Venture Delulu

Chapter 2 - ORIENTATION

6:34 AM

~The slum streets of Manila~

Roaring engines from vehicles that are crammed in the road. Vendors on the sidewalk yelling to attract customers. Animal noises, from the loudest bark, to the faintest shrill. This is all you can hear, in the slum streets of Manila.

The city is full of life, the sun's shining, partly cloudy, suitable for jogging. The smell of the freshly baked pandesal at Manong Panding's Bakery is wafting across the streets. Elderlies cleaning their front yard while being irritated by children who are noisily playing.

Everybody's on their morning routine. All are in a hurry, they don't want to be late with their respective appointments.

Everything's are on track, just like any other day everything is normal...except for someone.

In one of the jeepneys, there's a man who's brain is going round and round like the wheels of the vehicle he's riding. His heart is pounding like never before, he is somewhat paralyzed, frozen and lost in a void he's not familiar with.

A-ano to?!

Am I still dreaming?!

What's happening?!

His thoughts are nothing but confusion. Paanong mangyayari na ang taong naninirahan sa kanyang panaginip ay ngayo'y nasa kanyang harapan.

"Kuya paabot po ng bayad - salamat."

His voice is so deep yet soothing. Makalaglag panty. Luckily Aeden worn briefs that day.

Can that be accepted as an exception? Well, maybe...

The unknown guy reached inside his bag, he pulled out his earphones, inserted the jack on his phone, and started listening to music.

He noticed that Aeden is staring at him, looking at his face like a maniac.

Aeden quickly turned his head and pretends to find something inside his bag.

What Am I doing, how long have I been staring at him?! Jezz, so embarrassing!

The stranger chuckled while it shooks it's head. Pfft, weirdo.

Patingin-tingin si Aeden sa taong nakasabay sa byahe. Hindi siya mapakali na parang may kung anong bumabagabag sa kanya.

Even though he can't clearly remember the face of the stranger in his dream, a voice that is shouting inside his chest is saying,

It's him.

Pagkalito at pagkagulat. Iyan ang natakbo sa isipan nya ngayon. Litong-lito sa mga pangyayari magmula sa kanyang paggising hanggang sa mga sandaling iyon. Nagulat dahil ang mga labing sa kanya'y nang-aakit sa mundo ng panaginip, ay nasa kanyang harapan, nakahain na tila'y naghihintay na kanyang matikman.

Bagama't pagkalito at pagkagulat ang nangingibabaw sa halo-halong emosyon na naglalaban sa kanyang kalooban, may mahinang liwanag na nakislap na nagdudulot ng kiliti sa kanyang kalamnam. Nakaramdam siya ng saya.

Kasiyahan at pagkasabik, na hindi niya maintindihan, hindi niya makontrol.

Patuloy ang byahe ng jeep na saksi sa pagsisimula ng isang kwento, na tila'y ang bidang tauhan ay pinaglalaruan ng mundo. Sabay ng pag-ikot ng apat na gulong na nagpapausad sa sasakyang kanilang kinauupuan, ay ang malakas na pagtibok ng puso ng isang pasahero.