1

"Let's go. Come on, I'll show you something." He said and grabbed my hands.

He's leading me upstairs so I excitedly asked."Are we going to the rooftop?"

"Hmmm. Yes, later. Let's go to my room first. I'll show you something. You'll be happy to see it." He happily answered.

For a moment, I can't help but gaze at him. He's so happy. He's this happy because I'll be visiting his room?

I paused for a sec, Is it okay for me to be in a guy's room? We are now friends but what if others see me coming out from his room? Would they think something happened to us?

Well, It's impossible for him to do something bad to me. I mean, he's a good and decent guy.

He opened his room and guided me inside. It is my first time in a guy's room so I can't help but feel nervous.

What if he really does something to me? What will I do? How will I react?

Have I taken a bath today? I can't help but sniff myself secretly.

Is this really it? Are we positively doing it? I think it's okay if it's him. Whatever. Come what may.

I gulped and courageously entered his room.

*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***

"I am telling you that guy won't even buy my child a doll how else financial support! " My friend Amber burst out.

Here we go again. Same anger intensity. Same old problem. My friend had a child with her Ex, I really can't say what their relationship status is. It's complicated. They separated a long time ago but they would sometimes meet up and get back together, then break up again.

All I have to do now is listen to her.

Let her vent out and later she'll laugh it out. We've been friends for years and Amber's situation with that guy, they say, is very ordinary. I can't blame them. Eight out of 10 households have the same problem.

What a pain, right? Well, I better be single than face her kind of problem. Don't get me wrong, okay? I am happy and contented. Why would I pick up a stone and use it to hit my own head?

I am not saying Amber is dumb in love, while I am the wise and smart one. I had my few relationships too. I fought with them and got hurt too, but we didn't reach the point of an on-again-off-again relationship that would last for the next 9 years!

I would rather sleep than deal with fights and heartache. When it's time to end, then end it.

Sighed. I got off from work at 8 AM and arrived home around ten. I work as a call center agent in a BPO company. I work at night and sleep during the day. So I am very sleepy.

But I am trying hard not to close my eyes because I believed that when a friend needs a shoulder to lean on, you should lend them your ears first.

So here I am, currently lying on my bed half asleep listening to Amber's rumbling while she walks back and forth. I feel dizzy just looking at her.

"Hey Glenn, are you listening? Are you sleepy now?" Amber asked.

Thank God, she asked. I better be honest, than fall asleep while she's talking. I can't afford to offend my best friend.

"Yeah. I am sorry, babe. Got two hours overtime earlier and those 2 hours took everything I have, all the callers I received were all irate customers." I replied honestly.

"I got you. Alright. I better go. I still have to fetch Daphne from school. I'll call or message you later. You go to sleep. Take some rest." Amber answered.

I thanked her for visiting and said sorry for sending her out early.

At 1:10 in the afternoon, I went back to my room.

I washed up and squirmed to bed.

-------------------------------

2 Alarm Buddy

"You're already drunk. That's enough. Come on. Put down the glass and Let me take you home."

*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***

Good thing I heard my alarm rang at 8:30 PM. Miraculously, it took just one rang to wake me up. It shows I am getting better every day.

Don't say that it's just a small thing. I live alone so no one would wake me up once my alarm goes off. I am staying in this tiny room for 3 years now. My friends couldn't believe that I managed to live alone this far. I was also amazed by myself. I was so dependent on someone before. He used to wake me up every night. So I used not to mind my alarms.

Truth is, I was hesitant at first, but I don't have a choice so I endured. So cheers to those who are currently going through rough times in their personal lives and still mustered themselves to live alone despite not having family support and has a zero bank saving. It's not easy.

Amber was so worried about me living independently, she was so scared I might end up suicidal. She opened her home to me during those times and I am so thankful to have a friend like her. Still, I refused her kind offer. I don't want to impose, she has her own problems as well. I don't want to burden her.

8:34 PM-messages received-

Amber: Glenn. Are you awake? It's almost 9 PM.

I smiled as I read her text. I always received the same message from her every night before my shift. She just loves me so much. What a shame that even a friend would wake me up through text. 🤣 She even exaggerated the time. It's just 8:35 PM.

