"Next!"
The plump lady shouted from the table in front of the room. She looked bored with the monotonous work she probably does every day. I have been here many times, and she would usually do the same thing, that is to hand application forms to applicants.
When it was my turn, she looked at me. "It's you again." She said sourly. She handed me the paper without smiling.
I faked a smile and took the application form from her. It was already embarrassing she recognized me. Maybe, she was thinking I could not fit anywhere, which was true. I have been going to this office for more than three years now. I gave up applying directly long time ago because I always get rejected. This recruitment agency was my last hope of getting another job after I finished my contract with my previous employer. No matter how hard I work, they wouldn't hire me directly nor at least extend my contract even until Christmas. I needed the money desperately.
"Next!" she shouted again.
I stared at the paper, which was photocopied many times, then I started writing.
Name: Selene Rivera
Age: 55 years old
Status: Divorce
Children: None
Educational Attainment:
I sighed as I answered the part for the educational attainment. I was a college graduate. That's it. No other achievements except that I barely made it to graduation. At my age now, I was supposed to be successful just like my friends. Planning how I should spend my retirement should be on the top of priority list, but here I was, sitting in a chair, answering this application form, and hoping to land in a good company that would consider me. However, I doubt it. Nowadays, companies prefer young applicants who could work faster and could adapt to the changes in technology, not an old lady like me.
What went wrong with my life?
I have asked myself that question many times hoping to have a different answer. Yet, the obvious answer was the same. I made the wrong turn. I made wrong decisions in my life. I couldn't even think where to begin, or maybe I knew how it all began but it was too late. Way too late! I just wish that reincarnation is true so I could start again.
When I finished filling up the application form, I went to the box near the doorway and dropped the paper inside with high hopes that I would be selected. I looked around the office before getting out of the door. I was the only old applicant. The rest of them were either high school or college graduates. I knew they will wouldthe priority and the agency might have to put my name on the last of their list.
As I went out of the agency, the scorching heat of today’s weather embraced me. It was around thirty-five degrees already. The weather report said it would reach up to forty degrees. Unbelievable. I walked towards the bus station and sat quietly on the shady part of the bench.
The scent of the food on the food stalls near the waiting shed made me hungry. I could hear my stomach growling, but then my money was just enough for the bus fare. I got my bottled water, sipped a little and shifted my mind to something else.
Perhaps if someone would ask if series of unfortunate events is true, I would volunteer to testify. I was an achiever in high school, but when I got in college, I fell from being an achiever to nothing. I almost didn't make it to graduation. I was a disgrace to my family. I got married three times, but all ended up in divorce. At first, I thought they brought all these misfortunes into my life, but all my ex-husbands were happily married now, so I was convinced that I was the one who brought mishaps into them and to mine.
"Hey old lady, you missed your bus." I heard a voice said to someone.
I frowned as I misheard the words. It was like hey, you missed your chance. I even wanted to answer, I know.
The homeless man grinned at me and repeated what he said. "You missed your bus."
Startled, I stood up to realize the bus had just passed.
"What the…" I disgruntled then slumped down on the bench again. Now, I had to wait for another hour.
"You missed your chance." The homeless guy said.
Was that supposed to be a joke? I released a long sigh. He was probably my prank for the day. I did not even notice him when I got here.
"I know." I didn’t even know why I bother to answer.
"Just walk," he stretched his hands and yawned. "Don't miss your chance again." He said in a lazy tone.
Sometimes I envy people like them. Their lives seemed to be easier than mine. They were free to do whatever they want, and they could go wherever they wish. But I cannot miss my part-time job today. I desperately needed the money. So, I stood up and decided to follow his advice.
I was, maybe ten steps away from him, when he shouted.
"Miss, be careful of falling debris!"
I stopped walking and shook my head. Before crossing the street, I looked back to confirm if he was still talking to me. I guess he was because he grinned and waved at me before he lay down at the side of the street to sleep. I smirked. What could fall in this broad daylight? Probably if today was the end of the world, I would thank heaven for doing so. I was tired of living my life.
I should have gone home. To my family. It has been years and I lost count already the times my mother begged me to come home. Swallowing my pride was harder than living this worthless life. I did not wish to be the prodigal son in the story, that after I begged my parents to give me my share of their wealth, I went away. What would Sienna say? I guess it was too late to go back. I just wanted to die.
Things were sent to try me today. I could feel the vibration of my cellphone which I placed in a silent mode while I was in the recruitment agency this morning. I searched for it inside my bag while crossing the street. When I get hold of it, I saw my employer's name on the screen. I groaned. Mrs. Fritz must be frantic by now.
