The next morning followed the same routine as the day before. Mirshad woke early, completing his morning rituals, and by 5:00 AM, he and his colleagues were climbing into the company van once again. Today, however, felt different. Today was the day he would learn what his real role was on the construction site. The air buzzed with a mixture of excitement and nervous energy as they made their way through the city streets.
When the van arrived at the site, Mirshad noticed his boss waiting alongside another man. The boss waved the workers off to their respective areas but motioned for Mirshad to stay behind. Mirshad felt a knot of anticipation tighten in his stomach. This was the moment he'd been waiting for—the moment where he'd finally discover his role in the company.
"Mirshad, come with me," the boss said, gesturing toward the man standing beside him. "This is the site foreman. He'll be showing you around and explaining everything you need to know."
The foreman nodded at Mirshad with a look of authority, but his demeanor wasn't unkind. After exchanging a few words with the foreman, the boss left, leaving Mirshad in the hands of this new guide.
As they began walking through the construction site, the foreman started talking, explaining things in a language unfamiliar to Mirshad. Mirshad followed along, but his puzzled expression quickly gave him away. The foreman, noticing Mirshad's confusion, stopped and asked, "What's the matter? Why are you looking at me like that?"
Mirshad hesitated for a moment before replying honestly, "I don't understand what you're saying. I don't know your language."
The foreman burst out laughing, shaking his head. "Why didn't you say something sooner? You should never keep things like that to yourself. Always speak up if you don't understand."
Mirshad felt a little embarrassed but relieved at the same time. "I know English," he offered, hoping it would make communication easier.
The foreman scratched his head thoughtfully, a grin still lingering on his face. "Alright then, let's try English." He seemed a bit unsure, but Mirshad could tell the man was doing his best to help.
As the foreman began explaining Mirshad's tasks in English, Mirshad was pleasantly surprised. His English study back home was paying off. Despite the foreman's hesitation, Mirshad was able to follow the instructions clearly, even asking a few questions of his own. The foreman quickly realized that Mirshad's grasp of English was solid, much better than he'd expected.
The foreman showed Mirshad around, pointing out different areas of the site, introducing him to workers who would be his teammates. Some spoke broken English, while others knew only their native language, and Mirshad understood that communication might be a challenge moving forward.
After the introductions, the foreman explained, "For now, just focus on helping everyone. Watch, learn, and ask questions. Once you've gotten the hang of things, we'll assign you a specific area to work in, based on how well you do."
Mirshad nodded, taking it all in. He was starting to feel more comfortable, but he knew that the language barrier might still cause some complications. Nonetheless, he was determined to make the best of it.
With the foreman's guidance, Mirshad joined his new team, ready to embrace whatever tasks came his way. He wasn't just starting a job—he was stepping into a new world, full of challenges and opportunities. And while there were many unknowns, one thing was certain: Mirshad was ready to prove himself.