Chapter III

Who was it that said, "There are two things that are possibly infinite: the universe and human ignorance; I am not even sure of the universe"? Well, that seems to be pretty appropriate for me.

I can't help but get bothered when people post 'It's complicated' status. I mean, what does that even mean? There has to be some clarity to it. Nothing is ever so complicated that you can't even have a single word to describe it.

The same goes for what happened earlier on today. To most people, that would've been 'It's complicated'. But I had a pretty vague idea of what that was. My first choice was the word 'flirting'. I am 55% sure that that was how flirting was exhibited.

My second choice was that it was a metaphorical exhibition of multi-dimensional neuro-signals to stimulate metaphysical reactions. But I am not going to explain that as it would be pointless, and it would lessen the poetic aesthetics of the moment.

I pretty much acted as the same me during the rest of the day, though I did get scolded for being 15 minutes late. I was not easily susceptible to show what was on my mind. See, guys are really simple creatures. They see cute girls; they like. They see more skin; they like more. It is just a matter of how well you can hide it. Now that I said it out loud, it sounds creepy as hell.

It was 07:43 in my watch and it was already dark outside my apartment. I heard my phone ring as I headed to pick it up by the couch. It was a text from a register named "Joe (Probably)". I opened the message and it read, Hi . . . I didn't catch ur name. You mind tellin me?

How did she get my number?!

I caught myself smiling, which is bad I know. But I didn't have cell balance to text her back. I let it slide past me. It wasn't like I was enthusiastic to improve my social standing or anything. I lay back on the couch as I turned the TV on. There were the usual music channels. But other than that, there was nothing interesting.

I closed my eyes for a moment and the next thing I knew was that I was being woken up by the sound of my alarm. The room was silent except for the sound of the ceiling fan and the grumbling of my stomach. I guess somewhere along the lines, I turned off my TV.

I checked the time and it read 06:13

The birds were oddly cheery for this Tuesday morning. I quickly fixed myself some cereal from a shelf by the sink and milk I still had on my fridge. As I heat up the milk in low flame, I brushed my teeth. I ate my breakfast quickly and headed on to the bathroom.

As I was getting a change of clothes, I heard a knock on my door. I went on to see what or who it was, but I simply found a brown envelop by the door. It had money and a note inside it; I guess my parents still had their eyes on me.

The note read:

Ted, don't ever forget that you have a home here. You still have your passport and VISA, yes? Just come home every now and then. Your Dad and I miss you.

Mom.

The note even had our families company seal on it. This meant that Mom made sure I got this letter, and SOMETHING was about to happen. I suddenly had a sinking feeling in my gut. As much as she sounds sweet and caring, deep beneath the smile my Mom had, she was the farthest thing I know from an angel.

I was fifteen minutes late for class as I cannot get the note out of my head. I am sure everyone has their own shadows to catch, their own demons beneath the roads they walk on. My demons tend to wear corporate skirts and suit and ties.

My professor didn't mind me being late. I doubt he even knew I went to his class. I think it's only fair since I doubt I know his name. Either way, I still had to find a way to get my parents' eyes off of me. I also have a four-hour shift at my part-time job. But that would be easy; I only have to deliver a few meals to houses here and there. I even had the chain's motorcycle at my expense.

It was a few minutes past 09:00 and I was walking out of the building to head to the bleachers to read a book. It was a peaceful midday activity and I felt really content. I went on like that 'til 10 then I had to get to my usual delivery shift.

My Tuesdays and Thursdays were pretty full of leeway, so I had the time to read a book or sleep or finish paper works I need. My delivery job went on uneventfully, just the way I like it. Though I did get invited to stay for a few birthday parties, but I said the same thing.

"I'm still on the clock." I always say.

It may seem like I'm humbly refusing the offer, but I just don't like parties. It was half past three in the afternoon and I as quietly walking along the acacia tree-guided road that leads to the Philosophies building.

I was relieved to see that my classmates still had the time to goof off, which meant that our professor still wasn't around. I sat myself at the right-most chair, second to the back near the yellow glow of the sun. I grabbed my book and continued reading.

