2.5 F x Story

Chapter II.V: F x Story

PS: Read Chapters 1 and 2 first before reading this. Thank you :)

A baby was born. To some, it was just an ordinary day but, for the people who witnessed the event, it was something greater.

"Here she comes."

"Come on little one, you can do it."

After a couple of years, she finally grew up to be a healthy child. She learned how to walk and she learned how to speak.

"Mama…, Papa…"

"She said it! Look, honey, she said it."

Tears fell from the woman's eyes. Her tears resembled that of joy and happiness. Her expression was that of someone who looked tired but, somewhat euphoric at the same time. It was as if all her efforts were being rewarded at that moment.

Another couple of years passed and the baby soon grew into a child who was able to walk properly and speak fluently. She was ready to go to school and meet children her age.

"Honey look, she looks beautiful."

"Yeah, she sure does. She looks exactly like you."

"Mama, Papa…"

A couple more years passed and she grew up having to learn more about this world.

Her family stayed supportive of her. She grew up a good and kind person until one fateful day.

"Honey, what should I wear?"

"Hmmm, that looks beautiful on you. What do you think of what your mother wants to wear, Rea?"

"That looks great on her! Use that tomorrow, mama!"

"Okay, I guess I'll go with this since both of you want me to wear it."

The family was going on a trip to a sister island. The island had a lot of beautiful resorts and a lot of beautiful malls. It was a small tourist island next to theirs. Their island and the island that they were going on was connected by a very large bridge.

The bridge was so huge that it was considered to be a vital road that connects the two sister islands. The locals reside on their island while most of the visitors stay on the other. The bridge was several miles in length. It was also considered the 2nd longest bridge in the world.

"Kuki, we are going to the other island I can't wait!"

'Rea, don't stray away from your family, okay. Make sure you always keep an eye on them."

"You worry too much, Kuki."

"I'm just worrying for you, I want to be happy there but also behave well so you will be safe."

"I told you, don't worry."

"Okay, I'll trust you with that."

"You better will. Ahahah."

"It's getting late, you better sleep so they won't leave you behind. Ahahah."

"Don't worry, I know they will wake me up. Ahahaha."

"Oh, don't forget to buy me some snacks, okay! Goodnight and take care tomorrow!"

"Geez, Ahahah, okay, I'll tell mother to buy you some snacks too. Goodnight, Kuki."

They both hang up on their phones.

Kuki went back to watching the night sky and Rea slept so she could prepare for tomorrow's journey."It really is a beautiful night. I hope Rea and her family stay safe tomorrow."

Kuki, Rea's cousin, had always been a cheerful girl. She was first introduced to Rea when they were still in their first grade. Back then, they didn't talk much but, because Kuki was a very positive girl, she persevered in approaching her and so Rea soon opened up to her easily and they became the best of friends.

"Rea, wake up. We are going now."

Her mother called her out. Rea then woke up and was feeling very excited and happy.

"Yey, today's the day!"

"Let's all have fun!!!!"

"Your father seems to be too energetic. Ahahah"

"Well, I'm going out with my beloved wife and daughter, of course, I would feel energetic!"

"Ahahahah."

"Ahahah."

The family was excited to go to the island. They finally finished preparing that morning so they went to the island. Their family owned a normal average car which they will use to travel to that island. They just bought the car last year that's why it was also their first time using it to travel a long distance.

"Ow, mom, can we get some souvenirs and some food for Kuki?"

"Of course, what does she want?"

"Well, I didn't ask so I'll go and ask her."

They were on their way to the other island.

"Kuki, what do you want?"

"Ow, did I not tell you yesterday? Are you on your way there? Take care!"

"You really talk too much. Ahahahah. Well, what do you want us to get for you?"

"Uhm, let me think… I want some cookies and some sweets that are only imported there."

"Okay, we'll get you some of those."

"Yey, I can't wait to talk to you about it once you come back. Once again, take care!"

"Yeah, thank you, Kuki. Don't worry, I'll make sure to come back."

After a couple of hours of driving, they finally reached their destination.

"Finally, we are here!"

"Let's go check in a hotel first."

They quickly went into a hotel. It was Rea's first time in a hotel and she felt overly excited. The ceiling was filled with big chandeliers, the walls are all covered with gorgeous and expensive paintings, vases and pottery displayed all around the area.

"So this is a hotel, it looks so gorgeous!!!"

"This is not just a hotel, this is the most famous hotel around here."

