Chapter 1 Ruined Day

((SENA))

Sweaty.

The air was so humid inside the public jeepney transport. The highway looked like a still centipede in the early morning traffic jam. Each vehicle honked in impatience as if it did anything good other than add to the noise pollution. Few minutes passed and our jeepney driver joined the honking spree.

“’Ya bitches! I can’t do anything about this traffic!” he grunted at the vehicles behind him.

Me, I didn’t complain anymore. Those folks were already heated up and besides, I’ve just had my own share of ice cream. The 7/11 store had their promo for the day: Buy three Cornettos take one free. So I had four cones to cool my head for at least three hours.

But why was the traffic worse that early? Was there a rally? Hmmm. I’m not too nosy so I didn’t really care. But I cared that I’m tardy for work.

I took my phone out for Facebook and decided that I’d rather waste the time on things that my friends post, those gossip-worthy ‘my days’, and shares in my newsfeed. I ticked the open mobile data when a Yahoo notification popped in. I clicked it since I was suddenly interested on what news it has for me. Philippines was catching international attention due to trending news lately.

NAIA was closed for an hour.

Philippine Government Warmly Welcomes the Richest Man in the World, Sean Herald.

CEO of Herald Monopolies, Sean Herald, was in the Philippines.

Hmm? Sucks, the government was doing royalty treatment as it usually did for rich people. Didn’t they know that traffic’s good for the economy? Even NAIA was closed for just a person, shocker. Why’s that Sean brat so entitled? Was he relative to Queen Elizabeth? Nah, even the Queen of England didn’t cause so much traffic. Besides, that Sean guy never really showed his face. Even the blog showed only the airline he flew on so I guessed the ‘royal’ guest was an airplane.

[Ping] 1 message received…

<Brother Bro>

Iron my uniform right away when you get home. I’m with Tolits right now, the agency needed us ASAP.

That’s if I could go home early, I thought.

As if the heavens heard me, the jeep moved. Finally! I was so darn late. When we got to the unloading area, I ran through to the small dentist clinic near the famous landmark called Herald Residential. It was so huge that the entire MOA could fit inside. ‘Run Senaaaa! You’re super late, girl!’

I was running like crazy when I suddenly hit a wall- which, only when I looked up did I realize wasn’t a wall but a panty-dropping-heavenly-chiseled angel without wings. Or maybe he hid it.

“Sorry,” the man said. He seemed to have come from a conference because of his formal tucked-in attire. “Next time, mind not to run. A lady mustn’t behave like that.”

Then he smiled, his lips arching up to reveal prominent dimple in each cheek. Awww shit! My almond eyes immediately formed hearts.

“I’m really sorry,” I said while bowing forty-five degrees like a Japanese woman. “But I’m fine.”

Without looking twice at him, I scooted off. I look embarrassing enough so getting star-struck was out of my options.

“ID,” the guard greeted when I got in the main entrance of our building.

I rolled my eyes mentally. I mean duh hello mister, you’re not even that old to not remember me going in and out of the clinic for almost two months already. But instead of protesting, I lifted my ID cord confidently. Else I might slap it in his face.

“Oh f---,” I mentally screamed when I didn’t see what I expected to see. My ID was missing.

I scratched my head before the guard could even react when he noticed I didn’t have my card intact. His teeth bared in a grin as if I’d get mesmerized by his set, which apparently wouldn’t even pass a toothpaste commercial audition.

I breathed deeply and thought of what I should do.

That ID was important and my permit for an exam the next day was there. If I lose it, which I did, I’d have to pay for a pass again.

‘You’re dead Sena, you’re awfully screwed’.

I stuck my tongue out at the guard who’s been my daily cup of bad coffee. ‘They say that bullies either hate you or like you. So mister, tell me which one are you. Don’t tell me you like me? Tsk. Wish you choke!’

I went back to where I stumbled with the Adonis and hoped that Dra. Evenarte was as late as I was so I can still brew an excuse.

I was so exhausted.   

It was noisy everywhere and I was reeling in annoyance. ‘If ever, where the hell did I drop it? In the jeepney? On the way?’ I trailed back to where I walked earlier but I didn’t find it.

“Sena,” someone called me. It was Dra. Evenarte. My boss, whose name I prayed to be late, was indeed super late. ‘Thank you, Papa God, You never forsake me!’ “Are you looking for something?”

She usually knew whenever I was troubled because it has been my habit to pout when I’m distracted.

“My ID. I lost it,” I answered.

“Oh well, the guard didn’t let you in again. Come with me and I’ll talk to him about it. “

I was glad that she came but I really needed my ID. I took her offer anyway. It was payback time for that guard. ‘Jayzel, was it?’ His name sounded feminine but I liked the ring to it. My name, Sena, sounded as if my parents just blinked at the sky and the clouds formed the words to name me. It meant ‘sweet’ and ‘life’.

‘Sweet life’.

‘But where was the proof that my life’s been sweet?’ People would laugh if they knew the meaning behind my name but see that I’m living my life the complete opposite.

Geez, I thought as I gave up on the idea of finding my ID again and went with the doctor.

‘You’re screwed Mister Guard, my boss’s in a bad mood. Ha! It’s not my fault that she’s gonna vent her anger on you. Fry him up real good so he’d stop picking on me every morning, Dra. Evenarte! Oh Jayzel, you should just admit that you like me!’

I giggled at my wild assumptions.

‘But yah, I’m just as screwed as you Jayzel. Because I lost my permit, I’d have to ask for money again from my brother Joshua who already has his own child to support. I’ve been so irresponsible to even deserve the money he’s working hard for. Damn. I’m totally damned!’

@Death Wish