Above Heavens

Ninth Glitch

V A U G H N

"That’s enough.” I handed the vernier caliper to Rai. Kanina pa siya gigil na gigil sa ginagawa niyang paglalagari sa bakal. Baka maubos pa 'yon at tuluyang wala siyang maipasa.

We’re here at the campus machine workshop area. It’s almost 5:00 PM, meaning our class will be dismissed a few minutes from now. Medyo maingay dahil sa dulong bahagi ay may ibang klase na nagwe-welding. Rai's measuring now the iron using the vernier caliper.

“s**t sakto!” Napapalakpak pa si Rai sa tuwa.

Nauna akong natapos sa kanya. I can guarantee that my measurements were exact. It’s not that easy though. If the measurements are not accurate, may minus ten kaagad. Evil.

“Let’s go. Pa-check na natin.” Pag-aaya ko. Sakto namang dumaan ang prof namin sa gilid namin. Magkatabi naman ang pwesto namin ni Rai.

“Sino pang tapos diyan?" Our young male professor asmed.

Rai and I raised a hand. He’s now facing us. Ngumiti pa ito na parang napapa-wow. Palibhasa ay bata pa. Brusko rin ang pangangatawan. It looks like he’s spending too much time in the gym.

“Luis kayo ni Reyes? Aba.” Nangingiti niyang siniyasat ang mga gawa namin at sinukat din ito.

“Sir, may minus po?” Rai’s really a brave soul.

“Wow, very good. You guys did well.”

Napa-'yes' pa si Rai. He offered me a high-five but I ignored it. I lost most of my energy today. Simula pa kaninang makita ko si Dad.

“Ano tol uwi ka na? Kain muna tayo kakapagod eh.”

Nakalabas na kami ngayon sa machine area. My three roommates' class every Monday is until 7:30 PM. They were classmates. Kaya hindi na nagluluto sa dorm ng hapunan kapag ganito. Masyadong late at ako lang ang kikilos. Ang swerte naman pala nila.

“Where?” I want to eat too. I’m already drain. Ang init sa loob ng machine area. And probably I'll buy some take out food in case hunger will visit me again.

“Do’n sa tapsilugan sa may tabi ng dialysis center.” Tumuro pa siya sa malayo.

I’m not familiar. I let Rai lead the way. Malayo-layo raw dito sa university. We rode the trike.

Tipikal na karinderya ang bihis nito. Marami ring tao, karamihan ay estudyante. They are too loud.

We both ordered tapsilog. It’s their bestseller. Tapsilugan nga eh.

“Ano masarap ba?” Rai is enjoying every bit.

“Yeah. Pero mas masarap 'pag libre mo.”

He laughed even if I’m not joking. I can't completely say that he’s my friend. We’re classmates since first year. He approached me first. Siya lang naman din ang kausap ko sa room. Of course, casual talks are necessary to my other classmates. I mean, siya lagi ang kasama ko. He consider me as a friend but the feeling is not mutual.

“Brad kamukha mo!” Bulalas ng kasama ko kaua napatigil ako sa pag-inom. I moved my eyes on the direction he pointed using his index finger.

“Ayon oh! Sa mga nagtitinda ng buko!”

Pilit kong hinanap ang sinasabi niya.

“Ayan tuloy wala na! Ang bagal mo eh tol!" Napailing pa siya sa pagka-dismaya.

I sighed, thinking if it was him. Hinanda ko na ang sarili ko. One of these days, I know I will meet him.

Nag-take out ako ng apat. The other one is for me. I informed my roommates if they want to order too. Nag-reply naman kaagad 'yong isa. Pabor sa kanila para pag-uwi kakain na lang at 'di na pupunta sa kung saan.

“Brad dito na 'ko. Ingat!” Rai bade goodbye and crossed the road. Tinanguan ko lang siya. Sanay naman na siya sa akin. Hindi ko rin naman sinabing kaibiganin niya ako.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit ayaw bumukas ng elevator. f*****g irritating. I hate waiting too! I have no choice. Manu-mano akong umakyat sa hagdan tungo sa 10th floor.  Yeah, dulong-dulo.

Kinapa ko ang ilaw sa gilid pagkabukas ng pinto.

The room now is illuminated with soft ivory light.

Someone’s inside our room now!

It’s Vaughn.

Not me...

But the Vaughn from the future!

How did he get in? Probably magic.

I darted my sight on him. I’m not moving. I made myself ready for this. But still, I'm in the state of surprise. I didn’t expect him to show himself this way. So siya pala ang nakita ni Rai kanina? He's wearing a pants, and white long sleeves, and a low cit Chuck Taylor. Gaya ko, bagsak lang din ang buhok niyang itim. But, it's almost blocking his sight. He's bangs are bit longer than mine.

Mariin din siyang nakatitig sa akin habang nakaupo sa isang monoblock chair. He’s facing the door's direction. Halatang inaabangan niya ako. Katahimikan ang namayani.

