Third Person POV

It has been the worst month ever for Sasha as one, she has to pass her finals in which this time, she has attended all the classes. Due to the last exam that she failed to pass in one round, she had a hard time 'resitting' them and even until now, it is a nightmare for her to think about that although she had passed during her second attempt. Two, she has to spend the whole month without the company of her boyfriend and this makes her feel a little empty.

Although Clerence always calls her or plays PUBG with her every night, she misses his presence so much that sometimes, she will crouch at one corner of her bedroom and cry silently. She doesn't wish anyone to notice her current state and worry about her, much to no surprise about her real personality that makes her do so. No matter how much useful survival skills she had generated during the past, they are all inhibited by the boy who enters her life throughout her ups and downs.

"Three papers down, one to go," she mutters to herself while trying to distract her own mind from keep thinking about him. Taking a deep breath, she stands up from the corner and walks towards her desk, where her laptop screen flares in white from the far view. As she approaches it, tiny words then appear in her vision. "Darn the articles, I love reading fairy tales but not journal articles..." she grumbles with a pout but still takes her seat to continue reading and making notes.

"Dinner's ready," her mother's voice is audible although the door is shut.

"Coming!!" She can hear her little sister answering with her cute little girl's voice, making her think about Isabelle. She is a five-year-old too, she thinks.

"Sasha!" Her mother is coming as the called girl can hear the nearing footsteps until the door is pushed open. She turns and meets her mother's smile. "Dinner's ready." Her voice is soft. "He'll be back soon, alright?" And she gives her daughter a warm hug. "Be patient, alright?"

Obediently, Sasha nods while resting her head on her mother's shoulder. "Thanks, mum."

***

Clerence Cartwright

My father is dying, Sasha is crying, I am depressed.

Everyone around me are encountering their worsts. It's 7.30 pm at Sasha's place, she must be having her dinner with her mother. With her family. But just as I am busy thinking about her, one message pops up on the screen of my phone.

Not hers.

GAYBOY: dude? You okay? We've been calling, but your number is not in range.

GRETELHUS8AND is typing...

GR8G is typing...

GR8G: yeah, where have you been? We looked everywhere. We nearly called the police ya know.

GRETELHUS8AND: Thanks to my wisdom, I called Sasha. We're sorry about your dad.

STAYSINGLE (ME): Thanks guys, for worrying about me. Sorry for not informing you guys before leaving. That was too urgent...

GAYBOY is typing...

GR8G: TT

GAYBOY: yeap, hope she'll get well soon. Stay strong, buddy.

STAYSINGLE (ME): I will, I'll try. After what had happened to Sash, I feel myself turning weak. I just can't lose anyone I cherish anymore.

**GRETELHUS8AND changed their username to MISSMYISA**

MISSMYISA: Look buddy, I miss my little sister too. She would be twenty if she lives until now. But life goes on man, you need to learn to let go. Sometimes, I even dream about my sister crying with her tears staining her cheeks.

GR8G: Let me guess, her tears are red like blood.

GAYBOY: Let him FINISH you fucked up boy!!

**STAYSINGLE changed their username to LUCKYGUY**

MISSMYISA is typing...

MISSMYISA: Her tears were black. She said it was dried blood, but I don't care. I met her in dreams yesterday again.

GAYBOY: and then?

MISSMYISA is typing...

MISSMYISA: And then she told me she will be able to reincarnate soon. Because she has received another mission.

Everything sounds so scary and now I have gone offline by exiting the app as I don't dare to see what mission Hans' sister had received. I won't deny the fact that Hansel can communicate with supernatural beings, especially his sister. Although Sasha has told me about meeting his sister when she was in coma state, I can't let myself to believe all of it still. Maybe because I'm just... scared.

Putting my phone into sleep mode, I take a longing look at my father, whose head has turned bald because of numerous chemotherapy. His eyes are shut with his chest rising and falling steadily. He is sleeping right now after having the pills. I remember my mother telling me that with someone sitting by his side, our dad will not have nightmares that easily.

But what if he sleeps forever because of this?

Here I begin to overthink again. And I strongly need one disturbing phone notification to pull me back from such unhealthy train of thoughts.

Ding!

That's really coincidental. Two message bars reignite the phone screen beyond my expectation. One is from the boys while one is from Sasha. Although I have muted the group chat a while ago, the message are still popping as I forget to disallow the showing of messages. My thumb reaches one of the message bars and eventually lead to the lock screen. After unlocking my phone with Sasha's awaken date, I am welcomed by the words sent by the boys as I've tapped on the wrong bar.

