The Beginning of The End

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, and events are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events are purely coincidental.

This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without a permission from the author.

Sheina Suison

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PROLOGUE

The sky is so blue with clouds that looks so soft like cotton balls. The picturesque view made me feel blessed as I was riding a cab on my way to school. This is the kind of weather that I always imagine during rainy season.

"Salamat po." I said to the taxi driver as I went out of the car.

Tumango sya at bahagyang ngumiti.

Hindi ako naihatid ni Mama ngayon dahil maaga syang umalis papuntang trabaho. Si Daddy naman ay hindi nakauwi dahil may tinatapos pa daw silang trabaho. Both of them had been so busy nowadays.

Lawrence, my fifteen year old brother, longs for them both. Pero Ate lang ako, I can't give him what he really needs. Sometimes, Lawrence would make me angry pero pinipilit ko lang na intindihin sya. I can't blame Mama and Daddy for Law's sudden change of moods because I know that what they're doing is for the both of us. At kung weekend naman ay nagsisikap silang dalawa na mabigyan kami ng oras ni Lawrence.

I, as a student in my third year in the University, should be the first one to understand my parents. I'm in no place to complain.

Naisip ko si Lawrence, siya lang ngayon ang nasa bahay dahil hindi siya nakapasok ngayong araw dahil sa kanyang ubo.

"Zoriah Arion." Someone called my full name.

Nabigla ako kaya wala sa sariling napatayo ako dahilan para magtawanan sila. When I found out who it was who called me, I rolled my eyes and picked up my bag to head out. I usually am one of their victims when it comes to pranks. I don't know why. Maybe because I'm neutral. I talk when I'm needed to say something. Pero kung walang kwentang mga bagay, mas pipiliin kong mapag-isa. I'm not a nerd nor a loser. Maybe just weird.

Nilagpasan ko silang lahat bago isinuot ang face mask ko. Mukhang hindi na yata dadating si Sir kaya sa rooftop muna ako tatambay.

Halos lahat ng mga nakasalamuha ko ay naka face mask. 'Yong grupo lang nila Kate ang hindi madalas nag fi-face mask. Maybe they badly want to expose their faces everytime.

Wearing of face masks has become normal for all of us since the year 2020. It was when a virus shook the world. Simula noon, hindi na iyon nawala, hindi na mawawala. Kaya kung ano 'yung ginagawa namin noong taong iyon para malabanan ang virus, ay naging normal na hanggang ngayon at sa susunod pa sigurong mga taon.

"Zori, sama ako. Ang ingay nina Kate! Para pa ring mga bata." Natatawang sabi ni Lory.

Isa sa mga kaibigan ko. Kahit hindi ako madaldal, I still have a circle of friends where I belong to. Nakakasabay sila sa akin pero hindi ako nakakasabay palagi sa kanila pero never naman iyong naging issue sa aming lima na magkakaibigan.

"Oo nga. Sa rooftop muna ako tatambay, may one hour pa naman tayo." I said.

Busy si Lory sa cellphone nya kaya di nya na ako sinagot. Nang sinilip ko ay nakita kong tungkol sa bagong virus ang binabasa nya.

I already heard about it. It is worst than the pandemic in 2020. Most of the people are already vaccinated but not me and my brother. Kaya nangangamba ako.