Delivery!
By Alessandra Jae Gavino
If you were to ask me when this so-called obsession started, well, I’m sorry — I can’t give you an exact date. I can, however, remember how all of this began — with the breakdown of my last remaining phone charger. Truly, it was a nightmare come to life — I was a college student stranded in the middle of Manila after the lockdown, alone and with zero chances of going back home to my province. On top of that, all the malls near my dormitory were closed, so how the heck was I supposed to survive alone if my phone — the closest thing that I have to a friend during these painful months — was dead? I didn’t even think twice as I finally pressed the Check Out button, sighing in relief once I realized that my phone would live another day.
My wallet, on the other hand, would not. Before I knew it, one purchase became two, two became three, and three turned into dozens as I found myself falling in a downward spiral towards the abyss that was online shopping. I didn’t even know why I liked doing it in the first place — was it because of boredom? Was it because of the unexpected freedom I obtained after living miles away from my parents? Was it a coping mechanism against the loneliness that came with being isolated? Whatever the underlying reason was, I couldn’t care less, because nothing could ever compare to what I feel whenever I hear the delivery man’s familiar knock on my door.
Unfortunately for me (and fortunately for what was left of my savings), my expenses have dwindled significantly as soon as the new school year started. The numerous products scattered all over my desk have been replaced by yellow pads and reviewers I’ve yet to study, the shopping apps on my phone long forgotten as I stressed over online classes.
Tonight isn’t any different. The clock is slowly approaching 3 in the morning as I took a sip from my fifth cup of coffee, trying my best to cram a semester’s worth of lessons in time for my 7am exam. My hand reaches out to grab a highlighter from the drawer when my phone suddenly vibrates, causing me to nearly fly off my seat as the sudden brightness from the object permeated through my dimly lit room. I grabbed it as soon as I calmed down, squinting as I tried to read the message reflected on my screen.
From UNDRWRLDXPRESS: (2:52 AM) Hello! Your order with tracking number 04136660610 is on its way for delivery. Please share this 851212 OTP to your rider to accept the order. Delivery attempt will be done on another night if you are unable to accept the parcel personally. See you!
I frown in confusion as I read the message aloud. Which order was this? A late shipment from months ago, perhaps? Why would a courier service even send a delivery notification at 3 in the morning in the first place? I put the phone back on the desk, shaking my head with a chuckle and thinking that the courier’s automated messaging system was probably as sleep-deprived as I was. I reach out for the highlighter once more to continue where I left off, planning to forget all about the weird message.
My plan ultimately fails when my desk lamp suddenly goes out, submerging my room in complete darkness. “What? Come on,” I mutter in annoyance when it refuses to turn on. I then stood up, slowly making my way towards the main light switch near my door. Just my luck — the damn thing won’t work as well. I groaned, walking towards my bed and ready to give up on –
The unmistakable sound of a knock coming from my door pierces through the silence of the room. My blood runs cold when my phone suddenly vibrates once more, taunting me.
From UNDRWRLDXPRESS: (3:00AM) Delivery! Open up. :)
