Where the Sun Sleeps

PROLOGUE

PROLOGUE

While mirrors reflect what is in front of it,

The skies then mirror what is me within.

The rain is my blanket during the times I weep,

And the sun brightens up when I feel euphoric.

But as the sun meets the horizon,

As darkness starts to crawl,

What comes after still brings me joy,

As the night skies lighten.

The myriad stars above make me feel that I am one with them,

And the moon smiling beside me extends its bliss and ecstasy,

And so, for once, I felt free

For once, I feel like I am me.

Drawing deep sighs, I then lifted up my face when my uncle, the CEO of the company, finally mentioned my name.

"Ah. Then, this is Architect Eliott Suarez, the Head Architect of this department."

My lips formed a little smile as I faced the employees, most faces are familiar already but few are new. May ilan namang ngumiti at tumango bilang responde sa akin. The introduction was expectedly short so everyone immediately went back to work after that. At bumalik na rin naman ako sa aking opisina.

Hanggang sa puntong ito ay hindi ko pa rin lubusang napagtatantong ito na ang buhay na ginigisingan ko sa araw-araw. That I am indeed really living the future of my nineteen-year-old self then.

And I've come to realize that I have really lost and have let go of a lot of people, especially the ones who were dear to me, but despite what happened in the past, I am happy right now that I was able to find myself along the way. That I was able to find the right place meant for me.

I heaved a sigh when I finally reached my office. I then sat on my seat, facing the drafting table, ngunit nanatili pa rin akong nakatulala nang muling sumagi sa aking isipan ang isang tao. Mapait akong napangiti nang gumuhit sa utak ko ang itsura niya, na para bang hindi ko ito nagawang malimutan kahit matagal ko na siyang hindi nakikita muli.

Despite this feeling of continuous happiness right now, I taught myself how to still recognize and accept that even until this day, I am still drowning myself in the deep ocean of regrets. Nakakasawa rin naman kasi minsang itanggi sa sarili pa mismo ang totoong nararamdaman. Hindi ko alam, but it just feels like betraying onerself for denying one's real feelings. It's draining.

I suddenly blinked twice, like I snapped myself back to reality. "Focus, Eliott. Floor plan, floor plan," I whispered to myself. At dahil doon ay dahan-dahan namang gumapang sa aking sistema ang stress sa paggagawa.

Inako ko na lamang ang gawaing ito nang bigla itong iwanan ng isang bagong arkitekto ng kompanya na nag-resign din naman kaagad matapos ang dalawang buwan.

I was in the office, sitting on my chair for seven hours, of course, taking breaks, just to finish this plate as soon as possible. And fortunately, ganoon nga ang nangyari.

Nang pagkasandal na pagkasandal ko pa lamang sa aking upuan, hindi na ako nagulat nang bumukas ang pinto at bumungad doon si Serena.

"Good evening, architect!" masigla pa rin siyang bati pagkaupo sa sofa.

"Good evening," agad akong napangiti. "Ang taas ng energy? Hindi napapagod?" I chuckled, joking.

"Ewan ko rin, 'te, pinaglihi yata ako sa Enervon ng nanay ko. Char!" Napailing na lang ako at saka sinilip ang wrist watch. Alas-otso na pala. "Oh, Eli, kararating ko lang, paupuin mo naman muna ako," she said when she saw me stood up and walked towards her direction.