Inside a Nerd's Mind

Kool & The Gang

I stared at my phone curiously contemplating on who could be calling.

I wanted to answer it with all the courage of my heart then I thought that I was getting a little bit dramatic as it’s only a phone call. I can’t be hurt from a phone call.

I pressed accept on my phone with fearlessness and heard a deep male voice.

“Are you Ethan?” the deep male voice asked menacingly.

“Y-Yes?” I replied stuttering.

“I want you to see something.” He teased.

“W-W-What?” I said trembling.

“Turn around.” He commanded.

I turned around and see a man in a full-black outfit in a ski-mask holding a knife to my mother’s throat while at the same time holding a phone in his hear.

I can see my mother sweating and trembling in fear with fear in her eyes.

“Ethan, run!” She worried.

He dropped the call, put his phone in his pocket, and tightened the knife around her throat.

I dropped my phone as a reaction, I didn’t know what to do.

“Valar Morghulis!” the man yelled as he slit my mother’s throat.

I was terrified by what I saw. My own mother, with her throat cut in half, and blood dripping on the floor.

The tall monster of a man brought his knife near to his mouth and licked my mother’s blood and tasted it. He looked at me grievously and pointed the knife towards me.

I trembled in fear as he approached towards me with my mind wanting to run but my body frozen.

He ran towards me like a hungry wolf out for blood.

Once he was near me, he stabbed me in the heart.

I can feel myself out of breath gasping for air as I looked in his face and stared at his lifeless grin.

“What is Dead May Never Die” He whispered.

I’m just kidding.

That’s just my imagination, this is what really happened.

“Hello?” I asked.

“Hello, is this Ethan?” a familiar voice said.

“Yes? Who is this?” I replied back.

“Hey kiddo! This is your Uncle Rodrick.” He answered.

“Hi uncle, how can I help you?” I asked.

“Uhhm.. So you see, we’re kind of running late.” He hesitated. “There’s kind of a heavy traffic on the freeway, I don’t think we’re going to make it on time.” He added.

When he said those words, I felt heaviness in my heart like it was being crushed between two large boulders. I somewhat felt disappointed for my mother. We didn’t invite a lot for her birthday, only her close friends and family. Uncle Rodrick was my mother’s brother and with him are my cousins and other uncles and aunties. It’s just unfortunate that they wouldn’t be able to attend.

“It’s fine uncle, I hope you have a safe trip.” I reluctantly affirmed.

“That’s nice to hear. Greet your mom a happy birthday for me.” My uncle requested.

“Sure uncle.” I replied.

“Thanks! Goodbye.” He said as he disconnected the call.

I walked back to the table and finished my lunch.

“Who was that?” my mom asked.

“Oh, it’s no one. It’s just Zach.” I replied.

“So, what did he wanted?” my mom asked back.

“Oh, he just told me a joke.” I hesitated.

“What joke? I want to hear it.” My mom demanded.

“Nevermind. It’s stupid anyway.” I claimed.

“Oh, come on, don’t be such a joy killer. Tell me the joke.” My mom begged.

I had to think of a joke on the spot so not to give away that my uncles are coming for her birthday. It was tense. It was difficult. This situation reminded me of recitations in school. Have you ever had those situations on where you weren’t listening in class and then the teacher asked you a question out of nowhere? You’ll be forced to say something ridiculous, or let her repeat the question and pray that you know the answer, or you would just admit that you weren’t listening and hope you wouldn’t get scolded. But then whatever you do, your teacher just wouldn’t give up and keeps giving you questions until he or she feels satisfied on torturing you. I’m not a genius like Nikola Tesla, this isn’t a gameshow like Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader. If I don’t know the answer, I still wouldn’t know it no matter how many questions you ask.

It’s also why I don’t want to lie especially if I know that the lie would result to more lies. Every time you lie, 50% of the time, people would want to know more about it so they will ask more questions which would force you to lie again and even create a whole new story. A lie could result to more never-ending lies and what’s worse is that those lies can stick to people’s memories. The next time that they meet you, they’ll either ask about that lie and then you’ll either create more lies or answer wrong which would make them confused and it’ll be obvious that what you said before was a lie. Am I making sense? I feel like I’m just blabbering nonsense.

“Uhmm... What d- do you call a pig that does k- karate?” I asked hesitantly.

“What?” My mom asked grinning.

“A porkchop.” I said while laughing.

“Wow. Zach can really make a joke, huh.” My mom chuckled.

“Yeah, he can.” I murmured to myself while being relieved.

Woah, that was close. I hope I wouldn’t have to do that again.

I mostly spent the rest of the day doing what I always have done. Sleeping, playing games, browsing social media websites, listening to music – basically anything that will pass the time. My mom also spent the time doing the same in her room.

