At My Twenty-Eight

Dear self, "How are you? Are you good? What's up? Everything will be alright! Don't give up, keep on fighting, you can do it. I WALK to the mirror inside my room, I look at the full grown woman in front of me, years have been changing her, from naive to strong independent one, life must be hard for her but she passes all those years of sadness and disappointment, life struggle makes her what she is now. I'm proud of you. I'm proud of myself. This story is all about me, I'm the main character of my own story, from my younger self up to now, how I became. I'm Maureen Akiko Valmorida, 28 years old, currently working as OFW here in the Middle east. It's so hard to work here in the Middle East. You need to wake up early in the morning and sleep late at night, we have no choice because our family needs us. Being a breadwinner in the family, having a boyfriend is my last option. For now I focus on how I can help my family. I have 6 sisters. I'm the eldest and so I take the responsibility to help my younger sisters. I'm at a college level. I did not finish college due to financial issues, life is so hard when no one supports you. Even though I try to have a part time job, it isn't enough. So I stop and promise to myself I will help my youngest sister so they won't be experiencing the same difficulties that I've been through. And I want to thank God above. My family is my strength. That's why I can stand until now, without them I'm nothing but just an empty glass. I felt so much joy when I saw my parents smile and say that they are so grateful that I'm able to help them and that brings me lots of joy. I'M back to my senses from reminiscing about my fast. I check my phone at what time it is already past 11 in the evening. I check my emails if I have some messages from my boss saying that I need to be early tomorrow because we have a meeting for our clients, I scroll up to my photos, and my sister uploads a photo of her finally leaving home after 2 years of quarantine, she's only 5 years old I saw her pictures and she's so cute, she smiles showing her 2 teeth on the front like a little bunny oh! I miss them, I miss home, I miss my dogs, I miss my family. I smile and turn off my phone, I turn off the light and head to sleep tomorrow will be my busy day. Ring Ring! I Reached my phone on the side of my bed. I set an alarm at 6:30 in the morning. Ohhhh!! It's morning already! I slowly open my eyes and smile. Ohhh good morning sunshine ?! I stand up and go to the bathroom, I wash my face and brush my teeth. Then I head to the kitchen to prepare my breakfast. Just a simple toast egg and coffee. I rent a small room with a small kitchen and a bathroom. I'm staying here alone unlike with my other neighbours they share, privacy is very important to me and i don't like to have roommates. After i ate my breakfast I take quick shower and dress up, today is wash day so i don't need to wear uniform since today i have meeting with our client i dress plain light blue long sleeves with collar i pair it with blue jeans and nude stilettos, i wear pearl earrings, gold necklace and watch, i forgot to put on makes up i just put light makeup i really don't like to put makeup but my job need it earth color eyeshadow, light blush on and rose pink lipsticks, i spray a little perfume. And I'm ready to go. I'm done! I'm ready to go. I headed on the elevator and I met my neighbours. I don't know his name and I don't mind. Good morning he greeted and smiled. Good morning, I replied. Silence came on our way until I left the elevator. I called a taxi and left. Finally I arrived at the office, i'm quite early so I sat at my table and reviewed my papers for the meeting today. Good morning maureen Nora greeted me. Morning Nora, I responded. By the way, the boss told me that when I see you here already he told me that to tell you you need to go to his office. I heard you have a meeting right? I saw your client is there already. She said, Ok, thank you Nora, I answer. I headed to my boss's office and we discussed the new furniture that my customers needed. Time passed fast and it was time for me to go home. My boss invited all of us to have dinner but I refused saying that I won't be attending because I have headed I need rest but in reality i don't like gatherings. I went home, when I arrived I cleaned the house and called my mom. It's nearly late there.I hope they will answer well.