This Ghost and F13th

Okaay…so here’s the thing. It was Friday the 13th two days ago and I absolutely had no idea it was on until I got out of the house at 10am to see a shirtless guy walking around with a big-ass snake curled around his shoulders.

All right. I get it now, I thought as I flicked my eyes at the mottled-green creature.

That’s one reason why I never go out of the house unless I really, really have to. You never know what to expect in this neighborhood in Quezon City.

I never really believed in the Friday the 13th stuff; you know, like it’s unlucky to go out wearing something red because a bull might drop from the sky and skewer you in the ass; or it’s dangerous to pick your nose because it might rain, that kinda stuff.

This Friday, when I saw the snake hissing and seemed to be staring at ME with its cold, crazy snake eyes, I thought maybe there was really a little something-something about the accursed day.

So, I gave the smiling guy (I assumed the reptile made him look macho, but then I figured he was just compensating for his…er…shortcomings elsewhere in his anatomy) a wide berth and drifted over to the convenience store for some food.

I was throwing caution to the winds; I was headed to Cubao to book-browse that afternoon. It was the first time I went out for real since my phone got stolen at the Ayala MRT. 

I did the usual everyday stuff, blogged for a bit, then showered and threw on some clothes. I got outta the house by 4:30pm.

While I waited for the Jayross bus to Cubao near Sandiganbayan (I only ride the Jayross bus), I heard these click-clack sounds. Recognizing it, I raised my eyebrows in time to see a rock bouncing off a jeepney’s metal roof.

Ohh, some people somewhere were hurling small rocks at the jeep, which was two feet in front of me. Just for fun or a personal grudge to the driver, I don’t care, as long as those don’t bounce off MY head.

I glanced all round to see where it came from and I moved a coupla feet to the side in the off-chance that the rock-throwers were actually aiming for me.

Xetbols.

The bus came, finally and I was on my way.

I wandered without incident in Cubao. I bought two Stephanie Plum Books from the main NBS, ate dinner and treated myself to a DQ Blizzard (chocolate-covered strawberry).

But boy oh boy, the bad luck struck just then.

The flip flops I was wearing fell apart when I rode the tricycle for home. And I had to walk the rest of the way (about a mile and a half) effing barefoot. The pavement wasn’t in good condition; it was cracked and wet in places. Plus, I was cringing at the thought of those creepy-crawly germs sticking to my foot.

Plus plus, I had to endure the neighbors’ stares while I limped my embarrassed ass home. 

Coincidence or bad luck wrought by the accursed F13th, I would never know. As I washed and attacked my feet with soap viciously, again and again, I was thinking I just want the day to be over already.