The rain poured down relentlessly. Thick and heavy droplets pounded against my pathway, the force of the rain dragging me backward as if it were a human's touch. I clutched my umbrella tightly as I watched how its canopy trembled under the force of the terrible storm. Its splashes hurt my skin as if a pin were piercing through it. The violent wind howled through my umbrella, flipping it inside out leaving me to confront and skirmish with the downpour unprotected. I pulled my coat tighter around my body, shivering as the cold seeped through my already soaked clothes and shoes, drenching every step I took.
At this point, my frustration felt justified because the weather actually reflected my emotions—drenched, exhausted, defeated, and completely helpless.
I glanced at my watch; although soaked, thank God It's still working. It was exactly 1:46 p.m. I was supposed to be at another interview—Another rejection.That was the fifth one this month.
I have spent the last few months writing and sending my applications, knocking on several doors, and answering interviews with repeated rehearsed answers to the same tired questions—Tell me about yourself? What is your weakness? What is your strength? Why should we hire you? Where do you see yourself in five years from now? How did you know about this company?—only to be met with polite smiles that barely masked the decision they had already made before I had even sat down in the first place.
At this moment, I was basically jobless and actually broke. I stood alone in the middle of the now-empty street, in the pouring rain, pondering how my life had actually turned out.
I sure needed a temporary place where I could shield myself a bit from the heavy rain before proceeding on my job search. The nearest shop that caught my eye was a restaurant—a small, quiet place tucked between a bookstore and a flower shop. Immediately after I pushed the door open, a pleasant warmth hit me as if wrapped around me like a soft, welcoming embrace. The scent of fresh stew, accompanied by the aroma of a chocolate tea, filled the air temporarily relieving me from my misery.
I turned to find a seat, my gaze scanning the room as I made my way towards an isolated seat in the corner of the restaurant, my shoes squelching with every step. Everywhere became silent. People turned and kept staring at my every move.The embarrassing scene drew attention to me as if a famous celebrity were just walking in. Suddenly, an elderly man with bright eyes and a kind smile broke the silence, lowered his broad newspaper to a level where his gaze could actually meet mine, looked up at me, and said,
"Rough day, huh?"
I eventually forced a smile back at him. "Mmm, something like that, sir." He was seated almost in the farthest corner of the restaurant, closed to where I spotted a seat. I sat at a seat near the window, absently watching the rain streak against the glass. He had completely silver hair and wore a brown tweed jacket that definitely looked older than me. He also ordered a chocolate tea. "For his age?" I marvelled. I was expecting to see a coffee or something.
His tea sat untouched; I could see the steam curling into the air. What caught my attention most was his expression—serene, kind, tranquil, keen-eyed, and highly composed, as if he had all the time in the world to watch people come and go.
He glanced at my dripping clothes and shoes and said, "Do you care for something warm?"
I hesitated because the last little money in my purse was for transportation home. I could not afford even the cheapest cup of chocolate tea.
"Uh, I am just waiting for the rain to stop, " I lied.
The old man just nodded with understanding; he didn't press any further.
I had brought out a book to read when a waiter brought me a chocolate tea.
"I didn't order this?" I told him bluntly.
"Actually, It's a gift from the old man with the broad newspaper over there," the waiter replied, pointing to the old man, who was still covering his face with his newspaper as if he were embarrassed with the too much attention. the waiter smiled and walked away.
Feeling really grateful for the hot, soothing tea, I suddenly got lost in my own thoughts when a deep voice interrupted me.
"You look like a woman carrying the weight of the world."
Immediately, I turned. The old man had moved closer, standing beside my table. His eyes still looked sharp despite his age and studied me.
"Thank you, sir, for the drink; I really do appreciate it." I greeted.
"I am glad you enjoyed it," he simply said.
I suddenly let out a sigh, too tired to pretend this time. "It's just been...a hard and stressful day."
He nodded, as if he understood something deeper than I was saying. Then, without asking, he pulled out the chair across from me and sat down.
"I am familiar with that look," the old man said. He rested his gnarled hands on the table. "Job hunting, right?"
I snorted. "More like job begging at this point, sir."
He chuckled. "I guess the market is just too tough this days. What is your field?"
"Business Administration and Management," I said. "At least that's what I studied. Seems like nobody is willing to give me a chance, though."
He nodded again, thoughtful. "You really do remind me of myself when I was this young."
I Immediately dropped my drink and gave a questioning gaze. "Really, you?"
He grinned. "Oh yes, me exactly. I once walked these streets, frustrated, tired, hopeless and penniless. After each job search, I often wondered where my next meal would come from. Then just one single day, one moment, a man appeared from no where and changed everything for me. It was like magic
I leaned in slightly, intrigued. "Wow! What... What really happened?" I asked, stuttering.
"Hmmm! He gave me a job," the old man said, smiling. "No long, tiring interviews, no writing of applications. He just looked at me and gave me a chance. An opportunity of a lifetime; I never took it for granted. Each day, I worked like my life depended on it."
"That's an awesome experience, sir, and a magical transformation at the same time," I said, amazed, with my eyes wide open, hoping I could also have the same magical opportunity of a lifetime.
"And now?" I asked curiously.
"now? my dear, he chuckled. "Now I own a few businesses here and there. Nothing too grand, though, but it's manageable enough to pay my bills and live comfortable."
"Sir, that's really nice," was all I could say as my mind drifted swiftly to when and how long it would take for me to actually attain this level of success.
He studied me for a moment, as if he knew I was lost in thought again. He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small card; he slid it across the table where I was seated.
I hesitated before picking up the card.
"Come by my office tomorrow," he said simply. "Let's see if we can help you experience the same magic that I did back then." he said, humorously smiling.
My eyes lit up. "wait!...what! Sir, are you really serious?"
He chuckled. "Should I call it coincidence, my daughter? Something brought you here today, And something told me to talk to you. So, let's call it magic.(so to speak)."
Still in disbelief, my brain struggling to catch up. "But sir, you don't even know me?"
He shrugged. "My daughter, I don't necessarily have to. Sometimes, all a person really needs is just a little chance, just one opportunity.
I swallowed dried saliva, even though I had just finished a hot cup of chocolate tea. My mouth suddenly became dry. "I don't know what to say, sir." I shivered in gratitude.
"Say you will be there," he said, standing up at exactly 3:00 p.m. sharp, his newspaper neatly wrapped under his arms. The rain outside had slowed down to a drizzle, the dark clouds breaking apart to reveal a sliver of golden light. Now he was ready to leave.
"I'll be there." I said enthusiastically, thanking him again.
For the first time in the past few months, the weight on my chest felt a little lighter.I also felt hopeful.
Maybe, just maybe, this was actually the magic I had been waiting for. I felt calm as I watch the rain drizzling through the restaurant glass.
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It seems like magic has struck you after searching from one place to another, and opportunity presents itself in the most unexpected place. These are situations that go beyond logic and enter into human beliefs.
Thanks for sharing your experience with us.
Excellent Wednesday.
Thanks alot for stopping by.🥰