Chapter : The Last Memory

1st POV

I was awake by the warm rays of the sun caressing my face, illuminating an unfamiliar white ceiling. The rhythmic beeping of a machine beside me confirmed my suspicions of being in a hospital. Disoriented and confused, I struggled to recall how I had ended up in this unfamiliar place.

As I sat up, my eyes scanning the peaceful surroundings, a sense of calm washed over me and looked out the window. The scenery in front of me was so mesmerizing. A gentle breeze fluttered through the window, carrying with it the tantalizing scent of lavender from a vase perched on the sill. The mid-morning sun bathed the room in a golden glow, and the sterile smell of sanitizer mingled with the floral, herbal, and woodsy aroma of the flowers, imbuing the space with a sense of tranquility.

However, my peace was short-lived as an agonizing headache suddenly overtook me, and my memories of the events leading to my hospitalization came flooding back.

Oh, now I remembered what happened. 

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[8:30 am] 

It was just a normal day like any other. Waking up and getting ready for school. I am now in high school 2nd year in the STEM Academy. Despite being a private school exclusive to the wealthy, Miftahul was fortunate enough to attend on a scholarship.As a 2nd-year student, she was accustomed to the rigorous curriculum and high expectations that came with attending such a prestigious institution.

This school has a dormitory. Many students live here and so do I. It only takes a 10-minute walk to get to school from here.

The STEM Academy also offered a dormitory for its students, and I was one of many who called it home. A short 10-minute walk was all it took to reach the school from the dormitory. However, as I made my way down the hall, I felt the uneasy feeling of being watched by someone or something. Suddenly, a pair of hands covered my eyes and I felt a wave of panic wash over me.

As I walked down the hall away of our dormitory I felt like someone or something was staring at me. I felt a pair of hands wrap around my eyes. I felt panic before

"Guess who!!!" A familiar voice soon rang out, belonging to the outgoing and somewhat boyish-looking Sapna, one of the twin sisters who resided in the dormitory with me. The other twin was Sini, who was quieter and more reserved. Though the two looked remarkably alike, I knew them well enough to tell them apart.

"I know it's you, Sapna," I said, taking the hands off of my face as I turned to face the twins. I noticed their forest-green eyes and glasses, which further distinguished them from one another. Sapna's short brown hair only reached above the shoulders, while Sini's extended just below.

Nevertheless, they shared many similarities, including strong leadership qualities and personal virtues, which made them valuable leaders among their peers. Sapna was level-headed, rational, and had a no-nonsense approach that commanded respect. Meanwhile, Sini was modest, helpful, and had an uncanny ability to see the best in others.

Despite being the daughters of the school's chairman, the twins didn't exude any sense of arrogance or entitlement. I and the twins had become fast friends since 1st year, along with two other students who also lived in the dormitory.

"How do you even tell that it was me, Mifa," Sapna said, pouting. Having failed to deceive her friend.

"Because you are the only one who does that," I said, turning around to start walking out of the building.

Oh looks like I forgot to introduce myself. Hello, I am Miftahul Zannah. But my friends call me Mifa. black hair with hazel eyes. 

"Now come on Sapna, we need to hurry before class starts, " Sini said as she walked beside me.

"It's not true Shalu also does it "replies to my earlier comment Sapna pouts and whereas Sapna was walking behind us, still somewhat sulking from our earlier conversation.

"Oh, where are Shalu and Nash?" I ask the twins. 

"You know they are the early birds and so they left before us," Sini answered my question. 

As Sini and I rushed towards our class at STEM Academy, we couldn't help but admire the stunning architecture of the school,

STEM Academy was a glistening white building that spread out over ten acres, a large field being in front with a wrought iron gate surrounding the premise. While it was beautiful outside with a green field and stadium with rose bushes having said flowers of all colors— including the original red—the inside seemed to be more spectacular.The scent of roses, blooming in various colors, filled the air, adding a sweet fragrance to the ambiance.The floors and walls and ceilings glistened just as white as the outside, the only other color being a crystal blue that decorated lockers and doors.

The classrooms had a different layout though.The rest of the walk was quiet but comforting. We part our ways in the hallway because we are in different classes. Me, Shalu, and Nash are in class 2-1 and Sapna and Sini are in class 2-3. As I made my way to my respective classes.

Upon entering the classroom, I noticed that the desks were arranged in groups of three, with ample space for each student. I took the left side, as per my usual spot, while Shalu and Nash were already present, with Nash occupying the middle seat.

Shalu caught my eye with her blue curly hair and mesmerizing purple eyes. Her personality was lively and quirky, with a hint of humor and mischief, making her the life of the group. Has a bit of a dirty mind, and has been noted to be rather intelligent. She is the craziest out of our group. 

Nash, on the other hand, had stunning white hair and sapphire-colored eyes that made her look ethereal. Her personality was a blend of calmness and practicality, making her a reliable and trustworthy friend. She is exceptionally observant and circumspect of her surroundings and the situations that develop around her. Outside she is cold and indifferent toward everyone but when she is with us she becomes a completely different person. And the most careless person. Doesn't care about when and where, she will always speak what's on her mind and is kinda forgetful too.

