Wake me up in 2395

Prologue: Year 2020 "President Duchelli, please, listen to me! The world is at its tipping point! We have not much time left! If you and people continue to do business as usual with the promise of an infinitely growing economy, we will all suffer an irreversible consequence! Please, read the findings of my research while it is not yet too late!" I desperately tried to catch up with the President, I struggled against the guards who grabbed my arms to stop me from approaching the head of the state. Lumingon si President Duchelli at tiningnan ako nang maigi. Nakipagtitigan naman ako sa kaniya at hindi nagpatinag. With a sigh, he turned to face me and shook his head in disapproval. "Dr. Primrose Nightingale, I saw promise in you. That is why I funded your research that you said will change the world. I have invested a lot of money in you. But you have failed me and instead, you come to me with words that the world is coming to an end? Nababaliw ka na ba?" "No. The world will not end... what I am saying is, the world will get back at us. With the rapid advancements in technology and the exploitation of resources and biodiversity, we only have a decade left before we cross the irrevocable line." Nilahad ko sa kaniya ang hawak kong mga dokumento na naglalaman ng aking pananaliksik. "If you will just read this, you will understand the things I am saying." Kinuha naman niya ang mga dokumentong iyon. He did not bother opening it, instead, he snapped his finger and one of his bodyguards gave him a lighter. He flicked it and when the lighter was finally emitting fire, he burned the tip of the folder and dropped it into the marble floor. My jaw dropped as I watched the research I've poured all my soul into, engulfed in flames and burning. "You have gone too far, Dr. Primrose. Go to a mental institution and get yourself checked." President Duchelli advised and the guards around him snickered. "Bago ka tuluyang mabaliw." He added. Mariin na kumuyom ang aking mga kamao dala ng pinaghalong galit at inis. "Ikaw dapat ang magpatingin sa isang mental hospital!" Sumbat ko. I have lost all respect I had for this man. He does not deserve to be the President of the Republic of Philippines. "The paper that you burnt contains the hope of the future. There is no hope for the future if you dare not listen to me!" "I do not care of the future, Dr. Primrose. What I care is-now, the present. Now, get yourself out of my sight before I decide to end your life! Do not test me, I am the head of state, I have the power to do that! And do not dare forget, I am watching you." With that, he turned his back against me and walked away along with his guards. Nangilid ng luha ang aking mga mata at tila may sariling buhay ang aking mga luhang tumulo. I fell on the ground as I watched the documents I've held turn into ashes. Have I failed to save the world? If only I can convince the President, but he is too stubborn and he has already regarded me as crazy. Bumuntong-hininga ako at malungkot na tumingala sa kisame ng gusali kung saan kumikinang ang mga tsandelyer na tila mga bituwin sa kalawakan. I closed my eyes and recounted the many findings of my research. Human population has already exceeded the carrying capacity of the world and not only that, we have developed many technologies that are not eco-friendly. With the promises of development, innovation, and progress-we have sacrificed the environment. We have exploited the world. And as a result, the world is gradually warming up like a man who has a fever, the Arctic ice is steadily melting, centuries-old deadly diseases that were trapped in these melting ices will be released and there will be an apocalypse, the ocean will continue to rise and many of the countries will be submerged underwater, many species have gone extinct and will continue to go extinct, and hurricanes will continue to grow stronger. These are only some of the many findings of my research. We are at the point where it is no longer a climate change but climate crisis. If we do not act now, it will all be too late. With a hopeless heave of a sigh, I stood up and miserably left the place. Bumalik na lang ako sa aking laboratoryo kung saan sinalubong ako ni Astaroth Ghani, ang aking assistant. "Base sa iyong itsura, you did not succeed." Saad niya. "Don't rub it in my face." I sighed. "The president is stubborn and he only cares about himself. He does not see that the world is changing because he is surrounded by fancy stuff. He has no awareness. He is a lost cause like most of the elite out there." "So, ano ang plano mo ngayon?" I went to my table and opened the bottle of alcohol that has been displayed there. "Get drunk and forget that the whole world is in trouble." Umiling na lang si Astaroth habang ako ay umiinom ng alak sa bote mismo nito. "No, I did not mean about that plan of getting drunk, what I mean is-so, what is your plan? Your next course of action?" "Upload my research online for the whole world to know and read. It will serve as a wake-up call. They will not question my investigation because everything that was provided is empirical and has concrete proof. I have already designed a program that automatically translate the research into all of the languages in the world so that everyone would be able to read and understand." "All this time, you knew that the president would not listen... that is why you prepared for Plan B. And even though the president would listen, you knew the changes if ever will only be national, that is why you prepared for something global." "From the very start, I knew the president wouldn't listen. But I am glad that he has given me a fortune to conduct this study." I grinned. After emptying the bottle, I slid to my swivel chair and opened my laptop. "Time to work." While uploading my research online, my laptop detected a virus. I see. It seems like President Duchelli has taken counter-measures to make sure that my research will not go anywhere in the public's eye. I smirked and started countering the virus with my own fingers. I successfully cleared it away. Another virus was sent after that. I frowned and cleared it away. It seems like someone has successfully retrieved my IP Address and is playing with me. The screen of