CHAPTER 2: ROUGH

Luck was not really on my side this morning, because we had not gone far on our way when we encountered very terrible traffic. And by we, I meant I and the taxi man, I cursed my stars wondering why this had to happen today, maybe your stars are punishing you for pushing an innocent man and almost bashing His head on the sidewalk my conscience whispered in my head 'shut up' I chided. I must have said that aloud because the driver looked me at through the mirror in question. I shook my head and looked out the window.

After about the twenty minutes in traffic with no significant change in motion, I contemplated alighting and completing the journey on foot as I had seen in movies. Then, I remembered the amount of running I had done since the start of this day and fact that my place of work was still a long distance from where I was. Therefore, I decided to sit down back and keep my mind shut.

Soon after, traffic cleared up and that almost had me weeping; tears of joy of course and telling the cab driver to speed up. I am sure I looked like a weirdo or rather a freak with my teary eyes and me jumping up and down in giddiness, but really, I do not care.

At that moment, I remembered that there was something I did not think of, which should. However, being the scatterbrain I am, I did not.

Now that I remembered, I almost head butted myself, if that was even possible. And that thing was now rearing its head at me and laughing maniacally at my expense. And that thing was the question of what I kind of excuse I would give to explain my lateness.

I sat there thinking for some time realizing I was running out of time and very soon, I would be at the office. Now I wanted us to be stuck in another jam so I would think but as luck would have it there was no sign off upcoming traffic as we cruised down the road.

Time ran out quickly because the next time I looked up, I could see the building of my office afar off. I looked down again and tried to think up something and suddenly I felt the cab stop. I looked up and saw the building directly at my right hand 'oh my God, we've arrived. Did we fly?' I screeched in my head.

I looked at the driver with a pleading look in my eyes as if he could help me. I think I did not portray my pleading enough because he smiled and declared merrily "We've arrived" I was tempted to scratch the smile off his face but I refrained since he had not done anything to me but only bring me to my place of work. Instead, I paid him and left the car, my legs shaking.

I walked inside giving myself a mental boost as I chanted 'I can do this', which did not help. I swallow the lump in my throat and walk on, greeting Naomi the receptionist as I pass by her. Really, I do not understand the need for a receptionist in a lab but as far as it reduces the unemployment rate, I am fine with it. By now, I had gotten to the double doors separating the lab from the reception: I take in a deep breath and pull the door open. I walk in with more bravado than I felt and I feel everyone's eyes on me as I walk in, but they lose interest and continued what they were doing previously, seeing it was just plain old me. I lift my head high, walking with only one destination in mind: my table. I pass Anne on my journey and through the corner of my eyes; I see her giving me a look, which I would rather not decode right now.

My long journey to my table ends and I sink into the comfort of my chair thanking my stars that Jane has not caught sight of me yet and I hope she remains sightless for the rest of the day.

I am sure you must be wondering who this Jane is: well Jane is the supervisor here NPM laboratory and consultants, where we carry out tests, give advice to people on their medical life and stuffs. I get that hospitals do all these stuff but we are more specialized and observed more. Yes, back to Jane, though she is not the owner she prides herself that she is the overseer here. Though I get that it's good to feel good about yourself and give yourself credit for what you are good in, but Jane here just takes it over the top from her caked up face, extra high heels {I mean who wears heels to lab}, super tight clothes and don't even let me get started on her perfume, over all she's what we call a stuck up human being not to use the b-word. In addition, what is even better is that she is out to get me.

I think it was during my first year here when I told her she had food stuck in between her teeth and her makeup was not the correct tone for her skin. I know it sounds a bit rude but think of it from my angle, I was just looking out for her and I did not want her to be publicly embarrassed when someone points it out to her. Besides, I told her in the restroom so no one heard. And ever since then she changed a total of 180° towards me.

I come out of memory lane shaking my head to clear off all thoughts so I can start my work for the day. I thank my stars again because it seems that Jane is yet to notice me. However, I guess I spoke too soon because the next second, I hear the sound if heels hitting the tiled floor, coming towards me to be precise. My heads lolls to the back of the chair with me bemoaning my fate and of course, Jane was coming towards me. "Oh God, why me?"