OXYGEN

LIII

I used to breathe with my heart filled with love and joy, but things happened.

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The tomorrow that is suppose to come, it's not the ideal tomorrow that everyone wanted. The truth is, we are dying as well as our world.

Pero anong magagawa ng isang babae? Kung sa lipunang tinitirhan ko, walang lakas ang ordinaryong babae na katulad ko. We are just bunch of girls in this city. Some may have power, but it isn't like what the men have in the other side of the wall.

It's funny how women sacrifice their lives to give birth to every men who will only grow to believe that women cannot and should not take space in the society.

The misconception, the stereotype, everything in between. Gender and sexuality became the basis of power. In the hands of the oligarchs composed of men, to the patriarchy, we are nothing.

That is what I observed the moment we came inside the Polysteel. Naabutan namin si President Duke kasama ang ilang government officials at mga bulwark niya. He is wearing a red suit, habang ang mga kasama niya ay naka suot ng itim. They all turned their heads towards us pero naka taas ang noo ni Mrs. Fitz at Doctor Havoc.

"Good morning, President Duke. I wasn't expecting to see you this early here in Polysteel."

"Good morning, don't mind me, Elizabeth. I'm only here to check the new materials for the upcoming projects of our Governor," sagot ni President Duke.

Hindi ko alam na first name basis pala ang tawagan nilang dalawa. And also, I have no idea that President Duke knows her first name. But she's working in the government, that would make sense.

"We are actually here to also check the materials for the green house. Is it okay?"

"Of course," sagot agad ni President Duke.

Lumapit si Mrs. Fitz sa isang staff ng Polysteel kaya naiwan akong natulala sa harap nila. Si Doctor Havoc naman ay nagsimula na rin sa pagtingin sa materials.

Lahat sila ay iba-iba ang pinaguusapan. Wala naman akong idea pa sa mga upcoming projects ng government kaya nakinig lang ako.

"Actually I do have a question, Elizabeth," biglang salita ni President Duke kaya napatingin kaming lahat sa kanya.

Hindi nagsalita si Mrs. Fitz, parang hinihintay niya ang tanong ni President Duke sa kanya.

"Are you actually the head of the green house project?"

"Yes, President Duke. Why?" Deretsong niyang tanong.

Nakita ko ang pag-alinlangan ng mukha ni President Duke na parang may nalaman siya na hindi maganda.

"Well, I thought that Doctor Kinston and his doctors are the one incharge for it. I didn't know na ikaw pala ang binigyan ni Reign ng position para riyan."

Unti-unting kumunot ang noo ko dahil parang may nararamdaman akong kakaiba sa tono ng boses ni President Duke at ang pinapahiwatig niya sa kanyang mga sinabi.

"Honestly, I wasn't actually expecting to get this project, President Duke. There are other capable doctors to get this project done, but President Reign assigned it to me without hesitations."

"I see. But your project last year was not really that successful, though. Are you sure you can accomplish it this time?"

Narinig ko ang pagtikhim ni Mrs. Fitz bago siya nagsalita ulit.

"It wasn't my project, to be honest. I was just one of the co-leaders that was assigned to develop possible plans."

"Oh. The green house project years ago ended up in a fire, what's your plan about this? Baka mangyari ulit iyon."