ROZETA:
I wasn't too sure about resuming back to work. Not like the break I took wasn't enough. But with the way I was feeling after the two last two incidents, I think I was bound to be in this position.
After I was discharged from the hospital for yet the second time in the space of a week, I resorted to reflecting on myself. I didn't want to believe I was going through a change I couldn't control. Especially when it was something that could make others see me as a maniac of some sort.
My self-reflection led me to discover that the change I was going through was just a one-time thing. Perhaps it didn't even occur at all because I had been dizzy during that time frame that I thought I heard someone's thoughts.
How would it even be possible to hear the thoughts of someone else? That was the key question I had asked myself during my time alone last week. Lauryn made it clear to me that I was just suffering from a concussion and I just had to agree at the end of the day that it was what she stated.
I made sure that wasn't the order of my day for the remaining days of the week. Because knowing me, I was easily consumed by things that bothered me.
A deep breath and took the first step that would lead me back to my hectic lifestyle as a sales representative at Neon Corps.
Pushing the door into the massive building gave me a kind of feeling that pushed my mind back to the happenings of last week. If I could recall correctly, it was the stress from being a worker here that drove me to that nightclub which led to the strange things that I'm still trying to get a clearer knowledge about.
I sight the receptionist who acknowledges me with her usual smile. There was this hint of concern on her face but I shrug it off, thinking it was just something else. I reciprocate her smile with one before heading toward the elevator where I would need to get to my departmental office on one of the top floors.
The elevator indicated that it was in use so I just stood there while waiting for it to get back down. The next thing I did after that was check the time on my phone which I fished out of my bag. I was five minutes early to the resumption time so that was all I needed to know that I wasn't going to get into trouble with my supervisor this Monday morning.
As I waited nervously for the elevator to come down, I couldn't help but let my mind wander off into another dimension. I find myself thinking about the night at the club... mostly the incident after the club.
It wouldn't have been counted as a memorable night as I remember nothing much from it. But then the things that have happened after that and the hickey that magically disappeared like it wasn't there before have simply made it memorable. I don't know why I still call it a hickey when it is clear that I was bitten badly. Perhaps it's my way of justifying that nigh-perfect stranger.
"Gosh, it's so hot."
My head instantly snaps to the side as I check to see who just said that. I realize it was a coworker who I'm not sure I've met before. But judging from his appearance, he sure was a worker here.
He was holding onto a styrofoam cup which was emitting mist. Despite the sleeve around it, he seems to be struggling with the cup. He could have just opted for a carrier.
"Sorry, what did you say?" I find myself asking him as I waited for him to reiterate his statement.
He gives me a weird look which has me questioning my appearance. Have I got something on my face?
"Say?" he asks.
I nod. "Yes," I admit, "You said something just now, didn't you?"
He gives me a look related to a once-over before looking away while saying, "I didn't."
Now that was strange. If he says he said nothing, then what was that I heard that took me out of my thoughts? It was even the same voice as his now.
For a while, I stare at him while preparing my mind to say something. I really want to insist on the fact that I heard him speak but the ding sound from the elevator prevents me from airing my thoughts to him.
I look away just as the doors come open. There were two people inside who instantly walked out, giving me the chance to walk into the elevator. And, yeah, the man with the hot styrofoam cup walked in too.
I try not to look in his direction because I feel a lot embarrassed knowing that I just might have thought wrongly about what I thought I heard. I reach out to the buttons on the side, clicking the thirteenth number that way. The man reaches for the buttons after as well but I do not care to look at what he was going to click.
The doors shut close and slowly the elevator starts to ascend. Normally I'm always awkward around people except when I'm buzzed. But the situation this time around made me feel like this was going to be a long trip up the building.
The silence was damning but it was sure better than trying to embarrass myself further by insisting that I heard him say something to me. Pretty sure his thought after that would be that I was just trying to have a conversation with him.
The elevator stops and I look up to see we were now on the eleventh floor. As soon as the doors go open, the man was out the next second. To be honest, that made me feel so humiliated. Was I a bug now or something?
That was enough to get me in my feelings but I was fighting the urge. I made a mess of myself and I have to admit that I deserve what I got.