I am not a big fan of horror or mystery novels as I prefer reading something light. I usually read books about magic, gods and heroes. But I also occasionally stumble upon cheesy Romantic Comedies. But as of now, I was getting engrossed on a fiction novel about demigods and stuff.

Then suddenly, like a flash of yellow light, a smile surfaced in my mind. A smile, seemingly sweet, luring me into a trance, was that of a woman with ash-blonde-dyed hair. I felt a chill run down my spine, like a dagger of icicle slashing across my back. I pinched my left forearm with my free hand to snap myself back to reality.

The sunlight bathed the entire room with a strong glow, but I was freezing. I felt a tap on my right shoulder and, startled, I turned instinctively. It was Barry.

"Dude, you look like you've been stuck inside a freezer for a month." he said casually. "What's up?"

"N—Nothing, really." I said.

He stared at me for a moment, his grey eyes stabbing me with steal daggers. I looked away, afraid that he might be able to read my mind on eye contact. But he seemed to have dismissed the matter inside my head beside.

"Anyway," he said. "I think I got someone who might be willing to be your subject for the recorded sessions for our Finals."

I raised an eyebrow. "Really?" I asked, doubtfully.

"Yeah, she's the captain of the Women's Volleyball Varsity. I've already explained to her most of the mechanics. All that's left is for her to meet you."

"Social contact? I'm not really eager to do this."

"C'mon lad, it's not like you have better options."

As a matter of fact, I do. I met a girl the other day and I think I can persuade her just enough to let her do the session thing. I wanted to argue that, but I kept my mouth shut. Questions of the 'Who', "When', and 'How' were my primary targets for evasion.

He gave me the time and place for the meeting. Of course, he would be coming, as if to facilitate the event. I got the uneasy feeling in my gut that this was turning into a very unfortunate mixer.

Well, now that the problem regarding the Finals was out of the equation, I could focus on another problem. Though, this problem didn't seem to have any short-term solutions, or long-term solutions for that matter, at all. In other words, I am screwed.

I continued reading the book I had in my hand for the moment. It felt so real: I was the hero in face of an insurmountable task in adventure beyond grave and dreadful. The only difference was that there was no beacon of hope or a fountain of power waiting for me on the other side, just a chamber filled with miseries and nightmares.

I am just exaggerating, you might think. But you don't know my family like I do. My Father was the least of my worries as he always gave me some leeway. There was one person added to my Mom that would prove to be a handful. I am too afraid to say her name in fear of jinxing myself.

The demons beneath the roads I've walked on have been waiting for years, lurking silently in the dark in hopes of catching me lower my guard. But that is not happening. I've threaded carefully, making it clear that I wasn't hiding and that catching me would prove worthless. I didn't get kicked out of the house; I walked out of it on my own free will.

Families may be treasures to most people; a plain field scented with lemongrass and bathed with tranquility and peace. But for me, my home was a den with ghastly hollows waiting to ambush me every few feet. It was a cave with spears for stalactites and poison barbs for stalagmites. It was the womb of an incubus beyond measure in terms of both terror and cunning.

I've travelled far and I am seriously wondering why it took them so long to come see me. This proved advantageous as I was able to make a name for myself. I was known as Ted the Philosophies student and not Theodore Rivera, the son of the Charismatic Athena Tuazon-Rivera.

I closed the book with a loud thud and pinched my nose bridge. I wasn't getting any reading done. Forcing my eyes to look at the letters is just making me nauseous.

I had to look at the things that are yet to come while making sure I don't leave behind the things that are actually in front of me. Go left, where nothing is right; or go left where nothing is wrong. Both sounds like a death wish. But I might've taken my first step towards either path. All that's left for me is to find out which path I took as there is no turning back.

I took in deep breath and I managed to calm myself. Ochitsuke, ochitsuke, I repeated inside my head, as if a mantra to calm me down. I took a look at my wristwatch and it read 03:58. I stood up and took a step towards the door . . .