NEXT DAY
As New crossed the street that fateful day, he spotted Tay beaming under the sunshine, his bright smile warming the world around him. In Tay's hands were roses, a simple gesture, yet it felt like a promise of something more. Their eyes met, and Tay's smile widened, full of love and hope. But in an instant, everything changed.
The world slowed down as New watched in horror. A car, coming out of nowhere, slammed into Tay. The roses scattered across the street like shattered dreams. New's heart stopped. Time itself seemed to freeze as the impact echoed through the street, and all he could see was Tay lying motionless on the pavement.
Screaming for help, New rushed to Tay's side. Everything felt unreal, like a nightmare from which he couldn't wake. They got Tay to the hospital, but it was too late. In his final moments, Tay clutched New's hand, his voice weak but filled with regret and love.
Tay: "New... please... forgive me. I really love you..."
His voice faded, and the light in his eyes dimmed as his hand went limp in New's grasp. With Tay's last breath, New's world shattered completely.
**Ten years later...**
New lived a hollow existence, moving mechanically through life. From home to work, and work to home, his days blurred together. He no longer smiled, no longer laughed, and avoided the friends who once meant the world to him. Messages from Gun, Love, and even his brother Joss piled up on his phone, unanswered.
Messages from Gun, Love, and even his brother Joss piled up on his phone, each one carrying the weight of concern, love, and confusion. Over the years, they had all reached out countless times, trying to break through the emotional walls New had built around himself. But every time his phone buzzed, New ignored it, letting the notifications stack one after another, until they became just another part of the clutter in his life.
Gun's messages were often brief, but their underlying worry was clear:
Gun:
"Hey, man, it's been a while. Miss you. Let's grab a drink sometime."
"You alright? Haven't heard from you in months. I'm here if you need anything."
Love's texts, on the other hand, were more frequent and heartfelt, filled with memories and attempts to reconnect:
Love:
"Remember when we used to skip class and eat at that little café? Miss those days. Let's catch up soon?"
"I know you're going through a lot, New, but shutting us out isn't the answer. We love you. I love you."
Joss, his older brother, had grown more direct over the years, his tone shifting from gentle encouragement to frustration and guilt:
Joss:
"New, I'm sorry for how I've treated you in the past. I know I was wrong, and I'm trying to make things right. Please, just talk to me."
"I don't want to lose you, too. You're my brother. Don't push me away like this."
Despite their best efforts, New remained locked in his own world, a prisoner to the memories of Tay's death and the regret that haunted him. He couldn't face the people who loved him, couldn't bear to let them see how broken he still was inside.
The messages remained unread, but the weight of them was always there, pulling him down as he went through his robotic routine. Each one was a reminder of the life he used to have and the people who still cared for him, even when he couldn't care for himself.
The wallpaper on his phone—a photo of roses—served as a cruel reminder of that day, a reminder of what he had lost.
New had built a prison for himself, trapped in his grief, blaming himself for Tay's death. He was convinced that if he had just forgiven Tay that day, things could have been different. The guilt consumed him, and he didn't allow himself to feel anything anymore. His robotic routine was his self-imposed punishment, a way to atone for the life he believed he had taken.
But on this new day, as New walked to work with his usual coffee in hand, something different happened. Lost in thought, he didn't notice the person coming toward him until they collided. His coffee spilled, snapping him out of his daze.
New: "Oh—I'm sorry, are you okay?"
The stranger chuckled softly, and the sound was hauntingly familiar. New looked up and froze.
Standing before him was a man who looked almost exactly like Tay. The same smile, the same warmth in his eyes. But it couldn't be. Tay was gone.
New's heart raced. Was this real? Or was his mind playing tricks on him?
The man laughed again, rubbing his head where they had bumped. "You're a bit shorter than I expected."
The words echoed in New's mind. They were so similar to something Tay would've said. But how could this be? New stared, speechless, wondering if he was losing his grip on reality.
Was it Tay? Or someone else? The question hung in the air, leaving New suspended between past and present, love and loss, reality and memory.
And for the first time in ten years, New didn't know whether to run or to embrace what might be another chance.
The answer, like so much of life, remained open—an unfinished story waiting for him to choose the next chapter.
We were too close to the stars
I never knew somebody like you, somebody
Falling just as hard
I'd rather lose somebody than use somebody
Maybe it's a blessing in disguise (I sold my soul for you)
I see my reflection in your eyes (I sold my soul for you, I know you see it too)
reflection by the Neighbourhood
YOU ARE READING
TURN BACK THE TIME
Romance"A new engineering grad student New at a university clash with Tay Tawan, a senior known for being tough yet intrigued by New's innocence. Despite their initial differences, fate brings them together often. Just before the New can accept Tay's propo...