All she could feel was being amazed and overwhelmed by what she saw. Just being a 12-year-old child with not much outside experience, it was a very grand sight to be exposed to such a place.

"Uhm, we got a reservation here, last month."

"Ow okay, we found it."

"Well, I will guide you to your room. Follow me, madam and sir."

They finally settled in their room. They left their luggage in the hotel and they went to explore the town.

"Wow, mama, look! They have all kinds of jewelry in this shop. And this shop has so many very expensive clothes. This shop also has…"

"Ahahah."

Both her parents smiled at her. Seeing how happy she was, there was nothing that could ever replace that joy on her face.

The family enjoyed their stay for a couple of days.

They went to various stores to buy things. They went to different restaurants to try out different food. They also went to the resort near the beachside to relax and just enjoy their vacation as a family.

"Honey, we should do this often. Just look at her face, there's nothing that can replace that smile of her."

"Yeah, I'll make sure to get time off from work from time to time so we could have more vacations like this."

They were both lying on a chair on the beach while Rea was playing in the sand. The sun was about to set. This was the last sunset they will see before they leave the place.

The family enjoyed their last night barbequing on the beach.

The next day came, the day when they are about to come back home.

"Good morning."

"Good morning."

"Wait, where is Rea?!"

"Isn't she supposed to be with us? We even slept with her by our side, where is she?"

Her parents didn't know where Rea is so they asked the hotel's employees and staff where she could be. There were much police outside so they decided to ask for help from them.

"Could you please find my daughter?! She is missing! She was just with us yesterday!"

"Uhm, ma'am, when did your daughter get lost? Yesterday? A night?"

"Yes!"

"Uhm, yesterday, there was a robber who got into the hotel last night. He was a skilled robber and even killed the guards that were guarding the hotel."

"Don't tell me!!! She got kidnapped!?"

"We are just saying some possibilities but probably, yes. The hotel didn't sound in his appearance because they didn't want you all to panic. The robber escaped from the employee's back door. The employees that were threatened said that he had a lot of companions waiting for him outside, they had a car and the robber was carrying an unconscious child."

"I want you guys to find my daughter, FAST! I will pay you how much you want!"

Her parents were in a panic. They didn't realize that the happy vacation turned into their nightmare."Ah yes, don't worry ma'am and sir. We have already sent out teams to investigate the case of this incident. We will also send a follow-up team to investigate further your daughter's disappearance."And then it finally hit her. She remembered something last night.

"Mom, I want to go to the bathroom."

"Okay, it's just close to our room so I don't need to go with you. Make sure to come back quickly and get your sleep, okay."

It was past midnight that time and they all felt sleepy.

She was thinking if only I did that and did that she could have saved her.

You can't turn back the past, the only thing she knew that they could do was to learn to not make the same mistake in the future.

Rea's parents put their trust in the police force to find her.

A couple of minutes later, Rea woke up.

"Whe, where am I."

Her head hurts a lot. It was like she got drugged and forced to be unconscious. She was tied into a chair and couldn't move.

"What! Wha, why am I tied! Help! Help me! Please!!!!"

"Ow, so you finally woke up."

"What are you going to do with me?"

"Isn't it obvious? We are going to sell you out, with a bucket load of money that is! AHAHAHAHAH!"

"No, I don't want toooo!!"

"Shut up little girl! If you don't want to DIE, behave and shut up!!"

He pulled out a gun and pointed it at the girl. She cried and nodded as if she had no other choice but to do so.

The robbers went to grab her jacket and luckily had her phone in there. They saw her parent's numbers and they realized that it would be easier to contact them using that instead of going out again to the hotel to deliver a message.

The robbers called her mother's phone.

"Hello, who is this?!"

"We got your daughter if you don't want her to die, give us some money, half a million. We will be waiting near the abandoned warehouse near port sundae, before sundown."

"Wait, you're on the other island!!?? I, I will give you the money just don't hurt her!"

"Quiet! Tell the police and we will surely kill her!"

"I won't, I promise!"

Of course who in the right mind would not tell the police? She told the police what they had talked about and the police pinpointed the phone's location through GPS and they finally found where the robbers were staying.

The police force instantly executed their plan and the family continued to talk to them on the phone to secure a connection with the robbers.

Both Rea's parent's instantly hurried back to the island. Both were so worried about Rea that while they were driving, they met an accident. The car crashed into another car. Both her parents were critically injured and have a very low chance of survival. Her father was rushed to the hospital but died even before getting delivered to the hospital. Her mother, on the other hand, survived but, got into a deep coma with no chance of waking up.

