The One Thousand Days

Chapter 8. Mark

I yawned again because of the warmth of the morning sun even more makes me lazy to open my eyes. The arm held tightly to my body until his breath now stroked the top of my head. I came back together when that warm body gave me comfort.

Waitaminute!

 Someone hugged me. Buru\-rush open eyes. My pupils widened, the young man was still closed. Inching to release my body and its grip. A snort was flung out of my mouth while the arm was still locking onto my body. I looked up, staring at the young man's jaw as well as his high cheekbones.

“Geral!” I whispered slowly while trying to pull my still-pinched arm.

A smile rose on my lips as I managed to pull the arm–not that he loosened his embrace. It's just that I pulled it by force. My finger reached out to the young man's face, tracing his face. A completely different face than Geral's. What would he think if he knew this face? He hasn't seen his new figure since he woke up yesterday.

He sighed in the air. Slowly\-slow his eyes open. He looked down at me. “Enza,” murmur.

“Geral?”

He's nodding. Reviewing my forehead gently before pulling me in a hug. I could feel his heartbeat racing fast. Geralku's alive. He was now in a world with a moving heart and body.

“Why?” His voice sounded hoarse and broke.

“What's up?” I hurriedly\hurriedly pulled my body from his embrace. “Geral?”

He didn't ignore me or look down at me. His eyes are still looking ahead. Stiffness and her facial expression was illegible. What the hell is it?

I shuffled, his arms already loosened. I turned to follow the direction of his eyes to see the one the young man was staring at. The shadow of his face was formed on the large mirror standing near the wall. While my face was next to her with a frown. We were both still lying on the bed, but Geral's eyes widened slightly and her facial expression implied fear.

“This face–” hoarse voice was interrupted by a rough and heavy breath. He hurriedly woke up. I got up and positioned myself in front of him.  

“Geral, that's your new face,” I said as I rubbed the fingers on her cheek. “Why?”

“This is impossible. Can't face this,” his voice is trembling.

 “What do you mean?”

I don't understand his reaction this time. Geral was still silent. His black eyes glared sharply. I could feel his body shaking. Her lips were bitten as well. Maybe he was uncomfortable with his new face. However, why did he say that if he could not wear this face, why? Wasn't he the one who should have known the most that he couldn't possibly return to his original body?

“I don't want this face,” he said.

“Listen, this face is your helper face. Our helper,” I cupped that face and looked at him. Sending a short kiss to calm the young man down.

“Tapi–”

“We can find a solution later, plastic surgery or what. The important thing is that you calm down!” I tried to calm him down.

Geral was calm, but she was still sitting quietly on the bed with her legs bent. He did it until a few minutes later. Now he still doesn't want to move. I don't know what's wrong with his face. I don't know myself. The most important thing is that he's back. What else is he worried about?

“Leave me!”

“What?”

“Leave me alone!” her door.

“Good. I'll be out.”

I stood up straight. I can understand his fear now. He must be confused from waking up in someone else's body. Maybe I should give him some time.  I looked at him once before I went out, the young man was still sitting on the bed. Not long after that I heard the sound of something breaking when the door was closed.

“Geral!” I went back into that room.

My breath choked when I found the glass was now not whole anymore. Geral red empty flower vase that was originally in the corner of the nightstand and threw it at the thing. Not long after that he screamed loudly. I immediately approached him. All of this would end badly if he couldn't be calmed down. I did not expect at all how much he hated that face of the owner of the body.

“Don't do that, you'll get hurt!” I said half-screaming as Geral now clawed at her own face.

I held her hand, but Geral brushed off my grip and pushed me away. But I didn't give up. Now I hugged the young man's body.

“I'm sorry, Geral. I'm sorry!” I asked while hugging him. Geral is calmer now, but it doesn't make me any more relieved than before. “I'll throw away the mirror. If you can just sleep first yes!”

I let go of the hug. The young man looked up. I tried to make a smile, getting used to it that the foreign figure was my lover. The soul inside was Geral's soul. It's just that he's in a different body. I'm not used to it yet, so I can imagine that Geral is more surprised than me.

“Iya.”