Soon I was on the thirteenth floor which I got out of when the elevator halted again. For some reason, I wasn't as nervous as I was when I stepped into the building downstairs. I wasn't even feeling the hurt of what transpired between me and the man with the styrofoam cup. Perhaps a little confidence boost from nothing is what I need.
I clutch my handbag tightly. And with slow strides, I walk toward the door that leads to my department. I had my eyes shut close for a brief second as I did so and then got to the door which I handled quickly and precisely.
As the door went open, I hoped the day wasn't going to be as bad as it seems to have started.
_____
The day went by as quickly as it began. I tried my best to get a lot of things done while also trying to make sure I didn't get on the bad side of my supervisor. And that was because it started with him making it clear that my workload would be increased after I missed a whole week of work.
All through I did my best to immerse myself in my work as I tried not to think of anything else. It proved to be a lot easy and I would link it to the fact that I was the type of person who tends to keep my focus on something that I've made my mind up on.
The instant it was closing hours, I found myself out of the office. There was no way in the world that I was going to work overtime. Not after everything that happened the last time I did that for a straight week.
Outside looked to be getting dark. This means I need to get home in time before everywhere is filled with all shades of darkness.
I stood outside the office building while waiting for a taxi that would convey me home. It didn't take me more than two minutes to flag one off. But being the weird me, I told the ride to move on while I found myself attempting a walk away from there.
I have no idea why I had the sudden change of mind to walk instead of going into the taxi. Not that I have it in me to walk all the way home - that wouldn't be possible... I stay miles away from the company.
I was stylishly flinging my handbag as I walked down the road that was filled with the same numerous activities that I see on a daily. And as I walked on, I felt this kind of peace that came with the coolness of the evening. Made me wish I made this a routine before. If I didn't always have to work overtime, then I could have considered it already.
The moment I start to feel a strange signal in me, I start to question my sanity again. I didn't need this this evening. Didn't even need it ever again.
I halt. Not because of the feeling. But because of the man standing a distance away.
My heart starts racing. I find myself going through a disoriented state as I stare on. It felt like there was a pull between me and the man standing far off and it gave me mixed feelings of confusion and excitement.
I didn't even know when I utter: "You..."
ROZETA:It was almost like a dream. Maybe it was because I didn't realize I would be seeing him this soon. Or it could be that I was just so surprised to see him again.The more I stared at him, the more I get flashbacks of that night. I could still picture the way he looked at me that night. Hell, he was giving me that same look at the moment.Standing here and staring at him gave me the feeling that I was lost in my own world. Sounded like some fairytale which gave me the cheesy vibe as soon as I processed the whole thing.It was clear he wasn't planning to walk up to me. And in no way was I going to stand and wait for who was going to make the first move while we both stand on the busy walkway. So I take the first step into reaching out because trust me, I have a lot of questions for him.The weird thing about this is that even with the long distance between the two of us, I was still able to recognize him. He has seldom left my mind in the first place so I guess it was justifiable
ROZETA:I sluggishly drop my bag on the center table before plopping down on a sofa nearest to it. My body was a bit heavy, more like it has been in use all day. Should be an effect of being away from any tedious activity for over a week.I relax my back completely on the sofa, my eyes shutting close as I move to get my body back in order. Since I was the only one in, I didn't care about how I was sitting which is why I just went for a very careless position by having my legs on the table. This was most definitely after I took off my shoes with both my feet as aid.I should be glad I had that unplanned one-week break away from work. I guess I missed what it meant to be free and not be without any unnecessary pressure that I get from work each time I'm there.'I'll be seeing you around, Rozeta.'Those were just simple words from the man but they felt like he meant what he said. It should be something figurative but I think he was being literal. It was giving me a headache thinking abou
ROZETA:I'm dying. And it isn't a drill.I woke up all of a sudden from my sleep and I found out everything was wrong with me.My breathing was hitched and I was sweating all over even with the electric fan turned on. Moving my body proved to be difficult as well as it seemed like I was glued to the bed. All of that was enough to make me scared.I want to scream for help but the words couldn't out of my mouth. None of my body systems seemed to function and for a moment, I could swear I was going through paralysis.In no time, tears start seeping out of my eyes and down the side of my face. I couldn't bear the difficulty anymore. My life was being forced out of me right before my eyes and it was the most horrific thing that I could ever imagine.As I stare up at the ceiling, I start to recount how unlucky I've been in the past one week. One good week at my place of work would have prevented me from going to that nightclub and then having a twist of fate. I am not one to have this type
