For A Moment

I stared forward, at a dark white tiled ceiling. With the fan just meters away form the dim light. These three are the only objects I could see, every morning when I wake up. After a few months, I got used to the boring sick atmosphere here. Perhaps, these three would be the last things I see. That made me remembered a tale, one that I heard years ago. It proclaims, when one dies, their soul would be taken to a place. A place where angels would decide which path the person would take. If that is true, I’ll be there in a short period of time. Unexpectedly, a frown settled on my face. My mouth let out a silent sigh. I shifted uncomfortably on the thin mattress. Among the wires and tubes all over my body, I was able to regain ease, as I watched her sleeping soundly on the rocking chair beside my bed. A smile managed to conquer my frown in the darkness. Even in the shadows, in my eyes, she is glowing with beauty.
“KyuHyun…” her alto voice called my name. I was a bit startled to hear it. Yet, by her soft tone and even breathing, she was still asleep. “Promise me, you’ll be there, on top of the hill.” Those words, stayed with me for the rest of the night. In the supple moonlight, her tears glister. I made that vow before I stayed here. Still I could not reply. I could not tell her, the truth that I have kept from her.

“SeoHyun-ah, I love you.”

Credits:

Kaoru, a Malaysian manga writer who originally drew the story and insprired me to write it.

Vanilla Sky's very own Han, who absolutrly done a wonderful job on the poster and background. Request from her any time soon at vanilla-sky-wb.blogspot.com

Chapter 1

For a Moment
Chapter One: For a Moment
“Please! Do whatever you can! Just… Just don’t let him…” A loud sobbed followed my mother’s familiar screams. I could only looked ahead. While my father’s caring words lingered in the room. They were outside my room, talking. I heard footsteps. It blended well with the sobs along with words by my parents, still the footsteps faded as seconds passed. It made me wondered where SeoHyun was. I heard her tiptoed out and quietly close the door. My mother’s sobbed eventually turned to a cry. I could not handle it no more. My hands started to tear the wires off my body and for the first time in months, I was sitting. Yet, what caused me to move was not my mother’s cry but my father’s. The man I looked up, I admired for all of these years, was crying. Maybe, this is the day I would arrive to that place, where all soul advances. Abruptly, I felt my chest pounded, it made my upper body to lean forward. It was like a direct punch from a very masculine man. And again and again, it knocked the air out of me, literally. I could not breathe and red liquid poured out of my mouth. Possibly it was my scream or my constant coughs, but my parents burst into the room, yelling my name as I lied down on the floor covered with my own blood. It still hurt. It still thumped. I could felt my tears running across my face. Shouting to them to let the pain go away. Footsteps, shrieks, screams and cries filled my ears. Yet, one voice stood out among the rest. Her voice was the only thing I could remember before I was gone.

“KyuHyun-ah!”

…

I recovered my awareness when I opened my eyes. My body actually flings ahead. Something I was not capable to do before. I breathed through my mouth as I tried to remember things. In time my breathing became better. My sight was only on the ground that I sitting on. The floor was strange, I finally realized. I pressed it with my palm and it was as soft as a mattress. Only it was not a mattress and I was not in a place where I am supposed to be. My vision darted around trying to absorb my surrounding. Every thing was so… Cloudy, literally. Where exactly am I?

“Welcome to Dimension of Miracles.” I looked up in disbelief to hear an appealing bass voice but only to see five men, they were all dressed in black suits. It was only a few minutes before I recognized I was gawking at them. Still, they do not seem to mind. Maybe they are used to people staring at them. Yet, they are so… beautiful. I do no care if I used that word to describe another man but they really are gorgeous. The one who I thought that spoke moved toward me. He had a masculine figure, more than the others behind him. It surprised me when he let out a hand. I took it and amazed at how soft but perfect his fingers were. His tallness made me astonished even more. I stared at his face. It was kind of symmetrical in shape.

“This place…?” I breathed out. Possibly I have arrived? Is this the ‘place’? Are they angels that determined whether I go to heaven or hell? Or worst, trapped on earth where I’ll be alone. One of them walked frontward until he stood beside me. If he were wearing a white dress, I would have believed he was a beautiful lady. His face was paler and smoother than mine but his cheeks were pale red. Yet, the muscular one was much taller than him. And he was not even smiling, like the others, I noticed.

