2:12am
Woke up 3 minutes earlier than my alarm.
That's a first.
Howling winds...that's what woke me up.
Paco!
In a slight panic I use my phone's light as I try to make sense of pillows and blankets.
I see him.
Sleeping. Very peaceful. Sigh.
I hug him and he moves.
"Don't go to work mommy," he mumbles. "It's still night time."
My heart is crushed. I hug him tighter.
2:53am
Oh shoot! I fell asleep again.
"Bff?"
"I hope you didn't go to work"
Text. Mishy. She's up?
I get up.
Lime and coconut habit.
Looked at my yoga mat but didn't go near it.
Not today. No workout today.
Shower.
3:19am
Replied to Mishy. She answers right back...
"DO NOT GO OUT"
All caps. Uh-oh. She sounds serious.
"Velvet, please don't leave the house. Just text J. Don't risk it.
Stay dry and stay with P"
Of course I didn't listen.
I texted my boss and told him I'll be late.
Drive was pretty much the same
EXCEPT for the
howling winds,
debris on the highway,
rain,
and no traffic lights.
Is there a black out already?
I start to get scared.
Oh God, please keep me safe. Amen.
4:48am
Reached the office.
Bobbed my head into my boss' office to say hi.
He looked up from his cellphone looking confused.
"Why are you here?"
I apparently didn't get his message to stay at home.
Oof!
V!!!
Hit. Desk. With. Head. Later.
5:00am
Boss is worried.
No, upset.
Sigh. Trouble.
He's braving the storm to move to another site.
"Lord, keep him safe. Amen."
I can hear the conference call from the next office. Tense.
Everyone's on high alert.
"Lord, keep us safe."
5:35am
Getting worse.
Howling is a lot louder now. Downpour.
That wind!
Glenda, we meet.
Please, leave. Leave. Please.
Looks like I'm stuck here.
Stood up to walk to my window.
Moved blinds.
Shitake!!!
Water seeping through the glass window. Can't see the crack though.
Shoot! My shirt's wet.
I move away.
Grumbling. No, it's not me. My tummy.
I'm hungry.
6:39am
It's dark out. Too dark for 6am.
Checked my phone.
Worried messages from friends and relatives.
"I'm safe. Thanks. Hope you're safe and dry too."
Back to work. Email. Proposal.
Is this headcount correct? I'm hungry.
Budget allocation. Venue. Caterer.
I'm hungry.
Go to HR.
Dropped by the pantry.
FOOD!
I look and think. I look again.
Nah. Not eating.
9:28am
Glenda is throwing a fit!
I mumble a silent prayer for my country.
"Lord, not another Yolanda please."
Called yaya to check on P.
No power at home.
They've eaten. They have food for lunch.
P playing with blocks. He's okay. Sigh.
I want to go home.
10:13am
Downpour stopped.
Wind is still strong but not howling.
I'll brave it out.
KFC. Really hungry.
Wow, they gave me a big piece. Thank you!
Country Style donuts on (closing out) sale for the day. Thank you!
Bought a box for P.
Oh he'll be so happy!
10:48am
Back on my desk.
Work. Phone calls.
Approval obtained for budget. Yay!
CFO asked me to go home.
I will. Soon.
11:33am
Looked out my window.
Sun's out...still a bit shy but I see a bit of his rays.
Still windy.
Street littered with broken branches and leaves.
Tarps, paper, trash. What a mess.
I start to pack up.
Oh shoot! Must revise invite for tonight's meeting.
Done.
I pick up my purse and my laptop bag.
Wonder what EDSA looks like?
"Lord, keep me safe."
I switch off my office lights, shut the door.
I'm going home.
I'll see you soon, P.
Mommy has donuts.
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