling. Christian was in the state of confusion. He was about to ask Ezekiel what he means by that, but Ezekiel ended the call. Christian looked a little bit upset, but somehow he felt grateful. Knowing that a legend will help him improve his story. But, he ain't sure if Ezekiel is saying the truth. Who knows, Ezekiel is pretty playful. He sighed. Christian just ignored what Ezekiel have told him, as he decided to work for the remaining hours.

Christian shift finally ended, the best hours for him. The guideline was so helpful, he's more than thankful. With the guidelines, he can easily point out some errors which he couldn't do before. Now, he is more curious about his 'Grammar Analyst.'  He turned off his laptop and placed it on his bag. He bid his goodbye to his co-workers, as he leaves his workplace. He stopped outside the building when his phone vibrated. Christian looked at it and saw an e-mail notification. He put his phone back to his pockets and decided to look at the e-mail when he got home.

On his way home, he passed by the convenience store to grab dinner. He felt exhausted editing his story based on Mrs. Haris' guidelines. So, he is not in the mood to cook dinner. Christian reached his condo, faster than usual. He took uber, because he is not in the mood to walk even though his condo is just four to five blocks away from his workplace. 

Christian went inside throwing his bag on the couch, completely unaware that it contains fragile things. He placed the food he bought earlier into a bowl, and then ate it. Once he finished eating, he went to the sink and he looked surprised. The sink is full of dishes. He forgot to wash the dishes yesterday so it piled up. Even though Christian is tired, he washed the dishes from yesterday and today. He rather endure the exhaustion than to see piled up dishes. Christian washed his hands also, then he dry his hands on a towel. 

Christian entered his bedroom, changing his working clothes into pajamas. He crawled to his bed, preparing to sleep but he remembers something. The e-mail. He opened his e-mail and reads the message.

Fr: Joyce Haris joyceharis@yahoo.com                                                     

To: csimoune@yahoo.com

Good day Mr. Simoune

This is Joyce Haris, from Harrison Publishing. We talked at your workplace earlier about your story. Mrs. Haris wanted to meet you tomorrow for consultation. She wanted to check your progress. 8PM at Tully's Coffee. 

Your response is highly appreciated. Thank you for your kind consideration.

Regards,               

Joyce Haris 

Christian gulped as he hurriedly went to the living room to get his laptop. I'm not even finished yet! He panicked. Also, he went to make a cup of roasted coffee since he feels like he will stay up late. Once he got what he needs, he continued editing his story in line with the guidelines immediately. 

"I'm too far to be done!" He shouted.