『30 unread messages』

GR8G: What sort of mission?

MISSMYISA: She is going to meet a man who dies because of cancer. And if she accomplishes the mission, she can reincarnate. I'll talk to her about this.

GAYBOY: Clery?

GR8G: he went offline i guess.

MISSMYISA: it would be better if he's not seeing this.

GR8G: y?

MISSMYISA: Because she showed me the man's document. Clerence's name was there, written as his son.

The messages continue to pop in, yet I'm still staring at the same message bubble Hans have sent over and over again, rereading it to make sure my eyes are not playing tricks on me. The reason why Hans manages to make us believe he can communicate with supernatural beings is because he had once proved that to us before.

I exit the group chat and tap on Sasha's message. She asks me whether I can play a match with her.

Can we chat?

These are the only words I type and send to her as a reply, she reads it immediately. And thank god, her message shows she's okay with it. As I'm about to type another message to Sash, my sister enters the room, nodding warily at me. One of her hands carrying a cotton bag filled with a thermal lunch box. Clear enough, she has returned with the porridge our father had craved for.

"I'll take care of dad, you may rest now," my sister says with her lowest volume. "Mum's downstairs."

"Alright," I say with a nod, my voice dry. Taking a last look at my father, I then exit the ward in silence. Doctors and nurses flood the hallway as I walk pass them. The smell of medicine floats around the receptors of my nose until I finally meet my mother outside the building. My mind is so messy with the flashbacks about the past I have spent with the whole family - when I was five, my father used to send me to kindergarten before heading to work; when I was twelve, I first quarrel with him over a broken Game Station that I had saved to buy. At that time, he told me I was addicted to playing games and that would affect my studies. The action sounds extreme but that's how he saved me from becoming a bad child, whom teachers despise and gangsters prefer.

The night breeze is warm and sticky, keeping me breathless and bringing me away from my train of thoughts about my father. My mother's car is parked a few feet away from the spinning glass door. Sitting on the driver seat, there's my mother, facing the flaring blue screen of her mobile phone while waiting for me.

After taking in a deep breath, I quicken my pace and hop into the car. "Hey, mum," I greet a little awkwardly. My head is always lowered to only look at my entwined fingers.

"Hey," greets my mother cordially as she brushes her fingers through the strands of my black hair. "How's study? You know, it's been months since we last talk in such uhm... near distance..." Remaining silent, I bite my lower lip while beginning to process every word my mother says. Honestly, it's really been a long time since I can talk to my mother face-to-face without using FaceTime.

"Yeah," I sigh. "Time flies." Through my peripheral vision, I can see my mother nods slightly when pulling off the car. Both her hands hold steadily on the steering wheel while she waits for me to continue the subject. "By the way, you have nothing to worry about my studies. Trust me, I can handle the stress myself. I have buddies backing me up and... I have a girlfriend who supports me."

"Wow," my mother breathes in a light happy tone. "Finally, my son has grown. So, when are you going to bring her home?" And I can't believe hearing my mother's excitement of seeing Sasha either. Her question leads out an appreciative smile on my face.

"After her exam," I answer with a grin. "Speaking of her, I have yet to reply her message." As I unlock my phone, I am greeted by six messages sent by her. She is worried sick because I've never discontinue our conversation in such a sudden way regardless of through message typing or video calling. "And she's already worried because I forgot to tell her I'm on my way getting into mum's car."

My explanation leads out my mother's giggle as she stops the car at the sight of the red light. "Do please reply her now, Rancy." This is a nickname used only by my mother. In fact, I've never told this to anyone about how my mother calls me as I've thought it sounds like a girl's name. Yet, Doc manages to create another one which is even more girly-sounded. "Are you okay?" My mother must have notice me shuddering upon the thought. The light has turned green and there she steps on the go pedal.

"Y-yeah, I'm alright," I blabber while focusing on the flaring screen, trying to text Sasha and remind her about my good state. By looking into her messages, I've understood the reason why she does not make a call but choose to wait. At her last message, she mentions about wanting me to reply her whenever I am available, that means she is assuming that I'm busy taking care of my father.

LUCKYTOHVHER (ME): hey Sash, I'm sorry I did not reply your message a while ago because I was hopping into my mum's car. Hope you're not madddd at me... TT

LUCKYTOHVHIM: Now you've learnt to reply...

