Back On Track

"Hmmm," The supervisor looked at Jin from top to down and frowned a little. "You could have come here in something more presentable," She said.

"I'm sorry but these are the only decent clothes which I have..." Jin said apologetically. 

"Is that so..." A hint of sympathy appeared in her eyes as she continued,

"Your hair is all messed up...since it seems you've come from a difficult background I'll let it go for today. Tomorrow I don't care about your clothes much but I want you to have a tidy haircut. Your hair looks more like a bird's nest at the moment, you understand?" 

"Yes, ma'am," Jin nodded sincerely. 

The supervisor nodded, "Alright, your locker number is 16. Place your belongings there and change into the cleaning kit. I'll be waiting for you here." 

Jin listened to her and went to the male locker room to change into his cleaning kit. Jin found that the school spends a large amount of money on the cleaning department as well since the cleaning kit was in very good condition.

He quickly changed into his new clothes and reported back to the supervisor. She glanced at her wristwatch watch and seeing that he only took 5 minutes to change she nodded in agreement. 

"Now I'll tell you what all you need to do during the whole day and I expect this work to be done properly young man. I won't go easy on you just because your circumstances are difficult you understand?" The supervisor asked with a strict gaze.

"I understand," Jin agreed. 

For the next twenty minutes, Jin was shown around the areas he was responsible for cleaning today. The cleaning department was short-staffed since not many applied for it, the reason being the long experience which was required to apply for the job.

As a result, the number of areas Jin was responsible for was also quite a lot and these areas supposedly kept on rotating among the other staff members each week. 

"You've remembered everything?" The supervisor asked. 

"Yes, I have," Jin showed a small memo which was in his hand. He had noted down all that he needed to do there.

"It's good to have a proactive individual," She nodded and left for her other tasks. Jin was now on his own.

'So what was the first task...Cleaning toilets on the 3rd floor...alright,' Since it was the first period going on now all the students were in the classroom. Therefore, it was the most convenient time to clean the toilets. 

Jin had already been familiarized with the area so the moment he reached there he began with the cleaning. One after another he completed his given work and before long it was lunchtime. 

He bought a sandwich from the cafeteria and went back to the cleaning staff's room. There he found his other colleagues. He had already seen a few of them while working today and greeted them by far. He nodded at them once again when he entered their room.

"It's good to see some young blood among us old people," An old lady said with a smile.

"Hello Aunty," Jin wished her with a smile and turned towards others and did the same. He was the only one there in his 20s the rest were nearing their 40s or were already in their 40s.

"You're only going to eat that?" the lady asked as her gaze fell on the sandwich he was holding in his hand.

"Yes?" Jin said with a hint of confusion apparent in his eyes.

"Look at how thin you are and you're still going to eat just that? Come here, I have packed a bit extra today," The lady invited Jin to her table and passed a portion of her food to him.

He had initially thought of refusing it but since it was his first day he thought that it would be a bit rude so he thanked her instead, "Thank you for the food Aunty,"

"Look at you being polite," She smiled and asked, "Come on, tell me how it tastes,"

"It tastes great," Jin said as he made an okay gesture with his hand. 

"That's good, that's good. Eat more," The lady said and passed a bit more to Jin's plate even after his refusal.

"No need to act reserved. We are all colleagues now," The lady said and dismissed Jin's resistance. 

The others looked at their interaction with a smile on their face. The food was all finished and Jin thanked the lady once again for the food. 

"So where do live young man?" The lady asked.

"Around Block 57. I just shifted yesterday," Jin replied.

"Oh, that's a nice place. Not too far and also not too close to the school. What about your parents?" She enquired.

"Well, they had expired when I was in 5th grade," Jin said 

"I'm sorry for making you remember that," The lady apologised. Jin just nodded to her. Seeing his mood has downed a little the lady cheerfully slapped his shoulders and said, "Don't be so downcast lad, if you need any help then don't hesitate to ask me, Aunty Julie or anyone else here for help,"

The others present there nodded their head in acknowledgement.

"I'll remember that then," Jin said in an embarrassed manner while scratching the back of his head.

A few other ladies also chimed in and enquired about a lot of things about him. Jin didn't mind that and also asked them a few doubts that had entered his mind related to his job while he was working in the morning.

Ring

The school bell rang indicating the start of the afternoon classes. They bid each other goodbyes and went back to work. 

Jin dedicated himself to his work and by the time it was four in the evening it was all finished up. The school had finished up at two and it was now the time for the cleaning staff to depart for their home. 

After bidding each other goodbye. Jin sat on the bus to his rental place. Looking out of the window Jin smiled. He was quite satisfied with how the day went today. His life was finally back on track at the pace he was most comfortable in.