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I was turning one year in my work in the TQM Department when I and another staff were called by the Head office for what we thought was a simple meeting regarding a special project. Little did I know that the routine of my days was about to be disrupted by an unexpected summons from the Head Office.
My colleague and I hurried through the corridors, our footsteps echoing against the polished floors. The secretary greeted us with a puzzled expression, unaware of the agenda that awaited us. "Maghintay lang po tayo ng kaunti," she said, her voice a gentle lull amidst the anticipation that hung in the air.
A man emerged from the office, his presence commanding our attention. "Isa muna po," he uttered, and we exchanged bewildered glances, unsure of the reason behind this peculiar request. It was then that the truth unraveled before us – this was no ordinary meeting, but a job interview in disguise.
Clad in a simple t-shirt and jeans, I found myself ushered into the presence of a tall, long-haired man, his gaze fixed upon the glowing screen of his iPad. With a tentative knock, I announced my arrival, and he beckoned me closer, his chair a throne of authority.
The questions flowed like a gentle stream, probing my familiarity with marketing research, my interests, and my age. It was a dance of words, each step revealing a little more about the intricate web of opportunities that lay before me.
As the conversation unfolded, I learned that this man, this titan of the banking world, had once walked the same hallowed halls as I, a connection that he promised could pave the way for my future. Yet, I deferred, insisting on earning my place through the proper channels.
The offer was enticing – a promotion to product manager, a chance to reshape the very fabric of the organization. But with it came demands, a price to be paid in the currency of my time and energy.
I negotiated boldly, securing concessions that would allow me to pursue my academic dreams, maintain a semblance of balance in my life, and retain the freedom to spread my wings whenever I desired. To my surprise, they acquiesced, and I found myself ensnared in a chrysalis of their making.
The months that followed were a whirlwind, a relentless onslaught of expectations and demands. My boss molded me, sculpting me into the image of a seasoned veteran, oblivious to the fact that I was but a novice in this world of banking. The weight of it all bore down upon me, manifesting in physical ailments that could no longer be ignored.
Reluctantly, I severed the ties that bound me, heeding the advice of my doctor and embracing a path that promised a gentler existence. Though the financial rewards may have diminished, I found solace in the knowledge that I was once again the master of my own destiny, free to unfurl my wings and take flight.
