Chapter One: Remember!
I’ve always thought of memories as something that remains for a long, long time …
But, just like the snow which melts away so quickly, they all were fleeting … Trees, flowers and grass all eventually wilt away. People were no different. All life eventually die … and so memories … disappear as well …Human beings don’t need a certain system or program to install in order to forget … However, there are some who are in dire need of a power beyond the grasp of any creature to attain the ability to hold dear what’s precious to them. To remember … was difficult to accomplish …
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Before the arrival of that destined day … I led a normal ordinary life. A young lady, in my twenties with a blue hair and eyes, living a simple life with my mother and my brother. My friends were no exceptions. I had full control over my body … and my mind!Shrouded in shadow, I was still unaware of the change that was happening inside of me. Going to university, doing the assignments, preparing for presentations and such were the only things that occupied my mind that time.
Jane, my childhood friend and more like a little sister, was one year younger than me. She pulled back her blonde hair neatly into a ponytail wearing a light blue dress that extended passed her knees. Not only was she talented in drawing, but also in painting!
“How’s today? Anything new?” she asked.
“That guy is starring in a new movie!!” I cheerfully announced.
“Who?” curiously, she asked.
“Uh … that man … uhh what was his name? … uh. Umm … you know him!”
“Who?? Nawki Nano?” she guessed.
“Sakurai Neiji? Oscen Brow? Shinji Tobe?”
“No! … No! wait … let me think!” I said clutching hard at my head attempting to remember.
“That! … with the long beard and small eyes- ”
“Satoshi Raich?” she interfered.
“Yeah!! That! That!” I assured.
“What … that man … “ she said a little disappointed.
“I thought Nawki’s starring in a new film … “
“Who wants him anyway … He doesn’t have that figures.”
“What kind of figures you’re talking about?” she questioned irritated.
“A true lone wolf … a knight-like figure … long face, small eyes, build up, solid expre-“
“Yeah, yeah. As if Satoshi has them all … “ she interrupted.
“So, what kind of movie?” she kindly posed a question.
“One that needs a second season!” I teased.
“Ehh? You watched it already?” surprisingly she asked.
“Yes, my dear. Who would miss a historical kind of movie?”
“Be fully prepared. Here goes …
‘The Mysterious who Adopted Mystearica!’” I uttered with one breath.
“Wait … ‘The Mysterious who-‘ what?”
“Write it down on your hand if you don’t trust your head!” I joked.
As we were en route to start our usual quarrel, Mary, our best adviser, as we call her, intervened.
“Goody goody morning~” she pleasantly toned, wearing a sleeveless single colored vibrant green dress and the elegant seamless integration of the nice pleats on her skirt that extended to her knees. Her brown slightly curly long hair covered her entire arms.
“Ara? Mary! What a pleasant surprise. How gladly we are to see you so happy in this early morning. May I have the honor to hear as to why this fervent enthusiasm today?” I inquired in a dazed manner.
“My oh my. There is something pleasant with your mouth when you speak, my fair lady. What a manner … what a splendid way of posing a question!”
“I’m honored by your compliment!”
“You see,” she started moving her right hand around, “yesterday, I have finished all of the assignments and fortunate enough, I accomplished all of the missions I was assigned for!”
“Ooh, these are some good news. What could these missions be? If your highness doesn’t mind to drag on … “
“Oh, no, not at all. You see, Poetry tasks, Drama task- “
“W-what?” both stared surprised.
“Huh? I can’t believe you. This isn’t your first time, is it? You’re sure you don’t suffer from Alzheimer or something?” Mary questioned leaning forward toward me.
“Of course not … “ I laughed. “Please, just this time. Lend me your notebook!” I pleaded.
“Hmm … It can’t be helped. I’ll lend you mine. Next time, make sure- “ she paused, came nearer and whispered into my ears, “-to write it down on your hand if you don’t trust your head~”
After giving a big grin and a nudge, she left, offering to me her notebook.
