When Everything Glooms [One-Shot Stories Compilation]

EVENING PROMISE

JUNG WAS just fifteen when he decided to give up everything and end all of his miseries in life. And for him, dying was the easiest option for that.
He tends to appreciate sunsets. But now it makes him sick.
He was not on himself, hopeless, and had no expectations for brighter and better days in his future as he cried his way to the nearest bridge in their town, with a grumbling stomach as a result of not eating lunch and passing dinner. All he wants is an internal nap, for him to experience rest and savor peacefulness.
In school, he was bullied because of his uncontrollable stuttering. And to him, he was living a hellish life at home. His parents were both alcoholics, and his siblings were all under the influence of bad people. Everyone seemed so happy and smiling, and he was envious of that. He thought that he might have had no right to live. So maybe he had the right to die.
He took a deep breath as soon as he finally reached the bridge. The nearer he stepped towards the railings, the faster his heartbeat became. But for him, nothing is more frightening than being alive. So maybe dying is just a basic level of fright.
He gripped the bridge's railing as he took a glance below. He thought it was funny how people didn't get suspicious of his actions. Maybe because they were just minding their own business.
He let out a soft sigh as he took a glance at the sky. For the last time, he decided to appreciate it. Because the truth is . . . he still finds it beautiful.
He closed his eyes, not minding his trembling knees and feet that were trying to hold him back and maintain his balance. He wanted to dive now, but his body was hesitating, making him curse at his mind.
“Just set me free, b-bastard!” He was pointing at himself.
Right after, he opened his eyes and decided to jump.
And he actually made it. He jumped.
He fell.
He was hanged—not dead.
“Please, spare your life or else I'll kill you!” A voice cracked and came from above, shouting.
He timidly turned his head up to see who was interrupting his drama and trying to save his ass from dying.
A young lady, who he once mistakenly thought was an angel, was furiously lecturing him while holding his right hand and his sweater hood with all of her strength.
“Should I b-beg you to let go of m-me?” he said, coldly, but stutteringly.
The girl shook her head in disagreement. Her furious face turned into a frown. He could see a tear fall off from her eye as she bit her lip while maintaining her strength to pull him in.
“Please don't do this,” the girl almost whispered.
He gave her an assuring smile. “I a-appreciate you. But please, let . . .” His words were cut as soon as he felt a warm liquid glide slowly across his wrist. The hand that is unwilling to let go of him is wet.
His eyes widened as soon as he looked at his hand. It was full of blood.
He follows where it came from. And he found out that it was from the girl's wrist. A wound seemed to open. It broke his heart. It gives him shivers down to his spine. Embarrassment, pain, and guilt wrapped around his mind and soul.
He was being selfish, he thought. People also suffered, but didn't give up. How could a fifteen year-old boy like him end his life without thinking about how others tend to pray for a longer life despite suffering?
The grip on his hand and hoodie became tighter.
He took a deep sigh and raised his left hand to reach the girl's hand that was holding his hood uncomfortably.
As soon as she held him with both hands, she then pulled him with full strength, and Jung helped himself to get lifted up.
They both crashed on the ground, sitting and catching their breath.
Jung abruptly grabbed the young woman's wrist and checked it out. “Why the heck are you having s-stabs and cuts on y-your wrists?”
“My name is Kaye. And I am not planning to answer you.” She took her hand back, got a handkerchief from her pocket, and wrapped it around her wrist.
“T-then you must not interfere in my business,” Jung said, and was about to get back to the railings.
“Fine! I was suffering from my illness. Are you happy now?” Kaye yelled at him. “The doctor said that my chances of living are so small that I need an operation, but the percentage I need to win in my operation is eighty-thirty. So I escaped from the hospital and . . .”
“Cut your w-wrist?” Jung intrudes.
She nodded shortly. Jung sighed as he looked at the stars shining above them, feeling his stomach was already starving.
“My name is Jung. I live in hell,” he managed to introduce himself, and sat back down beside Kaye.
She chuckled, shaking her head in disbelief. “Hell is not true. But life is.”
He grinned, wiping his tears simply, and looked at her. “Why didn't you t-take a deep cut on your wrist? Why d-did you hesitate?”
Kaye smiled at him. “Because I realized that I just wanted to end my pain, but not my life. My dream is to become a successful citizen and a good mother of three,” she said, with a hopeful tone.
Jung nodded at her and smiled a bit. “But n-not me. I really want to end m-my life b-because it only g-gives me pain. Kaye, why are you giving a d-damn on me?” he asked, seriously.
Kaye didn't answer. Instead, she patted his shoulder as she stood up. Jung realized that Kaye was way taller than he was.
“Jung, let's wait for ten years. If our lives are still as miserable as the both of us are now, let's jump here together. But if not, then you'll owe me a "thank you"” she said, proposing to him.
The young man creased his brows, somewhat amused and confused.
“W-what if you die in your operation?” Jung asked, without minding what she might feel.
Kaye gave him only a weak smile and a shrug. “Then I owe myself a "sorry."”
“T-that's unfair, Kaye. We d-don't even know each other. Ten years is too far. Just stop . . .” Kaye cut his words.
“I promise, I'll be here after ten years. Just trust me. We don't need to know each other, Jung. Just give it a shot.”
“No, n-never. I'll f-forget your face in ten years, anyway.”
“There is no way you could forget this pretty face of mine, Jung,” she said, rolling her eyes. “Promise me that you'll be here in ten years' time. Promise me that you'll survive your shitty life. And I'll do my best to not die,” Kaye said, seriously.
Jung had nothing to say to oppose her. She's quite scary to him, and, of course, awesome. He had nothing to do but nod at her.
“I am not going to break our promise, Jung. From now on, you gain a friend. But for now, I'll take my leave.” Kaye left him speechless, as if he had been hypnotized by her.
Kaye went home, feeling drained but somehow delightful. It was around eight in the evening.
Her family greeted her and asked her where she went, but she just gave them a smile, saying she had just bought something from a store.
She also felt guilty. She lied to Jung. She really doesn't have an illness; instead, she was just experiencing the same kind of depression.
She was abused by her teacher, without her family's awareness, in order for her to achieve higher grades.
She knows she can do something about it. But aside from not having the courage, she's still waiting for the right moment to expose her teacher. But then, while waiting for the perfect time to tell her parents and the police, of course, she's already dying of pain, trauma, and phobias.
It's way worse than having an illness.
However, she gained a friend during that night. Although she lied to Jung, she still wanted to see him in ten years—alive and kicking.
She really doesn't have any intention of saving him. However, she just couldn't bear herself letting the young man kill himself without experiencing justice in life. She thought that everyone deserves a happy ending. And for her, committing suicide is the cruelest kind of ending in life.

