"I can't keep up with this lifestyle, Tara; we had to find a solution to our joblessness. Our mates are out there making it big, and here we are with nothing to show for our hard work," Timothy lamented to Tara.
Timothy and Tara are twins, born of the same parents, not so identical, and also of different genders, yet they do things in common, help each other through difficult tasks, and are always available for each other. The twins share a strong bond that even surprises their parents; they attended the same school from elementary to university level, and they both graduated the same year. They both studied mechanical engineering.
"Relax, younger brother, when the time is right, we will forget all these hard times and rejoice in the present, which will be our identity then," Tara replied to her twin brother.
"Who is your younger brother? Don't start, woman. If not, I will punch your face. Imagine, I can't send money to Mother and Father; I know by now they expect us to be sending some allowances to them for upkeep, but look at us. Yours might not bother them because you are a lady, but I'm a man; it hurts my ego," Timothy further said.
"I'm your elder sister, young man; I remembered Mom saying I am your elder since I came out last. Anyways, don't stress it, Tim; things will fall in place soon, okay?" Tara said to Timothy.
"If not for rumor, how can you come out last and be the elderly? As the first, I should be the elder one because my time of delivery was earlier than yours. Anyway, that's fine; I just dropped by to check on you; I want to be on my way to my residence," Timothy said as he stood up to leave.
After they graduated from higher institutions, both of them separated and started living in different communities but in the same state, while their parents lived in another state, far away from them. It's been three years since they graduated from university, and they are still in quest to search for a sustainable source of income.
"Hello, younger brother, what's up with you? Any news yet? I'm trying from my end here too to sort out some things, and recently I took up a cleaning job, which I will be managing for the time being," Tara said to Timothy over the phone one afternoon when she called to check up on him.
"No news, big sis," Timothy replied jokingly. Hosting here to get somewhere I can manage too, till I get a better offer, but any chance I get now, I'm going to do whatever it takes to keep it," Timothy further said.
"Just let's wait for the right time; I know things will fall into place soon, and we will laugh last," Tara reassured Timothy.
"I just have to be who I want to be, and that too as fast as possible because I can't wait forever before I start making money and being the man I picture myself to be. It's taking longer than expected. Anyway, take care of yourself; I will speak to you later," Timothy said to Tara as he hung up.
After some months, Tara put a call through to Timothy, telling him about the new job opportunity she discovered and that she would want them both to try their luck by submitting their curriculum vitae.
"My baby bro, guess what?" Tara asked Timothy eagerly.
"Cashless, big sis, you better talk; I can't guess; you know I'm not good at that," Timothy replied.
"You've spoilt my mood; anyway, there is good news for you. I got a report that a big commercial industry needed a mechanical engineer to handle some of their heavy-duty machines, and I would like us to go there on Monday to submit our documents; who knows, luck might be on our side," Tara explained to Timothy.
"Seriously, wow, that's cool; what time should we go on Monday?" Timothy excitedly asked his sister.
"See who is a happy, unserious brother; we should be there by 8 am; I will wait for you at the junction to the company. Don't keep me waiting; I will text the address to you later," Tara said.
"Okay, sis, see you on Monday; it's good news indeed. Thank you, kiddo. Bye," Timothy responded as he hung up.
"See this young man calling me kiddo? It's fine, naughty man," Tara said to herself with a smile.
Monday morning, the twins met where they'd agreed on and walked to the company. On arrival, they were attended to by the secretary, who collected their documents and promised to get back to them. As they stepped out, Timothy paused and told Tara he had to check something on his documents to be sure. While Tara was waiting for Timothy outside, Timothy went back inside to give the secretary a sum of #2,000 as a gift and collected her mobile number.
"I'm back. Let's go; sorry for keeping you waiting; I just have to be sure," Timothy said with a smile.
"What will I do with you? You are just too careless with things. I should have cross-checked before you dropped it," Tara said to her brother with a grin as they departed.
Timothy started speaking with the secretary on the phone as they became friends and used the opportunity to ask her to speak in his favor to the bosses so that he could call for the interview.
"Your CV is impressive; my boss was impressed by it; it seems you and the lady are related because you have the same last name. Hers is good too; in fact, it is amazing that a lady could be so good in a man's field," the secretary said to Timothy over the phone in one of their conversations.
"Yeah, you are right; she is my twin sister, but don't be so sure of what you see in her documents. She has her way of making things favor her," Timothy replied to the secretary.
"What did you mean by that? Does that mean she didn't merit what she has on her CV?" the secretary asked Timothy.
"My sister is cunning; she cheated in most of the examinations during our school days; she just got lucky not to be caught," Timothy said to the secretary.
After some other personal conversation, they ended the call. The following week, the twins were called for an interview, and they both did well, but due to the things Timothy had said to the secretary about her sister, which the secretary had related to the board of directors, which are to decide between hiring them, the interview was in favor of Timothy, but a question was thrown to the twin about who should be employed.
"I would like it if you employed my brother; he is hardworking and ambitious; you won't have problems working with him," Tara replied.
"I should be employed, sir; I would be able to take good care of the machines more than a lady would, and aside from that, I am more knowledgeable than my sister about these things. She can't perform as well as I would; she doesn't have what it takes to do that," Timothy replied sharply.
Tara was surprised to hear her brother speak about her in such a manner, but she couldn't confront him at that instant. After the interview, Timothy was offered the job, and Tara was left disappointed at all the things said by her twin just to get a job.
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