Fifty Eight

(i)

SEOKJIN

For some reason, the atmosphere today seems to be dark and gloomy. The sky take on a gray coloration with clouds smothering it; no sun in the sight. All the noise, the traffic and the bustle sound less today. There is no considerably amount of people rushing in streets, no annoying honks could be heard from vehicles and this is strange especially if you are living in a city like Seoul.

Am I too early or the city is just late?

Frowning, I look at my wristwatch only to see that my bus is five minutes late. That's strange, it's never late. If anything it's usually early and even if it came late it'll only be a couple of minutes but never exceeding to five. Everything seems to be moving slowly.

Another five minutes past, the bus isn't here yet and I'm still alone here in the shed. Usually, there is three people here, including me, waiting. They're students like me, in fact, we are studying in the same university. I don't see them around there, only here in the morning. I'm not surprised though since the university is huge. Today, it's just me. It feels lonely although we never converse to each other. I got used to their presence here that it feels unusual when I'm here by myself.

Summer break just ended last week so today will be my first day. It was not eventful to say the least. I just spend my leisure time over nothing. My friends go back to their own hometowns so I have no one to hang out with.

The cold wind blows softly making me rub my arms to provide some heat. Fall is approaching. I must bring my jacket with me from now on then.

Few more seconds past, the bus finally arrived. I place my card in front of the machine, bow my head respectfully at the old driver when I heard the familiar 'beep' sound.

I head to my usual seat; at the back near the window. When I'm successfully seated, I let my eyes wander around. The bus isn't packed. Assuming that there won't be too much people today, considering the situation prior I put my bag in the seat next to me.

There is a person seating two seats away from me and as if instinctively, I look up at the floating translucent number 0 above her head and the person on the other side of the bus, who is clad in different colors from head to toe; white hat, black mask, bright green jacket, cork colored pants and blue rubber shoes have number 2 above his head.

I have this ability to see translucent numbers floating above everyone's head. I don't know when, why and how I can do these thing that no else seems to be able to do. I remember my younger self being confused about it. I told my mom about this but she just told me that it's my mind playing tricks on me. I asked my friends if they can see it too, they answered a various of no's and I told them it's just something I read when they insist upon why I'm asking such things.

It was easy to do when you're a kid who knows almost nothing about this world.

It was easy to do when you're a kid who is not afraid of others' judgement.

And now, I'm afraid that this small thing can unravel everything before my eyes, that it will cause havoc into my peaceful life. So, I keep this secret to myself and I intend to keep it that way.

The bus skidded to a halt snapping me out of my thoughts. I look at the window to see that we're at the stop near the university. I pick up my bag and got up from my seat. I bow my head once more at the driver when I pass by him.