TEN YEARS have passed without a warning. Just like the blink of an eye, it came. Many things happened, of course.
Kaye was already twenty-five and is now an English teacher. And today is the exact date of the moment both she and Jung met ten years ago. She was hoping that he was taking their promise seriously.
After work, she rushed to the bridge where she had promised to meet Jung. She's undeniably excited about meeting him again. For some reasons, her promise to him became one of her reasons to fight for her life. She managed to expose her teacher's indecent and naughty actions towards her, and as time passed, her heart's wounds healed without a rush.
It was already past six when she reached the bridge. The sunset was no longer visible. It's already dark. And only the street lights and posts lit the surroundings.
She took a deep breath as she saw no Jung on the bridge. Disappointment crept into her mind. She's been waiting for this day like a contest. And yet, Jung is not there.
She looks under the bridge. It was still the same as ten years ago. Nothing changed. If there were any changes, maybe the lights. This place used to be dark and creepy. But now, it was already surrounded by lights.
A pair of warm hands covered her eyes all of a sudden, making her heart skip a beat. In her mind, things are starting to race with bad thoughts of what might happen.
She's not yet ready to die, especially when she's now starting to achieve her dreams step by step.
She's not that rich to be kidnapped. She just doesn't deserve it.
“Get your filthy hands off of me. You're ruining my makeup, sucker!” she yelled, trying to act tough.
She didn't move, and the one who kept on covering her eyes hadn't made a move or said anything either.
“Who are you?” she asked. “Don't touch me!”
Then, she heard a soft, manly chuckle from behind her. “You didn't change, Kaye. You're still acting tough despite how tiny you are.”
Kaye shivered slightly as soon as she heard the guy talking.
“Who are you? Just please, don't hurt me,” she pleaded.
The hands covering her eyes were loosening up and laughter was being heard. “It's me Jung. And by the way, you are late, baby.” He winked at her.
Her eyes widened as soon as she recognized him. Jung was now completely different from his fifteen-year-old self. He has grown up so well. She thought he was now a grown man.
“What happened to your face? Your height? Your voice? Oh, my goodness. You're so . . . you're now taller than me!” Kaye exclaimed in amusement.
“I am way more handsome now, and yes, taller than you.” Jung giggles, comparing their heights together.
“You also become confident, Jung. You're not even stuttering now. I am happy to see your improvements.” Kaye couldn't help but be emotional.
The scenarios from ten years ago flashed in her mind. She couldn't believe how fast it had passed.
“Thank you, Kaye. Ten years ago, I didn't really know how I fought for my life. I was not even expecting to see you again. Because I expected you to be dead already. But still, I hoped. I started to regain my faith. I prayed for myself and for you. I guess I really trusted you the first time we met. I am glad you've come to save me before. If you hadn't come, I would have missed lots of opportunities. I even cried when I didn't see you here earlier. I thought you had really given up. But then I saw you rushing over here. I am so happy. I am so happy to be alive and to be able to see you again. You became my reason too,” Jung said to her, wiping her tears that kept on falling, and pulling her into a warm embrace.
“Jung, you no longer owe me a "thank you,"” Kaye said, chuckling.
Jung grinned and tightened the hug, making Kaye squeak.
“What the?”
“Kaye?”
“Hmm?”
“C-can you be my g-girlfriend?” Jung asked, nervously.
Kaye pulls away and looks at him unbelievably. Jung looks down; his face is flushed.
“Oh, am I not yet?” she asked sarcastically.
Jung raised his gaze towards her, taken aback by Kaye's words.
“N-no . . . of course you are. W-who told you that you're not mine, anyway?” Jung's panicky answer.
“You're stuttering,” Kaye commented, teasingly.
“Stop.” He looked away.
“And blushing,” she continued.
“Stop it, Kaye. Come on, let's eat. I am starving now,” Jung said, and took Kaye's hand.
Kaye didn't no longer protest or dare to tease him again.
The both of them live in a still pressure yet interesting phenomenon called life. No one ever warned them that as the days went by, life would become tougher and tougher. But, how could they notice that life had already become tougher when here they were, holding each other's hands, as if they had no plans to let go and give up on each other.