Chapter 11 That Day

Chapter 11 That Day

June 4, 2012 (New Present)

  The Guard walked alongside me to the hallway. "So how's your first day kiddo?" The Guard asked warmly. "It's… it's fun!!" I happily answered. The Guard chuckled. "Hahaha, surely you do. It's great then." 

…

After a few minutes of walking, we finally arrived at the principal's office. As we approached the door, I felt a sense of relief wash over me, thanks to the brief but reassuring conversation I had with the guard. He was the first person I had met who was genuinely kind to me.

  The guard knocked thrice on the door before opening it, revealing a spacious room filled with bookshelves and a grand mahogany desk with papers piled high on top. A large French window provided a picturesque view of the surrounding area, lending the room a timeless, almost medieval charm.

  "Hmm~ It appears your grandmother is out at the moment," the guard observed as he surveyed the room. He then turned his attention to me and asked in a warm and friendly tone, "Are you a good boy?"

  The question caught me off guard, considering I was well into my thirties, but I nodded silently in response. The guard smiled and lifted me up by my armpits, settling me onto a plush couch that faced my grandmother's desk.

  "As you can see, your grandmother isn't here right now, but she asked me to bring you here because she has something important to tell you," the guard explained. "So, Justin, can you promise me that you'll wait for your grandmother to return and not go wandering off?"

  I nodded eagerly in response, and the guard patted my head affectionately. "That's good to hear," he said, smiling. "Your grandmother won't be too long, so just sit tight and wait for her, okay?"

  Before he left, I stopped him suddenly, reaching out for him with a sense of urgency. "Wait!" I called out, causing the guard to turn around with a look of surprise and confusion.

  "What is it?" he asked, perplexed.

  "Um, nothing," I stammered. "I just wanted to say thank you for everything."

  The guard's expression softened as he realized the depth of my gratitude. It was a feeling that had been with me for years, and I finally had the chance to express it.

The Guard held the visor of his security guard cap and said, "It's a small thing, kiddo. I'm just doing my job. But, you're always welcome." His words made me feel a warmth in my heart. I couldn't help but smile gratefully at him.

  "Thank you," I replied softly. "I appreciate it."

  The Guard nodded and carefully closed the door behind him, leaving me alone in my grandmother's office. I couldn't help but wonder why she had summoned me here. As I looked around the room, I realized that it hadn't changed at all over the years. It was still as classy and elegant as I remembered, just like our school.

  I decided to pass the time by browsing through the shelves of books that lined the walls. There were so many interesting titles to choose from, and I found myself lost in the pages of one particularly captivating novel.

  Hours passed, and the bell signaling the end of classes rang, and the students started to head home. I walked over to the French window and looked out, watching the streams of students leaving their classrooms and heading to their dorms. Our university was built in the shape of a "U", with my grandmother's office located in the middle of the bottom part of the "U" - a massive clock tower.

As I was engrossed in my book, the silence was suddenly broken by the sound of the doorknob twisting. With a jolt, I sat upright, trying to make myself presentable. I was hoping it was my Grandma, but instead, a lady in an office suit stepped inside. She looked surprised to see me there, and I quickly introduced myself as the principal's grandson.

  Her expression softened a little, but then she delivered the news that shattered my hopes. "I saw your Grandma earlier leaving the campus with her car," she said.

"What?" I exclaimed, my heart sinking as I realized that I had been waiting for nothing.

  The secretary checked her watch and told me it had only been a few minutes since my Grandma left. I couldn't believe it; I had been waiting for what felt like hours. The secretary suggested that I head home and promised to inform my Grandma about my visit once she returned.

  Feeling a sense of disappointment, I decided to leave. I bid farewell to the secretary, who kindly offered her assistance, and headed out of the school building. As I walked away, I glanced back at the clock tower, which was now towering above me. The sun was beginning to set, casting a warm glow over the campus as students filtered out of the school grounds. I couldn't help but feel a little dejected at the missed opportunity to see my Grandma, but I knew that I would have to wait for another chance to speak with her.

While walking my way home, I couldn't help but to reminisce about what happened on this very long day. In an instant, I experienced many things I wanted in my life, like treating just right by everyone. I've been longing for that treatment for many years, and now, I don't care anymore whether all of this is just a dream because, after all, this is my dream. 

I'm walking alongside the quiet road while the cherry blossoms are falling and breathing the warm and cold air of the spring. It's just peaceful. Everything feels so light and calm. This is the peace I'm looking for. I will never forget this day-

One cherry blossom petal fell in my hand.

"No…" The feeling of peace and calm vanished instantly after I remembered something. This day… there's no way, right??!! The exact day today is June 4, 2012. The day that my mom took her own life. 

I sped up the pace of walking, and it did not take so long when I decided to sprint to our home. While running, I tried to convince myself numerous times that It's different now, but it's useless. 

I finally reached the gate of our home. Our house is enormous. It's like a mansion or palace. But only 3 people live on it. Our house had split into half. One is where we live, and the second is on the way to the main grand banquet hall. Because it's split, we have 2 main doors. 

I opened the door, and to my surprise, it was unlocked, but I didn't have any time to think about it. I quickly rushed to our living rooms and looked for my mom. But only deafening silence could be heard. This feeling is similar to before, this eerie vibes. I searched the first half of our house. I entered every room to find someone. I don't feel so good. Every second that passed was like a total nightmare. My chest tightened, my hands were sweating, and my legs were trembling. 

What just happened? 

And at last, only one door left. The previous door I haven't opened is the way to the grand banquet hall, where I found my mom lifeless, hanging on the chandelier. I could only hear my heavy heartbeat. I was scared to open the last door, but I had to. 

With my remaining strength, I opened up the two massive doors. The room was so dark, but with little light from the outside, I could barely see the chandelier, and after looking at that, my heart sank to the deepest. Something is hanging in that room. "No… no, please not this again."

CHAPTER 11 -END-