—See you tomorrow —I muttered with exhaustion as I closed the gate. Thankfully, another day had come to an end— Damn this shitty job… at this rate I'll spend more on therapists than on rent… Ah… —I let out a long sigh as I started walking toward the train station.
The yellow, flickering lights barely illuminated this side of the city. Leaving any later would surely make me easy prey for some mugger; someone shapeless and perpetually tired wouldn't be able to defend themselves for even five seconds. A very good reason why I always leave work on time. Even if that made my bosses see me as "the least committed employee," the truth was that I couldn't care less about their opinions.
Those dead-end jobs only existed so I could make it to the end of the month. Losing this one would be more of a blessing than a curse at this point. Life isn't easy when you're a college dropout, and every job that pays more than four figures comes with the same line attached: "seeking someone with experience."
I had already grown used to receiving rejection emails once or twice a week. This had been my life for two years now, and as long as I kept sending out independent project portfolios, hoping some company would take pity on my lack of a degree, I'd have to endure this routine.
At the intersection just before the station, my phone began to vibrate. Tiredly, I answered the call, praying it wasn't my boss asking me to come back for some idiocy like the last three times. But to my fortune, I was greeted by a lively, beautiful voice that always brightened my days.
—Tris! —my beloved exclaimed on the other end of the phone—. I did it, Tris! —she shouted, her contagious happiness washing away every trace of exhaustion in my body—. I finally got my license!
I couldn't help but smile at my beloved's achievement.
—I know, I know… I'm proud of you, Ale! —I replied—. That's why tonight, sushi. The kind that makes us suffer and enjoy ourselves at the same time for being expensive and delicious.
Ale laughed. I couldn't help feeling a small sting of envy—but the good kind. I had been with her through the entire process: the rejection from medical school on her first attempt, the sleepless nights studying for exams, the endless hospital shifts… if anyone deserved this happiness, it was definitely her.
—Perfect. And besides… —she paused, making me stop dead in my tracks— I also have something to celebrate with you… —I could feel my heart start to race. Awkwardly, all I could reply was:
—Yes?
—Your dream came true, Tris!… Kodenima accepted you. You're going to develop video games, love!
I almost dropped the phone in shock. Before me, the dark path lit up like never before. It was as if the dense, black fog that had tinted my days suddenly chose to disperse, revealing that there was something beyond physical exhaustion, emotional fatigue, underpaid jobs, and ungrateful bosses.
I couldn't stop myself from hopping excitedly in the middle of the station, ignoring the judgmental stares of the other passengers. Trying to contain a shout of joy, I replied to Ale, who waited eagerly on the other end of the line.
—I can't believe it. Tonight, sushi… and tomorrow, a new world, love.
—Exactly —Ale said playfully—. See you at eight, Tris.
—Of course. I love you…
—And I love you too.
Without another word, I hung up and slipped the phone back into the front pocket of my hoodie. For the first time in years, I could breathe in peace. The shrill echo of the train faded away; the bustle felt strangely calm. At last, the world had given me a moment of genuine serenity. After so many months of poorly paid jobs, I could finally take the step I had always dreamed of. My thoughts quickly turned to the man who had accompanied me throughout the process, who never doubted me and pushed me to pursue my goals. I took out my phone again. The caller ID simply read "Old Man." I really should have changed that contact name a long time ago…
The world flipped upside down. Everything seemed to move in slow motion.
—Watch out! —I heard someone shout. My body didn't react. For some reason, I was suspended in midair.
I saw it… a homeless man—no, just a drunk. Did he trip into me? He and his bottles scattered across the ground. People were terrified; their screams were barely drowned out by the crackling of the rails. I saw it—I swear I did: the headlights rushing straight toward me.
In my final moment, with my last thoughts, I could only shout:
"Damn you, gods! Damn all of you for ruining everything right now!"
And then, everything went black. I no longer heard the people screaming, no longer smelled the disgusting stench of the subway. It was simply the end…
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