In a world that is black. There was no light.
'Look at here. She survived but her parents were totally killed during the accident.'
'Really? '
'No it wasn't like that.'
'Did you know they call her the cursed child.'
'What! For real.'
'Please stop.'
'I didn't do anything.'
'What a disease?'
'Why even care for something so futile?'
'Yeah right.'
Vile words coming from strangers had become the new norm and everytime I tried to be good I hear the same nonsense repeated, on and on.
'Please help me,' I cried.
No matter whomever heard me, they knew what lies floated in their minds and had set their eyes at me with loathing contempt. I had little control. No one would listen to me. I was a walking shame figure.
They laughed at me. I heard them - I did nothing.
'Don't cry there...' a soothing voice said.
From the voice I had heard, it talked to me. It wasn't hurting. Angry. Or was it terrified. It had become soft and gentle.
It said again.
'Hey lady wake up.'
'wake up.'
'WAKE UP!'
Suddenly I woke up from the darkness and into the light.
~~~~~~
When I woke up I was greeted by a homeless man. How did I know, well it wasn't hardly a thing to figure out since the guy looked the type: torn and dirty clothing, and an overgrown beard as well as an unhygienic skin and hair. That was how I knew right away who this person was. But the one thing that didn't pop in my head was why did this man call me. Unaware, one thing led to another like what happened and why can't I remember anything.
"Hey lady, you're at my spot," the homeless man said.
Unsure of what to make of my predicament, I asked the homeless man for basic knowledge to where I am at, "Excuse me, but where is this place at?"
"Lady miss," the homeless man replied, "I don't know what is going on about your day. I came from way here and found you sleeping on my spot here at the park."
"The park?" I said.
From my own observations, It was quite clear. I was in the grand blue park.
"Hmmmm, Excuse me ma'am, your still at my spot," the homeless man said. His language a bitter annoyance of distaste towards the me.
"Oh, sorry. Here. Please, it's all yours," I kindly gave the man's spot.
"Yeah, serves you right."
I heard him.
Although I was going to defend myself, the outcome wouldn't feel right. In addition, putting more problems won't make sense to my already unanimous situation. I didn't want to make a fuzz about it, instead I intentionally ignored it and left as soon as I could.
It was daytime. While walking on my way, I tried to remember what happened that got me sleeping on the bench at the park. I tried so hard, but I couldn't.
"Damn it, my head hurts," I said, genuinely weak from my sleep.
As I was idolly walking at the park, I came to a stop. I could see children playing. Families having a picnic. Just, normal people, having a great day. The realization made me feel nostalgic.
'Beautiful.' I thought.
When I took the time to get in the moment. Five minutes or so - breath in the air, and just enjoy the tranquility of the nature. Somehow I felt as though I was missing something.
Something important.
Something necessary.
Something that I wasn't suppose to forget.
But then, my pupils suddenly went wide open.
"Wait. What time is it?......"
I swiped my phone out of my bag and looked at the time. I was immediately horrified. It was 11:45am.
"Oh no, I'm gonna be late," I said aloud.
No more was I standing firmly, rather, my legs were swinging left and right nonestop. I was running. Running like a madman in one of those movies, I panicked.
I used to attend classes earlier than usual but it seemed that wasn't the case. I've heard that students that arrive late don't sit for lectures. Those that repeat the cycle many times over and over regardless if thry were in the right or wrong, don't get to see themselves graduate. Since I was in one of the top universities in the state, it made sense that a college such that would have a reputation.
Although I felt that this was going to be my first, I didn't want to even be categorised as one of them. I'm simply trying to fit in. 'Saying no to failing grades' was my motto.
About sometime have passed and I made it to the entrance gate, just barely a minute in before lectures commenced. I had to take a taxi since it was the fastest way for transportation, but it came at a cost which I had to spend my money that I've been saving for sometime up until now. Regardless, it was a quick response I had to make.
'I can't believe I've spent that much.'
Finally at the campus, it was a Tuesday, so the subject I was taking was Business Management being held at the fourth building block.
When I got to the fourth building door and entered, the professor greeted in a deep manner, "Ah Lanesra, finally you could make it, please take your seat," before he could begin the lecture.
I did as I was told. I was happy. Happy that I made it without getting chased out or something. The students gazes seemed to almost laugh at me for my tardiness, but that didn't get the chance, and they stopped instantly.
"Phew, thank goodness I dodged that one."
I walked up the stairs and took a seat at the upper seats. When I took my seat, someone tapped me on my shoulders. When I turned around to see who it was, it was none other than Clouie. She was my bestie. And also my roommate.
"Psstt, Lanesra, what happened to you?" Clouie asked me as quite as she could.
"Nothing much....I just overslept," Lanesra said.
"Really, cuz the last time I checked, you weren't in campus."
Damn! Lanesra thought with a straight face.
"What are you talking about, of course I was at campus....you probably didn't see me," Lanesra said hesitantly. "That's it, nothing to be worried about. Nothing at all."
"Your lying," Clouie stated. "I know you, Lanesra. If you're having a hard time, you can tell me. There's nothing wrong with that right."
"Yeah. I know. It's just that-"
As Lanesra wanted to reply one last time, the lecturer couldn't hold it anymore and spoke up to the only two people whispering in class.
"Lanesra and Clouie I DIDN'T SAY TO TALK, did I," he said scrutinisinly.
"No no sir!" lanesra panicked.
"Do you want to share what you two are chatting about?"
"No sir."
"Good," the lecturer said. "Pay attention or you'll be sent to the office!"
"Yes sir."
~~~~~~
It was right after an hour later that the lecture had come to an end. Lanesra and Clouie left went to the cafeteria to get something to eat. Mostly it was Lanesra who was really, really hungry. She didn't know how long she was out but the one thing she really needed is some food to fill her up.
Forming a line as long as two buses formed linearly, the line was so big that it was impossible for Lanesra. There were two things that made it worse: Waiting would take longer and if she did make it to the end the food would already be finished. Her next big chance was the food dispensers.
Lanesra chose the food dispensers. The food dispensers are the same as a vending machine. The staff prepare food and put it inside for students to pay.
The food dispensers didn't have a long line, so it was the perfect opportunity to make something out of her situation. Because everyone is lined up at the cafeteria, the food served is free, but getting some means risking your life. The food dispensers, on the other hand, weren't different. This meant that she'll have to spend quite a few bucks to have her meal. She took out 10 dollars and used it, worrying about her wallet later, and dug right into her food pack like a wild animal.
"Hmmmm, Sooooo good," Lanesra said, her eyes swollen in tears as if she was about to cry.