Rush Hour

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“Zrox! Zrox, wake up right there!” My mother repeatedly shouted and knocked on my door while I was still lying on the bed and forcing the pillow to cover my face.

“Zrox! What else are you doing there in your bed, and aren't you ready yet to” she stopped speaking when she entered the room and examined the scattered belongings inside. “Can this still be called a room? Isn't it a warehouse or a garbage dump?” She added as she picked up one by one my belongings scattered on the floor while covering her nose.

“Hey, I know you can hear me, so get up there, and can you take a shower? When was the last time you took a shower? Do you even wash your face in the morning? Maybe when you wake up in the morning this computer of yours is the first one you were using, am I right?” She told to me as she forcefully woke me up and shook my shoulder. “Get up there, Zrox, and eat almost as much food at the right time. You always forget that because you'll be playing there on your computer for the whole day! You almost even surpassed being a vampire by being active at night. Get up there! Don't make me mad, Zrox.” She added as she left my room and closed the door loudly.

I had no intention of getting up, but I suddenly felt a vibration from the cell phone, so I fumbled around and found it under my pillow. I looked at the screen with one eye open, and then I noticed that an unknown number was calling me.

“Yes?” My lazy answer to her.

“Hello? Is this Zroxylle Danielle Kros?” She asked, and then I nodded and replied, “Yes, I am. What do you need from me, and how did you find out my name?”

“Good morning, Mr. Kros. I'm Rehan, an HR manager of Kb Corporation. I received your CV, and you're applying as a service crew at Kb restaurant, right? If you're free now, can I interview you today? I'll just send you the location, and what time we'll meet, okay? Thank you very much and see you later.” That was the end of our conversation. As soon as she spoke, I suddenly woke up in bed and my eyes widened in shock.

“Kb restaurant? Is it true that one of the most famous and well-known restaurants in the world called me?” I whispered to myself with a wide smile on my lips as my eyes twinkled.

Kb Corporation is just one of my dream jobs. I think I tried to pass my profile to them almost twenty times, but my name was always ignored. I have always been ignored and looked down upon when it comes to working. Furthermore, I heard that Kb Company was giving an enormous salary to their employees, and they also have many employees who have advanced in life and fulfilled their dreams just because of them. That is why many applicants dream of joining them even if they are just janitors or low-class positions in their company because they believe that their company is lucky.

I wasted no more time and I immediately dressed to go to the said interview.

“Zrox, where are you going? Why are you in formal attire? Are you going on a date? Are you having a walk with your friends? Or maybe you're just crazy?” My mother asked me a series of questions, but I did not answer her and I immediately ran out of our house. “Zrox, eat first before you leave!” I heard Mom shout at me, but I just waved at her and ran again.

When I arrived at the location she sent me through text message, I was momentarily stunned when some drops of water from my nose were dropped. So, I looked up at the sky and noticed that it seemed to be drenched in heavy rain. So, before it poured out loud, I immediately went into a café shop and looked for the woman I had talked to earlier on the phone.

“Where is she? Is she here yet?” I was curious as I looked around and watched each of their faces. I just took my cell phone out of my pocket and called her to let her know I was here now. But I suddenly let go of my phone when someone bumped into me, causing her to pour the iced coffee she was holding onto my white polo.

“Oh, God! I'm sorry, sir. I didn't mean it, are you all right?” The woman in front of me asked me. I was about to speak, but I was suddenly startled when I looked up at her face. “Celine?” I called to her, so she turned her gaze to my face, at the same time her eyes widened in shock, and she backed away from me.

“Z-Zrox, that's you.” She replied with a frown.

“How are you?” I asked and held out one hand to her, but she immediately backed away and seemed to be terrified of me. So, I lowered my hand and just put it in my pocket.

“I'm fine, are you? How are you and what are you doing here?” She asked with a trace of apprehension on her face, and she was not comfortable seeing me.

“I'm fine too, and then—” I didn't finish what I was about to say when someone suddenly called her name and a woman approached her.

“Celine, are you okay?” She looked at her when she noticed Celine's pale face, and she seemed to immediately identify what had happened thereafter she noticed the stain on my polo shirt. Celine just nodded her head and forced a smile on her lips.

“By the way, Rehan. Why are you here? Hasn't the one you've been waiting for arrived yet?” Celine asked her. I was shaken when I heard her name and her name seemed familiar to me. Where did I hear that name again?

Until a flashback in my mind about the caller I talked to earlier, and I realized that her name was also Rehan.

Wait, can't she be that? Is she the Rehan who called me from Kb Corporation and the HR management? So, they know each other? And is it also possible for Celine to know that up to now I was still seeking employment, and I was still a jobless guy?

Fearing that my ex-girlfriend, Celine, might find out the reason for my coming here, I turned around and left the café shop immediately without letting her know.

I was afraid that I would be embarrassed in front of her and that she would know that I was still a loser. That I still haven’t achieved anything in my life, and I’m still not progressing to where I am today.

Why was I born as the petty person in the world? Why am I such a worthless person and so unlucky? If I had just worked hard and persevered in my previous jobs, I might not have felt so low about myself now. Therefore, I just walked home while the heavy rain was pouring down and my whole body was soaking wet.

I never thought that in four years I would see Celine again, and there is no denying that she is still beautiful. Nothing has changed in her appearance, but I feel that her state in life has changed a lot. She must have her car now and own restaurant as she had dreamed of then. I'm sure she already has a boyfriend, or maybe she's already married. But even though four years passed by, she was still the only woman in my life and made my heart beat crazy. I will admit that I still love her and until now, I hope that she will come back to me even though I know that can't happen especially since I am just a loser now.

I don’t deserve someone like her, nor does she deserve a coward like me. So, I will be happy for her, and I will bury her here in my heart and mind for the rest of my life.

“Zrox? What happened to you, and why did you soak like that in the rain? You'll have to change your clothes right away because you might catch a fever. Hey, Zrox! Can you hear me? Are you listening to me? Why aren't you answering?” I heard what Mom told me, but I just ignored her and I just went straight to my room, and then I lay down on my bed with my whole body wet.

I was going to take a break, but suddenly, I heard a notification from my computer, so I got up immediately and faced it.

I noticed that Captain, the username of my clash game playmate, sent me an invitation, so I immediately accepted his invitation, and we started playing a computer game.