The One Thousand Days

Chapter 7. Resurrection

Silent and gloomy at once gripping. The footsteps disappeared a moment later leaving me with increasingly mountainous questions. The wind that reopened the shutters made it hit the wall again. I snorted disappointed and then returned to the face of the young man, a routine activity I did in my spare time until night came to pick up.

“Sleeping too long will make you tired, get up!” I pulled the blanket over his neck. “I hope you wake up when I get back.”

I walked out after turning my head once more towards the young man before closing the door. Now I move into the kitchen to fill my stomach. Sighs disappointed while taking open the rice warmer. The white rice has not been halved. I always cook more, just in case Geral wakes up any\-time. Only, the young man did not open his eyes. I even had a bad time when Alice had lied and deceived me. I shook my head twice, it felt impossible. There's no point in cheating a man without money like me. After taking the rice and the side dishes next I sat down on the window ledge with a bowl in hand. I love eating in this place while observing the streets.

Ever since I was left here alone with a housekeeper, I've always been sitting on window ledges. I wish I'd pick you up or Alex would come. But that hope never came true. Nothing came until the next few years. The habit remains even though now I just look at the streets instead of hoping someone will come to pick me up.

Alex only occasionally met me at school, the rest he rarely came. He only started to come often after we were both\-same adults and he could determine his activities. Maybe he's been off Dad's guard when he's grown up. Waiting becomes fun when the person I'm waiting for comes. Geral shows up there, on the street almost every day. He even asked me not to wait on this ledge anymore because he was afraid that I might fall, even though I wasn't a child anymore.

“I'm definitely coming,” he said. “So you don't have to wait for something sure.”

Love is not a matter of waiting without certainty. Geral didn't let me wait. He always brings certainty. Until a while ago, he did not come again. My fingers squeezed the handle of the spoon before scooping up the food. My fire accelerated as I felt my eyes begin to heat up. I started eating because I had to keep doing that to live. Although until now I still do not understand why I have to survive when I die– because of hunger for example– is much easier to do. Or maybe the dead option is not entirely easy.

After eating I wash the bowl I use and then take a shower. Maybe after this, I'll take a shower and go to bed because there's not much I can do alone. Or maybe I'll accompany Geral until the drowsiness comes.

The next day...

I walked out of the room while yawning wide. The sun hasn't come up yet but waking up early is a lot more fun. I could have spent more time with Geral before opening the flower stall right next to the house. Getting him to talk every morning is always fun, he can only agree to whatever I say. Of course, he didn't even move. Come to think of it I'm really\-stupid. But I can always be myself when I am with him. He broke down my protective wall until I often acted silly in front of him myself. The absurdity that would never appear in front of others. Especially in front of my dad.

My footsteps stopped when the aroma of coffee suddenly\suddenly pierced the nose. Waitaminute! I'll stay alone and if I'm here then no one else is making coffee. Except one guy. Could it?

I touched my chest, afraid that my heart would explode at any moment. Geral could have woken up. A smile expands on my lips. I was in a hurry to walk into the kitchen.

“Ge–”

The words I was about to say were floating in the air. I haven't had time to finish when I see the figure now standing in the kitchen. My laughter disappeared and I could only glare. Disappointment immediately ambushed to make my legs limp.

“Again, Enza!”

“Kakak when to come?” I asked while walking closer to my man\-lak who is still busy working in the kitchen.

“I entered half an hour ago but you are still sleeping.” Alex took a quick glance at me and was busy brewing two cups of coffee at the table.

Alex held out a cup to me. I received the cup of his gift and he himself took a sip of his while sitting down. We didn't talk right away because I myself started to enjoy the warm liquid soaking in my mouth and getting into my throat. It tastes good too and eliminates the drowsiness that still remains a little.

“How are you doing lately\-lately?” alex broke the silence.

“Good.”

“Oh,” the young man replied slowly. It seemed like he was also confused about having to say let alone to connect the chat.

“By the way\-by what is morning\-morning like this?”

“I want to grab an item but I saw my room locked,” he said, pointing to his room which I had used since yesterday to house the unknown young man.

“Must take now?” I began to weigh the\-weighing safest way to hide something I put there.

I had to get the young man out first before he charged me with a million questions. But, how? The body was definitely not an item that could be folded kept hidden.

Alex glanced at the watch on his wrist and smiled. “Later afternoon is also okay\-what.”

“Away now?” I asked when the young man stood up.

“Iya.”

“Your coffee is not finished yet,” I said as I put my shoulders down.

