Half of the Beginning

Smile: Chapter I: Half of the Beginning

Xariya's Point of View

"Southern University batch 2022–2023 graduates, congratulations!"

Everyone shouted in glee and clapped their hands as the school speaker announced it. My tears started to fall because of joy and I realized that I don't need to go to school every week anymore, and I felt that I finally gained my freedom. After so many years of studying, I can now fulfill my dream of having my restaurant! After the ceremony, I took a picture with my family, friends, classmates, and schoolmates. But honestly, I'm gonna miss going to school, waking up every morning stressed, and procrastinating.

"Xariya, congratulations to us!" Pauline, a good friend of mine, shouted while running towards me and immediately hugged me. Since I entered college, Pauline has become my best friend. "Pauline, our dreams will finally come into our sight!" I shouted while we were still hugging. "I know, right... but you're still single." She said it jokingly, so I slapped her jokingly too!

"Oh, you! Not because you got your crush back then, you will be rude to me now, huh?" I replied as I rolled my eyes at her.

"It's because I'm pretty! Hello?" She said it out of context, then started laughing. Yeah, Pauline is totally pretty or should I say gorgeous, we’re about the same height, same size, but she's winning the life. Not me, I'm always whining about how I look every day. But still, I'm happy and satisfied.

"Stop hugging and joking now you two! We need to celebrate!" My mother interrupted us and told Pauline's parents to join us for lunch.

___

"And here I thought that we will be eating in a fancy restaurant but we ended up in a fast-food chain!" I ranted at our table while our parents are ordering food. Pauline is also beside me listening to my non-stop rants. "You love eating here so stop complaining." She said and started laughing again. I didn't get to say anything because our parents came back and informed us that our order will be here in 30 minutes. That 30 minutes came and we started eating while talking about some kinds of stuff.

"By the way, Xariya, dear. When are you planning to build your restaurant? We're excited to eat there." Pauline's mom asked me and they all seem so excited! "I still don't know, maybe next month or next year? Coz I still need to process some paper." I answered.

"I see... And having your own needs a big money, so how are you going to fund that then?" This time, it's Pauline's father who asked. "We already saved some money for that because our daughter here really wants to be a businesswoman!" Dad answered and I agreed.

"How about you Pauline? When are you planning to apply for a job?" My mom asked my friend and this time, it is Pauline's turn to be questioned. "I am still thinking where to apply, so maybe next month?" She answered and we all nodded though she sounds not so sure about her last statement.

Pauline wants to be a manager in a mall. I also told her to apply to a well-known mall because she dreams of being a popular manager. The conversation with our parents keeps going until we decided to go home. When we got home, I hurriedly run to my room and screamed in happiness there! I am so overwhelmed today!

One week had passed after our graduation and today, I accompanied Pauline to a mall because she wants to find a dress for her not so sure interview. "Girl, I think this one suits you!" I called her while showing her a maroon-colored dress. "Oh my! How much?" She excitedly asked so I checked the price of the dress. "999.99" Yes, that's the price. They should have closed it to one thousand, right?

"Alright, I'll take that! I have a feeling that that dress will bring luck to me!" She said as she examined the dress. I laugh before saying. "If you're happy with your choice, then buy it!" And she did pay for the dress...

Lunch came and we are eating here in McDonald's. I was the one who suggested this place because I love their food here so much. "Where I should apply?" She suddenly asked me. "Here." I simply answered and started eating the chicken. "Stupid! They're not looking for a manager right now!"

"They're not hiring? My bad, then." I apologized and we continued eating, this time silently. Then after we finished our lunch, we don't know where to go so we both decided to go home instead. While waiting for a taxi, a flying newspaper suddenly slammed and covered Pauline's entire face and I can't stop myself from laughing!

"You look better when your face is covered," I said, still laughing while also removing the paper on her face. When I successfully removed it, I thought that she will hit me using that but she didn't. Instead, she started reading it seriously and after a while, her eyes widened! "Xariya!" She shrieked so loud that I had to cover my ears.

