By Jan Vicente B. Pekas
It has been quite a while now since the continuation of another virtual school year. Though face to face classes have been made possible, as of now, students like me are too busy on school work to worry about that. Deadlines are proving to be formidable in keeping us students in our toes all week. But, luckily around this time of the school semester, the university always gives us a week to catch our breath. A full week dedicated to answering modules and no online classes. To us students, this was heaven sent as many of us still have unanswered modules lying around. And in a system where many don’t have the tools to thrive, it is also a week to catch up with other students.
Fortunately for me, that 7-day break with no online classes was this week. Although, it may have its plus side, it also has it’s price. Sleep schedules getting all jumbled is an all-too-common occurrence during such a rush hour week. But with each others’ help, me and my classmates were able to eventually finish our left-over modules. And after going through many all-nighters, I was determined to sleep early and have a productive day after.
One night, I was making progress into sleeping at a time my body was not used to. But I had to prioritize nature’s call and went to the bathroom. On my way out I made sure to take care of the late-night crawlers always coming out in the wee hours. I kicked a cockroach out of my room after hitting it with my “tsinelas” and went ahead with my business in the toilet. But as I went back to my room, I noticed the cockroach outside my door was gone. I was certain I hit that bastard twice. I even saw one of its legs still on the floor due to the impact of my slippers. Fear and panic ultimately took over. I was scared of a lot of things and cockroaches were one of them. But hard as I tried, I could not find that crippled insect.
After some time, I managed to calm down and go to bed. I reassured myself that the insect was probably dead somewhere lying in its own gut. Eventually, I was on the verge of sleep when I felt a cold touch, a small touch from something that crawled. I immediately knew what it was. The bastard came back. Fueled with adrenaline and disgust, I threw that cockroach with force. But perhaps due to still being half asleep I decided to go back to sleep thinking it was finally dead. Yet I came back to my senses and I decided to double check, but found nothing, no dead cockroach. I was not able to sleep early to have a productive morning after.
That cockroach ultimately taught me the importance of seeing my actions through. Because small as they might be, situations we fail to see through to its end can come back and bite us in the rear. Even a small ripple can cause a tidal wave.
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