—See you tomorrow.
I muttered with exhaustion as I closed the gate.
Thankfully, another day had come to an end, and after enduring the bad attitudes of customers who expect cheerfulness from an underpaid employee, I could finally head home.
—Damn shitty job… at this rate I'll spend more on therapists than on rent…—I let out a long sigh as I started walking toward the station.
The flickering yellow lights barely illuminated this godforsaken side of the city. If I stayed out any later, I'd surely be easy prey for some mugger. Someone shapeless and perpetually exhausted like me wouldn't be able to defend himself for even five seconds.
"Yeah, that's a damn good reason why I always leave work on time."
Even though this made my bosses see me as "the least committed employee," the truth was that I barely cared about their opinions.
Dead-end jobs like these only existed to make it to the end of the month. At this point, losing my job would be more of a blessing than a curse. Life isn't easy when you're a college dropout, and every job offering more than four digits comes with the line "experience required," yet no one is willing to give you that experience.
I had already grown used to receiving rejection emails once or twice a week. That had been my life for the past two years, and while I kept sending portfolios of independent projects, hoping some company would take pity on my lack of a degree, I had no choice but to keep enduring this routine.
As I reached the intersection before the station, my phone began to vibrate.
Tired, I answered the call, praying it wouldn't be my boss asking me to come back for some stupid reason like the last three times. Fortunately, I was greeted by an energetic and beautiful voice that always brightened my days.
—Tris!—my beloved exclaimed on the other end of the line—. I did it, Tris!—she shouted, her contagious happiness washing away every trace of exhaustion from my body—. I finally got my license!
I couldn't help but smile for her sake.
—I know, I know… I'm so proud of you, Ale!—I replied—. That's why tonight, sushi. The kind that makes us suffer and rejoice equally for how expensive and delicious it is.
Ale laughed. I couldn't help but feel a small sting of envy—but the good kind.
I had been with her through the entire process: the rejection from the medical academy on her first attempt, the endless sleepless nights studying for exams, the grueling shifts lasting more than thirty hours… If anyone deserved this happiness, it was her.
—Perfect. And also…—she paused for suspense, making me stop in my tracks—there's something else I want to celebrate with you…
My breathing faltered. I could feel my heart racing, and clumsily, all I managed to say was:
—Yes?
—Your dream came true, Tris!… Kodenima accepted you. You're going to develop video games, love!
I nearly dropped my phone in shock.
Before me, the dark road ahead lit up like never before. It was as if a dense, dark fog that had colored my days suddenly decided to fade away. The physical and emotional exhaustion, the poorly paid jobs, the ungrateful bosses—it had all been worth it.
I couldn't help but hop excitedly in the middle of the station, ignoring the judgmental stares of the other passengers. Trying to hold back a scream of joy, I replied to Ale, who was waiting eagerly.
—I can't believe it. Tonight, sushi—and tomorrow… a new world, love.
—Exactly—she said playfully—. See you at eight, Tris.
—Of course. I love you…
—And I love you too.
Without another word, I ended the call, slipping my phone back into the front pocket of my hoodie. For the first time in years, I could breathe in peace. At last, the world granted me a moment of genuine calm. After so many months of underpaid jobs, I could finally take a step closer to my dream.
My thoughts quickly turned to the man who had accompanied me throughout the process—the one who never doubted me and always pushed me to pursue my goals. I pulled out my phone again. The caller ID simply read: "Old Man."
"I guess I should've changed that contact name a long time ago, right?"
…
The world suddenly flipped upside down. Everything around me seemed to move in slow motion.
—Watch out!
I heard someone shout. My body didn't react. For some reason, I was already airborne.
I saw him… a homeless man, nothing more than a drunk.
Did he trip into me?
He and his bottles scattered across the ground before the train even let out its first warning whistle.
People were terrified; their screams were barely drowned out by the metallic screech of the rails.
I saw them—I swear I did: the lights that finally collided with me.
In my final moment, with my last conscious thought, I could only curse:
"Damn gods! Damn all of you for ruining everything right now!"
Everything faded to black…
No more screams…
No more nauseating stench of the subway…
There was simply… nothing left.