"Hey! I'm just beside you, you don't have to shout!" I sound so pissed and she didn't seem to mind it. "Xariya, I think this is what they call a destiny!" She shouted again.

"Huh, why? What's in there?" I asked clueless so she showed me what she was reading.

“LD Shareamall’s new branch is

opening next month and we are hiring employees including; Managers,

Janitor/Janitress, Salesmen/Salesladies'

I didn't finish reading it, I just started jumping, when I stopped, I asked her. "Oh my! So when will you apply and get interviewed?"

"It says here next week. Gosh, I'm excited Xariya!"

***

Pauline's Point of View

I inhaled and exhaled to calm myself. I'm here at the mall's office to have a quick job interview. My mind is shouting, there are so many of us here so I can't help but feel nervous. "Pauline, you should drink this." Xariya suddenly popped in front of me and handed me a lemon juice. She will not be here the whole time because she will be meeting an engineer that she knows. She told me that she now wants to build her dream restaurant because she already wants us to have a job together and she is so sure that I will be accepted here!

"Pauline Andrada." Someone inside the office called my name and I'm not exaggerating but I think my soul left my body for a few seconds. "Good luck, I'll be going now!" Xariya said but I didn't get to answer her. I just walked towards the office and get inside.

"Good morning, sir." I greeted the head. "Good morning too, please sit down, Ms. Andrada." I quickly sit and started smiling because I don't want him to notice that I'm so nervous right now. After a few minutes, he started asking me questions, and I honestly answered them all. I also think that my answers are satisfying.

"Here's my last question, why should we hire you?" I smiled before answering that and I'm not making a cute face, huh? I'm just thinking about what should I answer! "You should hire me because this is my dream job, I am also passionate and capable of doing anything." My answer was short-lived.

Is it fine, though?

"That's it?" He asked me again. Gosh! Is he hoping for other answers? I'm out of words now! "Yes, sir." I proudly said, feeling satisfied with my super short answer. I got out of that office and building after the interview, I also received a text from Xariya, the same time when I want to ask where she is.

Xariya the Witch: I'm at the nearest café, come here after your interview there. I'll introduce you to this handsome engineer!

I hissed at her text and then went to that café. When I entered the café, I saw her talking with a guy, maybe he's the engineer that she's talking about? And hey, he's handsome! "You're here!" Xariya greeted me when she saw me. "Meet Engr. Adrian Mivaez." I shook my hands with Adrian before sitting. They talked about their plans for the restaurant that Xariya is looking forward to working with. And I remained silent the whole time while eating the cake that Xariya bought for me.

"I already contacted the architect that I knew and she's more than willing to work with me," Adrian said. His voice sounds so manly! "Really? Tell her that I'm thankful! And I'm grateful to meet her soon." Adrian smiled when Xariya paused for a while. "What's her name, by the way?" Xariya asked.

"Dainty Gonzales, she's good in her work so you don't have to worry," Adrian answered and Xariya even clapped!

After their talk, Adrian immediately left so I'm with Xariya again. "What's the connection with you and that engineer?" I asked Xariya when I didn't see Adrian and his shadows. "Uh, he's my classmate way back in high school. Why? Do you like him? I can arrange a date for you two! Also take note that he's kind, successful, genius, and of course, single!" She exclaimed and started eating her cake while giggling.

"Okay."

"Wow? You'll ask me about him and that's your only answer? Are you crazy?" She hissed at me. "Come on! Your brain is not drained, unlike mine! I feel that my interview sucks." I said then rolled my eyes at her.

"Oh my! I almost forgot; how did the interview go? You passed?" She sounds so kind and excited right now. "I don't know, I just know that I answered those questions correctly so I don't have a problem." I confidently said.

"Great! Then you should pay for our food here!" And just by that, I now have a problem!

I just opened my phone and scrolled on my Facebook account. I searched the name of the architect that Xariya is going to work with within her dream restaurant. But somehow the Facebook account of that architect is private so I decided to add her. And upon seeing her profile picture I realized that she's indeed pretty and she looks like my age. I wonder how she becomes a successful architect at a young age.

_____

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Montero Anthology