“KyuHyun Cho, I’m being frank with you. You have little time left on Earth.” His soft tenor voice hang on his words were musical to my ears. An angel’s voice is truly saintly. Even though this one appeared cruel. However, his words did not give the impression to wound me. I have known that fact when I heard my father’s first weep years ago. Still, for their sake, I’ll just act daze and gave a depress smile. I was upset. Not because I was going to die but for broken a promise. I think even if I go to heaven or hell, I would not be able to forgive myself if I do not meet SeoHyun on that hill. She is my only loyal friend due to my health conditions and my family’s low rank in the social pyramid. I remembered she always fulfilled her promises and smiles a lot in front of me. And I gladly grinned back. Her beam was contagious but it was stunning. However, her parents restricted her from seeing me, maybe to keep her safe, away from my illness. She was their only child after all. Despite all of that, SeoHyun still faithfully stood by my side. Out of the blue, one of the angels jumped happily in front of me. He had a huge grin on his small but define face structure. In my life, I have not seen teeth like his before. The third angel is taller than the second but not as tall as the first. He had a tiny muscular body than the first one. What caught my eyes the most was the color of his hair. It was bright orange. I glanced at the others. They have dark black or brown hair. He held out his smooth pale palm in front of me. I gazed at it before placing my fingers on top.

“Come with us!” He sounded hyper but squeaky at the same time. There are such things such as a cute angel? I could only smiled but I know I failed in doing so because I was not concentrating. Memories of SeoHyun filled my head. Even though she was very busy with school, she would visit everyday. She still has hope for me. Much more than I could for myself. I know her life would be much easier for her if she just let me go, for her, as one of the school’s cheerleader, assistance of her school’s newsletter and a straight ‘A’ student. Like I said, she has hope, she prays for me. She even taught me during her visits. Lying to her parents to sleepover in a friend’s and took care for me. My parents enjoyed SeoHyun’s company. Mother said SeoHyun is such a pretty and active girl. The total opposite of me, dad stated. A small smile stayed on my face as I reminisced. Yet, the smile was gone because I remembered my broken promise.

“Okay, we’re here.” A new unique tenor voice melodically pulled me back to where I was. He was one of the angels earlier. And I take back my words, this angel is much more taller than the first one. There is something in him that made me sense he was close to my age but appeared more mature. He, unlike the second angel, had a pretty smile on. It made me cheered up, just for a second and then I was back to my gloomy mood. Nevertheless, what was ahead wondered me once again. It was a huge picture showing SeoHyun smiling in a white summer dress. Her jet-black hair gently swayed around her. The sun’s light made her glow. I remembered that day very well. It was her seventeenth birthday. She had runaway from her party for a while to see me on top of out hill. Her smile was more radiant than before that wonderful moment. I once again felt tears escaping from my eyes. The angels fell silent for a moment, watching me cry, before proceeding their individual tasks. The angel earlier cleared his throat, perhaps to get my attention. I turned to face him and nodded. “This mirror in front of you will show you important moments you have done in your life. And then we will see which path is suitable for you.” He smile beamed before leaving me standing and crying, staring at what was displayed on the mirror. I noted I paid more attention at scenes showing a smiling, crying, confuse SeoHyun, I laughed at some parts but my tears had no attention to stop. Therefore, I must have looked like an idiot. Still, like I care. There was something at the back of my mind, stating that SeoHyun must be standing on top of our hill. Maybe waiting for me, not believing what she had seen. She knows I have made a promise to see her there.