My heart skipped a beat. This is really a strange feeling meeting someone who exactly looks like you! Unlike the first one—meeting the glow up Candary.

It’s our room in the first place. Pumasok ako, inilapag ang bag at bitbit sa kama. Sinigurado kong naka-lock ang pinto.

“Do I need to introduce myself?” Oh f**k! His voice resemble mine. Of course I’m him! Sinubukan ko pang kumbinsihin ang sarili ko na 'wag maniwala. But since last week, eccentric things are happening. And this is the best proof.

I sat on my bed facing him.

Naka-dekwatro pa siya at kalmado.

“I know, that I am you. But two years advanced.” Umiwas ako ng tingin. Nakakailang palang kausapin ang kamukha mo. He’s like a clone.

“You really have a smart ass. I mean us.”  He chuckled. Yeah I know I’m smart, kaya ikaw din.

I want to ask him what’s happening, but I know his not that stupid to not mention those.

“I’ll be straightforward.” Mukha siyang nagmamadali sa tono ng pananalita.

I returned my glances on him.

“What now?”

“I’m sending omens on you obviously. I even breached the rule of Astra. Alright, so your future will be ruined because of your mom.”

I furrowed. Astra who?

“Who is Astra?” I curiously asked. Kahit sinabi na sa akin ni future Ezplasa s**t na ruler siya above heavens.

“Not important.”  Oh? Akong-ako siya? Tipid sumagot.

“Please don’t find her. Don’t find your mom. Our mom I mean.” He continued. But this time, looking worry.

Why is finding my mom will ruin my future?

“Bakit hindi?”I grabbed a pillow and placed it on my lap so that I will not lose my composure talking to the walking Sci-fi.

“Because that thing will lead you to hell.” Inalis na niya ang pagkaka-de kuwatro ng mga binti niya at humalukipkip naman. Sinandal ang sarili sa upuan. Mas lumalim ang tingin niya sa akin.

“Enlighten me.”

This is getting ridiculous.

“Finding your mom will make you a killer.” He sighed and looked up to the ceiling.

What?! Is he fooling around?

“Say something about my bright future. Don’t fool me.” I blurted out strongly.

“That’s it. I’m here so your future, or our future will remain bright.” He let out a deep sough. And stood up.

“Why finding my mom will make me a killer? And why that future Ezplasa s**t said that she’ll commit suicide because of me?” Ihate this feeling. I’m so, so, bewildered.

“Cool question. And her mom’s gonna die too because of you.” Nagapalakad-lakad skya sa kwarto habang nakayuko at nakapamulsa.

Crap. It’s always me? Why?

Am I God’s favorite now?

“Just go and tell me everything!” Tumaas ang boses ko sa inis.

I’m longing to be with my mom for f**k's sake!

“I can’t. That’s all I know. I just received a letter from the Beta dimension.” He paused walking

“Be-Beta dimension? Ano na naman 'yon?”  It’s like a jigsaw puzzle that has thousands of missing pieces.

“I came from the future, that another Vaughn from Beta dimension bothered me and sent me a letter. He wants me to warn you. Probably patay na siya ngayon, o kabaliktaran doon ang nangyayari. I don’t know.” He shrugged his shoulders.

“You mean there’s another me?” Maging ako ay napatayo na rin. Nahulog pa ang unan sa sahig. I didn't bother to pick it up.

“There’s always another you. Mayroon pa sa Alpha dimension, and so on. You  Earthlings called it parallel universe conspiracy right? I think Vaughn from the Beta, is in jail now. And managed to sent me a letter. I don’t know what he used. He’s cool!” An now he sounded excited.

I put my right hand in my temple, massaging it. Thinking there’s an original Vaughn, a made in China Vaughn, Vaughn 101. f*****g fantastic!

“So in the Beta dimension, they are more advanced?”

“Yeah, from the Alpha dimension naman, they are one decade late. Nine years old ka palang doon.”

There’s something off.

“What about you? From what dimension? From Foxtrot?” I stifled my laughter.

“I am really cool huh? Yes it’s Foxtrot.” He gave me a small smile.

Tumama pa 'yong hula ko.

“And you know what my dear self? This is the first time that a man from Foxtrot managed to came here in the present.” He clapped his hands three times. I just let him continue.

“It so happened, that the Vaughn from Beta is so, so genius and awesome than us! He let me know the omens and so I can warn the Vaughn from Earth. We’re really amazing aren't we?”

Is this real? Is this pretense?

I’ve never imagined in my whole life that my life's plot twist is astounding.

But it sounds sad and unbelievable.

I’ll become a killer? Someone will die because of me?

“I need a proof. Proof that what was stated in the letter from Beta will happen in the future.”  I demanded. I still have many questions. Kung paano nai-send ang sulat. Wala bang gadgets doon? Time machine?

“My time is limited, of course Vaughn from Beta expected that you will not believe it first so he included some hints on the lette-“

And the deafening sound embraced the whole room. The lights almost blinded me too.

As I opened my eyes, Vaughn from Foxtrot was gone.