The police then executed their plan accurately and they got a hold of Rea. They captured the robbers but, had to tell Rea what happened.

Rea heard everything, every detail of what was happening and every feeling that her parents felt while she was gone.

She cried.

For a 12-year-old kid to feel such a strong feeling of pain. It was unbearable and unimaginable.

Even though she understood the reality of what happened, accepting it was the hardest. The pain of losing someone dear to your heart is immeasurable.

The family was supposed to head back home that day to celebrate Rea's birthday with her cousin but since a tragic event happened to their family, it didn't happen.

She went back home to their island, and Kuki's family escorted her to move into their place for the time being.

"Rea! I'm so sorry!!!!"

She got reunited with Kuki. Kuki hugged her so tight that day. Both the two girls cried and they didn't stop until they've both cried enough.

"It was supposed to be my birthday. We were supposed to celebrate my 13th birthday. I was supposed to celebrate it with my mom and dad."

Rea couldn't believe everything that had happened. She wished on her birthday that it was all a bad dream and that what happened was just a nightmare. She tried so hard to wish for it but, dreams are often vague and unreal.

What happened was quite unreal but, it was real. Even though it was not clear to her why it happened, it was the truth that her father died and her mother has a coma.

She finally settled to stay with Kuki's family, her beloved cousin whom she treats as her sister.

31st of December, the day of the funeral.

She didn't feel anything at all.

She knew that she was sad but, her emotions just doesn't want to come out. It was the feeling of negligence. Negligence of the mind towards reality.

Her father died and her mother is stuck in a coma in just a blink of an eye. What more could she do rather than lose her reasons to live.

Kuki tried to do her best to comfort her the whole time. When it was the time for the last goodbyes before her father will be lowered into his grave, Kuki asked Rea to send her wishes to her father and finally say her last words before saying goodbye.

Rea went to the coffin. She looked into her father's closed shut eyes. She felt scared and restless. It's as if she was scared of his father's look but, she was scared of losing someone dear to her.

"Pleee, Please don't go…"

She said with a faint sound.

"Pleee, please….Please don't go…"

She said it again but, a little stronger.

"Please don't go…"

She said it louder.

"Please don't go…"

And louder.

"Please! Don't go!"

She screamed her lungs out repeating the same words as she hugged the coffin.

She cried and cried and cried and cried knowing that there was no turning back.

There are so many things that she wanted to do with her family. So many things and yet all of those ideas will just fade away because of something that didn't go to plan.

Kuki went to her and pulled her away from the coffin.

"No! Don't take me away from here!"

"You need to, your father will soon be buried."

Kuki, while crying, grabbed her hand and pulled her. Rea resisted so she was forced to drag her."NO! NoO!! Noooo! NOO!"

"You need to let go! He is going to be buried!"

The people who were assigned to carry the coffin took it away and lowered it down his grave."NO…"

"It's okay, Rea, it's going to be okay…"

Kuki looked into her smiling while crying at the same time. She hugged her tight so she wouldn't get away and go to the coffin.

"I don't want him to go!!!"

Rea cried while saying those words repeatedly. She finally realized everything that had happened. It was a shock at first as she felt numbed but, when the time came that her father was going to actually leave her side, it all came pouring down.

Her tears didn't wash away, it just kept on pouring like there was no end. Kuki really wants her to stop crying but she also couldn't stop crying.

"Listen to me, Rea. Your father was the best man you could ever have in your life. He loved you and did everything for you and your mother. He might not be the perfect one you have but, I'm sure that he is happy right now knowing that you care for him that much. He would be happier if you could move on from what happened because he knows that he is just being a burden if you will continue grieving on him."

Rea, listening to what Kuki said, finally stopped crying, not totally but, slowly. She quickly understood what Kuki said.

The day of the funeral ended and slowly, things went back to normal.

Rea celebrated her new year with Kuki's family while she visited her mother almost every day.

What happened greatly impacted her life and on how she looks at the world.

She then entered Junior High School carrying the weight of her past.

"Uhm, so, we got a new transfer student here. Her name is Reinea Rea."

"Hello, nice to meet you all." She said with a low-toned voice, like a whisper that almost couldn't be heard.

"Nice to meet you!" the whole class responded.

She was a transfer student from a different school. She had to transfer to her junior high school because she wanted to have a nice change of pace.

At first, she didn't fit in, as expected of someone new to a group.

