16. That frame, candle, letters, and ghost
I went home seeing Kip walking towards Ed’s house. She went inside so I followed her. Still, by following Kip, I expected to see him but he wasn’t there. It was the first time to see Kip acting so strange, extremely strange. I went in. She didn’t notice me. She took a candle and she lit it using the matchsticks. Kippy let the melted wax drops on the tabletop, letting the candle stood until the wax dried. There was an eerie feeling as I saw a picture frame not far from the candle. It was Ed’s image.
I had two fears:
1. Edward is dead.
2. I might see him.
“Kip,” I go, “what are you doing?”
“They said when someone dies you must light a candle for resting his soul.”
“Edward is dead?” I stuttered, “How’d you know?”
“I saw him,” she simply said, “I saw his ghost, we talked and he’s here.”
The cold wind sinks in my flesh. Turned around, I saw him like what Kip saw. I saw Edward: my friend, my brother, and my dead lover. I smiled at him but our eyes never met in our first phase of our meeting. The Unusual Meeting. The moment was unbearable like you’re ready to break down and cry. He looked down. He wore the same t-shirt, jacket, and worn out jeans but he looked the same. The same beautiful boy I met that turned into a beautiful man I lose. It was overwhelming.
The second phase went better; I finally collected myself from the total shock and surprise.
“Hi,” I stuttered and was not able to utter another word. Silence caught us and it built tension. He shot a look at me and tied to move his mouth but he failed to speak. He looked down.
“I don’t know what to say.”
“You already said something,” I told him and finally realized the truth: he’s dead.
“I was here on that night when you thought you saw me,” he said, nearly a whisper from his mouth, “seeing you or seeing me will show the truth and I’m afraid to know the truth though it seems already facing me, I’m afraid to know the truth that I’m dead but then your sister saw me and helped me to accept the truth that I’m afraid of. Now I feel empty. I couldn’t say if I’m happy to see you or I’m sad. My feelings are unpredictable for me to know and it might be unknown, but I know there’s pain like I used to feel when I’m alive and when Chip kicks my butt.” He laughed.
I told him about the last forty days of a dead man. The last forty days to spend time with the living, the one that granny the Great used to say. As I told him about what I know, I saw sadness in his eyes and the eagerness to live again if there’s still a way or a chance to live just like in the movie. I could read his looks, his face that shouts he want to live again. I could hear his heart, like I’m a goddess, which wants to beat again like the living. But I don’t know if he felt or notice how my heart grieves seeing him.
“I want you to lay your hand to mine,” I said as I offered my palm, waiting for his translucent hand.
“I don’t feel something,” he told me as his hand met mine.
“I feel something,” I said, closing my eyes, “warm, rough, and I felt I’m connected to you in some way. We’re one. I feel something by remembering how your hand felt like.”
Kippy cleared her throat and we nearly forget her. I blushed.
“Is this how lovers talk?” Kippy said and laughed.
“Shut up Kip!”
We went to his room, staying away from Kip’s annoying voice and presence. There we sat on the edge of his bed, waiting each other of who’s going to speak first. Obviously, our topic landed from his choice.
“I was floating in a vast space, and I thought it was Heaven. I couldn’t tell how long I was there floating alone as I tried to collect the memories I had, memories of my last night. As I float, I struggled to accept what happened to me but the acceptance of it never hit my heart. One of the things I knew is that there’s something wrong.
“There were doors, countless doors aligned without doorways. It just stood there and my heart told me to choose where I’ll go.”
“What door did you chose?” I said with interest.
“I chose the door that leads to you.”
Kippy came back, holding a box full of bundled small white envelopes with letter in it. She told me it was the letters from Edward that mom didn’t give me when I was in the Dick Rehab. I looked at him and gave me a wide, heat warming grin. I took the box and placed it on the bed. The surge of excitement filled me up like I’m going to blow in happiness. I was so excited to sort and read the letters, wondering where’s the first letter, the second, until the hundredths. I couldn’t believe these countless letters were made by Edward. I found the first letter and it was dated on July 17 followed by the 18th of July. Every single day he wrote a letter for me and mom hindered every opportunity to read and know what he wanted to say on that very day of my exile. I opened the first letter, then I looked at Ed’s smile and then I read:
Dear Megan,
How are you? I don’t know if this is the right question to ask, I don’t have an idea how to start or even how to end. But, how are you? I’m fine though I’m really really sad. I didn’t able to save you. I know I’m weak and thin and anything you wanted to call me, I’m not Chip. By the way I believe you, I believe that you can see ghost.
How’s your first day? I guess it’s difficult to find a friend but I know you can find many friends there. Just keep on smiling and don’t forget to read, eat, and pray.
Your friend,
Edward
As I read the second and third letter, a bolt of realization hits me like the idea was meant for me to discover.
“Hold me,” I said, “touch my cheek.”
“Why? What’s wrong? What’s with my letters?”
“There’s nothing wrong, just touch my cheek,” I said and closed my eyes waiting for his hand.
Then, I felt it, his hand that warmth my cheek. I opened my eyes and saw his face, I saw hope on his face.
“Where’s your body?” I asked him.
“I don’t know, I thought someone saw it.”
“No, I think someone took your body, I believe Chip knows where it is. I know Ed, I know. I know I’m right of what I’m thinking right this very moment.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Of all the pointless beliefs I have, this thought would correct everything: Ed’s body is alive.
YOU ARE READING
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RomanceThis is a story about Meg who possessed a supernatural power to see ghosts since she was 12 years old. She was put into a mental hospital by her parents who never understand her situation. After seven years of staying on that place, she decided to g...
