The Love Expert

Chapter 5

Johnny’s life seemed perfect. He and his girlfriend were doing fine. They would always find time to be with each other. His work was also great. His books were always sold out everytime he would release a new one. His other businesses were also doing fine. Everything happens so well that he has nothing to complain about.

In a cloudy Friday morning, Johnny went to a mall to buy some goods. He went home immediately after shopping. He went inside his car to start it but it did not. He tried several times to start the engine but he failed. He guessed that his battery probably drained since he could not find other problems that caused his car not to start.

He went outside the mall to get a taxi. He planned to go to the nearest store where he could buy car battery. He was watching the views outside the taxi. Suddenly, he saw someone.

“Oh God! I think I just saw my dad.” He thought.

“I know it’s impossible, he’s already gone but the face seemed to look like my dad’s face.” He added.

He then ordered the driver, “Can you stop here?” As soon as the taxi stopped, he paid the driver and ran hurriedly to the man he suspected to be his father. The man went inside store and so, Johnny followed him. Johnny could not have a clear look at the man so he was not sure whether he was hallucinating or the man was just another person. The store has many customers inside and Johnny found it difficult to chase the man. Johnny was forced to push some people just to track down the man. At last, Johnny was able to see him clearly. The man stood along the alley and scanned few products of the store.

“Oh God! He’s really my dad.” Johnny was very sure.

“Dad!” He yelled at the man.

Johnny ran after him but the man went to the other side of the alley. Johnny also went to the other side but found no one. The alley contained no people. Johnny was puzzled. There’s no way that the man could escape from him.

“Oh, I think it’s just a weird hallucination. I miss my dad.” Johnny sighed.

Johnny walked at the sidewalk while pondering about the bizarre event that happened to him. He then called Jennifer to tell her what happened. Jennifer’s phone just kept on ringing. She was not answering the call. Johnny felt concerned that something bad probably happened to his girlfriend but he was able to calm himself down.

“Nothing bad will happen. She’s just in my condo.” He pacified himself.

Johnny sat on the bench at the park. He felt tired of walking. He smiled as he visualized how his life became so good. His life was like a trash before and now he was a well-to-do man living with the woman he loves. Suddenly, he heard a voice.

“You seemed to be very happy, young man.” An old man greeted with a smile.

Johnny recognized the man. He was the driver of the bus he rode when he got an accident.

“I know you! Are you a bus driver?”

“Yes. I was.”

“Yeah, I’m right. You are the driver of the bus I was riding when I had an accident. You know what? I’m really thankful you crashed down that bus. Because of you, I became accidentally genius in love. Oh by the way, I’m Johnny. I’m the author of the book series called Everybody Wants Love.

The old man just smiled at him. Then the old man said,

“Is your life doing well? You looked like you are the happiest person in the world.”

“Yes, absolutely. I am the happiest person. Before, I lived a lonely life, no friends, no money, no reasons to be happy but now, I got everything I need. Thank you again.”

“You know, I’m not the reason why your life is doing great. You are the reason. You made your life what you wanted it to be.”

“No, I mean without you, I will never have acquired savant, the accidental genius thing.”

“Do you really think the reason behind all your success is you being an accidental genius.”

“Yes!”

“Okay. Do you have a girlfriend or a wife?”

“I have a girlfriend.”

“Do you love her?”

“Very much! I love her very much! Meeting her and being with her was the best thing that happened to my life.”

The old man smiled again then he said, “Can you walk with me for a while? I’ll show you something.”

Johnny replied, “Yeah, sure.”

Johnny and the old man walked together. Johnny noticed that they were heading to a cemetery. Johnny began to develop creepy ideas about the man. “Here we are.” The old man said while pointing out the tomb on the ground. “Johnny….oh shit!” Johnny read the name sculpted at the tomb and was shocked upon noticing that it was his name. Johnny questioned the old man.

“Who are you? Why is my name sculpted here?”

“Remember the bus accident, Johnny? You died in that accident.”

“Stop fooling me! You see? I’m alive!”

“You’re already dead, Johnny.”

“So how the fuck will you explain this? I’m existing. Can’t you see, freak?”

“You’re not. You’re a lost soul, Johnny. You don’t know you’re dead.”

“What? I warn you. Don’t fool me. So everyone I’m talking with are all dead people? You’re either silly or your just a fucking retarded old man!”

“Everything you see, hear, touch, and feel, it’s all your dreams and imaginations. You are in the world of spirits, Johnny. Everything should be formless. You just created your own world because you still have an unfinished business, things or goals that you haven’t achieved when you were still living.”

Johnny could not believe what the man was saying. “Stop fooling me!” Johnny hold the old man in his collar. The man repeated the words, “You are dead. You are dead. You are dead.” It echoed around the ears of Johnny. Johnny yelled, “No! No! No!”