Chapter 4: Not A Date

Zofi's First Job, 2019

It is like the first day of school only even better. Everything is new – shoes, bag, dress, and an ATM card! 

"I hope you can be settled soon.  Your desk and pedestal cabinets are both new," the HR manager said. 

"Thank you! I feel so excited to work. It' so much better here than in school," Zofi said.

The people around look to each other as if saying she doesn't know what she's up to. 

"Let her discover and learn on her own.  For now, let her enjoy the honeymoon stage at work," one of her senior colleagues said.

Come midmorning, everyone is already busy working while Zofi finds herself bored reading the company manual.  She feels like she is back in school again. 

She decided to approach the most senior in the team to offer help.

"Hi, Ms. Mitch.  Do you need help? Photocopying? Sorting? Filing?" she asked.

Ms. Mitch smiled. "Oh, dear. Here, everyone is independent.  We don't ask anyone to do things for us.  Keep that in mind so you won't be taken advantage of," she advised.

"Okay, then. I will go back to reading," Zofi said. 

While walking back to her desk, she noticed a new face.  She smiled at him.

"Oh, you haven't been introduced to Jiro.  He's one of our analysts," Ms. Mitch said.

Jiro welcomed Zofi. Unlike the other members of the team, he looks shy.

"As you know, we have flexible work schedule here so he can come at 10am and leave at 7pm," Ms. Mitch said.

Lunch time comes.  Zofi's young colleagues invite her to join them.

"Good thing I brought lunch.  I don't know where to buy food yet," she said.  She's continues to build rapport.

"Are you not eating?" Zofi asked Jiro.

He smiled. "Later," he said plainly.

"Who eats with him?" Zofi asked her colleagues.

"Jiro?  He always eats alone and outside the office most of the time.  He's okay," Nadia, one of the girls, said.

Zofi sensed that they're not fond of him.  He looks like a good person to her though.

"Let's have dinner next payday, Zofi.  It's late notice that you're onboarding today so we're not able to plan anything to welcome you," Ms. Mitch said.

"I'll look forward to that! Thank you for welcoming me today," Zofi said.

"Do you have plans tonight? We're watching a movie.  You may want to join," Nadia asked.

"Thanks, Nadia.  Next time. I'm meeting my friend after work," Zofi said.

"Oh, I forgot to mention that I will be on training tomorrow.  I can't join you for lunch.  It's going to be in the other building," Zofi told them.

"That's okay.  Training usually ends early. You can go home right after it.  There's no need to come here to clock out," Ms. Mitch advised.

Everyone except Jiro prepares to leave for the day.  It's also payday so the more they are excited to leave on time.

Dining inside the busy business district is a whole different level for newly graduated people who just landed their first jobs.  Here, people eat in good restaurants not in fast food on paydays.

Dating is of course more free than when they were students.  Young professionals have money to spend on clothes and food for date night like the couple across their table.

"Stop looking at them.  That's rude," Billie said.  Zofi didn't notice he arrived.

"Sorry, I had to watch these people because you're late.  Don't change that fact," she said.

"Alright.  I'm sorry," he said with his hands up.

"What took you so long?  It's just walking distance from your office, right?" she asked.

"I got stuck in the line to the ATM.  Everyone's withdrawing money," he said.

"That's why Mom said I should have savings so I don't have to endure long lines to the ATM on paydays," she said.

"She has a point but we are still newbies who are just starting to save," he said.

"Enough of that, let's order.  But wait, are you sure you want to eat here?" she asked.

"Of course but why did you ask?" he asked.

"I checked the menu while waiting for you.  Everything's expensive," she said.

"That's why we are eating here today because it's payday.  Otherwise, we'll eat in fast food," he said.

Zofi wanted to convince Billie to consider other restaurants but she noticed someone familiar coming in.

"That guy is my officemate.  He's a loner," she said.

"Oh, my bad.  I didn't even ask you how your first day in the office was," he said.

"It's wonderful! Everyone's nice and independent and helpful," she said.

"Even that guy?" he asked.

"I think so but he barely speaks to anyone and he eats alone like now, I guess," she said.

"Maybe he's just a private person and he only comes to the office to work," Billie said but he is discreetly looking at Jiro.

"He doesn't look like a bad person to me but the people in the office, especially the ladies my age don't talk to him. They're actually cold towards him and they really let it show," she said.

"That's enough, Zofi.  I'm afraid you're starting to become an office gossiper," he said. 

"Okay, let's stay here as you wish," she said but she is actually curious about Jiro so she agreed to stay.

"Please leave now!" the lady from across their table said in a loud voice.  She caught the attention of the other diners including Billie and Zofi.

Zofi realized that the lady is talking to Jiro.  He is the one she is asking to leave.

The two cannot help but discreetly watch the scene happening in front of them. 

Zofi carelessly looked to Jiro and their eyes met.  He certainly recognized her.

