Chapter 28: New Store Assignment

It was in...

The year 1988 September 1: When I've been assigned to Al Fahidi Street, Bur Dubai.

Roger and I went together to the main office in Sharjah for my new assignment. It was ten o'clock in the morning when we rode a taxi cab going to the Deira terminal. A scheduled vehicle, the same as in Al Ain, where we settled for 30 minutes travel from terminal to Dubai-Sharjah road.

We entered the main office, sat down in the lounge, and looked for the Personnel Department's room. I knocked on the door, open the doorknob, and went inside. "Sir, can I talk to Mr. Gamal Abdulrahman, the area manager of Dubai territory?" I asked the information desk.

"How are you Mr. Fernando, how's Al Ain?"

"Fine sir."

"He's there at the end of this room. Okay, go," pointing to his right hand. We went to his table and greeted him.

"Hello, sir good morning!"

"Oh, it's you, Mr. Fernando....how's your travel from Al Ain?" Even it was bad, I lied and said, "Fine sir!" We seated in front of him and I introduced Roger Ferrer, "Sir, this is Mr. Roger Ferrer, the one that I told you on the phone last week."

"I see....Filipini?"

"Yes sir."

"I thought....American...ha-ha-ha-ha...Okay, fill-up this form first, then, be ready for the personal interview," he said to Roger.

Roger finished the usual way of applying for a job; being interviewed, approved, and submitting his original documents. The company wanted Roger to get a letter of transfer to his present employer, passport, and other papers to finalize his new employment. He went back to Al Ain to process his transfer where he talked to Arnold privately and said goodbye.

As for me, I had a new assignment at the Al Fahidi Street branch, Bur Dubai, on the other side of the Dubai Creek in Deira where Ronnie Ramirez worked. I stayed in Ronnie's room but worked in the Al Fahidi branch while tending Arnold Castillano for his recovery.

After a month's time, Ronnie Ramirez was transferred to the Al Riqqa branch where he left his room for me. I helped Joel find a temporary job in the Al Fahidi area and he began to work in the catering business of the Hotel Ambassador in which he stayed in the staff accommodation.

The Al Fahidi branch staff got a new apartment in a building next to the store where I transferred my personal belongings. Nevertheless, I was accustomed to the new flat and all the branch personnel. During my day off, I visited Mike Luna in his residence near Bank Street, first visit for him.

"Hello Pareng Mike, how are you and why you're not visiting me, huh?" I slightly slapped his face and hugged him. "I missed you...see, I'm here in Dubai now?"

"Yes....alive and kicking....and why you're not visiting me?"

"You know quite busy for my job and lots of work to do every day, Pare..."

"How's Ayah Isabel....the children...and your wife, Lina?"

"They're fine....your eldest daughter Anne, grade 2...and Kent, grade 1...they're schooling inside the subdivision which Lina helped them."

"I'm happy to know that my friend!!"

"You know Pare...there's a lot of beautiful ladies here in Dubai."

"Owwww, there you are...Lina's waiting for you, my friend...."

"My duty's from 5 pm to 12 pm...that's why, very hard to roam around the city. But, I'm asking my manager to change my shift, so that I have time in the evening...you know.."

"Pare, next Thursday, my day off...try to be with me....we'll going out."

"Sure, I'll try...You want to eat?"

"Yes, what you have there?"

"Kabsah with a green salad and canned coca-cola, your favorite friend."

"Okay, but remember, next Thursday our night out...I'll call you Wednesday afternoon, in your job?"

"Yes, just ask my name Mickey...not Mike."

"Owwww, why did you changed your name......are you a celebrity?"

"Yes, my friend...I'm here in Dubai...and I'm a celebrity now!"

"Let's eat now."

I left Mike's residence, went to St. Mary's Church to attend Sunday's Mass, and visited Ronnie in the store at Al Riqqa Street. He offered a free snack for me, but I preferred to drink brewed coffee and a double cheeseburger. I ate hastily while observing him I stayed for almost an hour.

I walked along Al Riqqa Street where I intended to visit Vivian Montoya's flat. I telephoned her first if she was inside the room.

"Hello, can I talk to Vivian?"

"Sorry, she's working right now, who's this please?" Asked the voice at the other end.

"Marco, please tell her I called up and I'm here now in Dubai."

"Okay Marco, I'll tell her."

"Thank you, bye."

I walked along Al Riqqa Street going to Al Guhrair Mall, I crossed the road towards the Public Plaza, then to Al Maktoum Street. I spotted the Aquarius International Manpower Agency office. I entered and asked about Ryan Mallari. The front office staff answered me that he was not around. I thanked her, went outside, and continue walking going to the Deira side near the creek. I waited for my turn to ride in a wooden-motored dhow going to Bur Dubai side. I went home feeling alone in my room and switch on my Betamax player to watch the movie "Dr. Shivago." After watching the old movie, I took a warm bath, washed my clothes, ate fresh fruits, and listen to my favorite music collections.

I called up Vivian Montoya for a possible night out with her. She responded positively and suggested Riviera Hotel near the creek as our meeting place. I dressed up instantly, rode a taxi cab, and went inside the hotel.

I looked around for signage of the Filipino bar on the second floor, and I went instantly upstairs. A Filipina server greeted me and finds a table for me.

"Hi, good evening, please find a table for two near the stage."

"Okay sir, come, over there."

"Thank you."

"I'm waiting for someone, but for now just give me a mug of Heineken draught beer. By the way, what's the occasion tonight?"

"Sir, it's Filipino night, there's a lot of Bayanihan show here tonight. You know sir, after an hour, more Filipinos are coming....that's why you've free appetizers, you like it then?"

"I see, what's your name please?"

"Maribel Tan sir from Ilocos, the hot and spicy people like me!"

"Nice to meet you, Maribel."

After half an hour of waiting, Vivian showed up at my table.

"Hi, Marco, nice to see you again....how's Al Ain?"

"Good....great...Vivian."

"How are you when I'm away....and where are you working?"

"I'm working in a hotel's catering service, so every time there were celebrations, weddings, parties or meetings, we're hired by the manager temporarily and we got our salary at once. It's better that way, for my security, but I'm alert always to the authorities. Like this place, they're everywhere but aware of it."

"Alright...good, you have more knowledge about your situation. I went to your house in Libertad Street and I talked to your father. He said regards to you....and your children too."

"Nice, I'm happy to hear that they're all fine. Thank you Marco."

"Okay, what's your drink, I'll call Maribel." Maribel got Vivian's order and served it.

"You want something to eat....they're serving Filipino foods tonight?"

"Yes, bulalo and beef afritada...and you?"

"Me? – no, I have to drink first."

I ordered another mug of draught beer and drank halfway. The stage shoe was full of colorful lights dancing to the tune of the music. The artists wore Filipiniana costumes dancing like the Bayanihan Troupe of the Philippines. Truly Filipino!

XXX