TWISTED REALITY

PROLOGUE

I don’t understand this song currently playing on my playlist. And I don’t understand why it’s there in the very first place. This is not my genre and this is certainly not my language. I tried pressing the next button to change it but my phone wouldn’t work. Left with no choice, I just let it play. Four minutes of incomprehensible pop song won’t hurt me and for what it’s worth, the beat isn’t that bad. I actually find myself humming along it.

I fumble on my house keys as I am hugging a bag of groceries in my left hand. As soon as I hear the click on the doorknob, I release a deep breath and open the door.

“Surprise!”

My groceries for the week fall on the floor, a lemon even rolls towards Iza. Beside her is my roommate slash sister who is wearing a party hat. A couple of neighbors and colleagues stand behind them— I’m not even that close with most of them. Now my jaw is on the floor, “What?”

A party popper explodes which almost makes me jolt, “Happy Birthday!”

It’s my birthday? Says who? It’s not— what day is it? Why can’t I suddenly remember the date today? But whatever it is, it’s not my birthday. I’ve already celebrated mine a few months ago.

“No, it’s not!”

“Yes, it is. Happy Birthday, Ate!” Maxinne hugs me.

“Baliw ka ba? Hindi ko nga birthday! Who planned this outdated birthday surprise?”

“Jowa mo.”

My what? Now that’s more shocking than this whole thing. Not only I don’t know it’s my birthday, I also don’t know that I have this thing called jowa. Kilala ko pa ba talaga ang sarili ko? Ako pa ba ‘to?

“Again, what?”

She nudges me to the dining hall where I see the back view of a woman standing there. She’s wearing a carnation pink top and white pants. I am about to ask my sister who she is when she turns around, holding a cake.

I am stoic for a moment as I stare at her face. She has a winning smile while walking towards me that I cannot take my eyes off her. It’s her. Again. And she’s my girlfriend now?

“Happy Birthday, Rox!”

I can say now that I am shocked, “Did you just speak?” I know that’s a stupid question but it has a very long backstory. She never spoke to me, let alone said my name before. Wala akong maintindihan sa mga nangyayari. First, I’m celebrating a birthday. Second, I have a girlfriend. Third, this girlfriend is not mute.

“You can make a wish now and blow your candle after.” she says. But doing those craps is on the last of my list. I should take advantage of this while she is still here.

“What’s your name?”

“Roxanne,”

“That’s my name. I’m asking about your own name.”

“Ate Roxanne!”

I quickly get up from my bed, thinking our house is the epicenter of a very strong earthquake, “Bakit hindi mo na lang ako hinulog sa sahig, nahiya ka pang lintek ka!” singhal ko kay Maxinne nang mapagtanto kong siya lang pala ‘yung yumuyogyog sa’kin.

“Iyon naman talaga ang susunod kong gagawin sa’yo kung hindi ka pa nagising!” she says. “Maligo ka na! We are both going to be late if you aren’t going to move from your bed. You should be thankful to me.”

My sleep-deprived brain urges me to sigh and punch my sister, “Bwiset ka. Magluto ka na lang ng almusal natin para mas mapabilis tayo.”

“Yeah, whatever. Just hurry up!”