7 DAYS

Day 1 - INCREDULITY

~ Morning ~

When Kayla woke up in the morning, the headache was gone. Sitting on the bed, she remembered the strangest dream she ever had. A man, who actually was very handsome and she definitely didn't mind to go on a date with, was inside her apartment, which was perfectly locked, and told her that she would die within seven days. It was very close to real, but just too crazy, even for the craziest part of her brain. Her mind was definitely playing a trick.

When the clock struck seven, she was enjoying her cup of warm coffee while looking out through the window. The sky was perfectly clear, as if no heavy rain last night, although major parts of the road were still wet with some puddles which were avoided by most pedestrians. She had lived in this Metropolitan city, the biggest and also capital city of the country, for seven years, and in this apartment building for almost two years. She loved this apartment, small which only had 1 big bedroom, 1 very small room and the center area which was used as the living room, kitchen and dining area, but somehow she managed to make it a home, although it was quite far from the city center. She poured the remaining coffee in the sink and just put the dirty cup there.

She was taking her thin jacket when she saw something on the bookshelf close to front hanger cabinet, on the second shelf from the top to be précised. She never saw that thing before. The shape was like a pyramid but cut on the top side, which reminded her of a metronome she once saw somewhere in her auntie's house, but this one had a flat surface in all sides and definitely without the inverted pendulum rod. There were some red horizontal bars on the front surface. As she got closer to that thing, she could see that the lowest bar was blinking. It was dark blood red. She swore that that thing was not here the day before and she never bought it, not even in her dreams. With the trembling index finger, she counted the bars. Seven. She didn't believe it so she recounted the bars. Her heart pounded so fast. Still seven. Seven for seven days? Whatever happened last night, it might not be just a dream, which meant she really had seven days only to live. Her body trembled and suddenly she felt cold. She walked to the couch and slowly sat on it.

She needed to think fast on what she would do on the remaining seven days she had, as the clock kept on ticking. Did it matter anymore for her to go to work? She worked mainly for the money, didn't hate her job but not super loving it either. Her career was quite stable but not outstanding. The job she had was her second job as a marketer. She didn't dislike her boss or colleagues but not close to them, either, except to Bonny, her marketing peer for the past one and a half year.

Kayla leaned against the couch. Was it the time for her to do all the things she wished she could and would do? Would it be like all the novels she read where all the dreams finally came true, though in a very short moment? Then she remembered what that strange man said, this was not a story, it was her real life. "Shoot!" she hissed. "Damn!" she screamed. The major headache returned. Gently she massaged her forehead.

She took her smartphone out of her bag and scrolled through the name list. She didn't have any boyfriend and the last time she dated was about two years ago. Since then, she was not really interested to be involved in any relationship, not even a date. Didn't mean she had not any crush to any men, but after she broke up with her ex followed by another broken heart, she decided that being in a relationship was not something she was looking for at that moment.

She stopped scrolling when she saw 'Ma' on the list. Then she remembered she promised to call her days ago. She called Kayla during an evening meeting, and she rejected it by sending 'in a meeting, will call you later' text to her. She checked. It was three days ago. She pressed dial.

The voice she knew well was on the phone. "Hey Ma. How are you?"

"Hi Kay, I am fine. How are you?"