LIVING | 하루토

1 - Prologue

my entire life... has been spent on nothing but hospital beds, nurses, doctors, injections, x-rays..

i've spent so much time in the land of Cepil's best hospital that my skin has naturally come to absorb its scent; it's sickly hospital scent. the scent that reeks of dying people.

my lips are always pale.. and my skin as white as snow. the only time i can feel the heat of the sun is when the nurses allow me to go to the nearby beach and sit there, playing with the waves.

but i didn't mind, even if it sounds boring.

i used it as a chance to hone my magic— water.

in the land of Cepil, each citizen possesses special magic that enhances our environment, economy and society. because of our magic, the land of Cepil is what it is today. my land flourishes with lush greenery amidst clear blue waters & of course, the more moden buildings; malls, supermarkets, arcades etc..

everyday, i feel my power grow for the waters... but it's no use if i'll just be stuck in this hospital bed for the rest of my life.

father is too paranoid to let me out of this hospital room, not even for a short walk— perhaps he's afraid my heart is simply too weak to handle any form of physical movement.

but i want to live the same life as my peers in school.

they dance, rollerblade, run around and live their childhoods... while i'm here taking god knows how many injections each day.

all because of my stupid weak heart.

some suspect that a curse may have been put on me when i was born because mother died shortly after giving birth to me. people say that as punishment for killing my mother, this heart was given to me.

and i believe it. i've been told the same thing my entire life.

though father always says it's not true. but if it isn't, then why... why is it that i'm stuck with a weak, good-for-nothing, incurable heart...?!!!!!

i graduated college in this bed.

and i have no idea how i'll even get a job if all i've done my entire life is sit here and wait to die.

I WANT TO LIVE A LIFE.

•••
until one day..

"yena, how're you feeling?" father says in his soft voice as he opens the door to my room. he comes in with his warm smile as he places a peck on my forehead.

i look up at him and give him the same weak smile.. as if i'm content with my 'life.'

"same old." i mutter, fiddling with the tubes attached to my hand.

"i've got some good news dear," he says, sitting down next to me.

"i've carefully discussed with doctor nile and he said that it'd be best if you get exposed to the world around you.." he starts reluctantly.

my heart trembles.. but i don't quite understand what he means yet.

"dear.. yena.. w-what i'm saying i-is.." father gulps.

"he's given permission to let you live a normal life as much as possible, even with your heart," father flashes a forced smile.. but his eyes tell me that he's worried sick.

my eyes gleam as i sit up on my bed.

a-a normal life...?

"so i... i.. dont have to stay in this bed anymore? i can have a room? live in a house? have my own bed? and.. and.." i pause as my heart races in my chest.

"father.. does this mean i get to meet people? and talk to them? be friends?!" i exclaim, looking into father's eyes with ecstasy.

th.. this all seems so surreal.

my dream is finally... here!

father nods slowly, a wide smile gradually forming on his face as he stands up to embrace me. i pull him into a tighter embrace, warm tears flowing down my cheeks as i sob into father's chest.

"yena.. your tears," he chuckles lightly as he pulls back to point at the damp spot my tears made on his shirt.

i smile as i lift my index finger ever so slightly— the water droplets from his shirt rising and instantly evaporating into the atmosphere.

"your control has improved tremendously," father says as he, too, lifts his hands and creates a rose that fits at the nozzle of my ear and my hair, and places it in between.

"yena.. i want you to be careful out there," he starts as he fixes the rose, and tucks a strand of hair behind my ear.

"father.. i'll do everything i can to keep myself safe. i am not going to waste this chance!" i exclaim, clenching my fists in determination.

i only have one shot at life, and i'm gonna make it count!

and on that day, the sky was clear, as the ray of sunshine beamed through my window, resting nicely on the potted plants and my hospital bed.

this would be the final time i see this room.

here i come, world!