GOODBYE [이재현]

Chapter 5

Park Hyeri's POV

It was like the usual Monday morning, the street was busy, people who've had a day shift were heading out for work, and those who were done for their night shift tiredly wait for the next bus to arrive. Couple of students were running late for school too, but they never cared. Instead, they piled up at the sidewalk and took a lot of photos together. Laughter followed. Times like this sometimes make me wonder that what if I didn't die; that what if I've lived a wonderful life? Who knows, right? But I know to myself that I can no longer do anything, nor wish.

"For someone who's already dead, you quite think a lot, huh?" Hyunjae said, stopping my trance of thoughts.

I've managed to get back to my "senses". I remembered I have a friend with me here. I looked at him and scoffed.

"For someone who's already dead, you quite ask a lot, huh?" I said, casually copying him.

He grinned and later on just shrugged his shoulders.

"What got you staring blankly into the unknown?" He asked, curiosity is evident on his face.

"Well, I've been thinking random things."

"Like what?"

"I know you have just discovered your death like yesterday, but what if..." My voice softened.

He was just looking at me, patiently waiting for me to finish my sentence.

"What if we're not really dead?" I asked.

Hyunjae's forehead creased in confusion. See, even him couldn't take my random thoughts. I shook my head, attempting to tell him to not mind what I've said.

"Look, I'm sorry. I think I just added more confusion to you." I apologized.

He sighed then fixed his seat.

"To be honest, I really can't process much. But I know I eventually will. This entire "we're dead" doesn't make much sense, when I'm here seeing people except that they can't see me and that I don't sleep." He laughed then sighed once again.

"But that question has crossed my mind, by the way. I couldn't just ask you since you snapped at me yesterday while trying to convince me I'm already dead."

"I'm sorry about that." I apologized again.

"Have you lived your life in the past apologizing for everything?" He joked.

With that, I chuckled. Honestly, I'm quite relieved I have someone with me, and to be really frank, I don't think I'd be able to feel this kind of relief if that someone isn't Hyunjae.

We've shared laughter afterwards, but it was short-lived. I don't know why I was feeling this way, but I think my head is about to split into two. My head hurt a lot, so bad that I could feel my world is spinning. Hyunjae had called my name several times, but his voice was getting lower and lower that I couldn't hear it anymore.

Why do I feel this way? It seemed like I wasn't dead. I don't like this feeling...

Papers. Bus stop. Accident.

Things flashed in my mind like a reel. But nothing made sense.