See? Told you, I am a heavy sleeper may it be night or day shift. Imagine, my alarm clock has to battle with me every night? I do pity their buttons sometimes

Glenn: Yup. Thanks, babe. Awake already. How's Daphne?

8:35 PM-message sent-

I want coffee.

Another night, another cup of coffee.

It's incredible that I still have a twin-pack of Kopiko black instant coffee left in my mini-storage box. For some reason, I feared that I would have to go to work without drinking coffee. That would break the daily routine. I would die without a coffee. I forgot to do grocery shopping last payday. Maybe I can drop by the grocery store tomorrow.

8:39 PM -message received-

Amber: Great. Just checking. I don't want you to be fired again due to excessive tardiness. Who does that? 😆😛

She really can't forget that One time. In the earliest period of my single life after that overwhelming breakup, I made to lose my job because of tardiness.

Would you believe me if I say alarms have no effects on me? I did everything I can. I even bought different kinds of alarm clocks.

Still, Waley. There was once a time, I've set 3 alarm devices; my Huawei smartphone from HomeCredit, the twin bell Alarm from SM Dept Store(Rich Kid), and the mini-square analog alarm from Talipapa near SM. (LOL)

And mind you guys all these devices were set to have alarm time intervals. Still, I didn't and I can't wake up on time. I was late for 4 hours. I was marked half-day at work. My goodness. Then here comes the MEMO. I really don't want to be late anymore in fear of getting fired due to tardiness so...

I did the craziest thing ever. I thought that if those devices were not enough then I have to have a device that would vibrate my entire room with its loud sound and so I bought a Bluetooth speaker(LOL) 😅🤣🤣 Have you seen the bulky one? Yeah. The most popular and in-demand.

So before I went to sleep I've set 8:30 PM alarm time on my phone once again, turned on Bluetooth, paired it with my iLike speaker.

Then... I woke up the next day! Thank you. (LOL)

Yeah. I know. I was so dumb. Bobo ko. But I am sorry, okay? I didn't know the pairing would disconnect eventually when there's no device activity. They didn't tell me that. How would I know?

And so I compose my resignation letter that day and updated my resume. What an experience!

Glenn: Let me remind you. I wasn't fired. I choose to resign because I am ao ashamed. I don't know how to face my TL after given multiple chances.

8:43 PM-message sent-

Working as a Call Center Agent in a big Company with a very hardcore account would often drain us, Agents.

We have to endure the cold production floor so some will end up drinking tumblers of coffee.

We have to listen attentively to shouting Irate customers (8 out 10 calls) and talk for 8 hours in English which is not our first language, this mostly drains my brain. My Comprehension and active listening skills have always been tested.

So Amber couldn't blame me at that time, aside from being broken-hearted I was also exhausted from work.

8:45 PM -message received-

Amber: Whatever. Just move already and prepare for work. BTW, Josh dropped by so Daphne went out for a stroll with him. So we're okay for now.

Sighed. Good for her. She does really love Josh. Surely, some would go blind because of love. I just can't understand how others were able to forgive after multiple betrayals. There's a saying, once is enough but twice is too much right? But what about more than twice? Isn't it stupid?

I don't know. I am not one to talk. Amber doesn't need any advice and It's wise for me not to say any words. I care about her very much so I choose to shut my mouth about Josh. Who wouldn't want to get back at the person who hurt their best friend, right? But I know her heart will be hurt once I do. That's how blind she is.

Glenn: Alright. Good for you. Please kiss Daphne for me.

8:46 PM -message sent-

I went downstairs and headed to the dining area.

"Good evening! Glenn. Let's eat." My co-renter Megan greeted me.

She's happily eating on the long Narra wood table with one leg raised, placing her foot on the stool where she's seated. While her right hand is rested on her lifted right knee, eating barehanded.

"Hi. Good evening. Thanks. I'll just have coffee." I greeted back with a smile while discreetly sniffing and checking out her food.

It's the affordable and clean fried chicken again of that friendly vendor in the street corner outside this compound.

I don't eat dinner, not because I am on a diet but because I just don't like eating before going to work. So I just drink coffee since I am also on a tight budget. 😁

The old lady who owns this walled-in residence is a generous and considerate person. Aside from the cheap rental price, our utility bills we're also taken care of. I was surprised when I first got here, she told me electricity, gas, and water is included in the rental price.

