Night Shift & Life Threats
I’ve never felt more worried and harassed going on night shift work than the past two weeks. I guess the reluctance I have returning to my 11pm-8am schedule was an indirect premonition that not-so-good things are about to happen. It was as if there’s a part of me already gone going to work and wishing that the 80 hours of work ahead can be done overnight.
On Wednesday afternoon, October 15, just barely two hours after I went to bed, Kuya Russel came home feeling unwell. He was complaining about feeling weak and short of breath. Mom took him to the hospital and few hours later, she came home sobbing, almost breaking down after finding out what caused the medical emergency.
My brother spent overnight at the hospital and my family was put to the test. Chatting with my cousin Sheena online that night, she was the second friend I confided everything that happened, I felt a lot better realizing the good in the awful thing that happened.
After knowing that kuya is out of danger, I managed to have a good time on Friday, Saturday and Sunday last week despite the sleep disadvantage of working night shift.
On Friday night, October 17, I went to an eat-all-you-can dinner buffet treat with officemates and XTL (ex-teamlead), Tyrone. I came in late with little sleep made during the day, so by the time I arrived I already lost half of my appetite and they were almost done with desserts. We went for a bowling game afterward in which I did just ok (no strike) wondering if bowling is a sport that requires skills or a game of chance that requires sheer luck. Both I don’t have.
On Saturday night, October 18, Rodel invited me to his exclusive pre-birthday celebration– an overnight swimming at Postema Resort. I didn’t go swimming and actually did intend to leave before midnight. The problem was, everyone’s staying and the night went on with high expectations and before I knew it… I was being assisted to be loaded in Rodel’s car on way to his house. I got too drunk and swore once more that I’ll never drink again.
Hours later, Sunday afternoon, October 19, I promised another college friend Anne that I will come to her post beirthday celebration, and so I did. In their house in Tanza, present to celebrate were long-time-no-see classsmates from college–Analinda, Annalyn, Nelly, Ryan and Jener. It was a chance to meet Anne’s current boyfriend as well –Jopher, and to bond more with friends Judie and Jayson.
I had my own life-threatening situation last Friday, October 24. Just past midnight, about an hour after my night shift started, the floor security guard came and announced in his calmest voice that everyone in the building needed to evacuate. There was no formal statement released that night if it was due to a bomb threat… but what else could it be if the the fire alarms are in tact? I highly doubt if the company is not paying the monthly office rent that’s why we are being force evicted, I thought. Soon, we found ourselves wandering outside, calling people to ask if we should stay or go home. Then after four grueling hours, the security people of the building (as well as the trusty bomb-sniffing dogs) declared that the building was clear and we were back to work, happy to be alive and convincing ourselves that we are “bomb threat survivors”.
