DAY 67
The silence between the three friends was palpable as they sat in the cafeteria.
"Enough is enough," Kenji said, breaking the silence. "It's been a month since they died. How long will we just sit here doing nothing? We need to catch the person responsible."
"I agree," Jame said. "The letter said God told them to sacrifice themselves, but that's not true. God loves his servants; he wouldn't ask them to die."
"Someone made them do it," Kenji said, his eyes narrowing. "I want to know who."
Julie smiled. "You're right, Kenji. We'll find out who did this."
Kenji sat in his class and suddenly fell asleep. In his dream, he smiled, but then his expression changed, and he began to cry. Tears fell from his closed eyes.
Kenji woke up with a start, screaming loudly.
"Kenji, what happened?" Jame asked, concern etched on his face. "Why did you scream? Is everything okay?"
"I'll tell you later," Kenji replied.
After their English class, Kenji met up with Julie and Jame at the college cafe area. Kenji ordered two sandwiches and a lemon juice, then joined his friends.
Kenji took a small bite of his sandwich and sipped his juice. Then he ate one whole sandwich and took a sip of his juice. After that, he shared his second sandwich with Jame and Julie, giving them each half.
After lunch, Jame asked Kenji, "What happened earlier? You screamed, and we were worried. Tell us what happened."
I didn't know what was happening to me. Maybe it was just a dream, but it felt so real. I was in a deep sleep, and suddenly I opened my eyes, and I was in a garden. I didn't understand how I got there. I was supposed to be in college, but this place was peaceful. I fell asleep again in the garden.
When I woke up, I found myself in an old mansion, and my mom was there. I tried to go to her, but someone cut her throat with a sword. I was shocked, and tears started falling from my eyes. I didn't understand why this was happening. Why did they kill my mom?
I tried to go to my mom's side, but someone attacked me from behind with an arrow. I felt pain and screamed loudly. Then I realized it was just a dream. But if it was just a dream, why did my leg hurt? Why did I feel pain in reality?
Kenji was deeply disturbed. Julie tried to comfort him.
"Kenji, I don't know why you're feeling pain, but don't lose hope. We'll figure it out. Let's go see a doctor, maybe they can help," Julie said.
"Julie is right. Let's go to the doctor's office together. You go home, Julie," Jame said.
"Okay, let's go," Kenji replied.
As they were about to leave, they saw a girl approaching them.
"Who is this girl?" Kenji asked.
"That's Shifa, our senior. She's coming towards us," Jame said.
Shifa: Hi, I'm Shifa. How are you doing? I heard you screamed loudly in class today.
Kenji: I'm fine now. You just came to ask about my well-being or is there something else you want to talk about?
Shifa: Yes, there's something else.
Kenji: Love later for me?
Shifa: Yes, love later for you. I know you haven't considered anyone yet, but I'm asking you to think about it. Don't give me an answer now. Think carefully and give me your answer tomorrow. If possible, say yes. I'll make you happy and be with you always.
Kenji was speechless.
Julie: Kenji, what happened? Say something. The girl is beautiful, and she's making an effort to talk to you. She likes you.
Kenji: Julie, if nothing's happening to you, why should I get caught up in this love thing? And how can I believe she loves me and will never cheat on me? What she said, how can I trust her? And what's this "love later" she's talking about? I'll just read it and refuse her tomorrow.
Jame: Come on, if this girl is telling the truth, and she really loves you, and wants to be with you, and take care of you through all the tough times, will you still reject her?
Kenji: If she's really like that, if she truly loves me, wants to be with me, and take care of me, then I won't reject her. I'll accept her, take care of her, love her, and be with her always.
Jame: Then why don't you give her a chance? Maybe she's the one you think she is. Who knows, you might fall in love with Shifa. You know, when I'm out with Zara, I think about you and wish you had a girlfriend too. We could hang out together with our girlfriends.
Kenji: Alright, I'll read the letter and give her an answer tomorrow. I need some time to think, man.
Julie: It seems like you're done. Now let's go. It's getting late, Kenji. You need to see a doctor, and I need to get home.
Kenji screamed loudly again, and everyone heard him. "The pain, the pain, why is this happening to me?"
Jame: Kenji, hold on. You'll get better soon. We're going to the doctor's office now. Come on.
After seeing the doctor, Kenji went home. But the doctor couldn't understand why Kenji was feeling pain, as his leg was perfectly fine.
On the way home, Kenji asked Jame, "Now that the doctor said my leg is fine, why am I still feeling this pain?"
Jame remained silent, having no answer for Kenji.
Kenji went home and lay down in his room without eating dinner. He was worried about his leg and the pain he was feeling. Kenji didn't read the letter Shifa gave him and fell asleep.
Late at night, Kenji woke up and got out of bed. He left his house and walked onto the streets. He went to the place where he usually met Aria, but Aria wasn't there. The place was empty.
Kenji got juice from a vending machine and turned around. That's when he saw Aria sitting there. Kenji was shocked for a moment, then asked Aria, "Why are you here? You weren't here a minute ago."
Aria replied, "I just got here. I'm sorry I'm late."
Meanwhile, Shifa was making dinner at her place. She cooked rice and meat for herself since she lived alone.
As she was about to eat, someone rang the doorbell. Shifa opened the door and saw Zara, Jame's girlfriend, standing there. Shifa was taken aback, wondering what Zara was doing at her place.
Shifa: You're Zara, right? Kenji's friend's girlfriend. What brings you here?
Zara: Can I have some water? I'm really thirsty.
Shifa: Of course, come in. I'll get you some water.
Zara followed Shifa to the kitchen and picked up a knife, hiding it behind her back. Shifa asked, "What are you doing here? I was just getting water." But Zara ignored Shifa's question and attacked her with the knife. Shifa fought back, and Zara stabbed her. Shifa screamed loudly and pushed Zara away, rushing out of the house with her injured hand.
Zara followed Shifa out of the house, chasing after her. Shifa was running in fear, and Zara was right behind her. After a short chase, Zara caught up to Shifa and pushed her to the ground.
Zara was about to attack Shifa again, but some people intervened and restrained Zara, helping Shifa up. Shifa told them what had happened, and soon the police arrived, arresting Zara for attacking Shifa.
However, as the police were taking Zara away, she stabbed herself in the leg and started screaming in pain. "What am I doing here? I was sleeping in my room at home. Who did this to me?" she exclaimed.
When the police told Zara what she had done, she was shocked and remained silent. The police took her away, and Shifa received treatment for her injured hand before returning home.
Meanwhile, Kenji told Aria about his dream and the pain he was feeling. Aria was also confused and didn't understand what was happening.
Kenji: Aria, are you a student at our college?
Aria: Yes, I'll be coming to college tomorrow. When does the survival test start?
Kenji: The survival test will be next week.
Aria: Okay, that's good to know. I'll see you tomorrow at college then.
Kenji: Okay, bye.
Aria: Kenji, can I ask you something?
Kenji: Of course, go ahead.
Aria: You're a really nice person. Whoever becomes your girlfriend will be very lucky. Tell me, if someone hurt your girlfriend, what would you do to them?
Kenji: I would beat them up.
Aria: What if someone attacked your girlfriend, but she managed to escape with injuries? Would you still beat them up?
Kenji: No, I would just injure them.
Aria: It seems like you really care about your girlfriend.
Kenji: I don't have a girlfriend right now, but if I did, I would protect her.
Aria: Goodnight, and I hope you sleep well tonight.
To Be continued…