Alter: Glitch

1

Habol-habol ko ang hininga ko nang minulat ko ang mga mata ko. Hindi kaagad naproseso ng utak ko ang mga nangyari, nang magising ako ay ilang segundo muna 'kong napatitig sa kisame. Dahan-dahan, bumalik sa normal ang paghinga ko.

As soon as I opened my eyes, I have this unsettling feeling. . . but just like most of my dreams, I can't remember what my dreams was. Ang alam ko lang, hindi 'yon maganda.

Hindi ko pa nakikita ang sikat ng araw mula sa bintana, hindi pa gano'n kaumaga. I glanced at my lamp table to see the time. It's still 4 am, but it feels like I've slept for a long time.

Uminat-inat ako bago bumangon. Dere-deretso akong pumunta sa banyo para maghilamos. Bumungad sa akin ang sarili ko sa salamin. My hair is a mess. Mapupungay ang kulay itim kong mga mata dahil bagong gising, pero kung titignan mabuti, hindi ito purong itim kung hindi kulay tsokolate. My pointed nose that receives most of the compliments, my strawberry like lips, and noticeable jawline.

This is what the people around me sees. . . and I don't really understand where their hypes and compliments comes from.

Binuksan ko ang gripo para makapaghilamos, lumapat sa kamay ko ang malamig na tubig dahilan ng pag-iwas ko rito.

Napaismid ako, masyadong malamig ang tubig. Hindi ako sanay sa malamig. I decided to turn the warmer on as I shower. I want a warm water.

After showering, I fixed myself. I'm going to a job interview later, so I chose to wear my formal attire. Kung hindi ako papalaring matanggap, mag-j-job hunting ako.

Sana ito na ang kumpanyang hinahanap ko, sana hindi sila katulad ng iba.

"You're up early, Ion," bungad sa akin ni Drea nang makalabas ako ng kwarto ko. "I haven't made breakfast yet."

I nodded in response, telling her it's okay. It's a natural reply for me, I rarely talk. I just nod to acknowledge them.

This is not a new thing. It was hard for me to open up nor show emotions, which is the reason why I was an outcast during my college days. 

I was too focused on my own world, with my gadgets and coding. My block mates will only notice me during the times that I raise my hand during recitations. No'ng nagsimula lang akong manalo sa mga contests ay roon ako napansin ng iilan kong ka-batch.

Drea is one of those. Kasama ko siya at ang kapatid niyang si Chase sa bahay. Pinaghati-hatian namin ang renta.

We have our own rooms. Hati sila sa banyo, at may sarili ako sa kwarto. This apartment is big enough for the three of us, if not, too big. 

We have our own schedule in doing chores, such as laundry. Sa akin ang lunes at biyernes, sa magkapatid ay sa weekends. 

Malapit na ang bayaran ng renta. Which is why I need to find a job soon, para may pambayad ako.

"I guess I'll just save some for you," she said.

I saw her smile at me at the corner of my eye. Pasimple siyang nag-thumbs up, as if cheering me. I bet she knows where I'm going, seeing how I'm dressed.

I saw her despite that she's almost behind me. I really have a wide vision span.

I just bowed at her as a way of saying good bye before leaving the house. Binulsa ko ang susi ng bahay at inayos ang pagkakasuot ko ng backpack.

Pumara lang ako ng tricycle paalis. I watched the street as we move, minutes later, the street became chairs, the shops became tables, the ordinary citizens became interviewers.

The seat that I'm sitting on is not on the tricycle anymore, but inside of a room. Nakaupo ako nang tuwid, nakatingin sa mga taong nasa harap ko.

"Good morning," bati ko. 

A woman in a suit glanced at me. "Good morning, Mr. Rezion Allard." Her voice echoed the empty room.

I look at them as they read my resume, reviewing it.

"So you're a freshman graduate, right?" the man in front of me said.

I nodded. "I graduated last June 13 with the degree of Bachelor of Science in Information Technology. Attached to the resume is the recommendation of my previous professors in my university. The next page is the assessment from the company that I worked at during my OJT."

I answered without stuttering. I talked too much, I think.

"Well. . ." The woman intentionally paused. "We have a good offer to give you."

As soon as I heard what she said, I know where this is going. 

"We can-"

"We'll go straight to the point," pagputol ng lalaki sa babaeng kausap ko. "We want you app, Mr. Allard."

Those words are the trigger that I'm waiting for. Hindi ko na pinatagal ang pag-aksaya ko rito ng oras at tumayo na 'ko. 

"I'm sorry, but you can't," deretso kong sagot.

Ayokong patagalin ang usapan na 'to lalo na't alam ko rin naman kung saan ito patungo. Hindi ito ang pinunta ko rito. 

Napatayo ang babae sa inakto ko. Dumeretso na 'ko sa pinto. 

"But Mr. Allard, you still haven't heard our proposal," pahabol ng babae.

Dere-deretso ako sa pinto. "I'm not interested."

I walked out of the room. Now, my day is ruined.

Hindi na matapos-tapos 'tong cycle na 'to. I have no plans to sell my app! Dugo't pawis ko ang tinaya ko ro'n! I won't let them take the credit!

Pinangarap ko na mula noon ang paggawa ng sariling app. It's my stepping stone to have my own company one day!

Because of what happened, I lost the energy to do anything today. So instead, I went back home, lock myself up to my room, and like always, I faced the computer screen whole day. Nag-code lang ako nang nag-code at nagpalipat-lipat sa sites para mawala sa isip ko ang nangyari ngayong araw.

Before I know it, it's already night.

Pagod akong nahiga sa kama, napatitig ako sa kisame. Ngayong nahiga ako ay ngayon ko naramdaman ang pagod.

I showered to freshen up, para makatulog ako nang maayos. Gusto ko ng matulog. 

Inayos ko ang pagkakahiga ko. Napasulyap ako sa lamp table ko para masigurado kung nandito ba ang baso ng tubig na lagi kong iniinom pagkagising ko. Nakita ko ang oras, it's 1:03 am. Nang makita ko ang baso sa tabi nito ay unti-unting pumikit ang talukap ng mga mata ko.

I'm really sleepy right now, so I'm sure that I'll sleep well. Pinikit ko ang mga mata ko saka ko naramadaman ang mahimbing kong pagtulog. . . 

Then I opened my eyes again.

I stared at the ceiling, refreshed, as if I had a good sleep.

Until I glanced at the alarm clock.

It's still 1:03 am.

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