EXODUS: The Red Planet

2: New Era (Jova)

"Good Morning, TRBL Pizza, what's your order?"

Pinaikot ko sa aking mga daliri ang kable ng telepono, tsaka lumunok, "Uhh, can I please have two big family sized Hawaiian Pizzas?" I awkwardly stated, it's 2:38am, this is the only Pizzeria I know that is open at this hour besides the usual.

"Would that be all sir? We have cheesy macaroni as well." Said the girl from the other line.

"Uhh, I'll only have two big family sized hawaiian pizzas please."

"Okay, two big family sized hawaiian pizzas, that would be 650 pesos sir, what's your address?"

I told her my address.

"Okay, expect your order to arrive in 30 minutes, thank you very much for ordering at TRBL Pizza! Have a good day."

I heaved out a sigh, thank God that was over with.

But it's not over yet... I have to call another one.

My hands are sweaty. Fck.

I dialled the number of my favourite fast food chain, which is open for 24 hours. Their service is good and I have someone I like that is currently working there so I'm a loyal customer and they know me already.

I order often so I can hear her soft voice.

It's ringing...

"Hello, good morning, WcDonalds, can we have your order?"

I smiled, it's the same voice. Her voice calms me down all the time.

"Good morning, can I have the usual please?"

"Oh. Hi sir! Tapos na po ba yung Chapter 20 ng Cheapest Flight? Monday na po, ngayon po ang submit niyo sa Naver ng webcomic niyo diba?"

"Uh. Hindi pa tapos eh, pedeng pakibilis yung order ko? Gutom na kasi ako eh."

"Ay! Sorry po sir. Hehe. Sige, pakiintay nalang po.~"

"Okay thank you."

Nakahinga ako ng maluwag, all I have to do now is wait.

Tumingin ako sa monitor ng aking desktop, wala pa akong naiisip na maiging ipinta/scene.

Yung mga naiisip ko naman, cliché na o masyadong gamit. Kailangan ko ng kakaiba.

I draw and write webcomics on LINE Webtoon at Cheapest Flight ang pinakasikat kong nagawa, mismo ako rin ay nagulat. Siguro ay dahil sa romance ito at ganito ngayon ang patok sa mga kabataan. Noon lang, nasa Discover tab pa ang webcomic ko, hanggang isang araw kinontact ako ng isa sa mga staff ng Naver, gusto daw niya ang webcomic ko at kung pedeng makipagkita ako sa kaniya. Pumayag ako sa offer niya na manggawa ako ng webcomic twice everyweek, at babayaran ako ng Naver. Nafeature ang webcomic ko at tinangkilik ito ng nakararami. Sa ngayon ay 9.5 ang ratings nito at libo libo ang nagcocomment at naglalike.

Monday na ngayon at kailangan ko nang i-email ang Chapter 20 sa Naver but no problem, our country's time zone is different than theirs, Sunday, 3:00PM palang sa kanila, at ang deadline ko ay 12:00AM Monday. So, I can chill.

Bakit ako gising ng 2:55 ng madaling araw kung pede palang magpaeasy easy ako? May insomnia kasi ako. It's been two days. I really need to get this checked but I'm too lazy sooooooo sa susunod nalang.

Narinig ko ang pagtunog ng doorbell ng apartment kong tinitirhan, 15 minutes palang ang nakakaraan ah? Andito na agad yung pizza? Nagmadali akong tumayo at pumunta sa pinto.

Binuksan ko ang pinto at bumungad sakin ang nakingiting delivery guy, galing sa WcDonalds.

"Good morning sir! Here's your order! Was it 6pc chicken bucket, two large fries and one giant babo?"