The Red Button /p

The Red Button

Johanna Mae Maggay

Do you ever wish that the world had a restart button? I look all around me and all I see is chaos and disaster, silent wars happening, poverty, inequality, crimes, abuse, diseases, and many more. The world is not what it was and I’m not even sure if it changed for the better. If only there was a way to start all over again, a way to rebuild the world and how it works so that we won’t repeat our past mistakes.

“Ryan! Why are you all alone? You’re gonna miss the office Halloween party!” Jerome exclaimed as he pulls me up from my chair. I never really liked Halloween, I just think that it’s pointless to dress up as your favorite character and beg candy from strangers.

“Uh, I thought Halloween was for kids?” I said to Jerome as he continuously drags me to the office lounge. I clearly do not approve of this, however, I just let him because Jerome is a friend—probably my only friend. He’s the only person, besides my mom, to tolerate me, which I… appreciate. Jerome and I arrived at the office lounge and it was decorated with mediocre Halloween ornaments. “Ah. How festive.” I whispered sarcastically to Jerome. “Hush now, the party is about to start.” Jerome replied with a huge smile on his face. He sure is excited about all this.

The arms of the clock lock-in at 12:00, I’ve already had my share of socialization and of course, cake. I’m ready to go home. I try to find Jerome just to say goodbye but I can’t find him anywhere in the office. Maybe he already went home. I walked out to the parking lot and to my surprise I see Jerome drinking with a homeless man.

“JEROME! What happened? Are you drunk?” I shouted as I ran towards him. He let out a big grin as he looked up and saw me. He looks so drunk, he can’t possibly go home by himself. “My man! Nope. Not drunk. Just fine! Hey, I want you to meet my new friend. Uh… what’s your name again, sir?” He replied with a slurry voice as he looked at the homeless man. This man had freakishly thick hair that I couldn’t even see his face clearly. “Blah! Don’t call me sir, just call me Asra.” The man had a deep raspy voice, but he does seem like a warm person.

“Yo! Asra is such a cool name, like a wizard. Asra, do you want some more beer I could--” “I think we should go home, Jerome. It’s late, I can drive you to your house. Besides, I think Asra needs some sleep too, you’re keeping him up.” I helped Jerome stand up. Why are drunk people extra heavy? I know he still wants to hang out with Asra, but he didn’t argue with me anymore, he’s too drunk. Before we went to my car I glanced at Asra, he looked cold. So, I unwrapped my scarf around my neck and kneeled down to him. “Hey, Asra, take this scarf, it’s way too cold at this time.” I hand him the scarf and suddenly he grabs my arm. I try to shake it off but his grip is strong. “I heard you, Ryan. You want to change the world, right? Give me your best shot, kid.” Asra looks at me, I froze as I saw his face. His eyes glowed an icy blue as he smiled at me. I finally break free from his grip and I fell back. I gazed away to look for Jerome, only to see him passed out on the street curb. I looked back to Asra… but he was gone. A small red box with a note was left behind.

“Your wish is granted. - Asra” The note stated. “What in the world just happened?” I asked myself. Am I drunk too? Am I dreaming? I pinched myself a little to see. Maybe tomorrow it will make sense, so I grabbed the box and hurried back to Jerome.

Toot. Toot. The alarm wakes me up, I can feel a headache coming in. I got up and went to the kitchen to make some coffee. But, something caught my atten-

Muni-Muni XVII: Mayari | 117

tion—the red box on the kitchen counter. My heart beats faster as I went closer to the box. Why am I so nervous? Maybe all of this is just a prank, right? But, Asra said he heard me, my wish, my thoughts, how is that even possible? “Inhale. Exhale.” I take a deep breath as I held the box in my hand. I opened it and saw a red button, just like the ones they have on gameshows. I was so shocked at what I saw, I concluded to myself that Asra was telling the truth. Whatever or whoever he really is, he knows what I want, and here it is on my palm. “Should I press it? I’ve got nothing to lose really, it’s fine, I should do it.” I assured myself. As I was about to press the button there was knocking on the door.

“Ryan! Man, I’m so sorry about last night, I should’ve been a bother to you like that.” I heard Jerome shriek from the other side of the door. To my panic, I immediately hid the box inside the kitchen drawer. I opened the door and saw Ryan still wearing his clothes from yesterday.

“Did you not take a shower? You still reek of that beer smell.” I said to him. “Oh, yeah. I forgot about that. I just had to say sorry and thank you first. You know what? I should cook you some breakfast!” Jerome enthusiastically says as he rummages through the kitchen. “Hm. Now, where’s your spatula?” He rhetorically asks as he opens the drawer where I hid the red box. My eyes widened as he opens it, I tried to stop him but he already saw the box. “Oh. What’s this?” Jerome shows the red box to me with a confused face. I took the box away from him aggressively, I’m starting to get pissed off.

“Okay. That was a bit rude, Ryan. Why are you so riled up?” “Y-YOU BARGE IN HERE, YOU MAKE A MESS OF MY KITCHEN AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I’M THE ONE WHO’S RUDE? I was in the middle of something until you came, it’s with utter importance. So, if you’d like to thank me, do it by leaving.” I saw the sadness and hurt on Jerome’s face, but it didn’t matter to me now. I just need to know what the button exactly does. Although I couldn’t bear to see Jerome that sad, he’s always the one smiling and filled with energy. So, as he was walking through the door, I said-“I’m sorry for yelling, Jerome. Maybe you can make us some breakfast another time.” He nodded and genuinely smiled back at me. That was it, that’s going to be the last thing I see before I reset everything.

Click. Everything was starting to fade like sand crumbling in the wind. Jerome, my apartment, everything. Then, suddenly, it all went black. “So, you really did press the button. I’m impressed.” A familiar voice echoed into the darkness, then a pair of icy blue eyes began coming forth revealing… Asra. He isn’t exactly the same as I last saw him. Only now, he’s in cleaner clothes and he’s literally glowing like a star holding his golden staff as he observes me.

“How did you hear me, Asra? I didn’t even know you until later that night.” “I’m the deity in charge of the world you live in. I’m surprised you never heard of me, yet I don’t really care. Anyway, here’s the answer to your question—the new moon. I’m sure you didn’t even notice it back then but during the New moon, all sorts of mysterious and mystical things happen. Luckily, it was only during the new moon that deities can grant wishes to humans. I just picked you, kid.” I was awestruck by what I just heard. A mix of emotions started to slur in me. Will I really be able to change and rebuild the world?

“Don’t be anxious. I know you’ll do well. So, tell me, Ryan, what’s the first thing you want to build for the new world?” “Jerome—he’s going to be the new beginning.”

118 | Muni-Muni XVII: Mayari

Illustration by Jerwin Punla

Muni-Muni XVII: Mayari | 119