The Next Thing I Knew

The Last Thing That Happened

CHAPTER 1: THE LAST THING THAT HAPPENED

CIDE

Life is not always daijoubu. I've been seeing this meme several times. And every time it pops up, I keep on reacting to the post. I closed my laptop after seeing that meme again.

Wala na bang iba? Ito na ba talaga 'to?

Funny. It seems like I've been asking the same question in my life. Wala na bang iba? Wala bang plot twist na darating sa buhay ko? I mean, I'm good at being a regular employee. My wage is good enough for me. Though I don't have any kids or girlfriend, I'm quite happy with what I have. 

I'm just a regular person who wakes up early, eats, works, sleeps, and the cycle goes on. What might happen tomorrow? Everything seems so normal. Have I gone bored with my regular life? Is it high time to change my career path? Is this loneliness that I feel? 

After overthinking for a bit, I stretched my arms. Another weekday, done. I also managed to finish some tasks ahead of time. Does this feel unusual for a regular employee of another company? Nah, I don't know.

I heard my phone ringing. Ash is calling me. She's probably looking for me. I peeked at my watch and answered the call. Looks like someone's nose is flaring up.

"Oo na, malapit na. Naglalakad na papunta diyan." I said and I heard a scoff in the background.

"Well then, I'll be waiting. Ingat ka!" Mukhang nasa shop na siya dahil naririnig ko ang tunog ng aircon sa background.

"Yep, just chill ash. Don't worry." And she ended the call. As I've said, malapit na ako sa Milk Tea Shop. It's just a couple of blocks away from our building.

As always, the street is quite busy. Dahil malapit rin sa isang University, hindi maiiwasang magkumpulan ang mga tao. Maayos naman ang daloy ng sasakyan ngunit may ibang area na siksikan pa rin. Makailang beses na akong nahinto, una dahil sa siksikan. Ikalawa, may nakakasalubong akong kakilala.

Sa wakas at nakarating na rin ako sa aking patutunguhan. As I open the door, the chimes above the doorway made a clinking noise. Nakita ko naman agad si Ash sa aminng usual spot. Near the window where we can see the busy streets outside.

Dahil kararating ko lang, huminto muna ako saglit sa counter at umorder. Pagbalik ko ay naupo ako sa tapat niya at nag-ayos ng sarili. Social distancing is my thing so I'm not really a fan of gatherings and such occasions where I'll find myself around several people.

"So, where were we last time?" Ash asked me after sipping her Milk Tea.

"I already typed in my initial climax here based on what we've had agreed on last week. Minor details na lang and we are up for the next chapters."

Isa sa hobby ko ay ang pagsusulat. Ash is a fellow writer of mine. Nagkakilala kami noong nagkaroon ng book signing event noon. Our genre was very different. Fantasy ang sinusulat niya habang ako naman ay isang Mystery/Thriller Writer. We were total opposites, really. But I don't know why, when we talked after the event, we just clicked. But not in the romantic way that you think!

"Can we change this scene? Napaisip kasi ako kanina na grabe ang loophole niyan kapag naisulat na natin 'yong next chapters." She said after reviewing the manuscript on my laptop.

"It's okay, filler lang naman 'yang scene." Tumango naman siya at sumipsip sa Milk Tea niya. Does she seriously like Matcha? It really tastes weird to me.

Dumating naman ang order naming pasta and we started eating after thanking the person who served us. To lighten the mood for a bit, I opened up a topic.

"Nga pala, nahanap na ba 'yong laptop mo?" 

"Nope, Though I already reported it sa station. It's been 2 weeks pero wala pa ring naliligaw na kaluluwang nagbabalik ng laptop ko. Nakakakaba na kasi 'yong personal info ko naroon sa laptop na 'yon."

"Don't worry. I'll also tell my uncle about that. Para na rin mabilis mahanap."

"Thank you, Cide. And sorry rin sa abala."

"It's fine. Wala pa naman akong masyadong ginagawa sa ngayon so, I'm free to do my stuff."

After finishing my meal, I then wiped my mouth with the napkin. A few minutes later, I felt a sudden jolt in my chest. I stopped with what I'm doing.

I flinched. Ash noticed it. "Cide, wala kang maloloko rito. Nagawa mo na rin 'yan last week." Then I started to clench my fist and hold it onto my chest. 

HINDI AKO MAKAHINGA! I was pounding my chest like something got stuck in my throat. Then I felt numb. Slowly, all my senses are fading. Even my eyes are being blurry as I continue to bat my eyes.

I saw Ash hurriedly went to me, panicking, when I fell from my seat.

Was it because of my drink?? I know I am not lactose intolerant. I've been visiting this Milk Tea Shop for years and for the record, this was the first time that I experienced this!

"Cide! Cide! Hey, anong nangyayari?! Help!" She was panicking really hard! The staff of the shop was fast enough to call an ambulance. Everything became blurry. I closed my eyes real hard.

Suddenly, all of the pain that I felt was gone. Am I dead? I tried to open my eyes. I can't seem to open my eyes! Have I gone blind? What is happening!? I know I'm seeking some plot twist in my life but not this kind of twist!

I know I'm still conscious. I am still thinking. Maybe I just fell asleep. Hopefully... But no.

The next thing I knew, someone slapped my lower body and I can't help but let out a loud cry.

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