Point of View 6...
I feel so hot. My body is burning. I forced myself to get up from my bed. I was walking but I suddenly felt dizzy. The world was going in circles. It's not the world, it's my eyes. My head ached and I felt my body falling to the floor. I looked at the door. I need to get up and go to school. An image of Iya at the rooftop popped into my head. I need to pull myself together. If I don't go, she will be alone. Ugh...it hurts. My view started to darken. I'm losing consciousness.
"Idiot Liose! Hey! You okay? Don't die!!!"
I felt some ringing in my ears. The voice was familiar. It's Iya. I opened my eyes and saw her worried face. I smiled.
"An angel? Did my time has come?"
I chuckled. Her faced felt a sense of relief and went to being pissed. She elbowed me.
"Ouch! Now, that really hurts."
"What angel? What time? Do you have a lot of loose screws in your head?"
"What about the 'don't die!!!', that you said earlier. Don't go killing me off. You started it. And besides how can you say that I have a lot of loose screws in my head. I disagree! I only have a few of it and not a lot, you understand!"
"That's your point? Few and not a lot, huh. You're not even worried that I said anything about loose screws."
She said while laughing. Seeing her like this made my body light. I was able to guide my body to sit.
"Oh, I almost forgot. Why are you here?"
"Yeah, about that. You didn't came to school so I decided to go here. It's not like I was worried or anything, okay?"
"What's with the sudden tsundere persona. Are you trying to be funny or what?"
She flushed. From cheeks to ear. Until her entire face was so red.
"What? I'm not!"
She said. She snapped but maybe out of consideration she lowered her voice a bit.
"Oh, how did you get in? I don't remember leaving the door open."
"You really are hopeless, aren't you? You gave me a spare key when we went to the beach."
"Oh, yeah. That did happen. I'm so dizzy and my head is aching so much. Sorry. So, what are you doing here?"
She stood up and put the plastic bag she's carrying at the bedside table. She then help me get up and told me to lay on the bed.
"I appreciate the thought. But you being this aggressive. Such rare sight."
I said teasing her. Her face twisted. I suddenly thought of a snapping wire behind her. She's pissed. But despite everything she remained silent. After taking a deep breath, she flicked my forehead using her fingers. And no joke, it hurts.
"Why are you even asking? You're sick. And it looks like you're living alone. I have no choice but to nurse you. You better be grateful."
"No, no, no. I'm definitely fine. I just felt a little dizzy earlier. And seriously, where did that tsundere personality came from. Did you read another novel with a tsundere female lead or something?"
"Fine, my *ss. Based on the situation earlier--when you collapsed. You're probably trying to go to school. And why are you so fixated on the tsundere personality thing!"
I can say that Iya is being really considerate. She lowered her voice. Carefully talking in a volume that can be understood and won't make my head ached. After her constant nagging, I finally gave in and all I could do was sigh.
"Fine then. Suit yourself. Don't complain later."
"I won't. And I'm gonna use your kitchen, is that fine? And here take this and check your temperature."
She tossed the thermometer and went directly to the kitchen. She would probably cook something. All my senses are not working properly. My vision was blurry and it was so hot. On my forehead lay a wet towel. It made me feel better. It lessened the pain that I was feeling. I'm starting to fall asleep and I could hear the chopping noises made by Iya. I eventually closed my eyes and lost consciousness.
I felt a hand touching my forehead. I grabbed it and opened my eyes. Iya looked shocked. She genuinely and beautifully smiled at me after that. Time flew by and we are still staring at each other. No words was uttered. Until she finally talked.
"You can let my hand go now. I'm just double checking your condition. And it looks like your fever went down."
"Oh, yeah. Sure."
I awkwardly said to her. I broke our little staring contest and I avoided making eye contact with her. Yeah, I'm a little bit embarrassed.
"The porridge I created is already done. I'll get it for you to eat. Then after that you'll have to drink your medicine."
"Okay, thank you."
That may sound so dry but i truly do appreciate her taking care of me. She walked out of the room and went back carrying a tray with a bowl of porridge in it. She sat beside me and started scooping the porridge.
"Okay, now. Say 'ahh'."
I think my face became hotter than earlier. I knew this feeling. I must have been embarrassed by the fact that someone was trying to feed me. This girl, she's giving me a heart attack. And why is she treating me like this.
"I'm not a child! I can feed myself. Why are you acting like I broke my hands or something? They are perfectly fine. So fine to hold a spoon."
I said without stopping. I feel overwhelmed. I kinda imagined a steam coming out of my head, maybe from embarrassment.
"So annoying. Why can't you just eat? I'm trying to help you here."
"No one told you to help me, y'know?"
I thought I saw stars as I felt a hand hit my head.
"Hey! How can you hit a sick person? Have you gone mad?"
"I was mad from the start. I thought you already know that. And besides you seem full of energy so I think hitting you would have no problem."
