trapped in a myriad of ideas

Truth be told, I don’t give a damn on whether Corona will be convicted or acquitted. My take on the impeachment trial? All of them should be on trial too! From the president down to the brgy. captains! Declare everything to the last centavo.

Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, you will always be an inspiration! She will even have herself investigated to check whether she keeps skeletons in her closet. Now that’s the spirit!

I wish they have done this years and years ago so that all we would think about now is how to expand our booming economy to other parts in Asia. Really, this was a waste of time.

Just sayin’.

LOG 3:

No work but I had to wake up early ‘cause the much awaited reply from my supervisor finally came. But her reply was as good as she didn’t replied at all. I became more frustrated and my hopes of getting that much needed promotion was again crushed. Maybe it wasn’t meant for me. Guess I had to work more than ever in improving my scorecard.

Checked surveys; no additional surveys and so far I have a perfect score. Lord, please help me sustain a perfect score. I need extra moolah for my birthday this coming March.

Did a quick shower and donned on my new school uniform. The last time I had one was way back high school years and I find it weird that at the age of 24, I’m still wearing a school uniform. Well, better late than never. Upon arriving at the school, my classmates were astonished to see me; they were expecting me in my corporate attire ensemble. I said, I realized I’m tired of explaining myself as to why I asked to be exempted from wearing the school uniform.

Time passed like a breeze. Found myself having a deep conversation with a jeepney driver about life and what we should make out of it. I was reluctant to step out from the vehicle as soon as I arrived at my point of destination because the conversation was so good. I hope his optimistic approach in life could affect other drivers.

Had to sleep ‘cause the battle will resume a few hours from now.

LOG 2:

Woke up at 8:11 PM and my shift starts at 9 PM. Nearly stumbled on my feet as I hurriedly grabbed my two towels and did a quick shower. I didn’t bother contemplating on what to wear for I was running late, again. As usual, hailed a taxi cab and let the driver speed off like some maniac. With a sigh of relief, I turn on the computer and punched clock on for inbound phonetime. Let the flames begin.

Not like yesterday, everyone is kind of perky. Maybe because the gay with the boots and striped knee socks were doing his routine of announcing of the winners of free SM Cinema movie tickets. I had my share last week; I won because I took the time to educate my customers the free apps offered by their service provider. I immediately asked my team lead to claim it for me ‘cause I’m looking forward to seeing Robert Downey again, with his eyes that could pierce through my soul while  doing his crazy antics with Jude Law. Boy, I have a huge crush on him.

In the midst of my daydream, one guy caught my eye. He resembles a fellow that I used to share my endeavors with but now I wanted to curse for eternity. He came up to me and asked if I’m logging out, I said I just came in and my lunch is 3 hours away. I find it suspicious ‘cause I know for a fact that there are many vacant stations around. He just smiled and walked away. What a psycho.

Lunch time. I took  two beanbags with me and indulged onto my 40-min power nap. When I got back, I saw that the security was locking up my locker with something like a thin rope, I don’t know what it’s called. I went after him and demanded to remove it ‘cause I need to get my stuff. He turned to me with a scowl and told me to lock it securely. I was a bit embarrassed by my clumsiness. Lesson learned: Being OCD is sometimes ok. Double-check everything.

Two more hours to go; clock out is already winking at me. I thought it’s going to be the same boring shift since I’m alone but I was devastated when I checked the team’s score. 81% CSAT ( Customer Satisfaction) and 90% IR (Issue Resolution) and the goal is 85% and 92% respectively. What’s getting on my nerves is the fact that the bad surveys came from those team mates who had longs calls and doesn’t use the tools at their disposal. If only they were with me, I would have strangled  their pathetic necks.

Before my shift ends, I received a call from a bitchy customer. She wouldn’t listen to my explanation. Guess she lives by the rule customers are always right. What ticked me a bit is after all the lengthy argument, she just wanted to schedule a payment plan. Like I was itching to tell her that she doesn’t have the right to lecture me about having the privilege to assist her because she can’t even pay her past due of $2.08. God, she’s crazy.

I went out of the office and ignored the smoker workmate. He followed me and I told him, get a life! Argh! I need to withdraw something from my savings account of patience.