Several hours later, I look at the clock and it reads 6:00 PM. It is an hour before the planned start of the party. I have told my mom to get dressed as we’re going somewhere tonight.

“Where are we going?” My mom asked.

“I heard that there was this new ice cream store just around the block and I want to try it.” I announced.

“Uhh, I don’t think I’m in the mood for ice cream tonight.” My mom said with a lifeless face and sadness in her eyes.

“Oh, come on Mom! It’ll be fun! Trust me.” I cheered.

“Alright.” My mom mumbled with a deep sigh.

At that point, I felt my mother’s disappointment through my heart. I felt ashamed that I wasn’t able to greet my mother on her own special day and that she may have thought that I had forgotten it. It’s painful to be rejected by a girl or to know that you had low grades but it’s nothing when compared to your mother’s anguish. Just by seeing your mother – the woman who have birthed you into this world and gave you everything – you would lose all hope in life and be disappointed on yourself because the only thing that you need to do to repay your mother of all the things that she has done for you was to love her and express that love to her. But I didn’t want her to think that I failed at that. Gosh, I hoped we could skip forward to tonight.

I look at myself in the mirror. I spoke to myself, “You can do this Ethan!” letting out a little sigh.

While I was fixing my outfit, my phone rang, it was a call from Zachary.

“Hello?” I asked.

“Hey, uhh… I did some errands after buying the cake…”

“Yeah?”

“It took long… and uhh… I’m still here and there’s heavy traffic going home…” He stuttered.

I was silent.

“Hey? You still there?” Zachary asked worriedly.

I was still silent.

“Hello?” He repeated.

“Yeah, I’m still here. I hope you’ll be safe home and reach the party on time.” I mumbled.

“Okay, I’m sorry and I wish you luck.” He voiced.

The call was disconnected and I continued on fixing my collar.

A few minutes later, Jeremy called.

“What’s up?” I inquired.

“The sky, bro.” He chuckled.

“Wow, does decorating a venue make you corny now?” I sarcastically said.

“Nah, we haven’t even started decorating.” He declared.

“What!?” I blurted.

“I’m just kidding.” He laughed. “It’s just that the flowers haven’t arrived yet and we’re still waiting on some balloons.” He boldly stated.

“WHAT!?” I blurted again. “What do you mean?” I added. “What have you been doing for the past half day?” I angrily questioned.

“Hey, don’t be like that. We successfully set-up a few decorations then took a break.” He replied.

“And how long was that break?” I asked.

“Uhhmm… So, the decoration took like an hour or two and then we took a break.” He revealed.

“What? So, you spent most of your time doing - nothing?” I exclaimed.

“No, we ate a few and then played a few games of Mobile Legends in our phones – or maybe not a few.” He bragged.

I don’t know whether surprise is the correct word but I was definitely disappointed. I took a few deep breathes.

“Ethan? You still there?” He asked.

“Yeah, How’s Kim? What is she doing?” I asked.

“Oh, Kim actually went to the flower shop herself to pick it up. It was taking way too long.” He replied.

“You couldn’t have picked it up earlier?” I said unamused.

“No, uhh... we were busy.” He stuttered.

I sighed.

“Okay fine, just tell me if there’s anything new.” I said.

“Okay, goodbye!” He said as he ended the call.

“Oh, f**k!” I blurted to myself. My uncle and my family and Zach are stuck in heavy traffic while Jeremy and Kim aren’t even done with the decorations. Oh, dear god! Please don’t make this day get any worse. I took a deep breath and told myself, “Don’t worry Ethan, everything will get better.”

“Are you ready?” my mom asked.

“Yes, just a minute.” I replied.

I finished getting ready and came out of my room.

“Don’t forget to close the lights, check the faucets, and switches before you go out. Meet me downstairs.” My mom commanded.

I took the time to check all appliances if they were unplugged, all faucets if they were closed, and all switches if they were turned off. I don’t want to cause a fire in our house again.

Back then, when I was 8 years old, me and my mother went to the supermarket to buy groceries. You see, we were trying to improve our house so we had construction workers working on the house. A worker was welding steel together on the roof above our bed on where my aunt was asleep. In the middle of searching through the aisles, we got a call from our aunt which was staying at our house at that time. She said that the bed was burning along with the walls of the room. The fire department was already on scene and trying to contain the fire. When my mom heard that, she immediately left the cart at the middle of the store, held me, and dragged me out of the store. When we reached our house, the fire was already extinguished and it burned half of the room including half of the bed. Starting that day, we became more cautious about the construction and always made sure that all appliances were off. As the man of the house, I always double check when we’re going out.

I went downstairs and met my mother there.

“So, where is this ice cream store that you’re talking about?” my mom asked as we were walking down the street.

“Ughh… I changed my mind. Let’s go to Burger King instead.” I said suggested.

