Today was tiring.
It started of as a light day. A few people coming and going,
then BAM! By 10:00 am, all the seats were occupied and the line just never
ended. I had an encounter with an old Spanish lady who wanted to renew her
I-card. She was 83 years old and married to a Filipino during the 1960s. the
only problem was, she needed so many documents which made it troublesome for
both parties to provide since she applied for her permanent visas even before
my parents even met each other. Haha
The point is—she was a special case. I ended up being a
liaison officer for the day, walking around the whole building, trying to get
some answers, because let’s face it, if that 83 year old woman did what I did,
we’d have a lawsuit by the end of the day.
I’m sure you’re wondering why there’s a French man and
pregnant woman involved. Well, let me tell you now. Since my day consisted of
basically trying to solve this Spanish woman’s case, the Frenchman started my
day well and the pregnant lady, well, shall I say ended my day feeling a little
bit queasy.
The Frenchman arrived at 8:00 am to implement his 13(a)
visa. He’s married to a Filipina with a kid. He was quite charming and dashing
in a campy-styled kind of way (Although his accent was really out of this
world). With him seemed like his older brother or friend who got his I-card.
Both handsome. Both were staring at me. and so I did what I had to do, I STARED
BACK. Hahaha Mr. married Frenchman was a good friend and became his friend’s
wingman and asked for my number, I ended up asking for theirs so that I don’t
have to give mine. So now, I have his number and I don’t know what to do with
it. end of story.
As my day started off like it was going to be an easy breezy
day, there came the Spanish lady. So by the time I got back to my window, which
was at around 2:00 pm, I was exhausted from all the walking and the undecided
departments. It was somehow frustrating.
Anyway, by 4:00 pm, I noticed that the couple in front of my
window was a little bit irritated. And then I noticed that the Filipina wife
was pregnant and seemed like her baby was kicking TOO much. She was in pain.
After a minute later, they found out that ARD could not find the Americans
application for his I-card (not our fault, we never lost a file), she got so
upset that it looked like she was going to give birth right then and there. It
was intense. I ended up leaving my window and provided the wife with some
water. It was a good thing that the American was calm and kind. He didn’t get
mad. This is how our conversation went:
Me: ma’am, are you okay? (wife was already crying)
Wife: NO! its their fault. They should’ve had it. (caressing
her stomach to soothe her)
Husband: honey, calm down (caressing her legs to soothe her)
Me: ma’am, please calm down. We do not want you to stress
out. Would you like some water?
Wife: its not funny dad! We’ve been waiting for so long and
they just lost it? my back hurts and im stressed out!
Husband: calm down honey. I know. Im not laughing. It happens.
They lost my application and there’s nothing we can do about it.
Wife: (looking directly at me, drank my water) hindi kasi
dapat ako ma-stress. 8 months na kasi toh, dapat bed rest lang ako. Baka makunan
ako kaya nagwoworry lang ako. Pagod na pagod na ako. Taga cavite pa kami.
Me: sir, what did they tell you at the window? You should
just go home and call first before you go back here. And please don’t bring her
anymore.
Husband: I know. She promised she’d call me once everything
is settled. (looking at his wife) when I come back, you don’t have to go with
me. I can ask somebody else.
** did I mention that the husband is disabled? SHET.
The moment was intense. My stomach hurt. I couldn’t live
knowing that the immigration was the reason why she might get a miscarriage.
But tomorrow is a new day.
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