LUCKYTOHVHER (ME): I am really, really, really, REALLY sorry for repeating my mistake again. Create a punishment for me, I will do it as you say once I come back. Just please, don't be mad at me...

LUCKYTOHVHIM: Thank god I have immuned to you leaving me hanging. If it were another girl, you would have ruined the relationship for more than 100 times.

LUCKYTOHVHIM: Apology accepted, my jerk boyfriend :)

LUCKYTOHVHER (ME): Btw, I just told my Mum about you. You know, the relationship thing...

LUCKYTOHVHIM: Whoa, really? That's great!! How did she react?

LUCKYTOHVHER (ME): You won't believe me, she acts totally the opposite of what both of us have expected.

LUCKYTOHVHIM: You're kidding.

LUCKYTOHVHER (ME): I'm serious, babe. She asked me when I'm going to bring you back home. To see her.

LUCKYTOHVHER (ME): If you want prove, I can let you see my mother right now through FaceTime.

LUCKYTOHVHIM: Whoa not now, Cler XD

LUCKYTOHVHIM: I wanna see your mum face to face, not through video calls because I wanna make that more official. Plus, your mum is driving now if I'm not wrong.

LUCKYTOHVHER (ME): You make me so wanna come to your place and hug you tight in my lap right now.

LUCKYTOHVHIM: Love you <3 <3 <3

LUCKYTOHVHER (ME): Love you too ^^

Giggling lightly, I switch the phone into sleep mode while my mother registers me through her sideways glance. We have reached our house as I can see the same old building standing before us. "It seems like you two gets along well," comments my mother while we hop off the vehicle. The jingling key dangles on one of my mother's fingers.

"It's more than that," I admit proudly, earning her genuine grin. "We went through hardships, broke up once, and now we are back together out of so many people around the world." Humming in mere surprise, my mother locks the door before activating the alarm system.

"Since when my son has become a philosopher?" she jokes upon my statement while I realise the way I'm talking just now is a little bit different from my usual style. Apparently, it is largely affected by Sasha's speaking habit because I need to understand some of her metaphors when she describes things to me sometimes. And the process seems enough to train my language skills until I can talk like a poet.

"Since God knows," I answer with a chuckle and my mother laughs. "Mum," I call in a serious tone and I'm pretty sure my expression shows worry. "If you are sad, just cry. D-don't hold back."

Forcing out a smile, my mother cups my cheeks with her warm hands and looks me into the eye. Her dark eyes slowly fill with tears even though she is still holding her smile. As if the emotion can transmit everywhere through skinship, I begin to feel the sting on my eyes as well when tears come brimming on my cheeks. So does her.

Nevertheless, there isn't any sign of us breaking down into sobs. Just silence and longing stares. Sniffling, my mother lets go of my cheeks after wiping my tears away and says, "Wanna join me for a drink, Clerence?"

"Drinking's bad, mum," I disagree with my forefinger shaking from left to right. "How about we order pizza and have some soda water for dinner?" I suggest as I peer at the clock nearby, acknowledging the time.

"That's a great idea," answers my mother as she wipes her tears hastily with her bare hands, still sniffling with her flushed nose. "Son," she calls with her soft tone, though her throat has gone dry because of crying. Her hand grabbing my wrist before I leave to grab my phone from my bag, which is placed on the dining table. "Come," and I follow. Gently, she pulls me into her tight hug alongside with a few pats on my back. "I'm so glad to have a son like you."

Resting half of my face on mum's shoulder, I murmur, "You need to let me go..." Upon hearing my words, she seems a little tense but I am fast enough to direct her my actual thoughts. "... or I can't order pizza as planned." Slapping my arm while heaving out a sigh of relief, my mother chuckles with a full nasal tone.

"It's alright, let's not just eat pizza anymore. How about Netflix?" Poor mum, she just wishes to distract herself from thinking about dad, who is definitely dying. I can't really imagine how much pain she is enduring, but I can see how she tries to hide it in front of me.

"Sure, mum."

