"It is time."
*
Sari
"Gising na, anak."
I woke up from the most beautiful dream — that I was flying, riding a gorgeous, colorful bird. I remember feeling so safe, secure and loved.
"Sari? Gising na, anak."
I opened my eyes and saw my mother's beautiful face.
"'Nay... five more minutes."
Nanay chuckled. "Male-late ka sa opisina, anak. Bangon na. Sigurado ka bang kaya mo na pumasok?"
I sat up. "Yes po. Okay na po ako."
I was hospitalized the past week for an unknown virus that made me weak and nauseous. But, it miraculously disappeared. The doctors diagnosed it as a self-limiting virus that must have already run its course.
Because of that episode, I moved back home for another week's rest. But now, I was fit to work.
Still, my mom worried.
"I'll have the driver bring you to work today. Bukas ka na magdrive, okay?"
I nodded, grateful.
*
At the office, people welcomed me back, asked about my health and then it was work work work.
As I headed off to a meeting with my papers in one hand and my coffee in another, I walked briskly to avoid being late -
- then bumped into a colleague going the opposite direction.
Our papers flew, coffee spilled on me and I was about to apologize when I saw who it was.
My eyes narrowed at seeing the guy. He had been on my case ever since we were children. We just never got along even if we were born on the same day, at the same hospital; lived next to each other; went to the same schools, employers...
But today... I did a double take. As he sorted out the mess, it seemed like seeing him for the first time.
"Mag-ingat ka kasi!" I reprimanded.
"Ako? Ako pa? Ikaw diyan yung makatakbo akala mo mananalo ng gold medal."
"Hay nako!"
"Natapunan ng coffee yung skirt mo pero konti lang naman. Pero wag ka magalala. It just adds to your overall dugyot-ness," he chuckled as I glared at him. "See you later, Sarimanok!"
He's been teasing me with this ever since grade school. "Ugh! Nakakainis talaga!"
Day ruined by my mortal enemy — Malik.