LOG 1:

I woke up with the sound of the alarm but my eyes were still droopy that I hit the snooze button several times until my 30-minute routine for prepping was put to waste.  I used to wake up an hour and a half to get myself all dolled up for work but now, I reduced it to an hour. I told myself, what’s the point? Your customers won’t even see your purple lip gloss or your high-heeled shoes. I pulled a nice white dress with lace linings at the top and a pink blazer from my closet and put on a pair of white flat shoes. These days, I don’t bother myself from wearing contacts, hence, I resorted to good ol’ glasses. I faced the mirror and saw Miss Minchin. 

Since I was running late ( I spent almost 30 min in the  bathroom; my stomach was not in a good mood that time), I hailed a taxi ( which is a pain for me ‘cause only 20 pesos will be left out of my 100 peso bill), ignored the whistles of my low-life neighbors and demanded the taxi driver to take me to my workplace in just 5 minutes.  Lesson learned? Never activate the snooze button.

I chose a station that would not give me frostbite ‘cause I totally forgot to bring my shawl. The computer said, Applying your settings, and I idly stared at the monitor and composed of a reason to tell my supervisor as to why I was late for 10 minutes. The good thing though is that she isn’t around so I wouldn’t be the main target of her wrath. On top of that I’m alone on that shift; my team are now enjoying their RDs while I am trying to win the battle of bill inquiry with my customer. Working alone is fine with me; no one will pester me with stupid questions or annoy the hell out of me just to initiate a lousy conversation.

Time ticked so slow, which is unusual for my 9 PM to 6 AM shift. Maybe because I have no one to talked to in my chat box. Took my first 15-minute break and ate my lunch-at-dawn. People were staring; they were struck by the irony that a skinny girl like me could eat two cups of rice in less than 15 minutes. The hell I care. Did a quick tour to the powder and disappointed of what I saw in the mirror, went back to my station and resume the battle. 

The real lunch schedule came and I rushed to the sleeping lounge to snatch a 40-minute nap. That fat girl again! She snores and takes all the beanbags with her. One day, if my evil alter ego accidentally takes over me, I would definitely pull the leather pillows and let her face get smacked on the floor.

Luckily, I forgot to turn on the snooze button that I made on time; no overlunch for me. But unfortunately, I forgot to change my webclock activity to phonetime. This will definitely be a strike 2 for me from my team lead. Sigh. Two more hours to go and VGH (Voluntary Go Home) is winking at me. Just as I was about to punch clock out on my webclock, I heard my workmate say something about the company cutting heads at the start of the year. Dear Lord, save me from it. I definitely need to get myself promoted.

I welcomed the early morning drizzle with an irritating cough and ran for the jeepney stop. One smoking agent called out to me, asked me if I need a lift. I said no, but thanks. I knew what he was up to and I’m definitely not digging it. Spare me all the evil things you bring. 

As soon as I got home, I turn on the TV but saw nothing interesting. What a boring day it is.

Chapter VII

She could not believe what she saw.  In that instant, humilling siya na sana ay bumuka ang lupa na kanyang  tinatapakan at lamunin siya. How long was it since the last time she saw Ryan? Two days ago? The memory of him leaving her behind pagkatapos nitong nagtapat embarrasses her. Gusto na niyang lumayo sa lugar na kanyang kinasasadlakan ngayon.

“Wow! This is a pleasant surprise!! Boyfriend mo siya , ano?” sabi ni Hailey na may halong kakaibang ngiti sa mata.

“Uy! Hindi ah! Magkababata kami ni Ryan! Bestfriend ko siya!”  depensa ni Yvaine.

“Talaga lang, ha? Kung ganun free si Ryan! Itong si Rachel na lang ang karibal ko!” sabi ni Hailey kasabay ang malutong na halakhak.

“Excuse me, Hailey, there is no such thing as competition kasi akin na si Ryan,” pahayag ni Rachel at pagtapos ay hinalikan si Ryan sa pisngi.

Parehong nagulat si Yvaine at Ryan sa ginawa ni Rachel subalit tumawa lang ito at si Hailey. Ngunit si Nick ay tahimik lamang sa tabi as if calculating his next move.

