Page 89 - Montfort Magazine 21-22

HEAL THE HABITAT

After snoozing my alarm seven times, I sat up in Studying isn’t really grueling for me, but it is the
a slouching position and took a satisfying yawn. I atmosphere that I have created for myself by
tapped my phone with one hand while rubbing my succumbing to my futile cravings. After some vain
eyes with the other and realized my dread turning attempts, I still couldn’t muster up what it took to
true when the screen lit up with the pesky numbers, actually commence concentrating. Ignoring my
‘12:37’. What a healthy lifestyle! I shook my head conscience, I pulled out my phone and typed in the
in annoyance as I groggily made my way to the text, “Ma’am, I won’t be able to attempt today’s
bathroom. sample test as I’m not in town.
I glanced at the mirror, infuriated at my pitiful Sincere apologies.” I decided to press send when
appearance, and began brushing my teeth with the I thought my finger had lingered over it for enough
habitual scowl on my face. I made sure to swiftly pass time. I faintly heard my mother’s voice from the other
by my parents’ bedroom, not being in the mood to room, subtly reminding me that I had to buy some
start off the day with mom’s sarcasm-laced taunts. supplies from the market. I grabbed my jacket by
Then I went over ritually greeting my grandparents the nightstand, which I had yet to dump in the empty
when I caught an ounce of the news stating something box labelled “donation”, and shoddily put it on as I
about the increased number of casualties due to the dashed down the stairs. My chauffeur started to fiddle
menacing pollution. I sighed after muttering to myself his pockets, looking for the car keys when he saw me
about people’s negligence, being fully aware that I approaching, but I raised my hand in disapproval.
was included in people. The newsreader’s words were ringing at the back
Soon, I found myself engrossed in my phone, scrolling of my head. “It starts with you”, I thought to myself.
through social media with utter determination, Ergo, I hopped on my cycle and took off. The crisp air
ignoring the occasional pop-ups of animal abuse blew against my face, the loose strands swayed hither
on my social feed. My textbooks, lying wide open and yon as I took in an emphasized breath, soaking
with barely a line read, stared dead at me. Out of in the moment while passing by the colossal greenery
the blue, my phone beeped accompanied by the fringing the streets. Then something unexpected
unwelcoming feeling of stress that threatened to happened. I felt a smile nudge up at the corners of
overwhelm me as I read the notification, “practice my mouth and released a laugh. Nature sure has that
test at 3:30”. I tried to keep it together. Giving in capacity.
to anxiety over petty things like these is deplorable. I quickly bought the stuff and as I was headed

Souvenir 2020-21 | 89