ᴵ ᴬᴹ ᴮᴬᶜᴷ 🤣🤣

ᴬᶜᵀᵁᴬᴸᴸᵞ, ᴵ ᵂᴬˢ ᵀᴴᴵᴺᴷᴵᴺᴳ ᴼᶠ ᴱᴺᴰᴵᴺᴳ ᵀᴴᴵˢ ᴮᴼᴼᴷ ᵂᴵᵀᴴ ᵀᵂᴱᴺᵀᵞ ᶠᴵᵛᴱ ᶜᴴᴬᴾᵀᴱᴿˢ. ᴮᵁᵀ ᵀᴴᴱᴿᴱ ᴬᴿᴱ ᴶᵁˢᵀ ᵀᴼᴼ ᴹᵁᶜᴴ ᵀᴼ ᴱˣᴾᴸᴬᴵᴺ ˢᴼ ᴵ ᶜᴬᴺ'ᵀ ᴱᴺᴰ ᴵᵀ ᴶᵁˢᵀ ᵞᴱᵀ. ᴳᴼᴼᴰ ᴺᴱᵂˢ?

ᴮᵞ ᵀᴴᴱ ᵂᴬᵞ, ᶠᴼᴿ ᵀᴴᴼˢᴱ ᵂᴴᴼ ᴬᴿᴱ ᴿᴱᴬᴰᴵᴺᴳ ᴹᵞ ᴬ/ᴺ ᴿᴵᴳᴴᵀ ᴺᴼᵂ, ᴵ ᴮᴱᴸᴵᴱᵛᴱ ᵞᴼᵁ ᴴᴬᵛᴱ ᴳᴼᴺᴱ ᵀᴴᴿᴼᵁᴳᴴ ᵀᴴᴱ ᴸᴬᵀᴱˢᵀ ᶜᴴᴬᴾᵀᴱᴿ ᴼᶠ ᵀᴴᴵˢ ᴮᴼᴼᴷ, ᵀᴴᴬᴺᴷ ᵞᴼᵁ. ᴵ ᵛᴬᴸᵁᴱ ᵞᴼᵁ ᴬᴸᴸ ᵛᴱᴿᵞ, ᵛᴱᴿᵞ ᴹᵁᶜᴴ 💕💕

ᴼᴺᴱ ᶠᴬᶜᵀ ᴵ ᵂᴵˢᴴ ᵀᴼ ᴸᴱᵀ ᵀᴴᴱ ˢᴵᴸᴱᴺᵀ ᴿᴱᴬᴰᴱᴿˢ ᴷᴺᴼᵂ: ᴵ ᵂᴼᴺ'ᵀ ᴹᴵᴺᴰ ᴵᶠ ᵞᴼᵁ ᶜᴼᴹᴹᴱᴺᵀ ᵞᴼᵁᴿ ᵀᴴᴼᵁᴳᴴᵀˢ ᵂᴴᴵᴸᴱ ᴿᴱᴬᴰᴵᴺᴳ, ᵂᴴᴱᵀᴴᴱᴿ ᴵᵀ ᴵˢ ᴬ ᶜᴼᴺˢᵀᴿᵁᶜᵀᴵᵛᴱ ᶜᴿᴵᵀᴵᶜᴵˢᴹ ᴼᴿ ᴬ ᴾᴼˢᴵᵀᴵᵛᴱ ᶜᴼᴹᴹᴱᴺᵀ, ᴵ ᵂᴵᴸᴸ ᴿᴱᴬᴰ ᴬᴸᴸ ᴼᶠ ᵀᴴᴱᴹ ᴮᴱᶜᴬᵁˢᴱ ᵞᴼᵁ'ᴿᴱ ᴬᴹᴬᶻᴵᴺᴳ ᶠᴼᴿ ᴮᴱᴵᴺᴳ ᴹᵞ ᴿᴱᴬᴰᴱᴿ 💞💞❤

ᴼᴺᴱ ᴹᴼᴿᴱ ᵀᴴᴵᴺᴳ, ᴾᴸᴱᴬˢᴱ ᴰᴼᴺ'ᵀ ᶠᴼᴿᴳᴱᵀ ᵀᴼ ᴸᴵᴳᴴᵀ ᵁᴾ ᵀᴴᴱ ˢᵀᴬᴿ ᴮᴱᶠᴼᴿᴱ ᴸᴱᴬᵛᴵᴺᴳ. ᴸᴼᵛᴱ ᵞᴼᵁ ᴬˢ ᴰᴱᴱᴾ ᴬˢ ᵀᴴᴱ ᴼᶜᴱᴬᴺ 🌊 ᵂᴱ ᵂᴵᴸᴸ ᴹᴱᴱᵀ ᴬᴳᴬᴵᴺ ᴵᴺ ᵀᴴᴱ ᴺᴱˣᵀ ᵁᴾᴰᴬᵀᴱ 💕🎈