She was smiling. It was scary. I had no choice but to obey her every command and I stayed at the bed until I felt so much better.
Point of View 7...
"Why are we here?"
It was me who said that. I'm so used that it was Iya who was being dragged here and there but not today. After getting all better and recovering from my sickness, Iya unexpectedly said that she wanted to go on a picnic. So I, obviously said yes. These kind of things and situations rarely happens so I need to grab it.
"'Cause it's fun? And I told you countless times that we're having a picnic today. Wait, did you perhaps forgot?"
She said raising her eyebrows. Scary.
"Oh, of course not. I'm actually excited about it. But I'm just a little bit curious. Where are we going? An exact place please."
"Another town. You know that I hate this village."
"That's a big word there, missy."
"Stop calling me missy! Your existence is finally pissing me off. Are you coming or not?"
"Easy. Of course I'm coming! You're so hot-headed today. Did something happened?"
A sudden look of sadness flashed in her eyes and vanished as fast as I could see it. Looks like something did happen.
"...Nothing. Let's just go."
"Yep, you're the boss!"
I cheerfully said while saluting. I better close my mouth for this one. She looks determined to avoid any questions.
The train was empty. I could actually guess it earlier. The town where she wanted to go was like our village. But it has more water bodies. It was quiet. Iya looked through the window. It was a sight that I couldn't bear to see. My most hated look on her face. The look of someone ready to d*e.
The whole train journey continued like that. The silence broke when the doors opened. Finally!
"We're here!"
I said while stretching. I looked around and saw a huge waterfall that attracts a lot of visitors. Well, not right now. It's still cold. Normal people won't go to a waterfall at this time of the year. But we aren't normal. Of course we're here for those waters. It's clean and refreshing.
"I called an inn near that big waterfall. The reservation had been made so we just need to pop up and use the reserved room. This town is a bit secluded so we would have to walk until we got there. You okay with that?"
"Yup! Totally! I think it's good to take a walk."
She nodded. She gave me her luggage and started walking.
"The falls are so noisy. Can we sleep next to that?"
"You chose that inn, missy. And besides going to a waterfall is probably not the best idea. It's so cold. Why did you choose a waterfall?"
"Nothing. I don't have any experience with waterfalls. So, I decided to go. You just happened to be a so convenient errand boy and luggage carrier. And stop calling me missy!"
"Luggage carrier and errand boy, huh. If I could choose a master there's a one billion percent that it's not you. And we could just go here when it's warmer. Or hot."
"..."
Sh*t! Another strike. What happened to my brain these days? I talk and don't think.
"Oh, yeah. I was wondering about the inn that you said. A little description would help."
That was me trying my best to avoid the topic earlier. Please answer nicely.
"It's made of wood."
I think that's a success. Probably.
"No, that was definitely too little! Are you being sarcastic right now?"
"It's. Near. The. Big. Waterfall."
Now she added a pause. And in every word. Seriously!
"Haha, it's funny."
I said making a face that literally screams 'not funny at all'.
"Why are you even asking me? I called them and made reservations because it's near the station and it's located beside the huge waterfall."
"Then, how did you know it's made of wood?"
"Inns in this kind of place is commonly made of wood."
"And als-"
"So many annoying questions!"
Oh cr*p. She snapped! Despite that I still asked her.
"I'm just curious. Aren't we going to have a picnic?"
"We are."
"Then, why overnight?"
"So I can enjoy the morning fog here. It's rumored to be breathtaking."
"Oh. Okay."
"No more questions? No more follow ups?"
"Yes. That's all. You might bite me to death."
"Good choice. 'Cause I almost did."
She said. With a scary grin. I'm thankful that it was just almost.
"I'm sorry, Miss and Sir. The other room that you reserved got destroyed by a wild animal. And unfortunately, a bunch of students and teachers from a certain middle school have a school trip and is staying at this inn. That's why there's only one room available. We offer our deepest apologies. We prepared a big room with a terrace and a great view of the falls as part of the compensation. I hope for your consideration and forgiveness that we are not that prepared for this unforeseen incident."
That's what the receptionist told us. She bowed and genuinely offered her apologies. All we could do was sigh and accepted the compensation. We went inside the room and it is as big as the receptionist said.
"Don't say cliché!"
I said. The situation could clearly be one of those plot that happens in novels to boost the affections of the male and female lead. No, not could. It is definitely one of those!
"I won't! I have an urge but I don't think I can do that. But seriously a wild animal!"
We were silent for a second and decided to do our own thing. Time passed by and it's time for bed. There's a line of pillows that the both of us created. To protect ourselves from each other.
"Cross this line and you'll be crossing through the afterlife."
She said with a glare.
"Yeah, so scary. I won't even dream of it."
I replied making face at her. The both of us gave a glare to each other and turned to the other side to prevent seeing each other's face.
