Magnanimous

Ch. 1 - "Would our situation be different?"

DISCLAIMER: The entire story takes place in a timeline when a pandemic did not occur. Enjoy and leave constructive criticism and reviews. I'd love to hear your thoughts for better writing. Also, the story cover art is under construction.

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Her back was aching. And it wasn't because of the backpack.

Celeste dela Cerna packed light clothing and essentials and made sure to leave home in the dead of night. Not even her parents sleeping in the next room stirred when she closed the door behind her. The cool urban air met her as she stepped out of her gate. The stroll to find a taxi still active at this time of night was uneventful, but her back still ached.

As she rode the taxi to Mactan International Airport, Celeste cast a sad look on the buildings and houses whirring by. Eventually, she bid a silent farewell to her previous workplace. She had already resigned a week ago.

When Celeste stepped into the airport, she checked her watch. It was half past three in the morning and the first plane to her next destination would depart in an hour. As she approached the ticket counter, she replayed the plan: look for someone, find a place to stay, and lay low until things settled. For now, she wanted – needed to get out of the place.

Celeste prepared her departure carefully. She confided to her select friends where she would be going and what she would do. She made sure to deactivate her social media accounts – though she was not very active in them. She made sure to cancel her phone's subscription the day before so that she wouldn't be reached. She told him through a lengthy direct message before she deactivated her account that she had enough of the things he did and was going to turn over a new leaf for her sake. And she told her parents, who swore to protect her.

For now, she was alone. And that was all she needed.

At 4:45 AM, the plane took off. As the skies started to brighten, Celeste found solace being the only person in the row. Silently, she cried.

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August Benitez had been teaching Computer Education to Grade 7 students at Ateneo de Cagayan Junior High School for the past two school years. He did not look visually remarkable for the part but possessed a good technical grasp of the skills needed for the job. Having worked in the banking industry for two years after his college graduation, August could work through documents, spreadsheets, and presentations with magic from his fingers. Yet, his restlessness and free spirit made him yearn to go beyond sitting in twelve-hour shifts for six days a week from his previous job. After two years of mentoring his young and carefree students on the ways of technology as he had used it to prepare for their career, August felt confident for another school year.

There was just one problem: he had not yet secured his license to teach.

August was hardworking. His skills in working with computers were undeniable. However, he had trouble concentrating when something on his mind bothered him.

When he started teaching, August took up some college courses so he can secure his professional license to teach. He always told himself not to go back to a job that could financially reward him but could also make him feel unsatisfied – not that it always applied to his previous job, but August desired for adventure. He finished his extended education and applied to take the examination to secure his license as a professional teacher.

However, he failed. Twice.

And it was because of his predicament that he was now seated in the conference room and facing his direct superior. A glass table adorned with a single potted plant and some left-behind folders separated him and the veteran teacher. The afternoon outside was humid, but the conference room felt like an icy version of hell.