Geral is now lying down. I pulled the blanket up almost touching her chin. I just hope he's calmer–though not as soon. It's just, I can't get paramedics or psychiatric help or anything right now. I can only work on all this alone. The young man closed his eyes as I rubbed his forehead. At least I wish he could sleep now. After making sure she was asleep, I went out looking for a broom and a pengki to clean up the broken glass in this room.

As a result of this morning's incident, I decided not to open the store. Geral can go berserk at any time and I myself do not know how to handle that young man. He's really\-turned, the Geral I've known all along isn't that brutal. But I am still trying to understand. I had to look at all of this from his point of view, although not fully understanding it at least I could give him some attention.

“You must eat!” I said as I walked in. It was now noon and Geral had not yet moved from the bed even though she had been up a few hours ago.

He shook his head and turned his eyes in the other direction. I put my ass on the edge of the bed and touched his arm. A moment later he was screaming. There was pain when he did this. He doesn't even want to be touched.

“Do I make you sad?”

The young man is shaking now. He seemed to gulp and his lips folded.

 “Then, why?”

“I'm just still not used to this face,” he said without looking at me.

“Trust me, long\-long will get used to.”

“Then how suddenly\all of a sudden I can be here?”

My breath's choked. Questions that will be asked sooner or later. He must have remembered that he was dead.

“I was just told you'd be back,” I lied.

“But how can? I know I'm dead,” Geral's voice hunts. “I shouldn't be here.”

Geral now turned her head and looked at me. His eyes were shining sharply as if they were scanners while my face was a barcode. I took a deep breath. What else can I hide now.

“Let's just say you're given a second chance!”

Geral woke up. It seems like he can't take my explanation for granted. “But, this doesn't make sense. How can I now breathe, my heart beats and now I'm inside someone else's body. Meeting you, I shouldn't be here. Explain to me, Enza!”

“Better you don't know.”

“I just need an explanation. This body feels ill-fitting and heavy, even for breathing it feels tight. It's sick, Za. So at least tell me what happened!”

Sick said. Does getting into someone else's body and coming back to life feel that sick?

I glanced at Geral who was now touching her neck. Suddenly guilt filled my mind. If it hurts, then it's all my fault.

“I'm sorry.”

“Why are you sorry? You just need to explain what really happened!” cut quick.

My hands clenched, my breathing snorted violently while my heartbeat began to climb up.  My head is down, I don't dare look at him right now. “Because I brought you back.”

“What?”

Big\-big spit down my throat. “I called your soul back.”

“But, with what? How did you do this?”

“With the help of a spirit caller,” I said honestly.

“Enza.” Geral frowned. “This feels weird.”

“I also feel all this strange and strange. But, it's all happened. So can we work together?” this time I looked at him. I hope very much that he will agree to my advice. Even though I know he doesn't like his new body. I can understand, there is no way anyone would like to be in a stranger's body.

“But, this body–”

“I want to use your real body, but–” I break my sentence, too hesitant to continue.

“My body is rotten?” his pedicab.

“It's my fault. I'm sorry, Geral.” My head is looking down at the back of my hand. Fear came back to me until I dared not look at him.

The point\-point tears began to fall on the back of my hand. One after another was like a feeling of guilt that was peeling my heart out step by step right now.

“It wasn't your fault,” Geral squeezed my hand.

I'm looking. Looked at his face. The black bead looked straight at me.The eyeball was even different, let alone one I could defend from my own mistakes. A sigh escaped from my mouth as he pulled my body closer.

“I'm sorry too, Enza. It's not your fault, I just haven't been able to accept.”

I just nodded. Holding back the sobs that want to jump out. For a moment I was grateful to have called him back. If I could, I wouldn't force your soul into someone else's body, Geral. Baby I can't. So I'm sorry. My finger squeezed the shirt that wrapped the young man's body.

“I'm glad you're back, Geral,” I said finally. Even if it's only for a thousand days, that's enough time for me. Enough for me to be ready to let you go. “I beg you not to ask again how you can come back.”

The young man nodded and hugged me tighter and tighter. For a moment I felt relieved. At least for now he is calm.

The young man nodded. I stood up and helped him get out of bed. We're moving out. He was already willing to eat so it might only take a little while for him to return to his former self. I'm sure it is.

