Samsara (Pillars of Kragan)

Prologue

PROLOGUE SAMSARA (Unedited)

"Whew!", I wiped my forehead aggresively with my handkerchief as I slouched down to a chair beside me. I breathed heavily while I looked at the boxes I carried from the supply room -which is located on the first floor- all the way up to thirteenth floor simultaneously. It was a torture, a living death. I mean, I've grown and learned to be familiar and connected with such a work. And this day is never really one serious thing to be stressed about.

Listen, Price, you'll be out in no harsh time, I whispered letting a small sigh for forced motivation.

But then if it wasn't about the glorious concept from that sly smiling devil sitting on a crown chair in front of me, I  would not have been hateful of the world. The world which drains blood on each one, yet people deserve a 'place to live with'. Great one.

"Bravo, Ms. Orbe. You can now rest, take your heels off for comfy slippers. I know they've been burning", looking up at Mr. Killen's humorous remark,  I smiled sarcastically after showing gratitude to my boss, the CEO of Killen Architectural Industry. Thinking about it, I was never his assistant nor his secretary. I work as an ordinary Architect, I mean while other Architects would be so fine as hell, exposing their faces on timely magazines and newspaper, oh gawd even on the television! I, on the other freaking hand, um I don't know, maybe a frustrated human being trying to make the best of best houses out there, when all I could do is bungalos. And if I finally did it someday, I will destroy Queen Elizabeth's palace and replace it with my design. I'll add ten more floors to the White House and repaint it black, or even reshape the plate of United States into a diamond. That'll be awesome I knew it. Yes, that's what I'm gonna do. Fantasy and the world? Foolishness.

I can really never figure out why. The reasons behind the unceasing strife, and endless misfortunes. But then, I learned that working with the negatives produces the best of the images.

Pictures.

Flickers.

Flashes.

Quite unbearable.

I turned around while panting. Finally, my lovely feet, you don't deserve this kind of treatment. My eyebrows automatically went back to their usual state, and I smiled genuinely. Turning back for a rest I pleaded silently since I got here.

"Um, Ms. Orbe?", Mr. Killen called out, his voice leaking pure satisfaction as I visualized how his face would alter Medusa.

Hoping to hide my great fury behind gritted teeth, "Yes, sir?", I asked with fake innocence. This man will be the death of me. Nothing really is busy today, and Mr. Killen himself can get what he wants.

"One more request.", raising his left hand on the air signifying tired authority, I slowly looked at his way with my brows raised at their course.

He pointed to his glass wall down to the roads of busy world, a Starbucks is located on a corner. "Right over there, you know my needs", his voice monotonous and seemingly lifeless from all day's paperworks. At 2 PM, sure he wants his own ruled frap. He chose the ingredients, he made the instructions.

He gets what he wants.

It frustrated me much. For what he wants, for what my parents want, and never mine.

Slowly, he turned to look at me, my eyes resting on the café at the feet of the building. I sighed and nodded, as his left hand waved me off.

Really, what else can I do? I muttered in private dissonance.

"What did you just say?", A frown drew across Mr. Killen's face and I shrugged immediately. "No. Nah, nothing", I chuckled lightly that sounds like a dying hyena. He raised his right brow and looked at me sternly.

Oh Sir, I am not intimidated. Even an inch.

"Uh yeah! Your frap is ready to go!", I turned around and walked out of the office as fast as a five-year old kid runs. I run like a pig, nothing is really beautiful about me. I eat cereals at night, a bar of granola at morning, and coffee for lunch. Even my routine is as monotonous as the rising and setting of the sun. But hey, is there anything new?

I walked idly, groaning because of the pain in my feet. How can I live with this? I barely even eat a single bread. Darling, my only wish is to be swallowed by the earth whole.

I pushed the ground floor button in the elevator and watched as the numbers recount down. It's like a countdown to my death, my eyes blur and my head spins. I heard my stomach grump, and I know my ulcer is triggering again. I sighed. Eat. Sleep. Work. Eat. Sleep. Work. It has always been a monotonous life I dare to live. Nothing's new, nothing's good.

Ting, finally I heard the wonderful sound. The elevator opened and I rubbed my eyes.

Why was I even born?

"Mishel!", I heard a booming of voice scream my name. My name? Oh probably not. Oh gawd I need sleep. I need food. I need life. I need family. I need me.

Thinking about it, I closed my eyes and fisted my hands. My parents both died on an airplane crash while travelling to Philippines. I was fifteen years old back then, they said they were going to have a corporate meeting along with their co-workers. I didn't eat for five days after I got the news. My brother on the other hand left two months after our parents' death. He said he was going to work abroad. That left me with my aunt and uncle. It's been nine years since my parents' death, and since my brother left me alone. Now I could only adapt an enviroment alone.

No biggie, really.

I pushed the thought away and walked straight to the busy roads. It was still a green light when I crossed the road, but seconds after, the wind blew and I heard cars zoomed by, a siren blew my ears and I was sent flying after I felt a force on my side. My head throbbed furiously, and my body weakened to disabling.

Is this the prayer I long to have? Is this the answer? I'm not ready. Though my life seems to be useless, segragated from the royal life, still I love my life. There's nothing on earth I would be most grateful for than my life. I still need to find my brother. And I can't leave Mr. Killen like that. And his frap!

"MISHEL!", I saw Jairus' face and tears fell involuntarily down my cheeks.

Brother?

What? How?

What is happening?

Mr. Killen

Am I dying?

That was it when all turned black and I drowned myself into oblivion.

Waves, I see waves strangle me. I can't breathe, no. I am in the sea, and I am drowning, falling deep as waters tinted black. I look closely to the light and its like the sun is touching the sea. Stars surround the sun and clouds are thick violet. I see moon draw nigh and it places itself beside the sun. Gradually, it pass in front of the sun and my eyes widen. An eclipse.

The moon stopped in the face of the sun and I saw a woman sitting above it. She was naked, and she was looking down on me, a smile crept up to her lips and she gave me encouraging eyes.

But one thing is kind of strange. Her face, her hair, her smile, her eyes, she is me.

Suddenly, the waters pulled me down and I screamed.

That's when my heartbeat dropped.

Here's for real completion!

New book under the name of fantasy. I would have to encourage every one to be with me til this book ends. I am assuring you that the fruits of my mind will grant nutrients to your wishful thinking. This is all I ask of you. Advance gratefulness to all who gives me big time.

With love,

Michelle Fernandez