Yet, I just can’t…

“Congratulations, KyuHyun-shii.” My mind was interrupted again but this time by a deeper bass voice. It was much more captivating and uncommon. The last angel sat in front of me. I was still in the same room but I did not notice I was now sitting. I felt my cheeks burnt. How long has the last angel spoke? Or had he just started? He just smiled then and crossed his legs then placed a clipboard on his lap. This angel is different from the others. He had a tiny, not has masculine figure but more feminine, like the second angel. Nevertheless, this angel has a baby like features. His cheeks goes up and rested on his cheekbones then become round in shape when he smiles. “All five of us agreed, you have a pure and kind heart… And that is why we have chosen you to become ‘Cupid’.” He flashed another gorgeous smile but then it disappeared. It was a perfect poker face. “This is a very important position. You are responsible to ‘couple’ two humans with each other and bring happiness to others.” I only nodded, not sure what to say. A strange thing happened afterward, the angel frown. Is it even possible? The second angel did not frown, he was only had an emotionless expression. He said his next sentence in a clear but serious tone. “Your memories on Earth will vanish. And you have to stay here with us forever.” It took minutes to process his words, his tone, his facial expressions and his glittering sad eyes. Do I even have a choice? I do not even need to answer that. It was all so obvious. Except, I cannot leave without saying goodbye. I cannot just go without completing my promise to her. I closed my eyes for a moment. I need to think this clearly, all of it. If I lose my memories, she would be gone too. I do not care if they call me a crybaby. I could not stop myself. Forget all about SeoHyun? Somehow this new pain was sharper and harder than the blow earlier when I was still living. Then again, do I even have another option? “KyuHyun-shii?”

His mesmerizing voice stopped my train of thoughts and I opened my eyes. The five angels stood before me. All of them were smiling encouragingly, except one. I sighed and came to a decision. “Can I have one request?” I inquired. Silence without warning came. The smiles also vanished. Nonetheless, the second angel scowled. My decision is quite… Strange, it seemed almost impossible, now that I am here. Yet, deep in my heart, I want them to complete my demand. This may be the only way to make me feel less guilty.

“Fine.” The first angel spoke.

…

I ran as fast I could but after years without sport activities resulted me to slow down more often to catch my breath. At least, I’ve arrived. I do not care what the first angel had said, ‘you must remember though, your request will hurt her. More than your death.’ I do not understand but all I care was my promise. ‘She doesn’t know.’ The second angel countered. I turned my back away from them and dashed.

“KyuHyun?” Her voice sounded husky after maybe hours of crying and of course her eyes were puffy and red as she stared at me. Tears marked her face all the way down. “You’re…” She choked out her words. Then her face beamed. “KyuHyun.” Her voice sounded more fluent this time. Without much warning, she rushed to me. This made me backed away but her speed was no match for me. SeoHyun fell to the ground then. She went straight through me.

“SeoHyun-ah,” I whispered with her behind me, still on the grass. My eyes were only able to stare at the familiar green. “I’m… No longer a… Human.” I explained. The words tasted bitter in my mouth. Yet, I do not want to scare her. Gradually, I turned and saw her still where she was a few seconds earlier. And sat beside her, trying not to touch her. It may hurt her again. “I’m only a spirit. And…” I hesitated, “this…” I just spitted out the last few words; it really tasted bitter, “this would be our last encounter.” Perhaps it was my words, or maybe my tone. SeoHyun, at first froze upon hearing my words. On the ground she stayed still, which was bad for me.

I was running out of time.

I have to do something. A thought crossed my mind. It was risky though. Still, I was dead; I could take risks. Slowly, as if I did not want to wake her, I shifted quietly in front of her. Once there, I could see she buried her face between her pale arms. I wanted so much to stroke her fair skin, like I always do when she was scared. Then on impulse, I did. Her eyes, as if she could feel my touch, rose up to meet mine. It was crystal clear, dark shining brown. As usual, I could see sparks in them. I felt warm, protected and loved. I returned those feelings through a smile. Hoping, she would know I mean no harm. Eventually, I leaned down, slowly, not wanting to frighten her. And softly planted a kiss on her forehead. As I retreat, her tears formed again, flowing mush more swiftly than before.

“KyuHyun oppa,” her voice cracked, trembling. Without warning, her eyes widen; fear engulfed them. I tilted my head to one side in wonder. It was then I realized my hand was fading. Time, time was almost up. “Don’t go!” SeoHyun tried grasping me, even though it was futile attempt.

“SeoHyun, I---” I said something but I, myself, cannot hear it. I could feel my eyes moisten. I said it again and again but SeoHyun cried, begging me not to leave again. I cried as well in the end. I really want her to know. Lastly, after multiple fail attempts to hold her, I formed a heart with my hands and blew her a kiss. Tears were not helping my so-called ‘manly’ way of saying goodbye. My vision was suddenly backed with the angels. I blinked many times, wondering if it was a dream. Then I heard a cry, so powerful that it pierced into my heart and scattered it. I looked up at the screen and there she was on the hill.

“I love you too.” SeoHyun cried in a high pitch tone and sobs in her hands.