LIFE SECONDS
CHAPTER 1: THE MEETING
Sometimes life doesn't go the way we want. Even though we have tried our best, problems will still come and we cannot avoid them. No matter how hard we endure, we will eventually also feel tired and perhaps give up on our destiny.
...❖❖❖...
A black-robed child was standing on an old bridge. Among the night wind that hit, he held himself firmly wrapped in his thick cardigans. Cold and dark, the night was so starless, there were only black clouds decorating it.
“If all this can end when I die, then I will never regret this decision.”
The night grew colder as the boy took off his cardigans. He also sat on the bridge. Her shadow reflected blurry over the rushing river water below.
He mumbled softly, “And my life could have been better. Well, even if that's impossible, anyway. Isn't that right, old bridge? My life is long, but I want to end it. Sorry yes, I can't outlive you.”
He reopened the plaster on his arm and, shortly after, blood began to flow from his arm.
“Already expected, this wound must not have dried. Anyway, why do I have to plaster it if I'm finally going to open it again?”
The boy continued to repeat his actions, opening up plaster and other bandages that made his wounds re-open. “Amis” that's how the boy feels.
The boy stared at all the wounds on his body. An angry and disappointed look that cannot be explained. The boy repeatedly took a deep breath and began to monologue.
“Hah.. Now look, how ugly this body is. Any guy who wants to marry a woman with a lot of scars like this. Never mind getting married, just make friends must have felt disgusted.”
He laughed smirkily before finally starting to smile, “I'm calm this way.”
With his last smile, he jumped off the bridge. Accompanied by night wind music, she really looks like a Goddess who is shone by the moonlight. What a beautiful sight a girl who has given up on her life. Didn't we?
He drowned in the river below. Actually he was still conscious, only, when he gave up then he had given up and there was no longer any desire to roll back his mind.
Her tiny body that hit the water made a beautiful bang and splash. Despite being inside the cold river, he began to feel a warmth enveloping his body. His wounds began to be felt, his ears began to hear no sound from the current, and his vision began to blur with the depletion of oxygen storage he had.
“Currently, I'll be completely dead,” He thought.
“God, I'm sorry if I precede your destiny, but my heart has invited me to do so. I hope to see you soon. However, if I can't go home yet, then let me have a home.”
That was the last thing he expected. After saying this, he closed his eyes. Letting the current carry him away all the way from this city.
...❖❖❖...
On the other hand, a man who happened to be contemplating on the bridge at the end of the river saw it. A child was floating beneath him. He rushed to dive to save her. Although he did not know, why he had to save the little boy.
After successfully bringing the child to the edge, he then pumped the child's chest using his hands to remove the water that had entered his respiratory tract. It was hard and hard for him. He tried to check the situation around. When he felt safe, he just did it. You guys know the reason, right? It's nighttime..
The water came out of the boy's mouth. The child who was saved then stared intently at the man who saved him. His mouth was trembling as if he wanted to say a word. Is it 'thank you' or 'who are you?' well, nobody knows either, anyway. The man was also guessing.
The boy kept staring at the man before finally starting to open his voice, "Why did you save me?”
Yep. That's what he said. His life had just been saved. But, well, that's all he wanted to say.
The question just now was enough to make the man speechless. Because honestly, he himself also did not know the reason why he saved the child's life.
“Hey. Why did you save me?”
“Maybe...sympathy?”
“Pft. Where there are people on the face of this earth who would sympathize with me.”
“I.” Answer with a flat face.
Hearing his words just now, the boy was silent for quite a while. Until a smile was etched on his face.
“You are so unique. Though, you don't have to do it for me.”
“Hee? Then why did you do it? It's not out of sympathy alone, ‘kan?” The boy insisted.
“Then, this is out of curiosity.”
“You need not be curious, I am not a beautiful girl who will fall in love with the Hero like in the movies. I'm just an ugly kid.. bad. and.”.
“What is the importance of it all? Anyway, I'm not a Hero in the movie.” Cut it with a kettle.
Hearing his words just now, the boy laughed, “You are so funny. I'm telling you yes, after saving me, I guarantee you'll regret it someday!”
“Someday and not today. Isn't that right?”
The boy nodded for a moment. It was only a moment before a wide smile was engraved on his face. He confirmed his sitting position.
“Alright, I lost. Thank you for saving me. But that doesn't mean I'm happy about it. My name is Rei, I'm sure that I'm not from here, unless the world is so narrow that I'm returned to my city. So, what's your name?”
“Felix, Felix Ravenell's. I come from this area, I live in a town not far from here. I don't have a house yet but now I live in an apartment and I'm-“
“WAIT A MINUTE! WHY IS IT EVEN LIKE A LIFE INTERVIEW?!”
“Aren't you the one who started?”
They looked at each other for a while before finally starting to laugh together.
“Ah yes, true too. Now, I don't have a home. Approximately, where should I stay, ya~ Does mister Felix have any suggestions?”
“Please bridge?”
“Impressive.. can.. pls a little useful advice?”
“You really don't have a home? Where have you been all this time?”
“I just got kicked out, hehehe. So, I'll be a kara from now on.”
That answer left Felix speechless. There was not a single word he could speak to respond to the child. He kept turning his brain thinking about the words that would help him without hurting him. Words that he can give in the future. Words are not just a promise.
“How about you stay with me?” Suddenly a word was spoken in his mouth.
Rei gaping wide, “Hah? Just right?!”
“What no, I can make you my foster brother. There are also other brothers.”
“Agak... suspicious anyway.a man and woman live under one roof. Don't you think you're a pedophile or something, okay?" Rei said with a face that was difficult to explain.
"Don't joke, I'm still normal! That's all I can give you. Than you don't have a place to rest tonight?" Felix assured him.
The boy fell silent, "Right as well. Other than this, where do I want to live?"
After a long consideration, the boy finally accepted his offer.
"Well, okay. Than I don't have a place to sleep tonight. I accept your offer. First of all, thank you, Mr. Felix. I might be troubling you. But, I promise. If I had my own income later, I would have started trying to live independently and stopped bothering Mr. Felix."
Felix was rather surprised by that answer. But, on her face was engraved a beautiful smile.
“No need to call Master, call me brother.”
Rei replied to that with a smile. Her genuine warm smile.
Now, a glimmer of hope is beginning to materialize. God may not allow him to go home in such a way and God will replace him by granting his noble request. Namely, have a home.
