AMATEUR: Dark Raven

           Students running back and forth. Stores jam packed with customers seeking for their needs. Parents chit-chatting with their first time collegiate broods. Food chains filled with busy tummies and mouths munching here and there. Passenger vehicles beeping for passage in traffic. The place was a joy to behold. It is a couple of weeks after all quarantine protocols were lifted. It’s a brand new life. Reincarnation in itself as after 4 years of strict quarantine measures, finally everything is back to its ones usual self.               Across the streets separating the main entrance and the trail of food stalls and school supplies stand a figure not so prominent to the eyes of many.               “It is all up to you now, okay?” mom told Raven after a long list of reminders on what to do and not as he is away from home.               “You have to behave huh!” his mom added.               “I gotta go. Might miss the bus if I won’t keep going. Bye. See you when you go home.” Raven’s mom slowly fades along the thick crowd as she goes onwards toward the right direction of Raven.               In silence he reminisced all of what he dreamt of since he was a child. Coming off from a not so well-off family, Raven is the eldest of five. Given the chance to study basic education in one of the most prestigious high schools in the country only because his father worked in the records section of that school, he was spared from the fees as a benefit of his father being an employee.               With no property of their own, the family rented a house good for a family of three though they were five in the family. Their finances suffered with the father earning a little from being a records keeper while the mother stayed at home to take care of the kids. Raven’s life as a child was not really comfortable compared to much of the kids in the school he attended.               He would usually sit out recess time alone as he saves money for lunch and spares if for snacks. That was a glimpse of what he is during his days in basic education.               “I will not let this chance pass. I was sent as scholar and so I will finish as a scholar. There is no other choice as I do not want any other university than this. I will do all that I could to be what I wanted to be. I want power. I want Influence. I want wealth.” he smattered.               Being in the busy sidewalks, Raven was brought to consciousness after being bumped by people rushing and the sudden sound from a speaker nearby. Raven started rolling around the area. Walking around to familiarize himself with the place.               The smell of the cold atmosphere and the aroma of brewed coffee nearby brought Raven into a heavenly experience. Not minding every person that bumps into him, he feels his smile with every second passing by. Not only was this an experience of freedom away from home- a feeling which he longed for after experiencing being with his family for several years. Now alas! He is by himself, no nags.. no reminders.. no parents who would correct everything that he does.                This is also freedom from the pandemic! After spending Senior High School and half of his Junior High School at home via home schooling, it’s now back to the four corners of the classroom.               “How would it be like on my first day?” Raven asked himself.               “Well, that won’t be until two days from now. It is actually the weekend and I still have the luxury of strolling around and getting to know the area better.” He whispered to himself.               Raven was already almost a kilometer away and discovered that it was the downtown area. It is just like what he sees in the movies. A long line of cafeterias and restaurants and alternating shops of books, souvenirs, gift items and fast food chains. Not far from sight is a canteen with an advertisement that says “Enjoy food and a low budget”. Raven’s tummy sounded like it hasn’t tasted anything for a couple of days. Looking at his watch, “It is almost dinner. Little did I realize that I have been walking for two hours already. I’m Hungry.” Raven looked into his right pocket where he is used to place his money and checked on what mother has given him for his allowance.               Stepping aside to avoid people rushing, he counted his money.               With a deep sigh, “I only have enough for a week, Good enough for three meals a day.”               With a deep thought, “Maybe it won’t hurt if I eat ready-made food for now.”               He sat down at a corner, a place where he finds comfort and security. He always wanted to be at a place where he gets a view of people going in and out. A place not so eye-catchy. Raven hates attention. He has always been the low-profile type of person who does not prefer being the center of attraction.               “May I get your order sir?”, a hippy lady dressed in full black asked him.               “Ahhhmmmm…. Yeyyyeeessss… Just a cup of rice, chicken stew and a bottled water please.”             The lady took note of Raven’s order and said “In five minutes sir, Thank you.”               People here are warm. They always see to it that they smile to whoever their eyes come in contact with, just like this lady who took Raven’s order.               Talking to himself, “I might definitely like it here. People are kind, the weather is great and I just feel free. something I have longed for years.               Waiting for his order, Raven checked onto his left pocked for his alcohol bottle, something which people have considered a basic need for the past couple of years. It’s one of the good effects brought about by the pandemic. People became sanitation conscious, cleaning their hands every now and then to ensure that it is free from germs, virus or bacteria.               Raven recalls his sophomore year in Junior High School when the pandemic broke out. Speakers from all corners of the school were wailing alarms.               “Announcement: Classes will be suspended starting tomorrow. The National Government has declared a State of Emergency. The lockdown starts in 17 hours. Further announcement will be posted in the school website. Stay tuned.” were the word heard out from the hanging speakers in different areas of the building.               Students were yelling with joy brought about by the suspension of classes not knowing that there was a dark future awaiting. On stage was the School Head talking to security ministers of the state.               “The virus has broke free affecting many countries. Our country is one of those greatly affected as there are already thousands of confirmed cases.” stated the first minister.               “We will be required to stay home. So it is better to stockpile groceries and other needs for the next 17 hours. This is the first time we are experiencing an emergency such as this so we better be prepared” added the head minister.               The school head who did not clearly know what to do at the moment simply murmured “There is nothing left to do now but pray.”               It was indeed a day that will fill the history books. The National State of Emergency lasted for four years where there were lockdown intervals of varying lengths especially when cases of those infected by the virus increases.               The four years spells everything but freedom. It was a negative experience for everyone as people were confined into their residences. There was limited movement. Closure of several companies became the only resort to the increasing rate of bankruptcy that companies faced. Many became unemployed and lucky were those rich families who had enough money to supply themselves with their needs.               People had to wear masks even at home as the virus was all over. To avoid respiratory infection, air has to be filtered and thus masks were worn. There was even a point where for a certain period goggles were required as it was believed that the virus may enter vie the eye duct. It was terribly a gruelling experience.               However, for students it was the other way around. They enjoyed being at home as schools were conducted via online platforms. Those who had no internet connection had to learn via modules which was delivered to their respective residences and picked up at a certain given schedule. It was definitely a four-year layoff for students who had the luxury of not seeing their teachers particularly those whom they hated most.               Raven considered this as a weird experience though as he had classmates whom in majority he did not know. Imagine being enrolled and not even seeing or meeting your classmates and teachers? It was definitely freedom from recitations, form being scolded by teachers when you come to school late. Freedom from those allergic activities in school. Freedom yet it was weird.               “Here is your order sir! Enjoy your meal!”. These were the word that brought him back to consciousness.               With a smile, Raven accepted his meal as he looks into the eye of hippy young lady in a black dress.