After eating, we sat on the sofa by the window. Looking at the streets without saying much. Geral also closed her mouth tightly\-meeting. His eyes looked down, it seemed like he was starting to get sleepy. Whether because he woke up from death or other factors, he slept more often than open his eyes.

“Geral?” my broom broke the silence.

“Ya?”

“You got to sleep?” I asked when I saw the young man looking sleepy.

 Geral nodded then laid her head on my lap. I looked at Geral who was now looking up to look at me. The young man continued to look at me without blinking. After almost half a day of drama, at least he was now calmer.

There was not a single bit of Geral's face there. That guy's face is cute. Lips adorable. The firm jaw gave a masculine touch to his face. Her hair was straight elongated with strands that almost covered both of her eyebrows. Its high posture makes it a beautiful figure. I had never known this young man before. Even so, I admit he is charming.

“Enza!”

“Hmmm,” I raised an eyebrow.

I rubbed his hair. Geral was always happy to be treated this way. A wide smile formed on my lips. The young man smiled too. For a moment I saw the figure of Geral in his eyes.

“I miss you,” he said.

Geral raised her head until our faces were close enough. I could feel a warm breath sweeping across my face. This foreign body makes me awkward to just look this close. Although I know, Geral's soul is in there. I didn't open my lips when those warm lips landed. Still trying to drive away the guilt that was suddenly\-present, the sense of having an affair with someone else.

"Dance!" soft sigh.

I heard him say my name until the doubt began to fade from the mind. Gerala! No one can pronounce my name that beautiful. I closed my eyes. No more power to resist the sweet lips that tempt. This guy's lips still feel foreign but very soft and seem careful\-careful. I know him, this is Geral. Without thinking, I kissed her back. I buried my lips deeper. My heart burst as that sweet sensation filled my mouth. I miss him, really\-wanted him. My fingers trace the\-hair behind his head. I put my arm around the young man's neck. Don't want him to let me go.

I opened my eyes. Shocked and jolted until without a second thought I pulled away. Geral looked at me with a confused look but I rubbed my lips. Awareness and guilt are back. When I opened my eyes, I wondered why the guilt was back. Guilt that I was having an affair with someone else. I can still feel the sensation of that kiss on my lips. I'm enjoying. Really, what happened to me? I clenched my hands. I can only hate myself like this. I took a slow breath as shame began to fill my mind.

"What's wrong?" his face implied astonishment.

“We still have a lot of time, we can slowly\-swallow,” I say lie with a fake smile on the face.

“I understand.”

Geral closed her eyes again. I rubbed his hair again. I really miss him. However, when he came back with a completely different figure I really did not know how I should behave. I want to treat him like Geral. When I saw it I realized it belonged to someone else. My heart forced me to remain unconcerned but my head said that I was really\-not entitled to the body of the foreign youth. Even though Geral is inside that body right now. It's still heavy, it's heavy for me. I know it's hard for him, too.

“You know, I'm glad you're home,” I reviewed the smile on the face.

Geral did not answer. The young man just tilted his body and hugged me. I felt his breath in my stomach. He hugged me tighter. I silenced. Geral may have a burden she can't tell me. Returning from death must have been more terrifying than I could have imagined.

“You want to sleep in the room,” I said broke the silence.

Geral nodded. Following me stood up then walked in the back towards one of the rooms. She lay. I pulled the blanket until it almost touched the young man's neck.

“Sleep!” softly said.

Geral nodded and smiled. The guy pulled my hand. Asking me to stay.

“I have to go out for a while.” I rubbed his cheeks affectionately. He wants me to know that I love him. “You're okay\-not be alone as long as I go?”

“Quick return!”

“Sure.”

I landed a kiss on her forehead before coming out. Hopefully nothing will happen as long as I leave because there are things I have to do today.  I have to see Alice today. I want to ask you about the wound on my neck that suddenly appeared. The wound is not painful. Surprisingly after being spiked with medicine, the small wound blackened to form a thin curved line. It was as if it formed a permanent tattoo on my neck. Alice hasn't explained this and I need a little information.

It didn't take long for me to get to that place. I took a slow breath. The shophouse where Alice served as a fortune teller still remains obsolete as usual. I'm sure even Madam Alice's nameplate is starting to tilt. I pushed the door and walked in.

