What is July 16 to a Muggle Like Me?
5:30am Yeah, I remember turning in my bed when I heard something fell. It’s pretty loud because with the way I sleep, waking should’ve been difficult. It’s probably my 8th or 9th time to wake this early in 2005. Just imagine what a struggle I’ve had just to know what could have fell. Since everything’s a bit blurry, I turned on the lampshade to discover a revealing thought.
That thing that fell was my Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Yup, it just confirmed it’s HBP day today.
6:01am I’m still in bed but my mind was wandering throughout the day. How do I schedule the day? I’ve tons to do --- all of which you can’t ignore. Thoughts were interrupted when my sister came in the room and confirmed what fell awhile ago. “Nope, it wasn’t me”, I said as she thought I was the one that fell. Dang, I’m much heavier than that! My other sister downstairs would’ve heard that. Err, speaking of weights, I have to get up before it gets heavier for me to leave for work.
6:18am I stepped out of the room and felt confident that I have the right shirt laid down in my bed. I’ll take a bath later. I greeted my usual lively “Magandang Umaga” (Good Morning) to everyone. I’m sure this is a good morning. Mom is having her usual busy morning --- cooking beautiful breakfast. What could be more beautiful than hotdogs and eggs in the morning?
Then… a little moment on, I remembered something.
I have to be extra careful with what I eat. I just learned last night that taking iron supplements can have side effects in the digestive system. Believe me, Diarrhea is not a joke when you’re working in a cold place and the nature of your work is analyzing. Nothing greasy or dairy should be eaten. Dang, everything is just that --- hmm, almost. I stopped Mommy when she’s about to make the rest of the rice as sinangag. She’s not offended. She knows my case. I ate steamed rice with egg and warm mango juice. Ever heard of a warm mango juice? You’ll hear one once you’re in my situation.
6:59am Whew! Got myself talking with my homies too long. I’m supposed to be leaving for work. I’m really not regretting or anything. I’m even glad I have that I have that talk. My sister will be the one to buy HBP for me. She’ll look after my Mom when I’ll leave. It made my day all the more beautiful. Just hoping the rain won’t ruin my journey to work. I don’t want to be stuck in a jeepney like I was yesterday.
8:00am Nothing could be sharper! Though the building’s clock is 6 minutes earlier, I don’t mind. The office’s grace period will always save me. I was serious with what I’ll have to accomplish in my day, ordered a regular sized French fries from MacDonald’s through an officemate --- who’s five times craving for Mickey D’s as I am.
9:47am Got interrupted with work. I thought I heard the words “Power Books” and “excited”. Was I just paranoid? So, I raised my head to peek over the work station dividers. Yes, I’m right. I’m not the only one anticipating for HBP. A group of four or five officemates is heading towards the bookstore to line up for HBP. They didn’t sign up for reservations so they’ll tag along with the moms and dads and children in the bookstore to grab a copy. Dang… I’m thinking to read a chapter through their copy later… it’s starting to itch.
10:38am Ok, I’m focused. I’m sure the things I assigned to be finished on this very day. I’m inches away from that accomplishment when a phone call stopped me. The phone call was just for a few seconds. Its effect lasted for thirty minutes. It was a call telling me who died in HBP.
Darn! Darn! Darn! …
Darn, I wish she didn’t have to be a killjoy telling me who dies… Darn, I should’ve placed a bet on my hunch on who’s going to die (err, to those who’s been following my thoughts, that’s a major spoiler!) … and Darn! HBP is in her hands already!?!
So, I dashed to the other end of the office to arrange with the owner of HBP to read just only the first chapter 12 noon.
11:51am With determination and of course inspiration, work is done. I tried my hardest to be as sharp as I was this morning but this itch can’t wait. I immediately but silently left my seat and strode my way to the place where HBP is waiting for me. And when I said it’s waiting, I mean it. It was sitting on the top of the owner’s table. My eyes probably have sparked. I even forgot to greet the owner. The book was already naked from its flap covers and it seemed to me many has browsed through it --- like I know I did moments ago. I asked to sit on a chair that’s isolated from her view. I don’t want her to see my eyes any further. I felt all the blood rush in my veins that I’m sure, again, is not normal for reading a children’s book. But a couple of seconds later, I figured, I’m not alone. In the middle of reading, the owner would tell me of her thoughts on the first chapter --- she read a little in the taxi from the bookstore! Now, that’s a thing I won’t do. She left at the moment I’ve sorted out what Prime Minister JK Rowling was she referring to. Interesting…
12:44pm I’m back at my seat. Darn! HBP is a good read in its first chapter! I can only smile to other HP fans neighboring my workstation. Not to make them jealous or anything but that’s just simply what I felt doing. It’s pretty early for me to leave for my friend’s place for a fitting session on the gown that I’ll be wearing for her wedding. I’m part of the entourage and I’m honored. I always am, anyway, every time someone asks for me to be a part of her special day. So I tagged along with my “neighbors” in ordering delivered food from fast food chains. I order chicken… I hope it won’t have a bad reaction to my stomach.
HBP day is not yet over…
posted by Maecey @ 7/18/2005 06:46:00 PM
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