The Late Ryan

I am guilty of being late to work almost everyday.
So to start of with my 3rd Anniversary with the company, I plan to beat the odds and perfect the month of November without being late.

But not today.

Today is the 15th of November. Halfway there.

I woke up early enough to be on time. But unlike any other day, the restroom was taken so I had to wait. This wasn't a problem since I have all the time in the world; so I waited more. I took a bath and was able to compensate for the the few minutes of delay by skipping shampoo. Oh, I also skipped brushing my teeth since I can do that in the office. I just have to keep my mouth shut the entire travel.

Ready to go.

I got into the SBFZ gate and was greeted with a long line of angry cursing people. The line apparently was due to the newly installed counting machine similar to the LRT.

By that time, it dawned to me that I can be late.

Unable to open my catathonically-nuclear exploding mouth, I mumbled and smirked as I pass the guard on duty.

My hope was a taxi ride. I asked the conductor to find me one.
"Boss marami pang naghihintay ng 'hope'; tsaka nakalabas ng lahat ng 'hope' namin. Hintay kayo ng 'hope'?"

Nope.

I had to think and decide fast. I can either purchase a ferrari so I can make it on time OR I can ride the regular bus transport. I don't know how to drive, so I took the bus instead.

The bus stop was crowded; The overloaded minibus just left; And once again I waited.

I looked at my cellphone and it blinked back with 7:50. I still got 20 minutes to spare.

I heard the sound of engine in front of me. Along with it is the sound of fate laughing at me as a joke. It wasn't a mini bus, it was a a big regular bus - it needs more time to fill the seats, it can't take the minibus short cut and it runs slower than the new minibus. Ergo, I am going to be late.

When all hope is gone, fate truly plays with you more. The driver decided to leave earlier, even though there were empty seats.

I smiled. The travel was fast, and I might make it on time. Well, that was before the bus decided to refuel. I waited the longest refueling in my entire life. My hope drinching into the fuel tank.

By that time. I accepted the fact of being late.

"Walang Fedex? " no response
"Walang Airport? " no response
"Lahat Cubi? " I nodded looking at the others. If there was one who would've refused, then I might have talked him into it until he passed out from my bad breath. Luckily there was none.

"Short cut tayo.". Yes!

The short cut the driver was referring to was a shorter short cut than that of the minibus. I smiled, playing with the words shorter cut, shorter time, not late, perfect attendance in my mind.

By the time we got to the office, I did not look at my cellphone since time was very precious. I shouted "Para manong at salamat po".

The bus stopped. The conductor frowned at me. He smelled the victory from my mouth. I smiled and closed my mouth again.

I run towards the office. The bundy clock displayed 8:10. I pulled the timecard, placed it inside the bundy clock.

Happily, I looked at my time card and froze. Printed in it was the numbers 8:11.

I looked at the bundy clock and we stared silently for a moment.

"Wait a minute.." I said. It didn't and I was a minute too late.