People often form groups in a certain societal structure of a school. It is normal to associate only with the ones you often talk and hang with. Being someone who didn't come naturally from the school means that she is not part of something that had been on for a while. Even though groups are being formed, the school as a whole is still being treated as one when taking into account a new member.

That's why the only way for her to make friends was to either have an open hand to anything or be the one to approach and indirectly be asked to join the group.

She gave up making friends and just focused on studying. Until one day, she met someone in the library while she was getting some books to review for the exam.

"Hey, are you the new transfer student?"

"Uhm, yes. Well not new anymore, it's been months though."

"Ahahah, well I guess you're right. I didn't think that you were this easy to talk to."

"Well at first, nobody actually talked to me, I tried to push into some but, eventually I just gave up. I stopped focusing on making friends and instead I just study and have fun by myself. People took my current actions as my persona thus, forming a barrier between me and other parties."

"I didn't know that that was the case, well I guess we can start by being friends…"

"…"

"Is that a yes?"

"Suit yourself, I don't plan to go along but I'll stick around. You can talk to me if you like, I don't mind."

The two became the best of friends. It was like a paradise for Rea. The time she spent with her was full of bliss. She learned a lot from her and she started moving on slowly after her father's death.

"So you visit your mom, every day?"

"Yes."

"I'm so sorry, I just knew! If only I'd known it for a longer time I could have comforted you sooner."

"It is okay, this is the first time I've brought out the topic anyway."

Her friend hugged her. Tightly as possible. Rea felt her warmth. A warmth that she wanted to keep close to her at all times, and warmth that she wanted to treasure her whole life. She considered her best friend as her light from this dark world.

Until one day, a tragic accident happened.

It was supposed to be a day full of happy memories, joyful goodbyes, and bright smiles as they shed tears of joy from their faces but, again, it happened.

May 10, the date of their graduation.

A girl died from a heart malfunction. This girl had heart disease when she was still young. Her family tried to suppress her sickness by giving her different kinds of medicine for treatment but, no matter how much they tried, all they could do was slow down the process. She needed heart surgery to save her.

Weeks before the graduation date, her doctors found a serious problem in her heart that requires surgery as soon as possible. She was supposed to attend first the graduation before the surgery but, her body couldn't bear it.

They did the surgery as soon as possible but sadly, doctors aren't omnipotent.

The school then got news about what happened while in the middle of the graduation ceremony.

While the graduation ceremony was being held, Rea couldn't keep her calm. She looked everywhere from side to side but, she couldn't find her best friend.

The Graduation ended and a couple of remarks after the graduation they announced what happened to one of the students.

Rea fell into tears as she remembered all the time that she spent with her.

"What's with that inhaler? Do you have asthma?" Rea asked.

"Ow, this? Yeah, my throat hurts sometimes. Hehehe"

It was an inhaler that was filled with her medicine to soothe the pain.

"I'm going to the bathroom! I feel like I want to puke. Hehehe"

"Should I go with you? Are you sure you're okay?" Rea responded.

"It's okay, you should finish what you are doing, and I can handle it myself."

She was going to the bathroom because her chest hurts so much that it shows so much of an expression on her face. She didn't want Rea to see her like that.

"Rea, are you happy that you met me?"

"Wha… What are you talking about, of course, I am!"

"Hehehe. I am glad."

She smiled like she was the happiest girl in the world while seeing Rea blush.

All of these, Rea remembered clearly. She already had a suspicion that her best friend was hiding something from her but, she trusted her and didn't want to push her too much. She was concerned about her best friend. She wanted her to be happy always from her company but she didn't realize that her best friend was the one who cared the most about them both.

She noticed Rea way back then but, she didn't know how to approach her. She felt something similar to Rea. After contemplating so much, she mustered up the courage to talk to her and she finally did. After getting close to Rea, she finally understood her and wanted her to be happy. She even got to know what happened to Rea's parents which fueled her to try her best to cheer her up.

This girl was filled with a pure heart. She was a girl who couldn't bear to see someone in pain but rather, dared to share that pain and eventually take it.

She also had almost the same case with Rea. Her father died when she was little but, instead of her mother being the one who was sick, it was her who had to be treated for such a deadly disease.

That last school year from junior high was indeed memorable. It was etched into Rea's mind but even so, she didn't waste her best friend's time in her life. She continued living her life and stayed firm.

The summer ended and Rea was about to go to a higher high school year. She enrolled at Se't Creads University, the university where Kuki is studying.

