Waves Of Her

Chapter 2: Alone Together

CHAPTER 2

When I arrive in my apartment, I didn't even bother taking off my slippers after closing the door shut. I hopped myself to bed, firmly closed my eyes, hoping that I will instantly doze off.

Sa tagal kong nagtatrabaho as a night shift employee, sanay na sanay na akong magpaka puyat. But oddly, today I feel extremely lethargic. My body feels sore.

Pakiramdam ko tatlong araw akong nakamulaga sa harap ng monitor kaya tuyong tuyo ang mata ko. My dry eyes are burning my eyes, literally.

Siguro dahil matagal akong nasa labas kanina.

Sa hampas ng hangin na dumadaan sa dalampasigan at sa medyo mahaba-habang lakarin sa buhanginan, siguro yun ang nagresulta sa pagsakit ng buong katawan at mata ko ngayon.

Hindi naman kasi ako sanay magbatak ng kasu-kasuan eh. Lalo pa't workimg from home ako.

I also don't exercise regularly. Kung kailan ko lang maisipan, saka. Adding the fact that I only exercise for an hour or so, makes it even worse. I'm perfectly unhealthy.

Disappointed, but not surprised, when ten minutes had past and I'm still slumped in the same position but still wide awake, I get up and stared at nothingness.

I heaved out a sigh.

Gusto ko sanang umidlip para mapag-isipan kong mabuti pagkagising kung tunay ba lahat ng nangyari kanina o kailangan ko ng magpa-doktor.

I really can't think clearly right now. Hindi ko alam kung anong dapat isipin. A part of me wants it to be real while another wishes for it to be just a dream.

Nakakaloka pala makipag-usap sa gwapo. It's testing my sanity.

Idagdag pa na binaunan niya ako ng sandamakmak na tanong sa isipan ko bago maglaho na parang bula. Now my mind is too awake to even let me get some sleep.

Will I ever see him again? That is, if he's real and not just a product of my imagination. I still think he's too handsome to exist.

But I hope he does exist. I feel like he could be a good friend.

'Friend lang ba talaga?' tanong ko sa sarili ko.

Napabuntong hininga ako.

'Fine. Friend that I can have a crush on.' pag-amin ko.

This is what I always do. I talk to myself. It might look crazy to others, but to me, it's free therapy. I get to hear opposing sides of me and I can rule over who's got more point.

I could also be my own friend to give advices to. The benefits never end. Only...you'll look insane for sure.

Napahawak naman ako sa aking tiyan nang tumunog ito. Welp. That's my breakfast alarm. Time to cook me some pancakes.

Breakfast and pancakes doesn't sound right, I know. Tayo kasing mga Pinoy, mahilig sa kanin; nasa kultura at tradisyon na natin e. Minsan pati sa pagmemeryenda, kanin pa rin ang lalantakan ng iba. That's how much we value rice as our daily need.

Truly, pancakes doesn't count as a breakfast meal. But as someone who've stayed in the US for four years, I learned to adapt to what they eat, too.

Now I have two eating styles and preferences.

Napangiti naman ako ng malawak nang mailagay ko ang huling piraso ng pancake sa pinakatuktok ng ginawa kong tumpok nito sa isang maliit na plato.

I giggled like a child.

Nagluto lang ako ng tatlo dahil alam kong solve na ang tiyan ko sa ganito karaming pagkain. Mabilis kasi akong mabusog, pero mabilis ding magutom.