A Short Story by Lovely Gale Morro

Written in First Person Point of View

Author’s Note: All characters, organizations, and events are all imagination...mostly.

 

“Mikka!” as my mother shouted my name from the kitchen. It is half a month since working from home started. I remember the first day this was implemented. Everyone was preparing for it, but still, it feels like not all was. Like me.

 

It is 5 in the morning. I still have an hour to prepare for my work. I am with my mother at the table eating together for breakfast as we browse each other’s mobile phone, scrolling down to the latest trend in social media. It is quiet. It is always like this.

I ponder on thoughts. I sighed my deepest as I wash the dishes we used during breakfast. It is not because I don’t like washing the dishes, but it is because it’s always the same, every day.

 

I wake up at 5. Eat breakfast. Wash the dishes. Go to work. Eat lunch. Go to work again. Do some errands. Go to bed. It’s been two weeks like this, and it tastes…bland.

 

I unhurriedly walked towards my bedroom where my personal computer is located. It’s almost 6 in the morning. I prepared my applications used in my work and logged in my time. I checked my emails and saw that there’s a meeting invite later for the whole team. I was not able to join them since Day 1 of WFH since I’m having issues with my internet connection. But since my supervisor helped me resolve this, I can now join them in the meeting later.

 

Meeting comes and I feel nervous like it was my initial interview. I moved my cursor to “Join Call” - I hesitated but I clicked anyway. I saw that their microphones are on mute, and so did I. As my supervisor comes in the call, the mute symbol disappears in my teammates’ status one by one. I heard familiar voices that I haven’t heard for quite some time. No, it felt like forever. It felt like I haven’t seen or heard them in forever.

 

“Hi, Mikka! How are you? Is your internet now good? Have you eaten your breakfast?” So many questions bombard me. I stuttered and answered, “I-I’m…okay”. Well, that’s what I know. Before the formal agenda was brought up, everyone’s voices are happy as they talk about the food they had during breakfast.

 

My supervisor clears her throat as she cuts the chitchats, “Okay, let’s start with our meeting.” She shared her screen to let us see some of the accomplishments the team has done during the month. She gave commendations to our teammates who scored great in their quality and ended the meeting with some encouraging yet full of wisdom words, “See? We can accomplish anything if we work together. Don’t ever feel you are alone in this, okay everyone?”. Everyone agreed. Even though they will not be able to see, I nodded. No words. I smiled unknowingly.

 

Night comes and I dashed myself to bed. I feel exhausted but felt strangely happy. I reached out to my mobile phone on the other side corner of my bed. For the first in my WFH life, I feel excited to go to work. “I think I’ll go to sleep now.” I muttered. I locked my phone and prayed before I go to sleep.

 

The next morning, I feel refreshed, more than ever. I got up and went straight to the kitchen. My mother is not there yet, so I decided to cook breakfast for us. Good thing, when she arrives, I have already prepared everything. I can see the shock in my mother’s eyes but trying to hide her smile. I bit my lip, “Here you go, Mom.” I was not able to hide my smile. “What’s with you today?” she asked. “Nothing, just…different.” I answered as I sit on the table with her in front of me.

 

I washed the dishes and ponder on thoughts again. “One call can really make a difference, huh?” my thoughts expressed. I went straight to my workstation, this time, I opened my applications and logged my time excitingly. My supervisor always leaves words of encouragement in our team chat group. It’s one thing that motivates me to work aside from the 15th and 30th days of the month. I want to hold on to this feeling.

 

A month has passed, and I am getting used to working from home. It was nice that my leaders send virtual activities we can engage to. Yesterday, I received an email about what you are thankful for during WFH. I haven’t submitted an entry yet since I am not sure of what I’m thankful for, and even now, I can’t think of anything. I paused. “Maybe, thankful for less expenses?” I giggled.

 

It’s almost my end of shift, and I almost forgot to breathe, in surprise of an incoming call in my computer. I quickly picked up my headset, and answered the call, “Hello?” I softly said. “Hi, Mikka! Today is our coaching session. This will just be quick. How are you?” gentle words came from my supervisor. “I’m okay, Ma’am.” I answered in return, curiously thinking on what this session would be like. She inhales, “Okay, so first, I would like to congratulate you for passing this month’s metrics. Good job! You know that as your leader, I am proud of you.”.

 

Aside from work-related concerns, we even talked about how amazing everyone was able to implement working from home, and how time flies so fast that it’s been a month that we are into our “new normal”. We ended the call with an atmosphere that is full of positivity, and I realized, “I really have a lot to be thankful for.”.

 

I shut down my computer and went to my bedroom. Loads of thoughts came to my head. Working from home is not as easy as A-B-C. I heard a lot of complains, issues, and demands – computers, internet connection issues, transportation, expenses, and other personal matters. If loneliness and tediousness can be filed as an issue ticket, it would be on queue. Sadly, I am one of these people who almost filed this unknown ticket, but gladly, I was awakened by the actions of my leaders – efforts, hard work, determination, and care for us. I looked myself in the mirror, “How can you not see that?”. Despite all the issues and concerns, where are we now? Me? Sitting comfortably together with my family and receiving my work pay. This made me realize that I am different now. I became much closer to my family, I learned a lot of hobbies and interests, and most importantly, I had more time with my devotion and prayer. I feel contented.

 

I opened my drawer and pulled out my notebook. “I think I may now be able to submit an entry.” I smiled, as I wrote down what I am thankful for. I believe that as soon as we get back to office, we are more appreciative, more positive in life, and have a negative-attitude-free towards work. Nonetheless, working from home or not, we will always be better together.

 

I placed my notebook on top my drawer and went to bed. I pulled and tucked my pillow around my arms. As I close my eyes to sleep, I can’t help but smile and utter the words, “How flavorful!”

 

-END-

 

 

Q&A Portion:

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Question: So, where in your daily routine you take a shower?

Mikka: I invoke my right to remain silent.

 

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To God be the Glory!