You seldom find this kind of landlady nowadays.

After mixing my coffee, I said goodbye to Megan. I went back to my room on the second floor. I grabbed a Marlboro Blue pack and lighter then went upstairs for night viewing.

Drinking coffee while sitting on the rooftop and looking up to see the stars in the sky is my favorite part of the day (night)

The sky is so beautiful. I see stars in the dark wide night sky. I see the constellations that commonly appear such as Ursa Major, (Big Dipper) Ursa Minor, (Small Dipper), and Taurus. There are no clouds covering the stars since the rainy season is over.

After sometime.

The world has gone so quiet.

I can feel the cool wind.

I can breathe in the fresh air.

I clearly see the stars.

I suddenly appreciated my coffee that has a bittersweet taste.

I unexpectedly don't want to smoke any more.

I just want to enjoy this moment.

Can you feel what I am feeling right now?

Rooftop. Night sky. Stars. Coffee. Cool Wind.

What a wonderful view.

What a wonderful feeling.

Can't find words to express it.

I was lost in wonder.

Maybe, I am just feeling so peaceful that it makes me so happy knowing I am alive?

Being here feels so relaxing. I look up and down and I see cars on the road, the artificial lights coming from some houses and buildings. The world is so pleasant.

Renting here was the best choice.

I've never felt so satisfied like this for years. It's been so long. Yeah. I once felt this feeling before.

Now that I am feeling so nice, I suddenly remember a dream where I was so happy and carefree. I saw the younger version of me. And I saw him. When you unexpectedly remember your young naive love, you can't help go hoity-toity.

How was he now? He stopped contacting me. Last time he said he's planning to work abroad. So maybe that's making him busy.

At first, we're not friends. We are neighbors that are not well acquainted with each other. We knew one another by face and name only. I've got my own group of friends while he's a loner.

We once lived in a small but not so chaotic Rowhouse neighborhood that consists of less than 100 households where everyone knows everybody.

Our Subdivision's Home Owners Association was not that strict. So as high schoolers, I and my group of friends would meet up every night at our Tambayan and would go wild every drinking session. Some older folks would complain about the noises we made

and even announced a curfew order which we never follow.

Well, who doesn't turn rebellious in their younger years?

I admit I was a delinquent way back High School. I cut classes. Went over the bakod. I learned how to drink and smoke.

I even got myself an ex-boyfriend. (Chuckle)

So on that fateful day in September, we attended the same birthday party. I was surprised, the celebrant knew him. He smiled at me so I nod at him as an acknowledgment. I felt nothing, okay. I don't believe in love at first sight. No attraction, whatsoever.

Of course, I enjoyed the party. I ate the Lumpiang Shanghai. I drank SMB and Generoso. I sang Celine Dione's 'That's the way it is' song.

I mingled with other visitors with ease as I knew who's who. That's when I saw him sitting alone at the far end corner, just observing us with a smile.

What a loner.

Whatever. I didn't mind him, though. He's not a friend so why would I care, right? So Deadma.

Then night comes and I think I have been so drunk since I approached and talked to him as he was leaving the venue.

Can't believe I approached him first.

"Learn how to discipline yourself."

That's the very first words he said to me.

That scene was my first close encounter with him so I was so shocked. That is not the right words you should say to a cute young girl the first time you talk to her. 😅

Back then, I was like, what did I do to him?

My phone vibrated. A text message stopped me from reminiscing.

9:25 PM

Amber: Babe, I know that drinking coffee while smoking is your thing out there, but please don't let mosquitos bite you. Okay? A Dengue outbreak is occurring in many areas. That's on the News.

This compound is a boarding place that's only available to girls.

Our Landlady prohibits appliances so I don't own a television in my room. I can watch television in the living room downstairs which is for everyone to use.

However, I am not into watching News or television, so I let Amber be my newscaster.

9:27

Glenn: Got it. Babe. Thanks.

How reassuring it is to have a friend like her. Sometimes I feel like I am her daughter whose out for college. I would often ask myself, Am I becoming too dependent on someone again? Nope. She just loves taking care of me.