February 2, 2022 – Singapore
The Office – 8:55 AM to 6:00 PM
The ritual of my day is predictable, soul-crushing. At exactly 8:55 AM, I log onto my computer. The screen glows a bland gray, matching the sterile whiteness of the walls. Fluorescent lights hum overhead, blending with the faint scent of printer ink and disinfectant.
At 9:00 AM, the elevator doors slide open. Mr. Al-Hazmi steps out. His presence is a physical weight, draining the oxygen from the air. Even the flickering overhead lights seem to dim under his scrutiny.
I spend the morning printing reports, arranging schedules, and refilling his coffee cup,always black, never sugar, never cream. The clink of the cup against the saucer becomes a rhythm to my day. He never looks at me. He slides a new report onto my desk, and I know exactly what he wants by the way he slams his pen next to it; a sharp punctuation in the monotonous hum of keyboards.
The afternoon blurs into filing, organizing, and typing minutes from meetings where I am physically present but functionally absent. The scent of stale coffee and polished wood mixes with the faint buzz of air conditioning. I am a fixture, a piece of office furniture with a pulse.
Commute Home
By 6:00 PM, freedom. The elevator doors open and I step into the crowded lobby. The city outside is alive with honking cars, neon lights, and the lingering smell of fried street food. I squeeze into the MRT, the smell of wet umbrellas and tired commuters pressing in. Every stop brings me closer to shedding the weight of the 16th floor.
At home, I shed my professional self along with my work clothes. Dinner is optional; escape is mandatory.
Home and Game – 7:00 PM onward
I logged in. LaylaX and the usual crew were already in the lobby.
[Mobile Legends Chat Log]
[Wildfire]
Hey everyone! Ready to get a win streak going? Let's go!
[RogueAssassin]
I'm ready… or at least I look ready. Can't promise my reflexes. 😆
[NightFalcon]
Joined the lobby.
[AegisKnight]
Joined the lobby.
Check your roles. Falcon, left lane with me.
[NightFalcon]
Mid.
[AegisKnight]
Left lane. Stick to strategy.
[LaylaX]
Haha, strategy is boring! Let's shake things up a little 😎
[AegisKnight]
…Focus.
[RogueAssassin]
If "shake things up" means I get chased by 3 enemies at once, I volunteer! 😏
The Match Begins
The map loaded. NightFalcon's hands hovered over the controls, calculating every move before acting. Just like at work, I measured every keystroke, every spell, every attack.
[In-Game Chat]
[AegisKnight]
Falcon, stay with me. Don't overextend.
[NightFalcon]
Copy. Pushing left lane slowly.
[LaylaX]
Don't rush it! Let's bait them first 😎
[RogueAssassin]
Bait them? I prefer the "run around screaming like a squirrel" strategy. Works 10% of the time. 😂
[AegisKnight]
…Focus.
Mid-Game Chaos
The enemy team pressed hard. Wildfire fell back to protect the base. RogueAssassin got trapped in the jungle. NightFalcon darted in, calculating perfect angles for attacks, precise movements, no wasted motion.
NightFalcon's cautious approach, careful planning at work.
AegisKnight prioritizes control over flashy attacks, echoing his precision.
LaylaX's playful yet professional observations hint at her hidden identity.
RogueAssassin keeps the mood light, joking about in-game situations while still participating effectively.
[In-Game Chat]
[AegisKnight]
RogueAssassin, stay clear of the top jungle. Don't overextend.
[RogueAssassin]
Top jungle? More like top jungle gym for me. Watch me swing! 😆
[NightFalcon]
You saw wrong. Now we're down a man.
[LaylaX]
Relax, it's fine! Just follow the plan, right?
[AegisKnight]
Plan. Stick to it. Falcon, push mid while they're distracted.
[NightFalcon]
Understood.
[RogueAssassin]
Falcon, if I die again, avenge me… heroically, okay? 😏
[AegisKnight]
Cover yourselves. Listen to my calls.
The final minutes were a blur of spells, attacks, and precise coordination. Every decision had weight. NightFalcon's fingers flew over the controls, calculating, adjusting, predicting.
LaylaX's playful energy lightened the tension, typing quick encouragements, but she always followed orders. RogueAssassin was still cracking jokes mid-fight, teasing enemies, and even muttering to himself about his "legendary heroics."
AegisKnight's voice in chat was calm, detached, commanding.
[Mobile Legends Direct Message]
[AegisKnight]
Good teamwork, Falcon. LaylaX, solid support. Same time tomorrow, 8 PM.
[NightFalcon]
Typing…
You're intense.
[AegisKnight]
Intensity keeps us alive. That's all.
[NightFalcon]
Typing…
Got it.
[NightFalcon]
Offline.