C3 Episode Three

Shalom

I stared in disbelief at Alexie. She had a way of being the most annoying friend ever, insensitive to how much I love her and always quick to self sabotage.

As I left Matt this morning and ran to her place to bring this opportunity to her, I’d have sworn to the seventh heaven that she’d agree to do this. Even if it’s for the experience, to add a feather to her CV. We had applied many times to Greg Tech for her when she first started it out. Each time, no feedback at all. I thought she will take this as one time opportunity to live her dreams. Obviously, I was wrong.

“Okay” I took a deep breathe. “ Why don’t you want to apply for it? This is something you can either solve or get the experience.”

“Shalom, no. I know you have a lot of confidence in me. But, what makes you believe that I could handle a malware that none of security professionals working in Greg Tech were able to tackle? If all of them put together can’t work it. Count me out. I don’t want to make the software more infected than it already is.”

So much for the self confidence tutorial she offers me on a daily. She was an expert, a professional in her own rights. Just undiscovered, focused on working under the radar as a freelancer. I need her to get herself out of the double thick clothing she always wrapped herself in, in the name of freelancing. She had to get a life outside of this hellhole she caged herself.

“Alexie, I understand you. I mean, no one was able to do this. So, why not do it too and join the league of people who tried to do it and failed? A significant attempt won’t be bad. Just do it. It won’t be new if you fail at it. You’ll just be part of the multitude who tried and failed too.”

I brought out an already drafted application letter.

“Here, I wrote this for you and I’m definitely mailing it to their office. When the call comes for you to go, just go and join the leagues of the people who tried!”

“Shalom, I really don’t…”

“Please Alexie. Don’t argue this. Self-confidence girl, self-believe girl, just do it. You won’t die. And besides I need my 20% so I can complete my savings and start a business.”

I rolled my eyes and left before she could say anything. Alexie’s brain is made for the tech world, a rare breed hiding in the cubicle, rejecting cool freelances and working under the radar for the silliest of offers. She’s destined for more and I might be the only one in her life who can get her on that path.

Alexie

Shalom is a damn pushover. Especially when it came to getting me freelancer jobs. I get that she brings me opportunities but there’s always this feeling lurching at my throat that some jobs are not meant for me. I hated failure and moreover I public and exposed jobs makes me uncomfortable. Maybe, because I’ve gotten so used to making money while lying down on my bed. Now I have to do this, for her 20% gain out of my pay and for the self-confidence. A reminder that you shouldn’t quote mantras of things you can’t do. You’d eventually have to live your words.

I sluggishly got up from the soft fur bed that kept me company when I had no best friend around. Another day to live through previous job pays while waiting for another lucrative job. Being a freelancer can be thrilling and suffocating at the same time.

After a little clean up and air filtering to remove the damp odor from my hellhole as Shalom implied, I got to reading my piled up tech books that have been staring accusingly at me for months. I read till evening when my phone pinged.

“Dear Alexandria Miller, Your application is duly accepted. You are required to show up tomorrow morning by 8a.m to proceed with your attempt on the malware. Signed. Recruitment Office, Greg Tech.”

Uh-huh! That was unusually quick. The malware must be really horrible for them to process an application within few hours and send acceptance letter the same day.

What do I wear? Greg Tech was a big company and if I have to appear there with confidence, what I wear will play a major role on how they address me. I dialed Shalom’s number. As a major architect who brought this to my doorstep, she had to live the consequence with me.

Shalom arrived at my doorstep at exactly 6a.m with clothe bags and make up kits. With those bags and what were likely to be inside, passersby will likely conclude I’m being given up for marriage instead of going to rid a company of its malware.

She unpacked all she brought. My thinking would never have prepared me for the clothes Shalom bought. Rest assured, she definitely wasn’t giving me up for marriage. The black suit, creamy shirt and black boots were screaming, “Go into the world and destroy!”

She wasn’t smiling at me and was being all serious with the make-sure-you-get-the-job-done vibes. She bossed around getting my working materials in order while waiting for me to soak myself in warm water. She made me some quick facials to get my face toned, bright and bold.

I dressed up and let her pull my hair into a pony tail to complete the destruction mood look. She looked me over with slight dissatisfaction on her face. So much for Greg Tech damn job.

“Smile. Raise your eyebrows. Bring your lips back to normal. Yes, exactly, the model look, that’s the aura you have to radiate for them. They don’t get to boss you, freelancers don’t need a boss, people follow their order.” She smiled with the satisfaction of godparents after successfully preparing their stubborn godchild to finally go to school. Shalom was really worked up about this job. I reached out for her hands and held them tightly.

“Girlie, I got this. I will go in there, give it my best shot and get the job done. If I don’t, I’d simply be among professionals who tried but couldn’t get it done. Okay?”

“Yes, Alexie. Ok. We got this. The self confidence is all around you now. Your personal mantra.” Ping.

“Your Uber driver is here, get going. The world is your stage.”

I stood up and took my laptop bag with my hacking packages. She ordered a driver for me. I’d better expect an earful if I don’t succeed.