THE OWNER

Chapter 2

It is easy to get lost. While leading astray or losing a way, people do not actually notice that they are lost. They can lose themselves if they are in a place that they do not want to be there. So, there are times that they need to walk and to decide. Yet, in walking, they should know where to go. There are things in life that only take one wrong turn to change everything.

Aside from the cold air that I am sensing while still in slumped and drooped position on the ground, seeing the pavement, the hand, and the necklace have made it even colder for me. It shivers up my spine when the priceless treasure that my mother has inherited for me is about to get by a stranger. For a moment, I can't compose myself for making a wrong move. It feels like I am losing my mind, my direction, and myself. I can barely breathe. I cannot think of anything else as I am lost. I am paralyzed that a huge astonishment
devours me. Yet, when I saw that his manly hand picks up the necklace and his black sneakers start to walk, my consciousness returns to its place. My reflexes seem to have come to life and my perturbed mind adrenalizes and begins to work again. It gives me a
goal! A target to get my necklace back out of the masculine hand of that unknown man.

This time, I do not want to waste a minute, perhaps a second! I hurriedly stand from the slumping I have made just to approach the man and get back the necklace. I want to see the people over the other pavement. Yet, the sight of the large buses and trucks has made it even impossible for me as they are covering the view. All I can see are the metals and wheels of the different agents of transmissions.

There are times that I can glimpse the man. Yet, the rows of the running vehicles on the traffic and my distance to the other side of the road have made it difficult for me to focus as everyone seems fuzzy. The vision of the man and the strangers who are motioning in the other pavement is somewhat vague and blurry. Then, all of a sudden, the form of a man disappears as the bus stops in his location.

For the next seconds, I find myself teary-eyed while trying harder to focus on looking for the hint of the man. I really want to cross the road to search for him. So, I promptly shift my look at the traffic light to wait for the red light to pop up as I almost forget that there are rules in crossing the road. Yet, upon waiting, the green light has seemed like extending its work other than the two lights. I think that the more I am waiting, the more confused and troubled I become as I am bewildered who that man is. I am baffled as to where he is. I am uncertain about how I can pass this highway without the help of the red traffic light. Unexpectedly, I find myself being impatient. I do not want to wait any longer! I do not want to waste a time! I have to rush!

Without further thinking about my safety or what will happen to me, I run on the highway even if there are lots of vehicles that are passing by. "I have made it a moment ago without even causing an accident. I may do it again this time." That is my thought
while wiping my tears as I am motioning and avoiding every passing vehicle in the traffic. There are instances that I am almost hit by the
cars, yet I still continue. In crossing the middle of the highway, the long high blow sounds of the horns are creating noises and spreading in the atmosphere, but I do not care about them anymore. My dangerous attempt of reaching the other end of the road produces yelling and anger from the drivers whom I disturbed and gave risk from their normal travel.

Since the missing of the necklace, I cannot hide the tremendous distress I am facing. The mixtures of sorrow, nervousness, trouble, and anxiety are afflicting my heart and mind. Likewise, even my physical being has reflected its unwanted misery. My hair starts to become a mess. It turns to be unruly owing to the strikes of the wind from the running vehicles. The cold temperature switches to its warm degree that makes my face and body sweat. My eyes are almost swelling due to the unstoppable tears flowing from my lower eyelids. As I try my best just to pass through the highway, I find myself do not care about how I look any more or what may happen to me.