“Alice!”

“Come in!” alice's voice sounded from within. “I'll make tea!”

“Oke.”

I walked in deeper. Throwing my ass in the tiny chair that surrounds the dining table. The table was round and tiny. This room is ordinary. Nothing special just a pile of\-items and some furniture to eat. Alice doesn't have much stuff. My gaze was fixed on the large portrait in the corner of the room. I don't know why the portrait caught my attention. I pulled the curtain. However, Deheman's voice slowly jolted me. I hurriedly\hurriedly removed my hand from the curtain that covered the portrait. I paused my intention to peek at the portrait behind the curtain, when in fact I was really\-curious.

I sat back in my original position and Alice was now sitting in front of me. The girl thrust a cup at me. I pulled the cup closer and tapped my\-finger on its slippery surface.

“What's up?”

“It's about Geral.”

“Kutebak he was awake so you came,” he said while linking his fingers.

“Ya.” I gulped before I started talking again. “Do you know how to make Geral stop raging?” ask again. Alice tilted her head, looking confused until I explained the incident this morning.

“Didn't he stop raging?” ask Alice again.

“Iya anyway.”

“Then there will be no problem. He's just shocked, you just have to understand it.”

“I know.”

“Well, there's nothing you need to think about that. From tomorrow he'll be back as the Geral you know.”

“You're sure about that.”

“Of course,” said convince me. I feel a little calm with Alice's confidence now.

“I also want to ask about this,” I said as I opened the black scarf that covered my neck and put the thing on my lap. “Do you know what this wound is?” I pointed at the wound that had now left a prominent black mark on my neck.

Alice casually sipped tea on the cup. The girl pulled her eyebrows up and smiled. The smile that formed seemed emotionless. I looked at Alice's face. His expression was cold though perhaps the words\-words coming out of his lips were quite friendly in the ears. His oval face and pale skin wrapped in long black hair made him quite horrible rather than friendly. Although, a while ago she was so cheerful, she was somehow very cold today. I'm even sure maybe I met an alter ego. I'm not sure either of those two traits is the real Alice.

“Well, I know you will ask this sooner or later,” Alice is still relaxed while playing her fingers on the surface of the cup.

“You mean you know what this wound is?” I tried to suppress the enthusiasm in my voice.

“You're crazy if you think I don't know about it.”

“Then explain!” my door.

I looked at Alice. Still waiting for an explanation. Being frontal or maybe forcing it can be bad. It could be that he won't even share information with me.

“I won't hide anything and I'm not stingy about the information you might need,” he seems to be able to read my mind.

“I know,” my voice trembled a little and I pulled the teacup closer.

“Those wounds on your neck are a sign of your first ritual. The scratches will increase until the thousandth day. The wound will extend round your neck during the day until the ends will be intertwined,” Alice sighed.

“You mean I'll be clad in this black scar?”

“That's the marker and the price you have to pay to call the spirit of someone who has died,” his speech is ketus.

“Then what will happen with this scar?”

 “I don't know about that. But, the thing I know about this ritual is that on the thousandth day when the circle is intertwined then you must choose, your life or his life.”

“What do you mean?”

“You will know in the end,” Alice back puzzle. “One thing is for sure, you made a pact with the devil and the devil will not give anything for free. In the end you will pay for everything because nothing is free in this world.”

Hearing that word\-word scared me a little. Alice was right, there was nothing free in this world, let alone summoning a dead person back to the world then there would definitely be a huge payday.

"Pay? By what?"

"You know the devil doesn't like to surprise at the beginning. The payment will arrive in time and you will pay off the debt no matter what.”

I knocked back on my cup. Stare at the thick liquid tea in it. I feel trapped and now I don't even know the way out. I shuddered at Alice's words\-just now. I touched my neck. The little scar was as if it was biting\-biting behind my skin.

"If I think just enjoy your time with Geral while you can," Alice smiled until her white teeth stood out horribly. “Before you have to pay off your debt!”

At that moment I realized there was no way back. It all happened and I had to pay sooner or later. But a thousand days is still a long time. I'll think about the pay later. For now, I just need to be a little happy that my Geral has returned.