mere figments and parallel realities
Six months ago
“Diwa, will you be a dear and help me out with these?” He ran his hands across his unbuttoned trousers and hovering just above its zipper. He was sitting on his chair by his desk, legs spread open.
She walked towards her employer while keeping her head down.
“Look at me.”
First year students shuffled relentlessly in front of him as he took a drag from his half-done cigarette. He glanced at his wristwatch. It was fifteen minutes before 7 o’clock. Most students would be rushing already to their respected classrooms. But not him. Fifteen minutes is still too early for a senior student like him, and a graduating one at that. He will not be one of these freshmen being early and waiting for their professors inside the classrooms.
Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. – Gen 2:22
She was running as fast as she could. She looked over her shoulder to see it, but there was nothing. But her ears did not deceive her. Distant but heavy footsteps could be heard amidst the electric frenzy of neon lights of the Tanghalan district. Her bare feet were burning up already as they ached with every land against the gritty pavement.
A cluster of black in the midst of greenery. The wind whispered softly into the air while the leaves of nearby trees swayed in response to it. Your ears caught murmurs of her name as you approach the congregation.
This was about a childhood friend who I had a little crush later on when we were young. Our mothers both worked for the same company, and we were from the same town too. Whenever there was a town fiesta we would all gather at their house and enjoy the food and company. The adults would mingle and drink, while the kids would play upstairs in his room.
There were moments when you thought that you can easily rule over the world. You felt like you can take on anything, anytime, anywhere. You felt so invincible because you know where you stand. You know how you got there in the first place, and you know the things that you had to go through to get there.
Half-asleep. Half-awake.
It was a bit chilly, but it was a good change from the tropical heat. She sat up, allowed her surroundings to adjust its focus and exposure while her body temperature tried to find a middle ground from sleeping like a log to warm-blooded human being. Her head panned from left to right, then settled for the familiar back of the person who just sat up as well on the other bed.