The Stranger's Devotion

Chapter 1

It was December 31st, 2021 and I am laying on my bed, scrolling through Facebook to ease my boredom. I intended to spend the entire day on my bed because it is a long weekend. I let out a sigh, my eyes still on the screen. I'm bored and even though I am watching random videos, my mind is somewhere else. Para bang hindi ako mapakali. Para bang hindi ako makuntento na hindi ko maipaliwanag. While viewing random videos on my Facebook feed, an idea suddenly popped up in my mind to pass my time.

Agad akong bumangon at hinanap ko ang laptop ko. I opened my laptop and immediately clicked chrome and typed OMEGLE. I've been seeing this website over the past few days. Nakikita ko kasi na marami na ring sumusubok and it looks fun. Syempre, since bored naman ako, why not try 'di ba?

"Click to add Interests", sabi sa website. Ito siguro yung way para maka connect ka sa ibang tao, maglagay ka ng interest mo then si Omegle na bahala maghanap ng ka-match mo. "Gaming" ang linagay ko.

(Looking for someone you can chat with...)

This is taking too long.

(You both like Gaming)

STRANGER: Hi

Finally!

YOU: Hello

STRANGER: Age?

YOU: 19

STRANGER: Snap?

Snap? You mean Snapchat?

YOU: I don't have one

STRANGER: M or F

M or F? I didn't know communication here would be this complicated.

YOU: I guess, M?

STRANGER: Stranger has disconnected.

Ha?

Malay ko ba ano meaning nung M or F na yun? So that means that's it? That person doesn't want to talk to me anymore? That's it, imma take a break from this one. All that talking is making me anxious.

I heard my Aunt calling from outside.

"Vinci! Aren't you gonna watch the fireworks?" she shouted just outside my window.

"I'm coming!" I replied back.

I opened the door and there were tons of lights flashing from the sky. It's already 12:00 MN, Hello 2022. But, that's it for me, my astigmatism can't handle that much light. All these light's gonna make me blind for God's sake.

"Sorry Aunty but all these lights can damage my eyes, so enjoy and call me when the food's all ready!"

HAHA typical Filipino guy, lalabas lang kapag meron na yung pagkain. Buraot ako eh.

I then went inside, straight to my room and immediately opened my laptop. I thought, maybe I'll give Omegle another shot.

INTERESTS: Friends

Para maiba naman.

(Looking for someone you can chat with...)

It really does take a while before you find someone you can match.

(You both like Friends)

STRANGER: Hi

YOU: Hey

STRANGER: What's up?

YOU: Blinded by the lights.

STRANGER: Was that to be a song? Haha