Chapter 2 A Rainy Encounter: Trials And Triumphs In London

• London's winters are characterized by a chilling combination of freezing temperatures and persistent rain. While many individuals embrace and cherish rainy days, the constant need to traverse through the rain-soaked streets on a daily basis can easily lead to frustration.
• Our protagonist is one of those individuals who find solace and fascination in the rain, cool weather, and long walks. However, when these elements become an integral part of her daily routine, even she experiences a growing sense of irritation. Lacking the luxury of an expensive, branded car that would shield her from the rain, she relies on her own feet to navigate the city's streets. Each day, she embarks on a 4-5 kilometer journey, a testament to the challenges of living in an expensive city like London.
• While the city does offer a subway system, she inexplicably harbors an aversion towards utilizing it. Perhaps there lies an unidentified phobia or apprehension within her, but the true reasons remain elusive even to her.
• On this particular day, the rain had been incessant since the early hours of the morning. She hurriedly sought refuge inside a small café, her footsteps echoing with a sense of urgency. Water cascaded from her drenched dress, rendering it completely soaked, rendering her umbrella futile in the face of the downpour. From head to toe, she was thoroughly drenched, droplets dripping from her hair and pooling around her.
• As she attempted to wipe the rain from her face, a short, narrow-eyed woman, the owner of the café, approached her with an inquisitive gaze.
• "You're late again, Saaaabrina," Jenny, the owner, scolded, her tone laced with harshness. Sabrina winced upon hearing Jenny's voice, and a tinge of regret washed over her. With a pleading expression resembling that of a puppy, she turned around to face Jenny, her back previously turned towards her.
• Jenny, an English lady, struggled to pronounce Sabrina's name correctly, perplexed as to why. As a result, she would often draw out the "Saaaab" part of her name a little more than usual, causing Sabrina's name to sound distinct in her accent.
• "Jenny, it's raining heavily today," Sabrina attempted to reason, hoping for some understanding. However, Jenny interrupted her abruptly, dismissing her plea. "Today, I won't entertain any excuses," Jenny snapped. "You'll have to work late today, or else I'll deduct a week's worth of your salary."
• Sabrina's heart sank at Jenny's uncompromising response. The weight of the consequence hung heavy in the air, leaving Sabrina with little choice but to comply with Jenny's demands, even if it meant enduring a longer and more challenging day at work.
• As Jenny departed, Sabrina couldn't help but feel a wave of frustration wash over her. She contemplated banging her head in exasperation, contemplating her options. If the rain persisted without respite, she resolved to hail a cab for her journey home. However, with the sudden demand to work late, her plans were thwarted, leaving her with no choice but to walk once again. The thought of enduring the heavy rain during her extended shift filled her with uncertainty, wondering how she would navigate the situation if the downpour persisted.
• The prospect of a salary deduction loomed heavily over Sabrina, knowing that her financial situation was already precarious. Every penny counted, and the thought of a reduced paycheck left her anxious about how she would make ends meet for the rest of the month. Taking a deep breath, she composed herself and changed into her work uniform, setting aside her wet clothes to dry.
• Equipped with her writing pad and pen, she ventured out to the front, ready to serve the incoming customers and take their orders. It had been ten challenging months since she arrived at this cafe, overcoming numerous obstacles to secure her place. Her journey had been marked by hardship, with the loss of her parents at a young age and the passing of her grandmother three years ago, leaving her without any immediate family.
• Coming from a modest middle-class background, Sabrina did not possess any substantial assets or properties in her name. The only possession she had was a small, old house left to her by her grandmother. Despite her limited resources, she received advice from someone suggesting that she try her luck abroad.
• Sabrina had always harbored a childhood dream of coming to London, and although she could have sold her small house and settled in a more affordable country, she remained resolute in her desire to make it to the United Kingdom. Aware of the higher cost of a UK visa compared to other countries, she took a leap of faith, choosing to invest her limited savings in pursuing her dream of living in London.
• Sabrina had nurtured a dream of a better life abroad, influenced by the portrayal of overseas experiences in films and stories. Like many others, she believed that stepping into a new country would bring about a transformative change in her life. However, upon arriving in London, she soon realized that the reality differed greatly from the depictions she had seen in fiction.
• Having completed only a simple graduation, Sabrina faced the harsh truth of a highly competitive job market. Even individuals with advanced degrees struggled to secure suitable employment in the current world. The challenges seemed daunting, and she wondered how someone with just a basic graduation qualification would be able to find meaningful work in such a demanding environment. Doubts and uncertainties clouded her mind as she confronted the stark realities of the job market.
• After just two weeks in London, Sabrina quickly grasped the importance of hard work if she wanted to achieve her goals. Initially, she had high hopes of securing a job in a company, but faced rejection at every turn. Faced with the reality of her situation, she realized that remaining idle was futile.
• Considering her lack of experience, she set her sights on applying for a job at a small café. Recognizing that larger cafes and hotels often required prior experience, she decided to start small and build her way up. Sabrina understood that gaining practical experience was crucial to opening doors for future opportunities in her desired field.
• As Sabrina approached the café to apply for a job, she encountered a hesitant café owner who seemed uncertain about hiring her. However, just as the owner deliberated, a worker approached them, sharing unfortunate news. It turned out that one of the waiters had been involved in an accident, resulting in both legs being fractured and rendering him unable to continue his duties.
• This unexpected turn of events presented an opportunity for Sabrina. With the sudden vacancy, the café owner reconsidered their decision and realized they needed immediate assistance to fill the void. Given the circumstances, the owner decided to give Sabrina a chance, offering her the position as a waiter to help manage the workload during the injured employee's absence.
