Window #25

When your lifelong dream is in the hands of one individual, you do everything possible to make him decide in your favor. Or at the very least, impress him so he would be on your side.

I can only count with one hand the times that I willingly entrusted my future to someone. One was when I went through the rigid selection process of the agency that I wanted to be part of. Fortunately, I have been in the same agency for 17 years. The other one was when I accepted a marriage proposal that finally sealed my singlehood into oblivion.

But nothing prepares you for an embassy interview. I have this notion that consular officers base their decision primarily on one's appearance, financial stability and supporting documents. However, all that changed when I had come face to face with the man who would decide the future of my travel life in the next years.

Dan and I arrived early for our 8:30 AM appointment. We were allowed entry at 8 AM. (This was the same day when a bomb was found near the embassy). The X-ray machine detected that I had a headset and a Hershey's chocolate pack. I was told that I had to get rid of them otherwise, I won't be allowed inside the embassy. I had no other choice but to throw them in the trash bin. My headset is something I could not let go of because I always bring it with me anywhere I go to keep me company when the long travels get too boring. I can replace it with something new but you know how we become so attached to objects that we have had for years. Against my will, I let it go along with the pack of chocolates that had not been opened yet.

Inside the hall, there were 3 steps that every applicant needs to hurdle. The first is the pre-interview screening wherein an applicant's passport is scanned for verification. The next step is the fingerprint scanning. The first two steps were a breeze. It's the third step that makes even the bravest applicant a coward -- the interview.

The queue for the interview window gave me enough time to calm my nerves and prepare for the task ahead. Dan and I killed time by observing applicants. We were quizzing each other on who among the people in the line would jump for joy or get their passport back. The applicants were from all walks of life. There were students in their school uniforms, young professionals in their business attire, couples with young children, middle-aged employees with bulky envelopes in tow, senior citizens with designer bags, and a few, like Dan and I, who dressed very casually. (Read: a pair of jeans and a decent top).

When we reached the end of the line, a Filipino embassy employee said that we should proceed to window #25. So we did. We had to wait some more because there was a man who was probably in his 60s being interviewed by a young male  Caucasian consular officer (a deadringer for Gerald Anderson). The consul spent sometime asking the man about the purpose of his trip. Until it was found in his records that he was once deported for overstaying in the States. The consul made the decision to deny the man's visa application. An argument ensued between the consul and the old man. The latter was protesting against the consul's decision. The man behind the window seemed infuriated but he kept his composure and said to the man, "Do you want me to call the security so they could escort you out of the building?" That's when the applicant stepped aside and left the hall.

I was thinking, "Jeez, we're screwed."  The consul is in a bad mood following the argument he had with the applicant prior to us. When I heard him say "Next," I breathed deeply and just let go of my fears. As we came close to the window, he flashed a smile and greeted us a "Good morning." We returned the favor. God knows, my heart was pounding out of my chest.

This was how the interview went.

CONSUL: What is the purpose of your trip?
DAN: Just for a short vacation, Sir.
C: How are you two related?
SHARON: We're a couple, Sir.
C: How long will you be staying?
D: Just a month.
C: Do you have friends, family members or relatives in the US?
S: We have relatives, Sir.
C: (Looking at the computer screen) Alright, let me start first with Danilon. Can you tell me the nature of your job?
D: I am a professional medical representative for *** Philippines. I do .... (I can't recall what Dan said, it was too technical)
C: So is this pharmaceuticals or medical equipment?
D: Pharmaceuticals, Sir.
C: Commission-based?
D: Yes, Sir.
C: How much do you earn in a month? Gross.
D: It's ***, Sir.
C: (typing away in his computer) Alright, what about you Miss Pineda, what do you do?
S: I have been working as a college instructor at Tarlac Agricultural University for 17 years, Sir.
C: (typing away) You say, you've been working for 17 years. (Looks surprised) How old are you?
S: I'm 37, Sir.
C: (Sipping his Starbucks coffee) Wow, you look young. (Ito talaga ang nagdala e, haha!) So you started to teach at 20?
S: (flashing a wide grin) That's right, Sir.
C: What do you teach?
S: English and Literature.
C: How many students do you have in your class?
S: An average of 50 students, Sir.
C: Is that like an auditorium?
S: No Sir, it's a usual classroom.
C: That's a lot. (Looking at the computer screen) Okay, what is your itinerary?
S: New York, New Jersey and neighboring states.
C: How long were you dating before you got married?
D: Two years.
C: When is your wedding anniversary?
D&S: (answering at the same time) December 28, 2012 (my answer). December 12, 2012 (Dan's answer).
C: (chuckles) Hmm, so which is which?
S: (ako na sumagot baka magkamali pa) It's December 28, 2012, Sir. (I swear, I nearly punched Dan. Pero syempre di ko gagawin. Pa-effect lang.)
D: Exactly a month from now.
C: Have you traveled before?
D&S: Yes, Sir.
C: Where was your most recent travel?
S: In the Philippines, Sir, or abroad? (Parang high tide or low tide lang ni Charlene Gonzales sa Miss Universe)
C: Anywhere. Alright, in the Philippines?
S: (nag-isip pa) Davao, Sir. (I just realized na mali after I gave the answer. Davao was in May, Boracay was in September.)
C: Abroad?
S: In Cambodia, Sir.
C: (looking at the computer screen) Alright, your visa is approved. You will receive your passport next week.
D&S: (pinipigil ang tuwa) Thank you so much, Sir!

That was probably the longest 3 minutes of my life. On our way to the exit, it still did not sink in. Did it really happen? Is this for real? Then all of a sudden, I heard in my head the first line of Frank Sinatra's New York New York, "Start spreading the news..."

Indeed, everything happens in God's chosen time. This one is a surprise we never saw coming.

NOTE: At the gate, I suddenly remembered my old headset in the trash bin. I asked Dan to scour through the pile of trash. He found it! We walked away from the embassy with my headset intact and more importantly, with hearts brimming with joy and gratitude. It must have been our lucky day.