Can I really sleep like this?
Morning came. Iya was not beside me. I glanced at the room and saw her at the terrace having a coffee and some cookies. I got out of bed and went straight to the bathroom. She's probably thinking about something deep. She looked so out of it.
That day was peaceful. And happy. We played at the waterfall and swam without caring about the coldness. We also tried fishing. And the picnic went well. That was the definition of a perfect night.
The stars can be seen brightly. The silence doesn't bother me. It was calming. We decided to take the last train, to see this beautiful sky. I wanted to say that I wish for this to happen again. But she would probably release that look again. So the answer is no. I'm not saying anything to ruin this relaxing mood.
As we continue to walk, the scene faded away little by little.
Point of View 8...
I'm sitting at the airplane. I'm going back to my hometown to asked for my parents permission. To live with Iya, of course. I'll be staying there for a month. I promise her that I'll write to her so I'm doing it now. At the airport. Too soon, right? I think so too. It just feels so different without her. Ugh...I miss her already.
My mom and dad hugged me like there's no tomorrow. They must've missed me. We talked a lot, in hopes to catch up about things that happened to our lives. The family dinner will be held two weeks from now and Alyssa's family will be there too. I need to prepare myself.
Alyssa was my friend. We met because of our parents. She's the type that would get married for the sake of their family business. And that's one of the reasons on why we got engaged. We don't and definitely won't love each other, that's for sure. I'm planning to break this engagement. For my happiness. For Iya.
I waited for the family dinner to come. I wrote letters to Iya everyday, at night. Then, I would send it when morning came. She's probably annoyed by all the letters everyday. But that's just how much I miss her. I can't wait to end all of this and go back.
The family dinner is here. The night of clarifications. I stood in front of everyone and made a noise by tapping the wine glass. I got everyone's attention. They looked so confused. Mom, Dad, I'm sorry.
I declared that I will cancel the engagement. That made everyone speechless. Many argued that this is the only way to merge our families and secure each other's back when it comes to politics and business. I suddenly remembered the cliché plot in one of Iya's fictional novel. About the rich guy. He was forced to break up with her lover for the sake of the family business. I didn't hear the ending of it but I won't let it happen to me. I would rather lose this business and politics thing that they were going on and on about than to lose Iya.
The chattering, grumbling, and complains got cut off when Alyssa laughed.
"My, my. You beat me to it. That was supposed to be my announcement for today."
Everyone was shocked. She revealed that she fell in love with a girl and wanted to pursue her. And to do that she wouldn't need an engagement that could lead to misunderstandings. Our eyes met and smiled at each other. We knew each other so well and the both of us didn't even think that we would fall in love. We laughed with each other. And the bragging about who has the best girl started.
The whole family acknowledged our resolve and withdrew the engagement. The party that was supposed to be for the two of us became a memento. A commemorative photo to remember. I sent a copy of it to Iya in a letter.
But everything changed.
I waited for the remaining two weeks and went back. That day was Iya's birthday. I bought gifts, cakes, and flowers to celebrate our memorable first meeting on her birthday.
And it was as if I could see the God of death grinning at me.
I went straight to school. There was a commotion. I forced my way to see it. It was like a cold bucket of water was thrown to me. It sent chills down my spine. Is this fear. Fear of what? Yes, fear of losing her.
The things I was holding slowly fell to the ground. It was like in a movie. The time was moving slowly. I ran to her. The teachers called an ambulance and is yelling something I could not hear. There's nothing more important than what's in front of me. I hugged her tightly. Calling her name countless times.
She didn't respond. The blood was warm yet her entire body was cold. The ambulance came and we both got on it. The nurses tried reviving her multiple times. I was holding her hand. Cold as ice.
When we arrived at the hospital she was pronounced dead. It was too late. She was already gone. It felt empty. The world went quiet. I could see the doctors trying to console me but I couldn't care less. It was gone. She's not here anymore. I'm too late! Too f*cking late!!!
Point of View 9...
I closed the diary. It's been 3 years, huh?
I was actually thinking of a long entries in the diary but the photos and the comments below, beside, and above it, took a lot of space.
I scoffed.
You could write more than this. I took the diary with me and started walking down the steps. The memories kept flooding. I can remember it as clearly as I don't want to but to read this and see this left a fatal blow. It cannot be undone.
I came back to my parents after that. I heard the news about Yournei family arrest. I asked myself, 'what's the point?'. I must've lost it. I drowned myself with studies and work. I thought I could come back now. But I'm still me. I stayed the same. Hoping that you will be under the tree near the station waiting for me and being proud that you finally arrived more early than me. Or perhaps at the rooftop, sketching those fictional man from books that you've read.
When the time comes, I'll join you to that tree. Wait for me, patiently at that rooftop. I promised you and I'll make sure that I keep it.
To the one I treasured the most. May the dark place in you would be filled with the thoughts of me.