"Please, let's talk outside," Jiro said to the lady.

The guard came and asked Jiro to leave but he continues to refuse.

"Fine.  We'll be the one to leave but don't you dare follow us again," the lady said.  She left with the fine looking rich gentleman.

"Oh my God.  That's insane.  Don't you think she left him for that rich guy?" Zofi asked.

"Let's not conclude. That's not good. Let's just order." Billie said.

Jiro also left after a few minutes.

The following day, like what Ms. Mitch said, the training ended early.  Zofi is excited to go home.  

She runs towards the elevator that is about to close.

"Wait! Please wait up," she asked the passengers of the elevator.  Someone quickly pressed the button to keep the door open.

"Thank you. Oh, Jiro? You're here too?" she asked upon realizing that Jiro is also in the elevator.

Jiro nodded.  "I have systems training here," he said.

"Are you still going back to the office to finish your shift?" she asked.

"Yeah.  I still have 4 hours to work," he said.

Jiro immediately quickly looked left and right as soon as they exited the elevator.

"Are you free? Do you have a few minutes?" he asked Zofi.

The two went to the coffee shop inside the building.

"I know you saw the incident yesterday.  Can you just keep it between us, please?" Jiro asked.

Zofi understood the request right away.

Jiro is relieved.

"Who do you usually hang out with?" Zofi asked to be comfortable with him.

Jiro shook his head slowly.  "I am always alone alone," he said.

Zofi still feels bad for him.  She cannot imagine a day without anyone to talk to.

"Are we good?" Jiro asked.

Zofi  nodded. 

"I'll go ahead.  You must go home after you finish your food," he said.

"Thanks for the treat," she said referring to the coffee and sandwich he bought for her.

"Consider that as my welcome gift," he said.  He smiled wide.

Jiro prepares to leave.

"Do you still have training here tomorrow?" she asked.

Jiro nodded.  "Until Friday," he said.

"Our session tomorrow starts in the afternoon.  If you want, we can have coffee here again before going home," she said. 

Jiro looks at her.

"Ah, I meant, only if you want company," she clarified upon realizing that her intention could be mistaken as inviting him to go out with her.

"That's okay.  See you in the office tomorrow," he said.  "Thanks for your company today.  I really appreciate it," he added.

The ray of the sun enters through the glass wall of the building. Afternoon in the coffee shop looks brighter.  The music gives so much positive vibes.

"Did you hear what I said? Are you even listening to me?" Billie asked..  

Zofi's mind is still wandering.

"Hello?" Billie asked.

"Of course I am.  I agree that it's best to rent an apartment near the office," Zofi said. 

"Alright, so we are taking two separate units next to each other," he said.

"Definitely.  We can't live in the same unit," she said.

"Great! We can move in as early as next week," he said.

"Next week already? Why are you in a hurry?" she asked.

"Cindy is leaving next week," he said.

"Ahh..I got it.  I should prepare myself listening to your endless stories about her," she said.

"Who else supports us like you do?" he asked.

"Of course.  I am the most supportive friend ever," she said sarcastically.

What's up with you today? Did something happen at work?" he asked.

"Nothing," she said.

"Then why?  Actually, you don't look sad but you look more of someone who is worried," he said.  Billie notices those tiny details about her.

"Remember my officemate?" she began.

"The one we saw yesterday in the restaurant?" he asked.

"Yeah that one.  We bumped into each other this afternoon in the other building.  He's attending a different training," she said.

"And then?" he asked. 

"He asked me to not tell anyone about the incident," she continued.

"Okay," he said implying that he needs more details.

"Well, we had coffee and sandwich.  His treat," she said.

"Wait, you went on a date with him?" he asked.

"It's not a date!" she said.

"Why are you defensive then?" he asked.

"Sorry about that. I just feel sad for him so I joined him in the coffee shop and accepted his treat. He is a lonely guy who needs company and I don't forget my advocacy," she explained.

"Exactly! You went out with him out of pity that he is always alone.  That's what we do, right?" he said.

Zofi did not answer.

"But to be honest, there's something about that guy that I don't like," he said seriously.

"How could you say that? You don't know him and we don't even know the girl's reason for telling him to leave," she asked.

"Just be careful.  That's all," he said.

"What? Do men have intuition now?" she asked.

Jiro did not answer.

"Right.  I got it.  I'm a burdensome third wheel now," she said.

"Where did that come from?" he asked.

"It's the same as what you just told me. You just said you don't trust him out of nowhere," she said.

"I said there's something about him I don't like.  I didn't say I don't trust him," he said.

"Those are synonymous," she said.

"It's up to you what you want to believe," he said.

"And you even told me to be careful," she said.

"I'll rest my case. It's obvious that you like him," he said.

"Alright.  I'll just figure it out myself.  I think we will be the best of neighbors," she said.

The two continue to bicker.