It will happen this time.

Today is May 18th of the year 2022 and as usual I am at work. Working my ass out. I’m working as an accounting analyst at AlphaTech Industry. All my life I thought being part of the corporate world will grant all my wishes. I already pictured out my future. My family’s future. I came from a poor family and I never had the luxury that I wanted so when I got accepted from one of biggest tech industry in the Philippines, I thought this is it. This is the road to riches and wealth. I was wrong. I had realizations. It is toxic. I feel like a robot. I don’t have a life. I don’t want to be a slave anymore. So if I will be granted a wish again, I want to be rich. “Millie.” I snap out from my monologue when Stella called my name. “Oh, sorry.” I smiled. We are at the rooftop of the company and I am with Stella and 2 other office mates. We are here to witness the shooting star at exactly 7pm. It came and we all did our wishes. “What did you wish, Millie?’ Stella again turn to me. I just shook my head. “I told you I don’t believe on such things.” I said. Stella pouted and give me a disbelief look. “Enough with that girls, let’s just go and have dinner. I’m famished!” Noel complain because if it wasn’t for her girlfriend, he will never come with us. Stella is just so..so..persuasive. Noel grabs Stella and start walking away. I was about to walk away too when I notice that Ate Gina didn’t move. She just stood there and staring in the sky. Ate Gina just turned 50 last april and that is why call her ate. Sometimes she jokingly insists that we’ll call her “nanay”. “What’s wrong, Ate?” She didn’t look at me. “I think it will happen this time.” She said. “What? What will happen, ate?” I ask her because I am confuse. After seconds of staring at her she finally look at me. “Huh, what did you say?” She look at me with a confuse look. I sigh in defeat. I’m too hungry to start an argument with her. I know that if she forgot something she will never remember it again. “Nothing. Let’s just go.” I smiled and assisted her. So we finally arrive at Mel’s Restaurant. Our favorite seafood restaurant. We ate so fast because we are all hungry. After eating, we talk about work and anything about life. Thirty minutes passed and we decided to go home. We all waited for our bus when suddenly I receive a text from Jairo. I totally forgot he ask me a favor to help their department. Engineering department. Jairo is a relative that is why I feel the need to help him all the time. “I’m sorry guys, I forgot that Jairo ask me a favor to help his team.” They are screwed right now because two of this officemates got sick. Now, they are running out of time because they will present their project to the board of directors tomorrow. “Okay, take care.” Stella said and they all wave goodbye. I hurriedly went back to the building and take the elevator. Minutes later, I arrive at the engineering department. Jairo saw me and his face is glad that I came. “Thank god you’re here! I don’t know what to do. I..I-“his face says it all. I have never seen him so unsure about his life. I hold his chin to look at me. “Hey, take a deep breath and relax.” I stared at him with determination. He take a deep breath and exhale. Now, he is wearing his game face. I smiled. He stared at the chaos of his department and is about to get their attention. “Everyone! The queen is back. She’s here to help us get our SHITS together!” I smile again. Jairo likes to exaggerate things. Now, his officemates compose themselves and form a line like they are militaries. I shook when a memory flash and I did help them once and it was a success. I smile again because of that memory. “Now, let’s get started people.” I said and they all go back to their places. I check all their reports, designs, and everything that needed to be check. Strange isn’t it? How can a mere accountant analyst so knowledgeable about almost everything? When I was a kid, I lived with my grandma in the province and she was my first teacher. She had a big library and I always sneak in and read books even if it is sleeping hours. Grandma sometimes yelled at me because I got addicted. It felt like a drug. We started at 8pm and ended at 11pm. I was so tired. We were so tired. I grab the chair to sit for a minute and then Jairo came to me. “Insan, we will have one final short meeting for tomorrow. This will only take 10 mins. Please wait for me, I’ll take you home.” Jairo said and I nodded. I sat there and cross my arms and put them on the table. I’m sleepy. I guess it wouldn’t hurt to take a nap. I lied. I fell asleep. I know it because I’m dreaming. I’m inside a loop and while staring at it for a long time I got dizzy. I collapse. Then suddenly someone call my name. I woke up. “Millie!” Oh, s**t. I feel asleep in the office. I groan because I’m still sleepy. “What the hell are you doing?!” Stella yelled. Strange. She never raises her voice to anyone. She is always gentle. “Why the hell is she still sleeping?!” I totally wake up because of their screams. I look at the woman in front of us. A fat lady on her 50’s. She’s wearing janitor clothes. I look at Stella. She’s wearing janitor clothes. I AM wearing janitor clothes! What the hell?!