June 17, 2024
Monday, 6:38 AM
Bzzzzzzzzt Bzzzzzzzzt Bzzzzzzzzt
In a meticulously clean bedroom, the morning sun filtered softly through the blinds, illuminating a space of order and tranquility. The room featured a neatly made bed, cabinets with clothes neatly arranged, and a small cabinet near the bed stocked with wipes, tissues, alcohol, plastic gloves, and a phone vibrating on the surface.
Ivan woke up with a start. His first action was to grab the alcohol, spraying it generously on his hands and ensuring every surface, including the sides of his fingers, was covered.
Bzzzzzzzzt Bzzzzzzzzt
He carefully put the alcohol back and reached for a plastic glove. He wore it on his right hand first, then reached for the phone to turn off the alarm.
Monday, again
He checked his messages with his gloved hand.
Lucas: Yo Ivan did you see the news?
Lucas: Are you going to the class reunion?
Lucas: They said they wanna go to the beach
Lucas: Read my goddamn message bro
Lucas: Aight ima touch you now
"The hell?"
Ivan: What news?
Ivan: Idk, depends who's going?
Ivan: I was sleeping, idiot. Who the hell messages at 5:36 am?
Not even going to respond to the last one.
His friend didn't respond, so he checked the time.
Ivan continued his routine, wearing the other plastic glove on his left hand. He stood up from his bed, straightening the already neat sheets, and walked towards a door that led to his small cleaning supply closet. It was stocked with alcohol, a vacuum, a broom, wipes, soap, bleach, and other cleaning essentials.
He reached for the small vacuum cleaner and closed the door softly. He returned to his bed, cleaned it thoroughly, folded his mattress with precision, and stored the vacuum back in its place. Each action was performed with meticulous care, reflecting his obsession with cleanliness.
6:43 AM
He went to his bathroom, which was a pristine space with gleaming tiles and neatly arranged toiletries. Ivan threw away his plastic gloves in the trashcan, which was lined with a fresh bag, and washed his hands with soap. His technique was akin to a surgeon preparing for surgery, ensuring every inch, even under his fingernails, was spotless. After rinsing, he picked up a tissue hanging from the wall and cleaned his arms, discarding the used tissue immediately.
Returning to his bedroom, he repeated his earlier actions: first applying alcohol, then going to the drawers to retrieve a more ordinary-looking glove for outdoor use.
6:47 AM
In the kitchen, he prepared a simple breakfast of scrambled eggs. The kitchen was immaculate, with countertops gleaming and utensils neatly organized. As the eggs cooked, he placed a toast in the toaster. Once the food was ready, he plated the eggs and took out the toast.
He spread peanut butter on one slice and jelly on the other, then enjoyed his breakfast while checking his phone.
Ivan skimmed through the news, which was filled with sensational headlines about newly discovered diseases. One particularly alarming report discussed a new type of rabies originating from Africa. This disease was said to spread through bodily fluids, making people unusually aggressive and prone to biting others. The coverage was intense, but Ivan's attention quickly shifted to lighter news about influencers and gossip, dismissing the disease report with a shrug.
7:05 AM
He finished his meal, washed the plates while keeping an eye on the TV, and heard a news update about the aggressive disease. The details were troubling, but Ivan chose to focus on the more intriguing stories on the news channel, particularly the scandal involving a blackmailed influencer.
After washing the dishes, he brushed his teeth thoroughly and headed for the shower. The shower was his favorite part of the morning routine—a spacious, modern setup with a glass door and multiple showerheads. Ivan adjusted the temperature until it was cold enough to make him twitch initially, but he reveled in the refreshing chill. The cold water invigorated him, washing away the remnants of sleep and leaving him feeling alert and revitalized.
He finished showering, quickly dried himself with a fluffy towel, and dressed in socks, pants, and a red shirt. His clothing was always neatly ironed and smelled faintly of lavender.
He grabbed his bag, checked to make sure his belongings, especially his laptop, were in order, and took the key from a small table near the door.
He stepped outside his top-floor apartment. The building's hallway was quiet, with plush carpeting and elegant lighting. He entered the elevator, checked the time, and sighed as he waited for it to descend.
7:35 AM
While waiting, he received another text from Lucas.
Lucas: Crazy right? She got blackmailed by her manager.
Lucas: Well, most of them are going, even our old friends. You still remember Yusef, right?
Ivan quickly typed a response on his phone.
Ivan: Idk man, I'm too busy with work. When is it happening again?
Lucas: Sat, you don't have work on Sat, right?
Ivan: Sorry pal, that day's already reserved. It's my birthday.
Lucas: Oshi, why didn't you say!? Advance happy birthday!
Ivan: Thx
It wasn't actually his birthday on Saturday; it was the following Sunday.
The elevator reached the 15th floor, and a girl and a muscular man entered. Ivan nicknamed them "Chad" and "Ms. Model" because he didn't know their names but saw them frequently. Chad was a regular at the gym, and Ms. Model was a striking young woman aspiring to be a model.
The elevator stopped again on the 13th floor, and an individual in a hoodie and smoking a cigarette entered. The smell of smoke quickly filled the elevator. Ms. Model coughed and covered her face in disgust, while Chad sighed and looked away. Ivan made an effort to keep his distance, covering his mouth and ensuring that his clothes didn't touch anyone else. He shifted to the corner of the elevator, trying to maintain a clean buffer zone around himself.
He checked his phone.
7:45 AM
The elevator doors opened. Ivan waited patiently for the others to exit before stepping out himself. He went to the parking lot, where he turned on his e-bike.
He drove through the friendly neighborhood, observing people in suits heading to work and students making their way to school. Ivan felt a pang of jealousy; he hadn't gone to college after his family fell apart following his little sister's death.
