Lisa was hospitalized for almost 4 days. Her fever continued to decrease day by day, and fortunately, she did not catch a dangerous disease. Lisa was just too tired so her condition was really bad. Since the suspicion about her catching a dengue fever was proven not true, both the doctor and Lisa could breathe freely. That afternoon, Lisa was allowed to go home.
Arriving at the apartment, the two women began browsing the internet for job vacancies that they could apply for. Incidentally, it was Sunday, so many job sites couldn't be opened because many people were accessing them at the same time. Moreover, this was the month where final year students graduated and were looking for jobs.
It was a challenge for Lisa and Andien to fight over job vacancies with fresh graduates. Moreover, the competition for job seekers in the capital city was very fierce. Hundreds of large companies in Jakarta had rejected Lisa and Andien because they were too old by the standards to apply for jobs.
However, Lisa had not lost hope of finding a new job. She was sure that sooner or later she and Andien would definitely find the right job for both of them. As long as their job did not violate the laws and morals of society, Lisa was sure that the universe would side with her and her friend.
After all, good intentions would bring good results too.
All day long, the two friends never stopped looking for job vacancies on the internet. Both of them were even willing to sit staring at the laptop's screen until late at night.
"Lis, how many companies have you applied for?" Andien asked, yawning. Her eyes started to become heavy and watery.
"About 50 companies, I'm really stuck looking for one that matches my expertise," Lisa replied as she was still staring at the laptop screen seriously.
"You're crazy, I just applied to 20 companies. My eyes are really tired. Geez, it's really hard for those who still want to accept prospective employees of our age," Andien replied with a little bit of pessimism.
Her words had some truth in it since it was very difficult for anyone to apply for a job in their late 20s. But that would not make Lisa stop looking. She still had to struggle so as not to depend on men continuously.
"Keep up your spirit! We are independent metropolitan girls! Why do you think being forced into a marriage is a good idea just because you don't want to suffer financially? It's no longer the old times! So what? Are you a village girl? Do you dream of marrying one of those damn bureaucrats at the age of 12?" Lisa teased while encouraging Andien, who began to sound pessimistic.
Andien patted Lisa's shoulder then replied, "Yes, but sometimes I envy you when you were still with Oscar, like, you were really spoiled and you had a really good life. You didn't have to worry about money either."
"What are you talking about? Don't you believe what I said before? Money can't buy happiness! I was spoiled but then I got betrayed in the end. Do you want to marry a rich guy but live a miserable life?" Lisa replied in a slightly sarcastic tone.
"Damn, you're right. I'm so lazy, so it's better if I work to earn money myself," Andien replied, starting to realize.
"This is women's era, okay! If you get married not because of love, be prepared for bad things that will come. Don't waste your time and feelings for a rich guy you don't love. Marriage must involve mutual feelings, don't just look for money from your husband. How is that different from a prostitution then? Oops hahaha," Lisa replied half sarcastically.
"Girl, watch your mouth!" Andien threw a pillow at Lisa's face and laughed.
***
The next day, Lisa slept less than 5 hours due to staying up late sending job applications online. She opened her laptop again and checked the incoming e-mail and there was still no answer.
"Ah, I'm so stupid I swear, yesterday was Sunday!" Lisa said irritatedly.
It was 6 o'clock in the morning, she asked Andien to get ready to look for a job that could be interviewed directly. With enthusiasm, Lisa woke her friend and told her to immediately take a shower and put on her working clothes neatly and politely.
That morning, both Lisa and Andien wore white shirts with black knee-length skirts. Andien used pink lipstick while Lisa used a red one.
When Lisa stared at her face in the mirror as she applied the red lipstick, her memory returned to the past. "This lipstick, Oscar's favorite red lipstick ..."
For a long time, Lisa stared at her face in the mirror as she recalled the past when Oscar approached behind her and embraced her from behind.
"Lis! How come you take so long to dress up? It's almost 7 o'clock, let's hurry!" Andien exclaimed, ending Lisa's daydream.
The two friends immediately headed for the busway stop to go to several shopping centers. It was said that there were many job vacancies in such a place. After that, their next goal was to go to the company offices to find job vacancy information.
The sun began to show its bright light even though it was still 7 in the morning. Both Lisa and Andien were worried. What if they were rejected by the company they were applying for today? For a moment, the bad thoughts enveloped the minds of the two friends.
***
Almost all day long, they traveled around Central Jakarta looking for jobs, but they had not found the right one. They found a company from the food and beverage sector, but when they were interviewed, their latest education was too high for the position they were applying for.
It was 1:00 p.m. and still, neither Lisa nor Andien landed a job. Since the sun was scorching, the surface of their skin felt burning. Andien then decided to take a break at the mediocre cafe near the shopping center that they had just visited to quench their thirst and overcome their hunger.
"Ah crazy, is it really that hard to look for an established job nowadays?" Andien asked, reaching for the sandwich she bought.
"Yes, we applied to the cashier, admin, and the waitress, they just said, 'oh sorry sis but your title is too high for the position' Ah, fuck! I just wanted to work!" Lisa answered in an annoyed tone before sipping her cold drink.
"Did you check your email yet, Lis? How about the sales or marketing department?"
"Wait a minute, I haven't checked yet .. Hmmmm... Let me see...."
Andien tapped her fingers on the cafe table, anxiously waiting for Lisa's answer. Her eyes were fixed on her friend's face with a serious expression.
"Ah, unfortunately, no one has replied," Lisa answered. Her tone sounded very disappointed.
"Aaaaaaah damn it! It's all because of that bastard Clara! If that bitch hadn't come back to the Petersson Communication office again, I wouldn't have to resign, Lis!" Andien exclaimed excitedly. Her emotions began to burn when the memory of Clara's visibly annoying figure came to her mind. She felt like she wanted to knock out that demonic woman's teeth if she were given a chance to face her again.
Lisa didn't pay attention to Andien's complaints just now. She focused on chewing the sandwich she bought then her eyes glanced at the digital billboard screen in front of her. She saw the figure of a man in a gray coat holding a tall, slender woman with a face like a Korean artist wearing a white dress.
It seemed that news of Oscar and Clara's marriage had begun to spread on television and other digital media. Seeing the unpleasant sight made Lisa sad and enraged.
The couple looked very harmonious together. Oscar was tall, slender, and handsome like a fashion magazine model. Clara also looked gorgeous in white, looking exactly like a beautiful Korean artist.
Without realizing it, Lisa's tears dropped from the corner of her eyes. She compared herself to Clara, who was much taller, whiter, and prettier. She was obviously nothing, and so Oscar preferred Clara over her.
"Lisa? Why are you crying?" Andien asked, staring at Lisa's teary eyes.
"Oh, it's okay.. Some dust got in my eyes," Lisa lied.
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