The most ridiculous thing that happened to me today was crossing the street and answering Mrs. Fritz’ call. Everything happened simultaneously. I heard a loud deafening beep of a fast-speeding volvo. My heart pounded as it stopped just a foot away from me. I was sweating as I realized I almost had an accident. At that moment, I completely forgot that I wanted to die.
The driver must have been shocked because it took a while before he went out of his car. At that exact moment, the time must have slowed down because I could only focus on the person who almost hit me today. My eyes went from his shoes to his face. He was wearing an exceptionally expensive business suit. He was tall, well-built, and… gorgeously handsome. I stared at him in disbelief. A gasp escaped my mouth when I recognized him.
"Albert?" It was more of like a whisper on my part.
“Selene?” He could not believe seeing me as well.
Worried, he walked towards me but just few steps before he could reach me, I ran away from him as fast I could.
No! No! No!
He was the reason why I was experiencing all these misfortunes in life. He was the reason why my heart was in coma, incapable of loving. He was the reason why I was away from my family.
Maybe my bad day hasn't ended yet. I missed the sign beware of falling debris. I ran fast without thinking that I was already going inside the busy construction area. I stopped running to catch my breath when suddenly something hit my head hard.
"Ouch." I felt the pang of pain when that something hit my head hard. I touched my head and growled. Then I heard laughter.
Laughter?
I opened one eye and saw Jane looking at me worried but amused. I frowned. I must have hit my head pretty hard because my best friend looked young. This morning she just complained to me about the gray streaks in her hair and wished to go to salon this weekend.
"Jane?" I eyed her curiously. I opened both eyes.
"Are you okay, Selene?" She twitched her mouth, trying not to smile.
Disoriented, I looked around. I saw familiar faces of my classmates who were laughing at me.
"What just happened?" That question was for me, but my professor answered.
"Dear, you were sleeping in my class. This is not a bedroom." He said disappointedly. He showed me the book he used to smack my head.
I was about to complain but my eyes widened in disbelief because when I looked up, I saw Mr. Maurice. He was young, alive, and just in his late forties. I was mortified because he died few years ago of prostate cancer. I was sure of that because I was at his funeral.
"If you are not interested to listen, you can go out." He said as he went back in front of the class and continued his lecture.
I looked at Jane again.
"Jane," I called. "What just happened?"
"Hmn?" she said without looking at me. She was already busy writing in her notebook. "You fell asleep." She whispered.
No, I did not. I was almost hit by an expensive car and was surprised to see that it was Albert who was behind the wheels. But I couldn't seem to tell her that story.
This was a really weird dream. I recognized the white panels of the classroom, the scent of an old building, and even the surface of my table. I looked around and recognized my classmates.
"What's the date today?"
"September 15." She answered. She was still focused on the lecture. “1995.”
I opened my mouth in disbelief. Now it was confirmed I was dreaming. Or maybe I was hit by the car, and I am now dead. I could be in limbo. I looked around me again and studied the face of everyone in the class. I couldn't be more wrong.
I was eighteen again.
It was exactly 1:15 p.m. I didn’t know how many times I looked at the time. I touched my watch. My dad gave this to me as present. He told me that it will always remind me it’s time to go home. It was the same watch I had in my wrist this morning. It stopped ticking twenty years ago, but I still wore it. If I did not miss the bus, I would have had the time to eat lunch and be on time for my part-time job. If my future still exists, Mrs. Fritz must be angry by now. She has an appointment at two, and I had to babysit and tutor her two children. Thinking I was daydreaming, which was quite true, Mr. Maurice called my name. "Miss Rivera," He called making some of my classmates giggled. I stood up, unsure of what to do. Do I have to stand? It has been years – almost four decades - since I went to college. "You seem to know the lesson very well. You're no longer paying attention." He sounded disappointed. "Care to explain
Hello and welcome to the Rolling Heart Stones live show. First up is a song by Michael Jackson, now in its top five. The DJ played the song, ‘You are Not Alone.“Oh, I love this song!” Jane exclaimed. She sat dreamily while concentrating on the lyrics of the song. It was almost three in the afternoon, and I suddenly felt nostalgic sitting on this familiar bench under the tree. A lot of things had happened here.I wasn’t listening to the song. I was busy reading the newspaper the other student left on the table. It was more interesting than listening to Michael Jackson. I would have flipped out if the DJ played ‘Love Me for A Reason’. Even at my age, I was still crazy over that song.Also, I knew what would happen next. I was sitting opposite her. She excitedly waved to Ed and Albert. Her eyes sparkling and smiling. Ed insisted on treating us as his way of apologizing for what
