word count: 1417

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"Kuyawa lagi. Gi-quarantine amo'ng silingan kay na-positive sa Covid." (Trans: It was really shocking. Our neighbor got quarantined because they came out positively with covid.)

"Hala no? Unya, gi-lockdown balik inyo'ng lugar?" (Trans: Woah, really? Then, was your place subjected to lockdown again?)

Back when this pandemic started, I thought the biggest threat to humanity would be the virus itself. Of course, it would be the biggest threat to those who were infected. But from my perspective, it was not.

"Pero thankfully, naa ra ba mi lai'ng balay. Namalhin dayun mi oy. At least, didto, di mi ma-lockdown og apil." (Trans: But thankfully, we own another house. We moved out immediately. At least, there, we won't be subjected to lockdown.)

To those who had the money, there was only little threat. They could just live on like how they normally did before. They could just stay at home and steer clear of the virus. Maybe they would encounter little issues, like how to kill boredom. Or when they would be able to get out and go shopping.

"Open na ra ba'ng SM Seaside. Well, want to meet this weekend?" (Trans: SM Seaside already opened.)

"Yes, adto ta please. Basin naa'y bag'ong libro sa NBS." (Trans: Yes, let's go please. Maybe there are new book arrivals in the National Book Store.)

"OMG, laag ta please. Boring kaayo diri do. Sige rami'g kaon LOL." (Trans: OMG, let's go out and have fun please. It's so boring here. Nothing to do but eating LOL.)

"So, game mo?" (Trans: So, y'all in?)

"Game!"

"Sure!"

"Ikaw, Jenn?" (Trans: How about you, Jenn?)

Both my thumbs hovered over the keyboard as I bit my lip. I wanted to reply so badly. I wanted to tell them, "Yes, please" and skip to my home with anticipation for the weekend. But I knew I couldn't. I sighed as I exited our group chat without replying and turned my active status off. I exited Messenger and opened the Word document where I was supposed to finish my homework.

"Wa pa ka nahuman dira, 'day?" (Trans: Haven't you finish yet, girl?"

I was startled when someone suddenly whispered behind me. I turned and saw a girl who looked my age. I stepped back as I realized she was too close. She was looking from my phone to the coin-operational Wi-Fi machine beside me with a desperate look on her face.

"Umm, actually-"

"Please, ma-late na ko sa ako'ng klase. All stations inside the computer shop are full. This is my only chance, please." (Trans: Please, I'll be late for my class.)

The anxiety in her voice was so evident. I bit my lip harder. I turned my phone off without looking at it and gave her a tight-lipped smile behind my face mask.

"Sure."

Before she could express her gratitude, I already turned my back on her. I walked inside the computer shop just beside where the Wi-Fi machine was installed. Unlike those cool computer shops in Korean dramas, this place was embraced by humidity and the stench of sweat. It was also crowded with stand-byers, cheering their friends at whatever it was that they were playing.

To these kids, they didn't think of the pandemic as a threat at all. They didn't even wear masks and face shields. All they cared for was their games.

I huffed as I turned my gaze away from them.

On the corners, however, were students attending online classes. Their faces were strained, as if trying to concentrate hard but were still distracted. Their notebooks were on their laps, seeing that each desk was only wide enough for the keyboard. Imagine how hard it would be for them to write on it, much less see it properly since the lights inside the shop were dim.

I looked around and sure enough, there was no vacant space. What about my homework though? I sighed for what felt like the millionth time of the day. At least I can save my coins from being spent.

I turned around and was about to exit when cries were heard from everywhere. I furrowed my brows as I turned back to observe them.

"Kuya Boss! Nawala ang internet!" (Trans: Boss Big Brother! The internet connection's gone!)

"Hala kuya! Ga-answer ra ba ko's amo'ng exam!" (Trans: Woah Big Brother! I was answering our exam!)

"'Sus! Hapit na 'ta 'ko mo-level up oh!" (Trans: Jesus! I was about to level up!)

"Kuya!" (Trans: Big Brother!)

This was actually a normal occurrence since the internet connection of this shop was not really reliable. But it was the only place we could rely on.

I glanced at the counter where the owner was jolted awake because of the noise. He grunted as he sat up straight. He glared at us as he said, "Huwata mobalik." (Trans: Wait for it to come back.)

Then he turned his back on us and resumed his sleeping position.

Easy for him to say. He's not answering exams.

As I was saying earlier, the threat of this pandemic actually depends on one's situation. To those who were just like me, just like the girl who pleaded for the Wi-Fi machine, and just like those students who were in the cafe, our biggest threat was everything. That's the issue of being born to poverty. If you were one, you could understand that everything that was worse for you before had just increased tenfold in this pandemic. For people like us, the pandemic held more than threats. It was a pitfall.

I hurried out of that stuffy place - as if I could get away from my brooding thoughts. Outside, I spotted a few officers walking down the streets. I immediately turned around and adjusted my mask. I took my face shield out and assembled it as fast as I could so I could put it on. Then I calmly turned back and walked towards them.

"Miss, na'y ponkan miss oh. Singko ra'ng usa." (Trans: Miss, have a ponkan [a type of orange fruit]. Only five pesos each.)

"Ah fishball mo dira, kwek-kwek, tempura! Ikaw, miss?" (Trans: Hey, have some fishball, kwek-kwek [flour-coated quail egg], tempura! Want to buy, miss?)

The street vendors were calling out as I walked by their carts but I didn't pay them any attention. I was eyeing the approaching officers. Though, I dared not to look at them as we were about to meet halfway. From the corner of my eye, I could see them eyeing me suspiciously. But they seemed satisfied with my face mask and face shield so they didn't give me a second glance. As we passed each other, I let out a deep breath that I didn't know I was holding.

Why was I so nervous, you seemed to be asking. Because to these officers, the pandemic was a situation where they were given control. They were given more power. And everything unlawful was a threat to them. Even the smallest mistake might trigger them - and majority of them were not as forgiving as the others.

I wanted to continue walking but I was stopped in my tracks when I heard the first signs of trouble.

"Di'ba, gi-warningan naman mo?"

(Trans: Didn't we warn you already?"

"Sir, kaluy'i 'tawn mi sir. Mao nalang 'tawn ni amo'ng panginabuhi-" (Trans: Sir, have mercy on us sir. This is our only way to have a living-)

"Giingnan naman mo na bawal mamaligya diri's sidewalk di'ba?" (Trans: But you were already told that it's not allowed to sell here on the sidewalk, am I right?)

To the government, this pandemic was an opportunity to clean the country. And one of the first things that they did was to clear the streets of any street vendors and habal-habals (motorcycle taxis). As if they were parasites that needed to be eliminated. Who do you think is the real parasite though?

"Pero sir, grabe baya kalisod 'ron. Gipang-lockdown na gani mi, unya wa paju'y hinabang naabot gikan's gobyerno. Unsa nalang amo'ng kan'on si-" (Trans: But sir, the current time's too hard. We were subjected to lockdown, and then there were no relief goods given by the government. What are we gonna eat si-)

"'Di na na amo'ng problema. Ang amo lang, gibuhat ra namo amo'ng trabaho." (Trans: That's not our problem anymore. We are just doing our jobs.)

"Pero sir-" (Trans: But sir-)

Crash.

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