"Kuki, I want to move away from home. Can I ask for permission from your mom?"

"Why did you suddenly think of that?"

"I just wanted to grow up independently. Of course, I'll be getting a part-time job to pay for my rental fee so I won't trouble aunt."

"Hmmm, you really are growing up fast. If that is what you want, I won't stop you. I'll just tell my mother later so she won't be shocked to not see you at home for a while. Hehehe."

"Thank you."

Kuki hugged her.

"You've been through a lot. It's all going to be okay."

"Yes."

Both of them smiled at each other.

"I'll be visiting you a lot, okay! I'll still be your sister even if you're gone, okay?"

"Of course, you will always stay as my beloved sister."

Rea started living in an apartment near their school.

She learned how to live alone. Her environment in the apartment and school was a great challenge that she needed to adapt to but, she managed.

Dec. 23. That same year.

She did her normal routine of going to visit her mother. She came to the hospital with a big smile on her face.

She got inside her mother's room and held her hand.

"I hope you wake up soon… there are so many things that I wanted to tell you. So much! The people I've met, the people who helped me to get through all these years, and the people who are with me right now. She gently held her mother's hand. She rubbed it, pulled it close to her face, and looked at her mother's face.

She smiled while crying at the same time.

This time, it was tears of joy.

She laid her head down for a while and continued talking to her mother. Until she saw something. She saw that her mother's heart rate monitor suddenly went out in a flat tone.

She looked again as if it was not true. She paused for a moment and finally realized that it was really giving out a single tone. She quickly ran and called out to the nurses, doctors, and anyone who could be of help.

Her own heart rate was rising rapidly. Her mind was filled with vivid but messed-up thoughts.

The doctors gathered around her mother and after a few minutes of trying to revive her, it was finally over.

Her mother was declared dead.

She froze after hearing that her mother couldn't be revived. She went up to them and grabbed the defibrillator. The doctors stopped her from even trying. She insisted and finally, stopped.

She fell down from her knees. It was like everything that she had was lost right in front of her eyes. Her eyes looked like the eyes of a mindless person. Knowing nothing and having nothing.

She realized that everything that she had was gone and that she couldn't keep up with this world.

No matter how much she tried to uphold her best friend's wish, Kuki's concern, and Ryu's genuine responses, she knew that she couldn't take it any longer.

The pain that she felt back then was like a lightning bolt flowing into her whole body. All she could think of at that moment was cursing the world for giving her such a life.

She runs away from the hospital and went to the bridge where all of her pain started.

She arrived at the bridge and looked up.

"What the hell did I do to deserve all of these?!"

She couldn't understand why she was going through all of those things.

"I don't understand! Please tell me why!"

There was no one to explain to her the harsh reality that she had been living. Even experience was not enough to help her conquer it. Not everybody is the same and not everybody will experience the same experience. The only thing she knew at that moment was that her life was a big mistake and that the whole world deserves to be cursed!

What she was going through was unbearable. Even if someone were to talk to her at that point, it would seem useless. No matter how much she tried to see the goodness in her life, all she could see are the tragic ones.

Negativity will always find its way into a person. Nothing is stronger than accumulated hardships. Good times will last for a moment but, bad times will always linger for a lifetime.

She was then filled with nothingness. A shallow shell of pure madness.

Ryu finally found her and arrived at the bridge. He looked like he just run a marathon and was really exhausted.

Ryu looked at Rea and said words that he put his trust into.

Rea didn't bother minding at first but, something was itching her to respond to him. The feeling of a small hope of happiness and good memory.

They exchanged words, one after the other.

The guy was trying his best to convince and sincerely help her while the other was trying her best to get away from everything.

The girl wanted to escape from reality while he wanted to keep her inside.

The guy wanted to give her meaning while she was left with nothing.

Both wanted the other to submit and both reciprocated their feelings.

Both loved the other and both were being true to themselves.

How stupid can this world be? Even though they had different experiences with how this world works, both of them knew how flawed this system is.

They finally stopped.

The other was left while the other escaped.

The other was in pain while the other was relieved.

The guy was alive and the girl died.

Humans really can't come to a single understanding. Even facts have their limits. When it comes down to having two different views, not everybody will stay on one side. Even if the odds are against the other, choosing the latter is still being considered by our conscience.

Born: Dec. 23, 20XX Died: Dec. 23, 20XX

Name: Reinea Rea

Your loving Family will always be with you wherever you go.