It was a joke, yet I worked with her advice, buying a tiny notebook and sticking it to my bag, jotting down the important things. Not so long, it turned into a habit to write whatever crosses my mind. The calendar was on the list with them, not to mention the small stickers I used to stick around the walls beside my desk in case I forgot. That way, I thought I won’t forget … Apparently, I didn’t, but not for a long time …
On twentieth of December, I realized something hidden beneath my shadow. It was time for my other self to reborn. Or rather, already born and frequenting my body in my subconscious, until it will devour me into its thicker darkness … Soon enough the buried shadow will start to resurface … the other me …
At seven in the morning, I prepared quickly and rushed to the kitchen where my mother was cooking breakfast. I sat opposite of her and started eating. By the time we finished eating, it was time to depart for university.
“Jenny, don’t forget. As soon as your day at university ends, come directly home. I entrust everything at your hands!” Mother announced.
“Yeah, I didn’t forget. Send my regards to my aunt.” I replied taking my bag and some notes.
“Don’t forget the keys!” she ordered from the kitchen, cleaning up the rest of the dishes.
“Ah, I totally forgot … “ I mumbled.
Searching here and there was futile, for the keys were no place to be found.
“Mama, where did you put the keys?” I shouted asking.
“I thought I gave you last night. Look on your desk or in the drawers.”
“I’ve looked. Nothing’s there.” I informed, feeling a little jaded.
“Ehh … Ah-“ she seemed to remember and continued on, “you said you’ll put them inside the pocket of your skirt in order not to forget.”
“Did I?” I questioned not remembering a bit doing the action. The moment I searched inside, they lied there …
Not only was I forgetting what I’ve done so far, but also I was beginning to forget to jot them down on stickers. ”Ah- this headache … “ I complained clutching my head.
“You’re okay? You’ve been complaining about this headache for a long time. You better go to the hospital soon.” She kindly advised.
I left without responding. I had an exam, yet I couldn’t tell anyone. Mother won’t rely on me if I were to expose the truth. The incident that happened afterward, precisely before going into the exam, invigorated my shadow to step up refusing to stay cooped up inside me …
Students were assembling, the class began filling in. Noises came from every direction, pulling the chairs and desks, shouting, laughing and whispering. Mary, Jane and other people I know, hasn’t attended yet. I was standing there all alone, as students roamed the whole class. Just few moments passed and their voices drifted away into the distance … Their load voices became like low whispers spoken by many. There was a slight ringing in my ears. Everything became hazy. My mind was so turbid that I didn’t even understand what to do. The scene played through my mind over and over again. The ringing got louder until suddenly, “Jenny?” Mary called out.
“What’s wrong? Your okay?” she asked worried.
I nodded slowly forcing a smile as I went to sit on any of the front chairs.
Something was wrong with me, I thought that time. After finishing the exam, I planned to skip the last period and drop by the hospital to get my condition checked.
By the time I reached the hospital, it was crowded with so many sick people. I had to wait for one whole hour for only half of them to finish. The remaining ones forced me to wait for another one whole hour resulting two whole hours of waiting. I insisted to get checked.
I slipped my hand in my bag, scanning through for my cellphone. “Yeah?” I answered paying no care for whoever called.
“Jenny. Have you reached home?” It was my mother’s voice.
“Home? No, not yet. Why?” I asked, voice filled with fatigue.
“Why? YOU, have you forgot that I entrusted home in your hands? What are you doing right now?” she shouted, infuriated.
“Ah … “ I remembered thus I stood up and went back leaving behind unsettled matters.
I was running. My breathing became heavier with each step. I reached home only to know that I forgot where I put the keys … “Where did I put them?” I mumbled with each move I made, scanning through my bag and the purse inside with hands shivering. I wanted so desperately to find them, yet I failed … I was left there starring at the front door with a stricken heart. Feelings of hopelessness crept within me …
The sky poured down rain so heavily. I could not hear the sound of the little water droplets dripping on me. My vision became blurred. When I came out of it, I found myself standing under the rain totally socked.
“Jenny?” a familiar voice called me out. I tilted my head up and turned to see mother standing shocked …
“What’s wrong? Why are you standing here?”
“Mama … I can’t find the keys … “ I stuttered.
“Haven’t you put them inside your pockets? Have you lost them?” she continued asking questions as she came nearer and began her investigation. She found the keys on her first try the moment she slipped her hands on my right pocket …
“There they are!! Don’t tell me you forgot them again?”
“I DON”T KNOW!!” I screamed, frustrated …
“I don’t know … I forgot … I … forgot … “