JAX:My reflexes helped me grab the attacker by the arm before I got to the ground, so we both crashed at the same time.I didn't hesitate to get up on my feet as soon as the momentum of the crash leaves me. I was ready to face the challenger without backing out when I notice it was someone I know."What the hell are you doing, Manuel?" I ask in annoyance as I face my right-hand man who looked like he wanted to do something dangerous."No... what are you doing?"The question he throws back puts me on the edge instantly even though I haven't deciphered what he's talking about. I check around for any intrusion first before saying, "What's going on here?"He takes a step toward me but I have my hand raised. "Stay where you are!" I tell him to which he adheres."I followed you all the way to the human girl's place thinking you were going to get the job done on her. But what did you do? You stayed there with her and helped her until the whole phase of her possible turning passed," he says
ROZETA:'Rozeta, take a deep breath. There's nothing wrong with you. It's just a stupid voice in your head. You're only imagining things, trust me,'I keep telling myself that inwardly just to ensure I have not gone crazy. As a matter of fact, I think I am crazy. Because if not, why would I be thinking I heard someone speak in my head when there was nothing of sort?There was absolutely no way that what I thought I heard was from my head. It was just a fraction of my imagination. Possibly from the stress of all that I've been going through this past one week.'When you're done reassuring yourself, then we can talk,'I jump from my bed all of a sudden at that. This time I was sure of it. It wasn't just me thinking some random thoughts. Someone was speaking to me. But I would be indeed crazy to think it was actually inside my head.I look around. I need to find the intruder. No, I have to leave this place before I get attacked by whoever it is that has made his way into my room.'There
ROZETA:I've been trying not to think about it but I'm not sure if that can work. No other thought seems to flow in my head other than that of the thing I still can't believe."What then will happen to me now that I have you?" That had been the question I clearly needed an answer to and the response I got was frightening.'Since I'm inside of you, it means we have become one. And that also means you are what I am now.'Where did I go wrong with my life? Why do unexpected things keep happening to me?To be honest, I still can't tell what I did to get to work because I shouldn't even be here in the first place with all of this. Perhaps it was the feeling of knowing I would get into trouble with my supervisor that actually created a rift between staying home and coming to work. But now that I think about it, I should have gone with the best option which is staying home.I haven't heard from the voice since I arrived at work. Not that I would want to hear it speak to me in the first place
JAX: "How sure are you about this?" I ask soon after i take a seat to act like i was genuinely interested in this conversation we are about to have. "A hundred percent," is his immediate response to the question. I have to try to think of what to say next because i didn't want to make the mistake of letting him know i might have a hand in the issue. With my hands folded below my chest, i ask him, "So why exactly are you here? It's clear to me you need something from me which is why you showed up here." "Of course i do," he says without blinking an eye. "Father asked me into look into it so i decided i'll be needing your help," "And you really think i would be key in helping you find the illegal bred?" I ask him. He nods to which i then move to act like i'm deliberating on the issue. But the pretence deliberation leads me to think about something that i think would help my personal affairs in place of his. "Whoever it is you are looking for, did you trace that down to the human
ROZETA: I expected to be in so much pain but the only thing i felt was numbness. So numb that i could feel any part of my body. It took me a long while to realize my body seems to be wrapped around something. I try to flicker my eyes open just so i could find out what that is and when i do, i am surprised to see i was not actually hit by the car. How it happened, i don't know. But i know i heard a loud thud that clearly signified an impact with the approaching vehicle. The fear of knowing that whoever it is must be badly injured now keeps me on edge. I am desperate now to see the face of the person that it has me asking in an almost incoherent voice: "Are you okay?" There was a bit of adjustment before the face of the person comes to view. And i won't lie, My heart skipped upon sighiting who it is. Seeing i was aware about the identity of the person, i was filled with a wave of safety that i didn't know i needed. Most especially when my eyes come in contact with his. The overhww