As I settled down,"You guys are early today," I said as I sat down. 

"It's nothing, Shalu just forgot to do her homework so now she is copying mine," Nash said as she looked out the window. 

"Oh~"

Shalu, embarrassed by the mention of her forgetfulness, scolded us,"Shut up both of you, I don't want to get scolded by our math teacher."

The first period was Math, and unfortunately, several of our fellow classmates had failed to complete their homework. As a result, the entire class was forced to stand throughout the period. Fortunately for us, we had completed our work on time, and we could comfortably sit and learn. Yay lucky us.

As the lecture progressed, we took notes, asked questions, and interacted with our teacher. The rest of the class went by slowly, but eventually, the bell rang, signaling the end of the period. As we walked out of the classroom, Shalu suddenly turned to us.

"Hey, do you guys want to check out this new café that just opened up?" she asked, a mischievous glint in her eye.

"Sure, why not?" Nash and I said in unison.

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[11:30 am] At the cafeteria

The five of them- Sapna and Sini included—were sitting on one of the small hills that overlooked Florens, a giant tree with small buds of soon-to-be apples already dotting the otherwise green background shading them from the sun sitting high in the sky. The only sounds were the birds chirping, the rustle of leaves in the breezy wind, and the soft hum of voices as they chatted amongst themselves. 

Even if we all have our own foods, we all eat from Nash's lunch box. You can either buy from the cafeteria or bring your own lunch box. Nash's lunch box is our favorite. I mean why waste money when you have a rich friend. hehe~

Yet, amidst this idyllic scene, a strange sensation made its presence known. Suddenly, the feeling of being watched came over me, and I scanned the surrounding area for any signs of disturbance. But nothing was amiss, and so I relaxed back into my seat.

"Hey, guys," suddenly Nash spoke up. All of our attention was on Nash now.

It was at this moment that Nash spoke up. "Hey, guys," she said suddenly, her voice tinged with an eerie edge. All of our attention was on Nash now.

"Do you believe in the afterlife?" Her smile remained, though it had taken on a more serious tone.

For a moment, the group was taken aback. They had been discussing light topics up until then, and the question was an unexpected one. Nevertheless, they quickly composed themselves and responded. "Yeah, I do," Shalu spoke up first, a thoughtful expression on her face. 

Sapna, the more spiritual of the group, chimed in next. "Well, in religious belief, yes," she said, a serene look in her eyes as she gazed towards Florens

Amidst the easy flow of conversation, the question lingered in the air like a discordant note in an otherwise harmonious tune. "Why are you asking this now?" I asked, looking at Nash curiously.

"It's nothing~, just thinking about it," she replied, her voice cheerful, but with an undercurrent of something else.

As they sat there, the time carried on, but I couldn't shake the strange feeling that hung in the air after Nash's question. Despite our light-hearted banter, the sensation of being watched lingered, making the serene beauty of Florens seem just a little less inviting than before.

                                      ☯︎

[3:13 pm]

As I stepped outside of my school campus, a sudden feeling of dread dawned upon me. I realized that I had run out of all my essential school supplies. All four of them returned back to the dormitory after our classes ended. Despite my initial panic, I knew that I couldn't let this setback affect my academic performance.

With a resolute determination, I headed towards the nearest bookstore in hopes of acquiring the necessary study materials. I enquired about the availability of the required supplies and was promptly directed towards the stationery section. My heart leaped with joy as I scanned through the array of pens, pencils, notebooks, and textbooks.

I carefully selected the items that were essential for my academics and made my way to the checkout counter. As I made my payment, a sense of relief washed over me.

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[3:40 pm]

I find myself standing at a crosswalk, waiting for the stop light to turn red so I can safely cross and return to my dormitory. It is apparent that lack of sleep has taken a toll on my body as I begin to experience dizziness and aching eyes. Then, out of nowhere, a sound catches my attention.

*Bing* 

Echoes the sound of a bell, drawing my gaze ahead. I saw a beautiful white cat crossing. To my horror, the cat is crossing the road just as a car speeds towards it. I don't know what came over me but without a second thought, I sprinted towards the cat, hoping to save it from being hit.

I was about to push the cat out of the way. However, to my shock, my hand passes right through the cat's body, leaving me confused and shaken. 

'What!!!'

Suddenly, a bright light flashes, and everything is happening so fast the next thing I know, excruciating pain overwhelms me on my side. The steel of a car impales my stomach, leaving me groaning and bleeding profusely.

"Shit," I cursed. Feeling my blood flow from my stomach and on the car's front staining it with crimson color.

'This is the end of the road of life for me, huh?'

As I contemplate my inevitable demise, my entire world fades into darkness. My limbs flailed aimlessly. My breath hitched as the final thing I saw was the glowing white eyes of a creature and its soft meows before my whole world turned black.

"Ohh, you poor little things. The tragedy serves as a reflection on the unpredictable nature of existence where a moment of sudden bravery and empathy can lead to unexpected outcomes," said an unfamiliar voice.