The memory dampened his mood as he silently drove. The road widened as he reached the city center, where the traffic thickened, and he saw an array of cars, motorcycles, people, and buildings. He was now amidst the bustling city life.
____________________________________
Ivan arrived at his workplace before 8 o'clock and parked his e-bike neatly. He entered the convenience store and greeted everyone with a bright smile.
"Morning, Vivian!"
Vivian, the store clerk, looked at him with a mix of amusement and concern. She was a petite woman with sharp eyes and a no-nonsense demeanor, always quick to notice the smallest details about her colleagues.
"Where did the 'good' go in the good morning?" she teased, her tone light but pointed.
"Your eyebags got a lot bigger. I told you to sleep more!"
She gave him a playful but stern look, her concern for him evident in her expression.
"Hahaha… Yeah, sorry. I'll fix my sleeping schedule… next week..." Ivan replied, a bit sheepishly.
"You're gonna play tag with earthworms soon enough if you continue that!" Vivian quipped, her tone mixing concern with humor.
"Alright then, go work now," Vivian said, shooing him towards the staff area. Her words carried a blend of affection and authority, marking her role as both a friend and a mentor in the workplace.
Ivan went to the back of the store and stored his laptop in his locker. He put on his work shirt, a standard blue uniform with the store's logo, and then headed outside to start his shift. The air was still crisp from the morning, and the street was beginning to fill with people starting their day.
He began by organizing the front of the store, straightening up items on the shelves and making sure everything was neatly arranged. The store's morning routine involved restocking popular items, checking the expiration dates on products, and tidying up the aisles. Ivan moved efficiently, his familiarity with the tasks making them second nature.
Just as he was finishing up, his partner for the shift, Eve, arrived. Eve was a cheerful, energetic woman with a knack for keeping things lighthearted. She greeted Ivan with a warm smile.
"Morning, Ivan! Did you survive the early morning horrors?" she asked, her tone teasing.
"Just barely," Ivan replied, grinning. "Vivian's already got me on thin ice for not sleeping enough."
Eve chuckled and rolled up her sleeves. "Well, you know how she is. She's basically the store's unofficial sleep therapist."
As they worked together, restocking shelves and preparing for the day's customers, Vivian occasionally stopped by to check in. She kept an eye on them, ensuring everything was running smoothly, but also enjoyed light banter with her team.
"Hey, you two," Vivian called out, approaching with a cup of coffee in hand. "Remember, if the coffee disappears faster than usual, I'm blaming you."
Eve laughed, "You know you'd have to get a new shipment every day just to keep up with us!"
"True," Vivian agreed, her tone playful. "But let's not test that theory too much. And Ivan, try to get some sleep tonight, or I'll have to start charging you for your eye bags."
Ivan chuckled and replied, "I promise I'll try. No promises on the eye bags, though."
The morning continued with a mix of routine tasks and light-hearted exchanges, making the workday start on a positive note. The camaraderie among the team helped to create a pleasant atmosphere, even amidst the usual hustle and bustle of the convenience store.
Ivan was cleaning at the back of the store when a homeless man walked in. The man was disheveled, his clothes tattered and covered in grime. His hair was matted, and his face showed the wear of many hard days on the street. He picked up a pack of instant noodles and placed them on the counter, waiting for the cashier.
Eve had just gone into the bathroom, leaving the counter unattended. Ivan saw the man from his spot at the back of the store. He hesitated, something deep inside him urging him to stay away. The thought of handling money that had been touched by the man made his skin crawl. He changed direction, leaving the man confused at the counter, and headed to the back office. He knocked on the manager's door and opened it slightly.
"Hey, could you help the man for me... sorry," Ivan said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Vivian looked up, immediately understanding the situation. She saw the homeless man at the counter and nodded. "No need to apologize," she said kindly.
Vivian quickly went to the front and completed the transaction for the man. The homeless man, noticing Ivan in the back, asked, "What's wrong with him?"
Vivian, handling the situation with her usual grace, responded, "Oh yeah, sorry about that. He's not a bad person, I promise. He just has... OCD."
The homeless man scoffed, "Then he should find a better job that suits him."
He picked up his noodles and left, visibly offended. Ivan, who had heard the entire exchange from the back, felt a pang in his chest. He quickly masked his true emotions, forcing a smile as Vivian returned.
"Don't let it get to you," Vivian said, her tone gentle and understanding.
Ivan forced a laugh. "Don't even care. Hahaha."
As the homeless man's words echoed in his mind, Ivan couldn't help but think, Get another job, he said. Well, that's ironic.
Vivian gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder before returning to her tasks. Ivan took a deep breath and tried to shake off the encounter, thankful that he had understanding colleagues.
____________________________________________
4:55 PM
Ivan prepared for the closing and went to the back. He changed his clothes and took his bag. On his way out, he said goodbye to his boss and his partner.
"Get some rest, Ivan," Vivian said, giving him a concerned look.
Eve was there too, and she also said goodbye. "See you tomorrow, Ivan!"
"See you, Eve," Ivan replied with a smile.
The two of them walked outside side by side, chatting about their plans for the evening and the latest gossip at work. The conversation was light and filled with laughter, a nice way to wind down after a long day.
When they reached the parking lot, they split up.
"Take care, Eve," Ivan said as he headed towards his e-bike.
"You too, Ivan," she replied, waving before heading to her car.
Ivan went to his e-bike with a tired expression, the monotony of his daily routine weighing heavily on him. He sighed deeply, mounted the bike, and rode to a nearby store. The small market was bustling with evening shoppers, but Ivan navigated through the aisles with practiced ease. He picked up apples and bananas, placing them carefully in his basket before heading to the checkout.