Underwater

2

Almost 31 years ang paghahanda nila para dito. They built a big house called Wival under the water and it was finished only this year. Tumanda at namatay na ang ibang developers pero ipinagpatuloy pa rin nila. Nakakamangha ang kanilang dedikasyon para sa experimental na ito.

"Do you think you can do it?" a woman in a formal dressed asked. Four women and two men are in front of me asking me a series of questions about my strength. They are also testing my knowledge and capabilities.

"I was all alone for four years. I'm sure I can live without anyone there. I can do it."

"Even protecting yourself? I don't think so," because of what she said, they are laughing as if they're insulting me in front of my face. How rude they could be? I didn't know these so-called professionals are acting like this in front of their applicants.

"Do you think I came here for the money?"

"Don't you come here for that? $1 Million Dollars is no joke, darling. It's pretty obvious that it's your ambition."

"Sir, with all due respect, you were completely wrong about your accusations with me. I am not after your company's money."

"Then what? Tell us what you really want because what we are noticed, you're all about the money."

"Ma'am and Sir, I really want to die and if this underwater means death, I will gladly follow the rules and everything. But if you'll keep doing that to your applicants I doubt you can find one. Hindi ho lahat ng tao pera ang habol. I am rich enough to buy each one of you. For your information."

"Where are you going? We are not done yet."

Hagalpak ang tawa ko sa tuwing naalala ko ang unang interview sa akin ng Under H2O Developers(UHD) Staffs. Hindi ko alam isa lang pala nila 'yung pagsubok para malaman nila kung sino ang may habol sa pera at kung sino ang hindi. Base sa kanila, ako lang daw ang sumagot sa kanila ng ganoon at nag-walk out pa. Hindi ko alam kung matutuwa ako o maiinis sa sarili dahil sa naging respond ko sa pagiging unprofessional nila, pero sa makatuwid tila mas malala pa yata ang ginawa ko dahil bukod sa sinagot ko sila ng pabalang kahit pa mas matanda sila sa 'kin ay hindi ko rin sila nirespeto noong umalis na lang ako bigla, wala man lang pasabi. But thankfully, I was still chosen by them.

"The trial may have been difficult for you. House maybe have some problems and errors but we have put a lot of technologies which will you connect to us even if you were 159 meters down." Mr. Elixir was explaining the house underwater called Wival. Lahat ng maari kong malaman ay sinasabi na niya sa akin ngayon.

I am here at the headquarters of UHD for five days. They are orienting me about the project of underwater. Dos and Don's. The duties. And everything. I've met a lot of Trainor also. They are training me to handle such problems I may encounter in Wival. They are teaching me the best solutions and they are giving me a lot of knowledge about everything.

I need to study it for two months. They are giving me enough time to learn. They are patient and understanding. Isa-isa nila sa aking tinuturo ang lahat ng dapat gawin.

"All technologies used there are upgraded and may not have been released here in cities and towns. You will also have the advanced types of equipment and devices in Wival." Mr. Elixir keeps on talking about the technologies, devices, and equipment that they placed at Wival. "One more thing, there's an easy access point for reading news or data from the internet. Yes, you have the internet but it's limited. Sometimes it may not work well but it helps."

"How can I ask for help? If something bad happens?"

"What do you mean?"

"Like what if the Wival gets slowly breaking? I mean the house is collapsing miserably and I don't know how to fix it anymore? How can I ask for your help?"

"As I said, we have devices to connect with you. You can use that to gives us a signal that you are in need of help."

"What if... I'm losing time and can't do anything but wait. Will you noticed that? Do you have any technologies that connect to the Wival itself?"

"Yes."

"So?"

"If it gets broke. There's nothing we can do about it."

"But you know that I'm in danger, right?"

"It's a survival, Adira. We can't do anything if the house was breaking simultaneously. We can order hundred of men to get you underwater but I'm sure you will not make it. Dangerous creatures may threaten you to survive."

"So that's how I'll die?"

"Unfortunately, yes, but if you followed everything, it may not going to happen. You can survive this one hundred twenty days trial, possibly. You can start again in your life because I'm sure they will give you another reward if you manage to survive this trial. In spite of this exploratory, we still value the lives of humans. You don't deserve to die just like that. You have to cherish yourself and your life. It's essential."

"That makes sense. Thank you."

Sabi noon sa akin ni Ate Adeyn strong girl daw ako. Hindi ko akalaing sa sobrang strong ko, mas pipiliin kong mamuhay mag-isa sa ilalim ng dagat. Sa sobrang strong ko, pinabayaan akong mamuhay mag-isa sa lumipas na apat na taon. My sister was my only family. But because of me, she died. My mother and father have their own family now. Alam ko namang walang may gustong kumupkop sa akin dahil parehas silang may sariling pamilya na at alam nilang ako ang magiging dahilan ng pagkasira non kung kukupkupin pa nila ako. Kaya ako na ang humiwalay, hindi rin naman nila ako pinilit kasi nga ayaw na nilang masira ang kaniya-kaniya nilang pamilya. Si ate lang ang nagparamdam noon sa akin na may magulang ako pero siya pa ang unang kinuha sa akin ni God. She's really kind and sweet. Hindi ko alam kung anong kasalanan niya para kunin siya agad ni Lord. Siguro nga tama ang kasabihang, kung sino pa ang mas mabait, sila pa ang mas maagang kinukuha ng langit.