"Good morning ma'am, please collect your badge, the stationary kit, and walk towards the auditorium. The inauguration will begin in an our for this academic year," the receptionist informed Naila.
"Good morning, hey thanks. But I am here to join. I am new teacher here. I would like to meet with the HR," Naila told the receptionist.
"Oh, okay. Come with me, HR Sharon will help you with procedures," the receptionist took Naila to a cabin behind the reception. "Sharon ma'am, new joinee is here," receptionist knocked the door, informed and left, asking Naila to enter the room.
Sharon has short hair and dark eyes. She was wearing a navy suit, sitting, reading through a document in her hand.
"You must be Naila," Sharon said immediately.
"Yes Sharon. Good morning," Naila greeted her.
"Good morning dear. Sit. Let's finish the procedures," Sharon reached for a file and handed it to Naila. "Read through it, just check the documents you shared, and sign it, on the last page," Sharon instructed. The file had the copy of all her educational documents, work experience proof, and personal certificates related to health and identity cards.
"It's perfect," Naila said as she signed the paper.
"Good," Sharon smiled. "We are done then for today." Naila was surprised. "Like I said, we will provide accommodation till you find one. We have arranged a room for you in the hostel. The receptionist will take you around later. We will not be providing travel provision and allowance till you move out of the campus. Please remember. Also, the accommodation will be provided based on marital status, the discipline all matters as older kids from grade 12 and 11 will be staying in the same building."
"Noted. Don't worry," Naila shrugged.
"You may go to the auditorium to attend the training. Please don't forget to get your kits. It's important. These sessions are interactive. You will have activities." Receptionist warned Naila.
"Noted, thank you again," Naila hurried to the auditorium. There were people on the stage already, prepared for speech.
She found an empty seat and managed to sit. She kept her backpack on her lap and settled down. She lept her phone on silent mode and watched the people give long speeches. It went on for an hour.
"Are you new?" Someone from the front asked. Turning towards her.
"Yes," Naila replied. The lady looked like she is in her late twenties.
"I joined last year. This is my second year. I'm Sony," she introduced herself. The has short curly hair and chubby rosy cheek. Naila smiled and introduced herself.
"Naila," Naila keot her voice down.
"Let's go together for the coffee break," Sony said and turned around. Naila nodded and continued listening to the speech.
The principal, the director, the finance head, the coordinators, everyone finished speaking. They started introducing the new teachers for the new academic year.
Naila walked up to the stage and introduced herself.
"Good morning everyone. I'm Naila. I moved here just two days back. I'm going to be the home teacher here for lower primary. I have a corporate background and worked as a trainer before in a company. I look forward to great times here with you all," Naila them moved aside and waited to get off the stage.
Time passed quickly and as planned, she stepped out with Sony for coffee, walking towards the cafeteria. "I'm a homeroom teacher too. We will be working together I guess," Sony said.
"That's great! I was about to ask you which grade you teach," Naila said.
"Where are you from?" Sony asked suddenly.
"Victoria city," Naila replied.
"Oh, nice! I thought you might be coming from another rural village," she said, looking at Naila from head to toe, assessing her grey and white plaid skirt and white top. Naila smirked. Something about Sony did not feel right from the way she stood judging.
"You?" Naila asked Sony back.
"I'm from around here," Sony said. "Little further from the town. The farmer's village. You might not have heard it," Sony filled another cup of coffee from the machine. "Tha cafeteria serves food and snack only during the school days. So we will have to bring our own food for this month, during the training," Sony informed Naila.
"Oh, so is it free food for everyone?" Naila asked.
"Not at all. Everyone has to pay. I mean the staff," she replied quickly. That killed the mood.
Naila and Sony walked back to the auditorium and the training sessions began. They were provided with charts and papers and round tables were arranged to sit around as teams.
Sony took Naila to the lower primary section's table. "This is our new teacher everyone, meet Naila."
"Hello," Naila.
"Welcome to the team my dear," a lady in her 30s welcomed Naila.
Everybody sat chatting for some time before they left the campus. Naila walked into the HR office again to enquire about the hostel facility.
"You came at the right time," Sharon said. "I was about to call you. Why don't you move in tomorrow morning and then join the training around 11. You don't have to start by 9 itself..I will inform your coordinator. You may collect the room key today. Go to the reception and ask for it," Sharon completed.
"That's great! My check out is for tomorrow too. Perfect. Thank you Sharon," Naila said.
"See you around Naila," Sharon said and left the office.
Naila felt relieved. She walked to the reception to collect the room's key.
That night, Naila sat staring outside the window again. She packed whatever she took out during the hotel stay and remained quietly in the room. She did not want to step out for dinner so she got the cu noodles while returning back from school.
Naila looked at the moon. It was just a cresent. She took a deep breath and exhaled. She tried to correct her breathing, bring down her anxiety. Breathing exercises has been helping her bring her anxiety. She then finished her dinner and drfited off to sleep quickly.