Dystopia

✍️: Ronald Alagos

Sharon's Point of View.

I walked down the street of Emeraldin, having my shoulder bag with me, I could see people around the street, shoved in their phones— indulged in their own virtual lives. 

I looked at their outfits, they all look similar, well, what do I expect, these clothes are today's trend. I could hear different music playing, some explicit, some chill, most are upbeat. I think they're using the app called TikTok. 

I tilted my neck as I saw a group of women sitting on a bench, they're all talking, shoving each phone in each of their faces, completely ignoring the baby in the stroller. Not far from them, I saw a group of teens, most of them are girls, they're standing beside a monument, each phone is out. They're wasting their time trying to get the perfect picture. 

I heaved out a sigh. It's funny how the world is advancing yet, it seems like technology is the only one that is. I continued walking.

How far can it get? 

I feel the setting sun's ray hitting my face. I smiled. I'm glad nature hugs me.

I got irritated as I saw a lot of people taking pictures of the setting sun. I'm sure they're just gonna post it on their social media accounts. Most of them don't truly value the sun, they only value it because it's the current aesthetic and trend. Fools. 

I shook off my thoughts and continued walking. God, I shouldn't mind them. 

Not long enough, I reached the end of the town.

I could see graves all around. I walked the cemented path and search for the grave that I'm looking for.

I turned left, I hear nothing but silence, the gentle swaying of the wind caresses my hair, and the green grasses wave at me. 

And, there it is, the grave that I was looking for. I walked towards it. I could feel my eyes twitch and heat. I held myself from snapping. No, not again. 

When I reached the gravestone, I kneeled down and pulled out one rose from my shoulder bag. 

" I-I'm sorry... " The only phrase I could say as salted tears start to fall from my eyes. My breathing started to become heavier as well, I feel like I'm being choked, like there's something stuck in my throat, my body feels like as though it's losing its nerves. 

" D-dad— " I couldn't help it. I broke down. Like a flower deprived of sun, my head bowed down. 

Memories started to swarm, clear as water, sharp and painful as a knife. 

...

( Flashback )

...

" Sharon, dear, do you want that donut? " 

I looked at the man infront of me and smiled. I nodded and tiptoed to look at the other side of the glass window. I could see yummy donuts in different flavors! 

My daddy nodded and talked to the girl infront. I waited merrily, drooling for the food I am about to indulge. 

" Here you go, Sharon. " Dad smiled. With eyes popping, I took it from him and started munching it. I'm happy!

...

" Sweetie, go on and play! " Dad encouraged me as I got down from his bike. It's already dark, I guess. There's no one here in the playground but us. Daddy took me out for a night stroll. 

" Here, let me accompany you. " He put his bike aside and held my right little hand, I could feel his warm hand enveloping mine. I smiled.

I ran towards the slide, daddy laughed as I didn't move because of his weight. I pouted my lips. He tapped my head and carried me to the top of the slide. I slid with a wide smile. I'm happy!

...

" Look, Sharon. Where do you want us to go? " Daddy held me up and made me sit on his shoulder. We're in the market! I could see many people!

" I want to buy a, monggo pan, dad! " I exclaimed. He looked at me, he is smiling, I smiled back. I'm happy! 

...

" Mom and dad fought again, Lucy. " I grudgingly told my best friend through my phone. I could hear them downstairs. I'm 15 now. These past few years, they do nothing but fight. I hate it!

" Best, it's just normal for our parents to— "

I didn't let her finish and hung up the call. Whatever, I hate them. 

...

" Dad, I don't like that, it's old, I want the trendy one... "

" But, dear, we don't have enough money for that— "

" Well, fine then! " 

I took the dress and went upstairs. What am I going to do with this trash? Agh.

...

( End of Flashback )

...

Tears still run down. 

I regret what I did in the past few years. I had been greedy. I had been influenced by my peers. The girl that was into simple things had gone blinded by materialistic greed. And now, that, I'm all alone, I realized, how I fell into the dystopia of people, their delusions. I missed my family. I missed the simple me. 

I hate seeing people that reminds me of my past actions. I hate it. I hate how I spent most of my time in my phone. I hate how I tried to keep up with the trends, that resulted to— me, not keeping up with my personal life and relationships. 

I kept on crying. I'm sorry. 

I looked at the setting sun.

I guess, dystopia vanishes, when, it's only too late. And with that, a tear fell onto the red rose. I smiled bitterly. The wind blew. Singing laby's song in its silent lullaby.

- End.