Another First Love

Re:Zero

***

There wasn't a solar eclipse. I didn't drown. I also didn't run out in the streets and got hit by an incoming vehicle. I didn't go into coma. And I never died then found myself transmigrated into another body of a person who also happened to die.

I just slept and when I woke up, I found my desk calendar showing a date on it that was 14 years ago. A specific day was encircled and I know why. It was my birthday, my 14th one. And I was excited about this day before. We're supposed to go on a picnic. Now? I'm not sure. It was the day my parents died. I woke up that day and got a call they were caught in a traffic accident and were dead on arrival at the hospital.

Then I checked the date on my phone.

Surely, it won't . . .

I quickly get off of the bed and rushed to my parents' room. I swung the door open and nobody was there. Dread was slowly coming up to me. I rushed down the stairs and almost fell as I hurriedly go to our living room. The tv wasn't turned on and no one was sitting on the sofa. My chest hurts. The fear is weighing on my bosom. I can feel my eyes water. Then the telephone rang . . .

My breath got caught in my throat. My heart started beating erratically inside my chest. My palms were sweating and I stood frozen as I feel my stomach turning.

Please, please, don't make it happen . . .

It was difficult to take a step much less breathe but somehow I managed both. My hands are trembling when I grab the phone.

"Happy birthday my dearest nephew!!!" It was my aunt Belle on the other line. Wait. Was it really coming from the phone? Then from out of the blue I heard what sounded like party poppers and I was hugged from behind.

"Happy birthday son!" I knew it was my mom just from her voice alone but I still frantically turned around, too eager to confirm.

"Happy birthday son! Nephew!" My dad and aunt greeted at almost the same time.

Then I just broke down crying. My parents are there. In flesh. Alive. Smiling and greeting me 'happy birthday' and not in some hospital injured and breathing their last.

Since then, things happened differently. My parents were healthy and they have not met a single accident. And I am no longer an orphan living on my own.

I've changed too. For the better. After the 'replay' all I've been focused on is how to improve myself. I studied hard and learned practical hobbies.

I became independent quickly. I'm no longer the clueless person I was before and had made myself capable enough to handle my life just in case things, I mean the bad things happen again.

I became a much better son too. A more expressive child. And I never again wasted a chance to show them how much I love and care for them. That I am willing to do everything and just about anything that could make them happy.

Be it through words or actions or my academic performance, my parents were very pleased with me. I am too and I am determined to keep it that way. To only think about how to push myself further and make my parents proud and happy.

Then something happened. Sotus happened. And P'Vee happened. Again.

And just like that, we're back to where it all began.

***

A/N:

I've written the first three chapters in the wee hours of the morning when even burglars are asleep so please expect minor edits here and there. ^-^

04.17.21
SAT