THE STORY OF MY LIFE..LAST PART

My apology! I was so busy these days. Anyway, to continue my story… My first few days in Dubai were very critical. My cousin, Leonard, did not orient me the rules of Dubai when I was yet in the Philippines. I did not know that I only had two (2) months to stay in Dubai. Within that period, I must find an employer to sponsor my residence visa otherwise I should exit to the Philippines. Damn! This must be some kind of a joke. But it’s the law. If we wanted to stay legal in any foreign country we must abide the law of this foreign country. And this is what I have to do. I got only one purpose in coming here. And I only knew one best option to meet my goal. Dugo at pawis. Sipag at Tiyaga. Dapat meron tayo nito. I admit. In the beginning I did almost quit. The scorching hot of the sun seems to so unbearable. Huh! Its temperature is almost at its boiling point. Two degrees Celsius more nasa impiyerno na ako!

I forwarded hundreds of CV’s to various companies. But no one even tried to give me a beep confirming that they received my CV. Like any other jobseekers I could face serious competitions. To find a job was not easy. But I prepared myself not to be pessimistic. I have the reasons to be here. And I believe I have opportunities waiting to be discovered.

Five days later, one company called me for interview. After a few introductions about the company, though I have no idea what is the name of the company, its exact location, I said yes for the interview. To tell you, I have a problem understanding the English language of not pure English speaker. The guy who called me is a Jordanian. I am not saying I am excellent in English but really ours is much better than them. The only clear clue given to me was that after crossing the bridge I have to get down. And that’s what I actually did! When I saw a bridge I buzzed in and stepped out from the bus. This is a funny thing! I was not thinking that there are hundred of bridges in Dubai. An embarrassing mistake! It was too late to know that I was in the deserted place where no buildings, no offices but construction sites. What I am doing here? It seemed that everybody did not know the place I am heading to. I lost my hope and decided to get back to my cousin’s house. But, I could not get any ride. I also didn’t know where I am. Oh my God! How I wish I can find a good Samaritan. I continued to walk following the direction of the speeding cars. Mind you. It was 9:00 o’clock and the temperature was 52 degrees Celsius and nothing covered my head but a piece of a newspaper handed to me by my fellow I met in the bus. On the right side of the road, I saw a gasoline station. Maybe I can find somebody there to tell me where I am. God is good! My prayer was answered. A gasoline boy from Nepal whom at first I was thinking a Filipino (Nepali and Filipino have similar physical profiles) gave me my exact location. I am in the Emirates Road near a big water tank. After knowing my location an idea flashed in my mind. I scrolled down the numbers in my phone and called the guy who invited me for the interview. God is great! He received my call and asked what I was doing in that place. What I am doing here anyway? Is it not obvious, I was lost? He told me to stay and wait for few minutes because he’s coming to fetch me. After 20 minutes he arrived. Thanks God! He took me to his office and told me to wait for the general manager who will conduct the interview. I was thinking I was the only interviewee. There were more than 10 short listed applicants of different nationalities who came to apply for the position of an accountant. Experienced accountants. Fortunately, after the panel of interview I emerged as the best. No wonder the position was awarded to me. One of the interviewers confessed that I was the only applicant who asked for the lowest salary.

I don’t mind if I got only the lowest salary. Having a good boss who is totally different from the one I had, who told me I could not find a job if I left his company, is more than enough. My boss is very much particular with the time element. I am only working 8 hours a day, Sundays to Wednesdays.