Another nice day begins my friends and as you know or well most of you who follow me know, some days of the week I usually bring you some new story for the blog and to share with all the players of Rising Star and the coolest community of hive Buskeria. Well today is the case, I bring you a new story. I have dedicated it to the letter 41 Jerome. This is a very nice card that I have chosen partly for its art and for its phrase. I hope you like the story. So without further ado, I leave you with the story.
Image created by me in canva
Friends know Jerome had been at the same job for almost twenty years, 19 and a half years to be more specific. He had practically spent more time at work than with his family and friends. But you know he did and does it because he loves it and it's a passion more than a job. In those almost 20 years he has been behind the wheel of a bus. You see he is a bus driver and it is something he loves, he enjoys traveling and covering the same routes from the capital to the provinces, over and over again. It is his job to carry passengers. He has done it so many times over the years that every curve, steep climb, even the little bumps in the road are familiar to him. As the saying goes, “he could travel those roads with his eyes closed”.
You know, until recently, for Jerome, all this routine that he had been doing since he was very young, was rewarding. Especially because he had followed the example and legacy of his father Matildo. Matildo worked all his life as a driver and supported his family that way. He never changed jobs because he loved driving. So Jerome was born in this environment and as it is normal he decided to follow his father's example, to be a bus driver himself. As soon as he came of age he got his driver's license and started working as a driver. Up to this point everything had been going great because he was a good driver and always traveled correctly and safely. That is why many passengers preferred him as their driver.
But like everything in life, not everything is as rosy as people imagine it to be. The truth is that after so many years Jerome felt a bit bored of the same old thing. Life as a driver tends to be rather monotonous and very routine. The trips are often long, in some cases more than 18 hours and in that time there was only one thing that helped him to endure so many hours and reminded him why he liked that job, that is to say for the tranquility and relaxation that he feels on the road. Well, one thing that helps him to endure the routine is music, specifically that of his favorite band, the one called “Ondulados”. You know that rock band had been his escape since he could remember.
I tell you this because in his youth, his songs had accompanied him in good times as well as in the most difficult ones. Now, in his adult life, they were still his escape from the daily routine, because this band had a good vibe and energy that transmits relaxation, although this seems contradictory in rock. Jerome often uses his songs inside the bus cab. His regulars already know what songs he is going to play and in what order he plays them. So many times everyone on the bus is singing along loudly to his songs. In fact, even when he was singing loudly inside the bus, it was like a school bus as if everyone was going on a field trip. It was a very nice experience and one that Jerome enjoyed very much.
In fact, he was such a fan of the band that he was aware of all the announcements and news about them. One thing was clear, he would never get to meet them or at least it was very difficult for him, especially because they lived in another state that his route as a driver did not cover. But something inside him always clung to that childish dream of being close to them, even if it was just once. You know, as if they were his idols. In fact he had been following them since he was very young, the walls of his room in his apartment were decorated with old posters of the band, and on his phone he had a folder full of articles, interviews and photos of “Ondulados” in concerts. You could say he was their number one fan, although other fans also said the same, you know the typical.
But you know one afternoon, after a long trip in the rain, he arrived home, quite exhausted to be honest. As he always does he plopped down in his worn leather armchair, the only piece of furniture he really valued in his house, or at least the one he liked the most. Next he turned on the computer to check the latest news to see if there was anything new from the band. Then, he saw something that left him paralyzed, as he saw an ad that read “Ondulados is looking for a new driver for their tour.” As you can imagine that stumped Jerome. He immediately asked himself 2 questions that would change everything later on. Could it be true? Did the band he loved so much really need someone like him? The truth is yes and it was very true, you will see what happens next and how this comes true.
However, not everything was as fast as you might imagine. The doubt came quickly in his mind. Well, the thing is not so simple. First he began to demean himself and to make himself inferior, saying to himself, “Who was he to aspire to something so great? After all, he was just another driver, someone who had spent half his life in a rickety bus. He also didn't think he was talented enough, so at one point he hesitated to do anything. The truth is that he spent days thinking about the idea, especially imagining what it would be like to take “Ondulados” from concert to concert, to be part of the team he admired and admires.
Even with all that desire, he was still afraid of rejection and that, as you can imagine, prevented him from taking the first step. In fact he convinced himself that it was a ridiculous idea, that they would never accept him. But in the end, he decided to send an application by email. It was not at all easy to do it, because in addition to his doubts he was risking losing his job if they found out that he wanted to move to work with another group. But at that moment he decided not to give the matter a second thought. After that, weeks went by without any news. He tried to convince himself that it had been nothing more than an absurd fantasy, perhaps it was something that would never happen. But well, as life would have it, a few days ago he received a reply.
It was a brief letter from the band team, inviting him for an interview, or more like an audition to see him. You know Jerome couldn't believe it. It felt like he was dreaming, it's something you can't describe so easily. Only he can say it. Time passed quickly and the day of the interview came. On that day he arrived at the right place, it was a small recording studio on the outskirts of the city. He knocked on the door and was greeted by one of the band's logistic managers, he was and is a serious guy, his name is Matias. Then when he entered he realized that there were many more drivers waiting to be chosen also to be the new drivers of the band. So he felt a bit discouraged, as he thought his chances would be minimal. When it was his turn to be interviewed he tried to keep his composure as he was asked questions about his experience and driving skills. He did not mention his fanaticism, he tried to appear professional, which in fact he was, but his nervousness made it difficult to show it.
At the end of the interview, he was told to wait for an answer. He left the studio feeling partly relieved and partly frustrated that he hadn't given it his all. In truth, that's something that happens to all of us. Then the next few days went on forever, or at least they seemed to. That's why in one of those days, already desperate, he decided to make a decision that could be considered impulsive, but well as he said, “he who does not risk does not win”, that's why now he would go to the band's concerts and try to talk to someone of the team in person. So to speak he became a kind of concert hunter, and for that he had to adjust his work routes to coincide with the tour dates of “Ondulados” it was something difficult, but for him it was worth it.
On a night like any other after a long day his bus broke down on a road that was deserted. The nearest town was miles away. So because of the breakdown he got off to check the machine, and was cursing his luck. But friends he didn't know that it was actually good luck for him. Because that's when he saw some lights approaching in the distance. To his surprise, it was the “Ondulados” bus. He could hardly believe it. The driver of the band who was about to leave saw his bus on the side of the road smoking, that's why he told the others in the band about what he had seen. They told him to stop to help the driver. Then one of the team members got out to help him, together they repaired the bus and then had a brief conversation.
You know at that moment Jerome took advantage of the situation he was looking for and somewhere he found the courage to mention that he had sent in an application to be their driver. Then they told him they apologized because they had been so busy lately that they hadn't had time to review all the applications. But as compensation they told him to tell them his name for consideration. After that everyone went on their way. A few days later they called him to take a practical test to show them if he could drive. The results of the test were not perfect like the other members but well, at least he had tried to do his best. That's why the band leader, who had been watching, saw something in him that other candidates didn't have, passion for what they did. To everyone's surprise and his own, he was offered the job. You can imagine how Jerome felt, now he had gotten what he had wanted so much.
After that the next few months were exciting. Life on the road with “Ondulados” was very fun and above all gratifying, because now he had his jobs and duties united, being a driver and being part of the Ondulados band. He was now a complete man.
Dear friends, this has been my story for today. I will be reading you in the comments to know your opinions. As I always say, I would love to hear your recommendations or suggestions for future stories. See you next time.
Translated with DeepL.com
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