• "You're lucky, Miss Saaabrina," Jenny, the café owner, remarked, acknowledging the fortuitous turn of events. "Due to the shortage of a waiter, I'm offering you the position of a waitress."
• Sabrina, though eager to correct the mispronunciation of her name, couldn't help but feel a sense of relief and joy. "Thank you so much, ma'am," she expressed with genuine happiness. Jenny responded with a curt nod, instructing another employee to guide Sabrina through the necessary training and familiarize her with the café's operations.
• Sabrina entered the workforce with an hourly wage of £7, a rate that required her to work longer hours in order to earn a sufficient income. Initially, she struggled to complete even a four-hour shift, realizing that this meager effort would not be enough to cover her expenses in the expensive city of London. Determined to improve her financial situation, she gradually adjusted to the routine and eventually committed to working a consistent 10-hour shift each day.
• By investing more time and effort into her work, Sabrina managed to earn £70 per day, resulting in a monthly income of over £1600. However, the reality of London's high cost of living continued to pose challenges for her. Financially unable to consider relocating to a more affordable city, Sabrina had to make do with her current circumstances.
• After five months of demonstrating unwavering dedication and hard work, Sabrina's efforts caught the attention of Jenny, the café owner. Impressed by her commitment, Jenny offered Sabrina a salaried position, increasing her monthly income to £1800. However, Jenny's strict nature meant that all employees, including Sabrina, faced regular deductions of at least £100 from their salaries.
• (Despite these deductions, Sabrina had the opportunity to supplement her income through additional earnings of approximately £200 to £210 per month from tips, occasional bonuses, or other compensations. Due to the café's small size and limited resources, Sabrina's earning potential remained restricted, even while living in the bustling city of London.)
• As Sabrina continued to take orders from customers, her attention was piqued by the sound of giggling coming from two nearby waitresses. Curiosity got the better of her, and she discreetly tried to catch a glimpse of what had caught their attention. Peering over in the direction of the commotion, she could only catch a glimpse of a side of a magazine, leaving her intrigued and eager to find out more.
• "Ooo my God, he is so hot!" exclaimed one girl to the other, both swooning over someone whose picture graced the magazine. Sabrina, unfazed by their excitement, rolled her eyes and decided to retreat to the familiar comfort of the kitchen.
• Sabrina was never one to get caught up in such superficial attractions. While she could appreciate the handsomeness of boys, she didn't find herself swooning or obsessing over anyone. She found contentment in her own company and took joy in the simple pleasures of life. Expecting nothing from anyone, she embraced a self-reliant and independent mindset.
• Sabrina was a happy-go-lucky girl with a unique perspective on life. She firmly believed that there was no point in dwelling on sadness when there were always new opportunities and experiences awaiting her. This positive outlook extended to her birthdays as well. Instead of waiting for others to shower her with gifts, she took it upon herself to treat herself. She found joy in selecting special presents for herself, knowing that true happiness came from within. Her self-sufficiency and ability to find happiness in the simplest of gestures made her a truly remarkable individual.
• (Sabrina had a unique approach to handling life's challenges. She firmly believed that worrying excessively only accelerated the aging process. Therefore, she made a conscious effort not to let tension consume her. Instead, she embraced a carefree attitude, allowing herself to remain youthful and free-spirited.
• While Sabrina didn't have a specific group of close friends, it didn't mean she isolated herself from social interactions. She was open to conversations and enjoyed engaging with people from all walks of life. Her friendly nature and willingness to connect made her approachable and easy to talk to. Sabrina valued the diversity of human connections and cherished the spontaneous interactions that added color to her daily life.)
• Sabrina couldn't help but eavesdrop on the conversation between the two girls as they discussed a person whose name she couldn't understand. From the way they pronounced and spelled the name, she deduced that he might be of Asian origin. Curiosity stirred within her, wondering who this person was and what significance he held for the girls. However, she decided not to pry further and focused on her own tasks, leaving the mystery of the person's identity behind for the time being.
• As Sabrina made her way through the café, carrying the customers' orders, her eyes caught sight of the magazine that had captured the attention of the two girls earlier. Curiosity got the better of her, and she took a quick glance at the front page. In that fleeting moment, she managed to catch a glimpse of a person whose name she couldn't fully read but recognized the word "Mittal."
• Though intrigued by this brief encounter, Sabrina didn't dwell on it for too long. With a shrug of her shoulders, she set the magazine aside and refocused her attention on her responsibilities. She headed towards one of the tables to serve the awaiting customers, putting the thought of "Mittal" aside for now.
• As Sabrina walked around the market during her break, enjoying the respite from the rain, she found herself lost in the sights and sounds of the bustling street. Engrossed in observing the shop displays and people passing by, she inadvertently collided with a wall, causing her to stumble back in surprise. Instinctively, she reached up to hold her forehead, wincing at the sudden impact.
• "Ouch," she hissed softly, feeling a slight throbbing sensation in her forehead. She took a moment to collect herself, ensuring that the collision hadn't caused any serious injury. As she looked up, she noticed a group of people nearby who had witnessed her mishap. Embarrassed, she offered them a sheepish smile and a small wave to reassure them that she was alright.
• Gathering her composure, Sabrina continued her leisurely stroll through the market, being more mindful of her surroundings this time. She couldn't help but chuckle at her clumsiness, realizing that even in the simplest moments, unexpected incidents could add a touch of amusement to her day.
• "To be continued…"