When Boxes Rattle

Chapter 7

Consciousness comes in a flicker, in a slight twitch, in a meager irritation. One feels the portal open as the transfer occurs. The exit sucks you out. You begin to shift and to pull and then there, the light. Everything is freshly drawn and freshly colored.

Perhaps that is why somebody crafted this theory that people actually die by the time they sleep and only a substitute of them wakes up in the morning.

Because during the first synapse, during the first seconds when the substitute hasn't taken control of its predecessor's memories yet, everything seems new.

It was not morning when Kevin opened his eyes. He was not in his room. He was in a ward.

"Woke up in living colors,
the city's turned from gray to gold,"

He turned to his right and saw Kalia, sleeping with her head rested on her arms. She had her earphones plugged on and sounding half a million decibels louder than her auditory system could ever handle. Even from a distance, Kevin could still hear the music she was playing.

"Was sleeping with your shadow,
but now I'm shaking off your ghost."

Kevin Tan smiled. She was playing from The Summer Set, Missin' you. A wickedly awesome move on song. He knew to whom this song was playing for.

Kevin mumbled the lyrics with the music.

"So no more wasted days,
addicted to your face.
Now I don't want you
And I don't need you
Anymore. Okay!"

Kalia's head started moving. In the next few seconds she will yawn, Kevin judged. She will blink her eyes a couple of times, groan audibly, then snap.

After his predictions came true, both of them happily grunted the song in chorus.

"Hey! Feels like I'm finally livin' more than ever.
Hey! Since you've been gone I've never felt so alive.
Hell yeah, alright, I ain't missin' you!"

Kalia flashed a weak smile. "So, how's it going?"

"How's it going, huh," Kevin replied. He eased his back against the bed. "Don't worry, Kal. I remember everything. I didn't have a heart attack."

"Except that you almost did so I have to worry," Kalia gathered herself and sat up straight. "You had a seizure. Your lung almost collapsed and your heart enlarged a bit. It had been for only a moment though and then everything went back to normal. Which is why you are not in tubes and electronics now."

"Cardiac arrythmia?" Kevin asked.

"Yes. And your lymphoma also added to your difficulty in breathing. They've monitored you for twenty four hours and when we were assured you're fine, Doctor Cana prescribed another daily dosage."

"For a year?"

Kalia inhaled deeply. "For another ten months."

"How much?"

"You shouldn't think about that, Kev. It's for me to stress over. Your job is to get yourself better and to give your best in class. You're graduating this school year. Do not screw up or I'll throttle you in your sleep."

They didn't talk for some time because of that. After a while, there was a knock and the door opened. A nurse entered carrying a tray for his medications followed by Doctor Cana.

"Good evening, Kevin," the doctor beamed as she swept in, then gestured a nod towards Kalia. "I'm sure you're okay now. We've monitored you since yesterday and fortunately, your episode had been really short. None of your vitals were dangerously affected."