My mom looked at me confused and said “Why the sudden change of mind?”

“Umm-“

“Nevermind.” She reluctantly interrupted.

The clock strikes 7:00 PM. The city remains busy. You can see the heavy traffic outside, vehicles on standby bumper-to-bumper. With the bright white street lights shining through every vehicle and pedestrian on the road imitating the moon’s illuminated glow over the Earth.

I texted my uncle, Zachary, and Jeremy and Kim discreetly asking where they are and if they’re already near to the party.

I waited 10 minutes and I haven’t received any response.

It’s 7:30 - 30 minutes after the planned time - that we entered Burger King. I still haven’t received any response.

At this point, I’m starting to doubt the success of the party and that I should just celebrate my mother’s birthday here at Burger King.

We ordered and sat down at our table. I felt uneasy. You can notice all the symptoms, the sweat, the biting of fingernails, the jerking of my legs. While I was taking a bite off my burger, I was thinking on how I can make this occasion more special.

Until I can’t handle all the pressure and thinking anymore.

I blurted out “Mom, Happy Birthday!” while trembling.

I bowed my head and stuttered “I’m sorry I disappointed you mom. This day was supposed to be special and we’re sitting alone inside a Burger King. I just… don’t know what to say.” With disappointed at my whole being.

I looked back at my mom and I can see a tear rolling down her right cheek.

She held my hands and proudly said “Ethan, don’t worry. I’m proud of you, my son.”

“Whatever you do, you will never disappoint me. I birthed you into this Earth, nurtured you, and I got to see the grown up you. I’m happy that you’ve grown to be a good person and a good son. I have no regrets about how you are. I’m happy and I’m proud.”

The moment my mother said that, I began to tear up while still holding her hands.

“Now, now, don’t cry.” My mom said in a soft voice. “You’re destroying your burger.” She chuckled.

That remark brightened my mood, I chuckled, and wiped my tears off.

“Come on, let’s finish this burger and head home.” My mom said.

“Okay.” I smiled while still wiping my face off. I can’t believe I cried in front of my mother. I haven’t done that since I was a child.”

We finished our meal and stepped out of the restaurant.

As we were talking towards home, I heard a familiar sound and vibration in my pocket – it was a notification from my phone.

It was a text message from Zachary.

“We’re ready.” It said.

Could this be what I think it is? Is it finally happening?

I WAS SO EXCITED THAT I NEARLY THREW MY PHONE WHEN I READ IT!

I held my mom by her arm and dragged her beside me running to the opposite direction.

“MOOOM WE HAVE SOMEWHERE TO BE” I said while brisking.

“What? What is it Ethan?” She said while being out of breath.

“WE’RE GOING FOR AN ADVENTURE!” I cheered.

We got near to the place. It was quiet and all the lights were off.

I let my mom open the door. We entered the restaurant and there it happened.

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” Everyone cheered.

It was a happy moment. Two party poppers popped on opposite sides, red and green balloons with the words “Happy Birthday” was on every column, a mix of navy and yellow fabric hanging from the ceiling as a sort of cloth chandelier. In the middle was a poster with pictures of my mom wearing the best dresses she ever wore. I’m proud of my mom. She looked beautiful even at this age. Beneath the poster was Uncle Rodrick and the family with Jeremy, Kim, and Zachary holding the cake. The cake was the most extravagant that I’ve ever seen. It’s a two-tier circular cake with vanilla frosting and chocolate syrup topped with Oreo cookies and pieces of chocolate bars with an ice cream cone on top.

“This is for you, Mrs. Hunter!” Zachary said as he handed the cake to mother.

“Make a wish.” I added.

My mother closed her eyes for a solid 10 seconds as she subtly looked at me and blew on the candle.

That specific look may be short and subtle but that made a mark in my life. It remained to be one of the most memorable events that I cannot forget.

The food was then served and we all ate happily together while glimpsing at the horizon and the joyful faces of the ones we sat with.

Afterwards was a dance session. You can thank Kim for the program but the song choice was mine.

The first song played was Celebration by Kool & The Gang. I felt like it was a proper song to party to and enjoy this wonderful celebration. There’s a party going on right here. Let’s celebrate good times, come on!

Zachary showed his goofy moves, Jeremy boasted his sexy being, while my mother danced the night away like it was still the Disco 80s.

It was worth all the pain, suffering, embarrassment, all the weeks of planning, and the money save and spent just to see everyone enjoying the party.

I took a glance at the illuminating moon.

I can feel the glimmering moonlight touch my skin as if it was expressing saying something towards me or congratulating me for a successful birthday party.

I may not know but what I’m sure of is that I am happy and my mother is happy.

My mother’s smile is one of the greatest sights that I have ever seen.

I’m confident and proud to say that my mom has enjoyed and will remember the Celebration this 21st night of September.