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"I... uh... that's correct. I couldn't transfer the installment yet because the salary payments in my company have been restructured. I now receive my salary at the end of the month instead of mid-month. I had notified you about this."
"Ah yes..." Suvindher Smith replied reservedly. Through the line, I could hear the clatter of a keyboard. "Indeed, I don't see a salary payment here like in previous months. However, we have no record of any notification. Are you sure you sent the message to us?"
"Of course." Did Suvindher Smith think I was lying to her? I swallowed indignantly. It was probably better if I didn't show my outrage to the clerk at my bank.
"However, that doesn't change the fact that you are now in default on your loan. For this case, it's noted here that we should automatically debit the installments from your checking account again. We tried to do this yesterday. Unfortunately, your account does not have sufficient funds." Suvindher Smith's voice sounded completely neutral as she informed me of these unpleasant facts.
"Yes, I know that," I confirmed. I frantically tried to think of what I could say. I had no money. Sure, my salary payment was still pending. But that would only postpone the problem, not solve it. Since I no longer had a job, I would find myself in the same situation next month as I was in now.
Desperately, my gaze wandered around the hotel room, searching for something to latch onto. It settled on the white artificial flower. But unlike just a few minutes ago, its sight no longer cheered me up. Last night had only been a pleasant interruption of my daily routine. Now reality was catching up with me again. A reality in which I was broke, jobless, and on top of that, heavily in debt.
"I've reviewed your account activity for the past few months. All incoming and outgoing transactions on your checking account." Suvindher Smith still sounded completely neutral. Was I even talking to a human? Or was this one of those robots being tested in call centers around the world, perhaps already in use? An Indian-American robot?
At this thought, I chuckled softly.
Suvindher Smith heard me nonetheless. "I'm glad you find this amusing. We, as your bank, don't find it amusing at all. On the contrary, the situation is very serious!" Suvindher Smith now sounded slightly sharp and a bit offended that I wasn't giving the topic my full attention in her eyes.
But the topic had my full attention.
Day and night.
That was exactly the problem. I had to make a joke occasionally or imagine something funny to take my mind off things and not completely despair. Especially since getting fired yesterday morning.
I cleared my throat. "I'm fully aware of the gravity of the situation."
"Good," Suvindher Smith replied curtly. "You spend money on the usual things each month. Your car, food, clothing, you seem to go out occasionally. Apart from your salary, you have no other income."
The woman had actually scrutinized my life! The thought of how easily my habits could be traced through my account activity sent a chill down my spine. I liked to pay with my card often and had never considered that with each transaction, I was giving private information to my bank.
"I don't see much potential for savings," Suvindher Smith continued, without waiting for my response. "You live extremely modestly."
"Thank you." Now that was a compliment.
"Nevertheless, you have no savings whatsoever. Your account is dry, as we say here in America. If even one unforeseen event occurs, you'll have a big problem. What will you do if your car suddenly breaks down? How do you plan to pay for the repair? Or what happens if you have an accident?"
"Uh..." I said uncomfortably. That was exactly the question I had to answer now. I had had an accident. But I'd better keep that from Suvindher Smith.
"I'd like to discuss these questions with you in person, Ms. Abbott."
At that moment, I especially wished that Suvindher Smith was just a voice robot and not a real employee of theNew York Bank.
"You said your salary would arrive in two weeks and you could pay off all due installments?" Suvindher Smith now sounded neutral again. Businesslike.
"That's right. That's what I said," I replied.
"Then let's make an appointment in two weeks. By then, your account should be balanced again. If that surprisingly isn't the case, we can discuss everything else then, because we would naturally have to initiate the sale of your apartment. As provided for in the loan agreement, we wouldn't need your consent for the sale anymore."
While I was making an appointment with Suvindher Smith, an uncomfortable feeling settled in the pit of my stomach.
Sale.
What was only a remote possibility for Suvindher Smith would become reality all too soon. Since I no longer had a job, I wouldn't be getting any more salary to pay off my loan. Whether I would lose the apartment this month or next was basically irrelevant.
And then what?
Without a secured income and no savings, I wouldn't even be able to find a room to rent.
I'd have to disturb my sister Joanna on her vacation. She would be as helpful as always and wouldn't let me feel that I had failed spectacularly once again.