The young man moved closer to me and touched his hand at the top of his head. She smiles. “I just stopped by for a while and was relieved to see you well\-all right. If now I have to go to work, you know it's good morning.”

“Iya anyway,” I said yes.

“I'll come back later. Don't worry!”

“So Brother said to grab an item, what is it?”

The young man frowned for a moment.  He looks confused. Maybe taking the item was just an excuse, he might just want to stop by this house. At least it makes me a little happy.

 “I'm just curious,” I said rectify.

“Oh, the digital camera that is in the bottom drawer,” he said as he flicked his finger–as\as if he had just found the right answer.

“Later I prepare so Brother stay take, ” said I offer while putting up a laughter width\-wide. I hope he doesn't realize that I'm faking\ right now.

“Oke, thank you yes,” her voice sounded loud from behind the door.

I breathed a sigh of relief. Just barely. What does he say until I get caught keeping a man in the house. ‘Since when did you start collecting kebo?’ at least he would say that. I also had to move him from that room, there was no guarantee that Alex just took his camera and didn't go into his room.

After making sure my brother left, I turned the lock on the door of the room. No sound there. The young man was still sleeping. I approached. Start to suspect, don't\-don't he die. Mana might be able to bear not filling his stomach for a few days. Although in theory, humans can stand to eat nothing for four consecutive days. Uh, but he's in a coma. People who are in the vegetative phase are usually resistant for many\-years. It's just that, without adequate nutrition like in the hospital it feels a bit alarming.

I approached. He put his finger under his nose. Air circulation still occurs, although it is very weak. Poking his head on his chest. His heart was still beating even though it wasn't too hard. I took a breath of relief.

He's still alive. Mercifully.

“Come we move!” I pulled her hand trying to help her get up.

I was still in the same position still trying again and again but that one human did not even move in the slightest. “Uggghhh! C'mon!”

I wanted to make him stand up but he was still in a sitting position. In the end I stopped and rested. All this is making me tired. I nodded and sat on the edge of the bed. Letting the zombie youth back droop in his sleep. Watching myself and him in turn. The young man looked tall, almost tall. Didn't he eat, wonder how heavy he is. Am I too short or is he too tall to be heavy?

“Alright, we try again later.”

I surrendered. I decided to walk out and lock the door. Maybe I can try it again later. Maybe after closing the shop later this afternoon. After all there was still plenty of time before Alex came to pick up his camera.

“Come, motion a little why?” I'm getting frustrated.

Sweat kept wetting my forehead. However, the zombie youth pesky that really\-do not understand the problem that will befall us soon if he remains stubborn.

“Enza!” alex's voice rang out from downstairs.

I gasped at Alex's voice, the house was so quiet that the slightest sound would be heard. Let go of my grip and get on the bed. Change methods and change strategies. This time I pushed him down. My hope is of course to hide it under the bed. A little cliche, that's the one\-only option. However, that hope was dashed when again\-again I was not strong to push it.

“You're on top?”

 “Ukhhh! Shit!” hisisku's upset.

Now I'm crouching on the edge of the bed hoping my misfortune will soon pass. I hope gravity will help me a little. Still trying to pull that body down. At least that's how I thought, if it doesn't work to push then it's pulled.

I was choked when the young man's body moved down. The young man's body successfully overshadowed me. I squirm, still trying to move. However, his body weight is too large. A second later, I was still struggling in the same area. His neck was also on my face. I was still trying to pull her neck away for a few seconds.

“Enza.”  Alex's footsteps grew closer.

“Oh, please!” I pushed his neck.

Whatisthis?

Instantly I was stunned. Something sparkled as my bracelet met the chocker pendulum that tied his neck. The sparkle disappeared as quickly as it appeared. I immediately pulled my hand. A similar sensation of electric shock piercing the wrist. The taste also disappeared in an instant. My eyes are still staring at the neck of this young man. Weighing\-weighing methods to save yourself.

“Enza.”

That voice blew away everything I thought. Instantly I fell silent, his voice hoarse and heavy.

Not Alex's voice, who's talking?

I felt the young man's heartbeat rise above my body. He was now moving away from my body, the young man was really\awakened. Now he sits in front of me. I'm staring. My eyes are locked in his eyes.

“Geral?” I whispered to her name.

He was flinching while our eyes were sitting in silence. His lips were still tightly clenched while the black bead started to stare at my face. I haven't had time to ask any further when I heard Alex's footsteps approaching. My brother's arrival made me panic even more. The young man also realized something. He blinked for a moment then shifted his body.

“Log in there!” I said while pointing under the bed where he was before.