“Hay naku! Bakit para kayong binuhusan ng tubig diyan? Frankly Ryan, that was nothing. Take it as a friendly kiss but if you insist of thinking it in a romantic way, walang problema sa akin. Hahahha!”

“Hoy Nick! Bakit halos magdikit na ang mga kilay mo? Nagseselos ka ba kay Ryan kasi mas magkakilala sila ni Yvaine?” Hailey asked without skipping a beat.

“Huwag n’yo nga akong isali sa kapraningan ninyo. Mabuti pang pumasok nalang tayo sa loob at nang makapagpahinga na ako,” sabi ni Nick at direstsong pumasok sa apartment at iniwan silang  apat.

“Pasensiya na kayo kai Nick. Sumpungin kasi, pero paminsan-minsan lang naman. He must be threatened by the presence of another male specie. Heheh!” Hailey said.

“I think he likes you Yvaine. Torpe nga lang ang taong iyon..” pero bago pa natapos ni Rachel ang sasabihin, Ryan silently walked out and trailed the path towards the back of the apartment.

“Let them be! Eeeeeeeh!!! This is exciting. Merong love triangle sa apartment. Parang Pinoy Big Brother Romantic Edition!” nakangising sabi ni Rachel.

“Tell me Yvaine, sinong type mo sa dalawa? Kanina ka pa kasi silent mode diyan as if contemplating who will you chose…” Hailey asked.

She was dumbfounded. She hasn’t recovered yet from the shock of seeing Ryan and now, she is caught again in a very awkward situation. Looking at the faces of these two girls, she knew right there and then that she needs to tell something outrageous or else they won’t stop pestering her. She took a deep breath and put on her poker face, hoping that they will believe her.

“Actually, wala sa kanila ang type ko. Kasi.. Kasi ano.. Uhmm.. Meron na akong boyfriend!”

“Really? Nasaan siya? Gwapo ba siya? Anong pangalan niya? Matangkad ba? Rockstar? Nerdy? Sagot na Yvaine!!” halos sabay-sabay na tanong ng dalawang babae.

Now here comes the hardest part. Hindi siya magaling humabi ng kuwento at tiyak na mapapahiya lang siya kapag wala siyang maisip na pangalan. At they will continue to bug her until she crawls to the ground. Ayaw na ayaw pa naman niyang nirereto siya kung kani-kanino. It irritates the hell out of her, especially if she is being matched to a friend.

“Morpheus.. Morpheus ang pangalan ng boyfriend ko.”

“Wow! What a unique name for a pet, este, boyfriend!” at tumili si Rachel.

“Gosh! Pangalan pa lang, gwapo na! Meron ka bang picture?” at dinukot ni Hailey ang wallet niya mula sa kanyang bag at sinimulang halungkatin ito.

Gusto na niyang mag-panic. She’s dead the moment they see through her lies. Just as she was about to snatch her wallet from Hailey, a small piece of paper fell from it and Rachel instantly picked it up. Then the two girls shrieked, as if nakakita ng Hollywood hottie. Curious, she grabbed the paper which turned out to be a photograph. Wala siyang natatandaan na may itinago siyang litrato sa kanyang wallet. Tiningnan niya ang larawan at gusto na niyang mahimatay o kaya ay mamatay. The guy in the picture was the same guy she saw at the bus terminal way back home, at the Manila bus terminal at sa kanyang mga panaginip. She looked at the back of the picture and her head was about to explode. The handwriting was exquisite and it said:

Dear Yvaine,

Keep this picture safe.

Always,

Morpheus

What in the world is going on??!!!

to be continued…

it is so sad to be friends with someone who has the characteristics you hoped that the love of your life possesses. it’s like you wanted to combine them into one. despite the admirable personality your friend has, it is being overshadowed by your irrevocably stupid love for that someone. people will tell you, “ Lumingon ka sa iba kasi marami ang nagkakandarapa sa ‘yo..” yet you can’t bring to turn the other cheek ‘cause  the bond that you have with your friend is entirely on a different plane with the connection that you had with your apple of the eye.

can the world get any harder than this?