“Selene has a boyfriend! Selene has a boyfriend.” Billy kept on chanting it over dinner. I scowled at him, but I did not say anything. I wish I could smack him in the head, but I just looked at him lovingly. My cute three-year-old brother, already independent at his age, ate his dinner on his own.My mom came with a big bowl in her hand. Before my dad could stand up, Albert went and got the bowl from her and placed it on the center of the table.“Thank you,” she said sweetly, then winked at my father.My dad cleared his throat. Oh no! I always hated it when he did that. It usually meant the beginning of an interrogation.“So, are you really my daughter’s boyfriend?” He started.“Dad,” I grumbled as I eyed him scornfully, but I knew he won’t let go of this topic.“Not yet, sir.” He answered politely. “Hopefully soon.”My parents made an exchange look, a
The dark sky was covered by glittering stars, and the full moon proudly shone in the night. We didn’t need the lamp post light to guide us on our way to the park. The moon has done its part. Suddenly, I regret walking in the park with Albert. He looked like a Greek god wearing a white polo shirt and white pants. I was so busy hating him that I almost forgot how regal he was when he moved and walked. He was also taller than me. That’s why I had to look up just to glance at his beautiful face. He was perfect in many ways.He stopped walking and looked at me. “Enjoying the view?” He grinned.I panicked and turned my gaze somewhere else. “Yeah. The sky’s beautiful.” I was thankful it was night, he didn’t see my cheeks flushed like a red apple. For a long time, I loathed him, but now, I’m hating myself more.I led him to the picnic table, and we sat across from each other. As much as my heart was aching to l
Still half asleep, I rolled to my bed, stretched my arms, and searched for my cellphone. I usually place it on the side table, but my hand couldn’t find it. My arms reached out to the floor, feeling the cold wooden floor. Maybe it fell, and went under my bed again. Did I forget to turn on the alarm? What happened last night? I groaned. Instead of recalling my past evening, I made a quick recollection of what I should do today. I have to go to the agency to submit another application. In the afternoon, I had to go to Mrs. Fritz’s house to tutor her two children, then head to Jane’s to babysit her three children while she attends an important dinner event. With my eyes still closed, I sighed heavily. This will be another busy day for me. To be honest, everything was exhausting already, but I badly needed the money to pay the bills.I moaned when someone opened the curtain. The sunlight kissed my face and I murmured a complaint as I continued to search fo
My mind was wandering along the green field outside the large window of the classroom. Our professor has not arrived yet, which gave me time to process what just happened this morning.We arrived thirty minutes earlier, thanks to how maniac Albert was in driving his car this morning. I gave him a fair warning by trying to remove my seatbelt.“Hey!” He shouted when he saw me from the rearview mirror, then slowed down the speed of his driving.I care less about him being a drag racer, but we will not die today just because he wanted to prove something. I gave him a sullen look, then gazed outside the car.“Did you fight or something?” Ed chuckled as he glanced at me. “I thought you’re friends already,” He said grinning at Jane. They were suspicious of our silence about what happened last night.“She was very clear last night. She doesn’t want me to be her friend,” His voice was serious.
It was dusk when I went out of the building of the library. I walked in silence and focused my eyes on the uneven pavement until I reached the bus stop. I slumped on the seat but did not bother whether I was on the right stop or not.I observed the busy street. The sounds soothed my ears, though there were jumble of noises from traffic and human sounds. In the future this city would soon hum of cars honking, traffic, construction, and people’s noises. Good thing, music apps were created to help you escape that world until you reached the comfort of your home... if you have a home.I could not brush off everything that had happened today. The red mark on my arm has completely disappeared there, but I still tremble in fear whenever I remember the depth of anger in Albert’s eyes. I kept on pushing myself for little luck of changing my future, but the inconsistencies I made has brought events and people I have not met nor seen before. However, I was not thrille
The wide-open window invited both the chilly wind and the warmth of sunlight into my room. As I became aware of my surroundings, I realized two things at once. I was still in my 18-year-old body, and that intimate moment with Albert last night wasn't a dream. The cold gold pendant touching my skin was proof. I giggled and covered my face with my lumpy pillow as I remember his touch and kisses. But as I think back, it gave me a chill when I recall the serious tone in his voice as he put the necklace on me. He talked metaphorically like something would happen, which I would not like. If I wasn't wearing the necklace on the day we met again, would that mean he still has it with him today? Until when will I stay here this year? Did I die somewhere in the construction area? I brushed off all the questions. I may have the spirit of my 55-year-old body, but since I was in my 18-year-old body, I have duties and obligations to fulfill. I got up and checked today's sch