He's still sitting. The look on his face implied confusion. The young man still looked at me. Oh, don't tell me he's an innocent young man with a three-year-old mentality. Suddenly I feel frustrated. I can't imagine that the return is Geral's childhood\-child. Maybe the owner of this body is still a child\-child. Alex's footsteps again disturbed me.

“Quick!” my whisper hunts

I forcefully pushed her under the bed. The young man finally moved in. I followed. My heart almost popped out when the door opened. Fortunately, I was curled up next to the young man.

“Enza?” brother Alex's voice echoed in the room as the door of this room opened wide.

I locked the young man's arm so he wouldn't come out. I looked towards him. Instantly, I was stunned.  Time feels frozen. Our noses almost touched. The young man tilted his head and looked at me. I touched my index finger to my own lips to give her a sign of silence. The young man nodded, but his eyes still looked at me. He seemed to have no intention of changing the angle of his head's tilt at the moment.

I held my breath as I watched Alex's feet wander around the bed. My brother then squatted down. His hand reached into the bottom drawer. I squeezed the young man's hand tighter. His hands also stiffened under my fingers. Alex was still crouching and turning his back on me. It seems like he hasn't realized that we're hiding right behind him.

 “The camera is here, where exactly is the boy,” Alex mutter sounds quite clear.

Alex stood up and opened the wardrobe for a moment. Grain\-grain sweat began to appear on the nape of the nape. I got more scared and squeezed the young man's hand harder. His hand resigned in his grasp, while Alex was still pacing\-pacing. I held my breath. Too scared that my brother even heard our breath sounding so loud.

I released air through my lips as I watched Alex leave the room. Looking towards the young man who was still lying next to me. I let go of the handle. The young man let go of my hand. I turned my head and looked at him, intending to give a fierce look. It gasped as the young man pulled my body closer. I swallowed spit. Now I'm in his arms.

“What are you doing?” I screamed in a whisper.

“Enza?” alex's voice came back.

I'm sure one hundred percent Alex heard my voice just now. I looked at the young man. Trying to let go of his embrace. But he pulled me tighter. He covered my lips with his hand. I held my breath again while my eyes could not escape staring at the jet-black eyeballs that seemed to swallow me round\-round.

Alex's footsteps came to a halt when I heard the ringing of a loud phone call. Samar\-pretty I heard Alex talking to someone. Long\-long he sounded away until completely\-disappeared. I looked at the young man. He gave her a signal to release me. He didn't do it either. I rebelled with full force.

“Enza–”

The sound was heavy and hoarse. Her warm breath swept my ears. Sensation is not foreign. I turned my head, still trying to digest what really happened. His voice was indeed unfamiliar, but the way he called my name sounded so familiar to the ears. Soft and full of feeling. Geral always calls me in that tone. Geral also always touched her lips until almost stuck to my ear every time she said my name.

I flinched back as the young man's fingers cupped my cheeks. Tracing the jaw line of my face. I don't know which demon is possessing my body right now. I don't know why I've suddenly resigned myself to everything this foreign youth did to me. I wish he was Geral. Geralku's coming back from the dead. Maybe I'm crazy or delusional, I don't know myself.

“Geral?” I hesitated, still trying to call my late girlfriend's name. Wishing he was inside the body of this foreign youth.

The dim light\-light of the full moon from the window. Samar\-vague I could see the young man's lips curling into a smile.

“Yes, this is me–” his voice is hoarse and shrivelled.

“Geral?” I say his name again, let him think I'm a fool.

“Iya.”

I'm speechless. Still staring in disbelief that Geral has returned. I traced the young man's face to make sure that I wasn't dreaming. Wet eyes. Relief and happiness are mixed in me. My heart feels like it will explode right now when my heart is racing fast. My hands were trembling and the heat began to run all over my body.

The young man touched my cheek. Removing the tears that were flowing down without me noticing. He held the tear in his hand.

 “Geral,” I moved to hug the young man who is still looking at me. It's not wrong, Geralku has returned.

“I go home, Enza,” his whisper gently caresses the ear.

I hugged her. A second later, my eyes blinked. My lips are tightly clenched.  Sudden pain\-sudden piercing of the neck. I shrieked softly and touched my hand on the neck which suddenly felt sore. Sticky liquid stuck to the fingertips. I put my finger to my nose and smelled it. Amiss. It's blood, no more wrong. However, I didn't want to show all this to Geral and let her keep holding me. I grinned and a smile spread across my lips. The blood ritual has begun. I managed to call Geralku back.