What If...

12: Bright Eyes

I was sleeping soundly as I’m heading home with the best two people I could ever be with at this time.

While dreaming, I remember Mercer saying something to me:

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“…you can stay in your vessel for as long as you want, and avail of certain favors. Just call me anytime and I’m ready to parley with you…”

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I think I want to find out what favors I may avail with her. Instead of continuing this dream of me and Bok cuddling by the sofa, I decided to call on Mercer and suddenly find myself, as the old Kenneth, transported back to that purple conference room.

As I’m seating in one of those comfy chairs, Mercer appears from this purple smoke, like a genie coming out of a lamp. This time, she’s wearing this purple dress with splashes of crimson, accessorized by large gold bangle earrings and tall red stilettos.

   “Good evening, sugar. How quick of you to call for me. How may I help you?” The Soul Shylock welcomed me with her arms opened wide.
   “You said that I call you if I need any favors. Well, may I ask for two favors?” I curiously requested.
   “Well that was quick. You haven’t warmed up yet in your vessel, and now you’re asking for favors? Ask away,” she eagerly replied as she sat beside me.
   “I’m starting to like my vessel now, especially that I’m given this supportive mother, and this caring buddy. You didn’t tell me that Dennis was my best friend. You know I have the sights for him since the time I picked my children from school,” I candidly remarked.
   “I told you that I answer prayers. I have given you the fitting vessel for your particular needs,” Mercer proudly said, then she gazed into my eyes waiting for my  requests. “So what’s your first favor?”
   “As much as I like my vessel, I’m also concerned about the family I left behind. I feel guilty seeing them worried about me the last time I checked on them. Is it possible to go back-and-forth to my body so that I can assure them that I’m okay?”

At that moment, Mercer’s long gaze changed as she started to look at me with her brow raised. It seems she’s not into my request. Maybe she cannot grant that favor.

   “Sugar, part of our deal is to only do what you have to accomplish using  your vessel, which is Alex. But bringing you back to your body is another story. The moment you’re in your original body, there’s no turning back. You can never return to your vessel again,” Mercer explained. “Besides, it’s not right to come back-and-forth to your body like having an on-off switch. One day, you are conscious; while the other day, you are comatose. It would just do more harm than good to your family, by confusing them on your true state of health.”
   “You have a point. But how will I ever know if they are okay or something?” I asked further as I really wanted to see my family too.
   “Although you can’t stay in your body, you can still get out of your vessel at times and travel to your suite where you are confined, just like what we did before,” she offered. “You can only observe what’s going on within the four corners of that room, but you can never interact with them. It’s like you’re this spectre watching over them.”
   “I guess I have to settle with just watching my family from a distance. It’s better than not seeing them at all,” I plainly agreed. But what will be the terms for that favor, since this doesn’t come for free.”
   Mercer then leaned towards me and clearly replied, “That favor will only cost you 5 months off your life. On top of that, you don’t need to call me anytime to travel from your vessel to your suite. All you have to do is let your vessel sleep so that you can move out of that body and travel freely to your suite. You can return at anytime, but I’m warning you though, you can’t stay out there for too long. Don’t want Tess to worry if she finds you unresponsive and think you’re in a coma.”
   “Thanks for allowing me to have a look at my family in one way or another, Mercer,” I happily thanked her. “I just need to use my favor wisely since it takes much of my life if I use it often.”
   “You worry too much, sugar. You will live to be an old man, you have many years to spare. Besides, I’m giving you a bonus. Aside from your suite, you can also have a look at the entire floor, including the reception hall, dining hall, nurse’s station and the rest of the amenities there. This will make your visit worth it,” Mercer added as she winked teasingly at me.
   I just smiled back and thanked her, “That’s much better. I can get to see the people aside my family, like my staff, visitors and the medical team. Thank you again. May I ask for another favor?”
   “Oohhh, another favor,” she amusingly responded while she looked at me and crossed her legs seductively. “Ask away, sugar.”
   “The past days, I’m having difficulty with my eyesight. It’s terrible! I can’t get anywhere without wearing my glasses, which I usually forget where I placed them. I have difficulty identifying people when all I see are blurred images and silhouettes,” I vented in frustration.
   Mercer, seeing my vexation, started to sit properly, had that prominent frown and said, “Sugar, you can’t have everything. At least you have that acute sense of hearing similar to bats. You found that useful when you were walking across your suite when you overheard your staff and the nurses conversing. Try to live with it.”
   “I know, but it’s really hard not seeing things clearly. I might end up picking wrong things like that time I dropped the oranges Dennis gave me while I’m looking for my glasses,” I continued whining. “When I wake up, I always mistake people for someone in my past, and that bothers and confuses me. I always thought I’m still dreaming, then I realize I’m already wide awake. And I know that I’m cute. That’s a given.”
   “I said ACUTE, not CUTE. I’m taking back what I said regarding you having that acute sense of hearing,” she wryly retorted while having that smirk on her face. “What do you want this time?”
   “Is it possible that you give me clearer vision? I’m tired of seeing things like an impressionist painting,” I earnestly wished to my Soul Shylock.
   “Having clear vision is an unusual favor. Not only that, but people who are familiar with you will be shocked by you having clear vision all of a sudden. This favor will cost you a lot, sugar,” Mercer pointed out as she was pondering on my request.
   “I don’t care how many years it will shed out of my life. As long as I can see and fully appreciate the beauty of the people around me, that will be worth it. Please let me see clearly,” I pleaded to her as I hold firmly on her hands.
   Astonished, she looked at our hands bonded together and answered, “Seems like having 20/20 vision is a big deal for you. Fine, I can do that favor by waging 10 years off your life. You’ll no longer live beyond 80, but still enjoy a good number of years to enjoy your Senior Citizen perks.”
   “What? TEN YEARS?! That’s quite a large chunk of my life. I’m barely 4 decades old, and that’s… oh don’t bother my complaints. I’ll take the deal anyway. I want to truly see everything like how I see things while in my old body,” I reluctantly agreed.