The One Thousand Days

Chapters 10. The Dead Soul

My neck felt stiff and was still locked in place when Geral's fingers touched it. Sticky fried rice is still stuck in the throat. I'm getting harder to breathe. I let out a sigh of relief as his grip loosened. I coughed softly. This spicy fried rice is enough to torment me.

“Drink first!”

Uh! I misunderstood.

Geral grabbed a glass of water and turned it on me. I doubt it, but the spicy taste in my throat is much more important than my doubt. Geral smiled then positioned herself in front of me. I did not dare to look at her even though I repeatedly convinced myself that all this was just my own misunderstanding.

“Thank you,” I said sambol put the glass back to the table.

“Enza!”

“Ya?” I looked up to look at him.

Those jet-black eyes pierced me sharply. “Do you know my name?”

My finger suddenly trembled and my eyeballs spun. The spark of an ice needle felt through my spine to make me shiver in fear. I held my breath. My lips twitched too stiffly to pick an answer.

“Geral?” I murmured doubtfully.

My eyes were still glaring as the figure smiled. “Yes, Geral who else?” he laughed now–really\-totally amused look. “Why do you look confused anyway, Za?”

I'm riveted. Still trying to digest what really happened.

Geralku never laughs after this just for the little things. His eyes closed while laughing to make it right\-benat cute. His dimples were too deep and his laughing voice, the young man was not Geral. Why did he turn this drastic when yesterday he really\hated his body and looks like he will hurt himself at any time. Did Alice do anything? But, that girl hasn't been here since yesterday. Where could he possibly do it.

“Enza, did you hear me?”

"Yes.yes, you're Geral, who else," my voice wry more to reassure myself than to respond to his jokes.

“Enza!” the young man tilted his head.

“Ya?”

“Enza!”

“Yes, Geral.”

“I just want to make sure that this is really\you, Za.”

Uh! Yes, Name. What was I thinking? He's Geral. After all whoever owns that body he doesn't know me. There's no way he knows my name. Plus the word\-word that came out of her lips, it felt sweet and familiar. The sound is different but with the same taste. I looked at him closely\-sticky. I looked at him and he was still wearing the same clothes. Shirt white shabby for the past few days. I have to give her the clothes she deserves.

“We're out, yuk!”

Geral frowned. "Where?"

"Buy clothes for you," I tried to melt the atmosphere. “Shut up once!”

He seemed to think for a moment and then nodded. “We go after meal?”

“Ya.”

“You can wear Alex's shirt first to get out, although the size may not fit. Just temporarily, you can hold it, right?”

“Alright,” he said approve.

We passed the breakfast quietly. Geral spoke occasionally and I responded. I could only curse myself who had not been able to forget last night's nightmare until I rubbed my neck unconsciously because I suddenly felt suffocated.

Now I'm still staring in front of the mirror. It had been thirty minutes since we last left the dining table. I feel a little happy, somehow it feels almost like a date. I took a slow breath, frustrated to see a pile of clothes strewn across the bed. It's not the first time I've been with Geral but why should I feel this way.

“Beauty!” his voice is soft in my ears.

My cheeks were hot and it felt like my body was frozen in place. I don't understand why I'm this big. This isn't the first time Geral has hugged me or praised me. The young man led me back to the mirror. I could see his face poking out behind my shoulder. His nose was almost stuck to my neck. I held my breath as his lips pressed against my neck. Before I could react, he had already raised his head. I'm down. Want to hide my true face\-right blush.

“You are beautiful and always have been!”

I nodded stiffly without being able to say a word. I couldn't even find another compliment to chim in on his words\-she said.

“We go now?” tanyakanya.

I nodded again and sighed in relief as she let go of her embrace. I combed her hair and let her down. Grabbing a sling bag and walking out.  Geral welcomed my hand in her grasp. I smiled again.

We walked out. The sun is shining brightly making this day perfect for going out. Geral suddenly\-suddenly stopped her steps just as you reached the page.

“Why?”

“Look,” he rubbed his eyes and covered his face with his hands.

“Eh glare?”

“It feels like I want to melt,” he said barely audible.

Could this be because Geral is actually a ghost so she can't stand the sun. I didn't think about this possibility at all. Stupidly.

“Lain times we go?”

Geral shook her head and smiled. “Come!” he pulled my hand again.

I don't really understand men's clothes but at least I know Alex's subscription store. After all he could definitely choose for himself there. I haven't had much money since the robbery at home a few days ago. Yet. Alex left one of his credit cards just in case I needed one. So I can use that money now. I glanced at Geral just speechless the entire trip. I don't know what he's thinking.

“We're up!” I said as I turned the steering wheel. I stopped the car right in front of Alex's subscription boutique.

“Ah! Yes.”

“You come down first!”

“Oke.”

After parking the car, I walked down to Momo. A dog belongs to the owner of the cafe right next to the boutique. Maybe I can say hello before I get in.

“Momo!”

The thick black-haired dog barked cheerfully. I squatted down and stroked the dog's ear. A second later, the dog barked. I smiled welcoming Geral who was now standing beside me. The young man also looked elated and extended his hand about to touch Momo. The dog suddenly\-suddenly barked ferociously and growled. His eyes looked at Geral as if he were seeing a ghost. A smile disappears from Geral's face as the dog continues to bark.

“Oh, Momo what are you doing?” the cafe owner walked out. “Im sorry Momo yes!”

“It's okay\-what,” of course I feel bad.

I grabbed Geral's hand that was still glued in place. “We're in!”

The guy nodded stiffly but Momo kept barking. Geral still hasn't removed her eyes from the dog. At first glance I saw the dog's eyes continue to follow Geral. The dog was still growling and barking. Could it be that the dog knew that the owner of this body was dead?

“Enza, Come!”

“Ah, yes.”

I walked into the boutique with Geral and tried to forget the strange feeling that had suddenly come to me. It might just be my feelings.