I took my first step to adulthood today. And just like a child getting ready to sit or walk, I fumbled on my first few steps. I obtained my NBI clearance.
Of course everyone would think that it is not really a step toward adulthood but everyone would definitely agree that it is not also a requirement when you're a high school or college student.
When I first stepped down the train bound for Carriedo a sudden thrill permeated my heart. At the same time, the feeling you get when you are at a loss also began to creep down my spine.
A friend told me that the only difficulties that I could encounter is finding the building and falling in line. I only agreed with the latter. However, as I entered the threshold of the building, I didn't know what to do. I felt nauseous as all around me were strange faces. Some of them badgering other people around while others looked as clueless as I .
Eventually, I managed to get a hold of myself and plunge into that sea of people. Not entirely mingling, mind you, but hustling and bustling amidst the "isaw"-like lines toward claiming that piece of paper called an NBI Clearance.
I waited and waited and waited among those lines until my turn came. I paid every fee and ink-smudged all of my fingers with ink. All to get that clearance. I asked every person worth asking regarding the next step and got grunted answers or the classic pointing snout.
Two hours and a skip at lunch later, I was finally able to obtain that precious piece of paper. But it wasn't a leap in the air. It was with a greasy forehead, a stinking shirt and a weary body that I descended the steps.
I stared at my prize.
I stared really hard.
I noted each detail on that piece of paper.
All I can say is that now I know why everyone looked so haggard in their NBI clearance pictures. =P
The air reeks with the smell of nicotine.
I hated that smell. Better fill the room with the scent of any nose-piercing perfume of my brother than smell the strong odor of nicotine. Better if it were just from one person. But from where I sit, it's clear that it comes from both sides.
What makes the agony more profound is the fact that I am sittin inside a supposedly air conditioned room. A computer rental at that! Yet, some confounded bloke blatantly seemed overjoyed with the scent of nicotine to think that sharing it would be the sanest thing to do. Yeah, I love it! NOT!
But that clearly was not the end of it.
I tried to see who conspired to make this supposedly comfortable computer servicing seem like hell. Lo and behold, children of no more than ten sat beside me. They were the perpetrators?
I tried to look around the rental. The only grown-up is three computer stations away from me. And he's not playing a game. Instead, he's doing some thing on Microsoft Word. It must not be him.
The children were shouting obsceneties and curses at each other. So imagine the scene me in between two mangy children shouting at each other with what seems like a contest on who knows the most curse and obscenity. "PIs" and "G"-words were flying back and forth from the mouths of these kids. If given the chance, I could have bashed their brains out with the computer set I'm renting.
So they must be it.
The shouting even proved it. Their mouths were reeking foul with the nicotine. These kids smoke? Wherever are their parents?
All this time, I thought that I would be better off being a computer addict, filling my mind with countless games. I tried that life. Personally, it would be a good escape from drugs, sex, booze and even smoke. But as I see these kids, the computer shops has become breeding grounds for smoke, gangster lifestyles, obsceneties and such. Should this continue, what would happen to them?
Isang linggo akong walang magawa,
Nakadungaw lamang sa bintana,
Magdamag na lang nakatunganga
At inuubos ang oras sa wala.
Sa isang linggo aking napagtanto,
Kung ako’y lagi na lang ganito,
Marahil ay hindi na isang milagro
Kung katawa’y tuluyang lumobo.
Buong isang linggo ring naisipan
Magtrabaho, umasikaso nang minsan
Ngunit gawai’y tanging pinagmasdan
Nang muling maghari ang katamaran.
Isang linggo nga ba’y nauwi sa wala,
Teka nga muna, hindi naman yata,
‘Pagkat aking kwarto ay sinala
Nang dumi’y maglaho parang bula.
At di rin ba iyon ang isang linggo,
Kung saan isang panulat ay kinuha ko,
Gayundin ang isang lumang kwaderno
At aking nalikha ang abang tulang ito.