my laptop blinked and became black. Then, as if someone was talking to me, white letters appeared one by one, forming words and then a sentence. You were given a chance to live. But you wasted it. You are a threat. Therefore, you must be eliminated. Kumunot ang aking noo dahil sa aking nabasa. Si Astaroth naman ay tumingin sa akin, na tila tinatanong ng kaniyang mga mata kung ano ang ibig sabihin ng mga salitang ito. "My life is in danger. This is a warning." I told him. Naalala ko muli ang mga katagang binitawan ng pangulo sa akin. He was serious with it... Suminghap naman siya, "w-what should we do now?" "I'll leave." I grabbed my flash drive that contains the remaining copy of my research. "My laptop is already beyond saving, but I still have the last data of my research." "Saan ka pupunta?" "Somewhere beyond President Duchelli's reach. From there, I will expose the truth that he is trying so hard to hide. The truth shall prevail... and in regards to this, the world will be saved." "How sure are you that even if the world will be able to know of your research, there will be changes? How sure are you that men will start caring for the world after finding out that if they don't, it will be a disaster? Aren't you being a little bit idealistic? Why are you risking your life for the things that we will never be certain of?" "I have to put my faith to humanity, Astaroth." "Humanity is a lost cause, Dr. Primrose. You know that better than anyone." "Still, I have to do what must be done." Sagot ko naman sa kaniya. "Wala na akong oras pa para makipagpalitan ng opinyon sa iyo. I have to pack my things and move away. This is probably the last time we will ever see each other again. Astaroth, thank you for always being there for me. You are dismissed from being my assistant. From this moment onward, I shall move alone. I cannot risk your life as well in this mess. Go and live a normal life." "After all the things that we have been through together?" Umiling si Astaroth. "Wherever you go, I go. I cannot leave you alone, Primrose." This time, he referred me for me and not me as the doctor he has worked for all his life. "You have to. You still have a family left. Me? I don't. So, please... Just listen to me. I have nothing to lose, but you have." Nagulat ako nang mahigpit akong hawakan ni Astaroth sa aking magkabilang braso. "Am I not someone for you to lose? Is it still just me after all this time?" Naramdaman ko ang panginginig ng kaniyang mga daliri. Pinikit ko ang aking mga mata. "I am sorry, Astaroth..." Binitawan niya ako matapos ang ilang sandali. I saw a glimpse of disappointment in his hazel-brown eyes behind those thick-frame of his glasses. "Why are you even risking your life for this forsaken world?" "Because we, people of the present generation, owe this world to the future generation. Do you want the children of your children's children to live in a world where they will only see trees in picture books and animals in museums?" Hindi siya umimik. I smiled at Astaroth and held his hand, "that is the future I don't want to, that is why I am doing this." "This is the reason why I love you so much, Primrose... But this is also the reason why I hate you. Because you are too selfless." I laughed heartily, "I guess that's just me being me," with that, I turned my back against him and moved out of the laboratory. Astaroth followed me, but I stopped him. "Thank you for everything, Astaroth." "Please don't do this." I only smiled. "You will die if you still pursue with this! Let's go back to the president... plead." "No." I replied. "I don't want to see you die..." And with those last words of Astaroth, I hopped into my car with a heavy heart and drove to my house. With the fact that President Duchelli is trying his best to hinder this research to come out, it means he is afraid of the things that will happen if the mass finds about this. I am holding unto that fact. I know there are many people out there, like me, who also care for the world. And with this many information in hand, I know it will be strong enough to spark a global revolution to save the world. I packed my things in a hurry and drove towards the airport. I will leave the country and hide somewhere far. It's a good thing that I already reserved a private plane beforehand. I had everything prepared, just in case. I also had connections with the airlines, that is why it was easier for me to pass from the protocols of going overseas. I went aboard the private plane. I was the only passenger. "We'll take off in one minute." The flight attendant said. I smiled and nodded. Tumingin ako sa bintana ng eroplano. I was already growing restless. I hope President Duchelli doesn't track me down. I made sure to erase any traces of myself to make sure he doesn't know where I am. But still, I have this heavy feeling that something might go wrong. It is my instinct, or maybe I am just paranoid. "Primrose..." Kumunot ang noo ko dahil sa pamilyar na tinig na tumawag sa aking pangalan. Tiningnan ko ang salarin at nanlaki ang aking mga mata. "Astaroth? Ano ang ginagawa mo rito?!" "I am here to stop you. There is still hope. I talked to the President already. He will spare your life. Just give me the data. You don't have to hide or run anymore." I glared at him, "you traitor!" "Primrose, I am doing this for you. For us." "There is no us and you are only doing this for yourself! God, Astaroth! You have compromised my plan! You have ruined everything!" "Because I don't want you to die on me! I love you!" "I don't want your love, now, get out! I am leaving this country!" Tila nagbago ang ihip ng hangin. Naging matigas ang mukha ni Astaroth. Matapos ang ilang sandali ay may baril siyang tinutok sa akin. I gasped. "You are going to kill me?!" "No... I am going to save you. This is just a tranquiller gun. It will put you to sleep." Astaroth smiled. "You are crazy!" "Do you remember the Time Capsule that I have invented? I will put you there... and you will sleep forever. Don't worry, you won't die. I won't let you die. That is why it is best to put you to sleep. Since I can't make you mine anyway... I love you, Primrose. I really do." And with that, he pulled the trigger. When I opened my eyes again, it was already a different world.