OXYGEN

XIII

Sometimes we fail, but knowing that you're breathing, you can always have the chance to surpass whatever challenges you're in.

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"So, how was your trip going here?"

Napatingin ako kay Doctor Black sa bigla niyang pagtanong sa kalagitnaan ng paglalakad namin. He's not looking at me, but I can tell that he's waiting for my response.

"It was good. Although, first time ko rito sa West," I answered him casually.

I don't want to be sounded like a weak girl. I need to conceal my soft side for them not to take advantage on me. Mahirap na dahil nasa teritoryo nila ako.

Nakita ko siyang tumango at mukhang satisfied naman siya sa sagot ko. Tinahak namin ulit ang daan na dinaanan namin ni Doc Elliot kanina.

"Is Doctor Elliot your mentor?"

"Ah.. yes?" Pagdadalawang-isip kong sagot.

"You're not sure?" He asked.

"Not really. But, Doc Habiusy introduced him as my mentor."

"Don't worry about him, he's a great guy... you can get along with him surely." Ngumiti siya saglit at nakita ko nanaman ang malalim niyang dimple. Geez!

Hindi na ako umimik. I wonder if he's really the guy I met online? I mean, surely they have the same playful attitude and he is very approachable. And I also wonder if he can recognize me. My name is obviously written as my username! Is he playing guess-who? I'm not really sure and I have a bad feeling about this.

Pagdating namin sa kwarto ko ay siya na ang nagbukas ng pinto para sa akin. Medyo nagulat din ako kasi gentleman din pala siya. And here I thought that all the boys here are bastards and horny as hell, but I can make him and Doctor Elliot as an exemption.

"Thank you, Doc." I said.

"You're welcome, enjoy your stay here, Cora." And with that, he left after giving me a wink while closing the door.

I let out a heavy breath and went directly to my bed. Nakatingin lang ako sa itaas habang inaayos ko ang pagkakahiga ko. What just happened? In just a span of three hours ang dami agad nangyari! How about for the next months? Ano nalang mangyayari sa akin dito? Natatakot ako at the same time nae-excite din.

Bumangon ako ng mabilis ng may bigla akong nakitang liwanag na sumilip sa may kurtina. Lumapit agad ako dito at hinawi iyon. I am now looking to a clean and thick window. Tanaw na tanaw ko rin dito ang syudad ng West. Lalong-lalo na ang ibang mga lalaking naglalakad sa daan habang suot-suot ang mga mask nila.

The color of the sky is a bit yellow and the smoke from the large factories are can be seen from where I am standing. Parang mga robot tingnan ang mga lalaking naglalakad sa daan lalong-lalo na ang mga Men Bulwarks na naka-bantay lang sa paligid na animo'y handang-handa nang dumakip ng kung sino man ang magkakasala.

Ibinalik ko ang pagkakasarado ng kurtina at napag-pasyahan ko nalamang na maligo. Kumuha ako ng damit sa dala kong bag at agad na dumeretso sa banyo.

Mas lalo akong namangha sa desinyo nito dahil halatang nasa-first class na mga tao lang ang pwedeng magka-ganito sa bahay nila. The comfort room is very wide at kasya ata ang bente ka tao. I slowly went under the shower and wet my hair. I am now fully naked and I already make sure na sarado at naka-lock ang pinto nitong C.R mahirap na at baka may pumasok nalang bigla.