Why did it have to be me? :Li Anzi

"No. 23" Someone at the counter was calling repeatedly.

I looked at the old man sitting at the front. The token clutched tightly in his hand read 23.

"Grandfather, you are being called" I signed it for him. He looked at me with a smile and mouthed 'Thankyou'.

I watched him walk towards the counter. Three years ago, I was like him. I couldn't understand their speech. But it wasn't because of a defective ear. I didn't know the language. I can't speak English or my native tongue here. Not only will I attract attention but also will I be unable to explain myself. There was a voice in my head which always reminded me to stay cautious.

Fortunately, I loved to watch mandarin shows and even tried to learn a little. I have always had a natural affinity for this language. But never in my wildest dreams did I ever wish to end up here. It took me months of hardwork to actually understand and respond to the people in this hospital. But they didn't find it unnatural. This body was recovering from a severe trauma at that time. A victim of a hit and run accident. That's how Li Anzi got hospitalized with severe head injury. They thought I'd recover in time. Thankfully I did ..um....I did find a way to adapt.

My phone beeps. There is a notification. A message from Wen Li. I click to open.

"Prof Zhuo will return in another 20 minutes.

Wait for another 30 minutes.

You are the Best!

My treat tonight"

Ah! My Best friend here has no time for lunch. She is chasing after her favourite professor. I hope he is unmarried. A month ago, she had a very hard time accepting Prof Chen's 10 year old marriage. It cost me two boxes of tissue and a refrigerator full of desserts and drinks to calm her down. Not to mention sullying my otherwise spotless apartment. But I guess that's what friends are for.

"Anzi, You are daydreaming again. Perhaps got a boyfriend now?"

I looked up. Sister Su Mei was looking intently at me.

"Not Boyfriend. Just food. I am waiting for Wen Li to come down"

Sister Mei burst into laughter.

"Now that's one girl who lives up to her reputation.. chasing after boys and men alike. You are barely 21. Trust me. It is the right time to try all sorts of relationships so that you will get an idea of your ideal kind when you are 25".

"No, Thankyou" I replied. My life was eventful enough without the addition of a boyfriend. Anyway I can't take him with me in case I go back. I wouldn't do that to someone unless I held a grudge. An unintentional chuckle left my lips.

"Now that I have given you some food for thought, will you be kind enough to run an errand for me?" Sister Mei winked her eyes at me.

"I always knew it, You never approached me for nothing." I pouted "why do I always fail to put up my guard against you? "

"That's because " she said " I am the one who brought you back to life. You almost lost your life while under observation after surgery. If not for my timely CPR, you won't be sitting here undead"

I rolled my eyes and said "Thankyou for bringing back those beautiful memories"

"Anytime dear! Remember to deliver this to the VIP room no.3. Here's my card". She winked and left in a hurry.

I swiped the card and got into the VIP elevator . Sister Mei often works in the VIP floor. I can't help but remember the day I first opened my eyes in this body. The fuzzy outline of a female body is all I remember. It's true that this body owes Sister Mei a big time. But are her hands powerful enough to summon into this body, my unsuspecting soul from the future? There might be a reason why I came here after dozing off in the University library. Thankfully nothing exciting has happened in the three years I have been here. May be the next four will also be uneventful and I will be back in no time at all.

I think the elevator heard my sigh and opened itself. It was lunch time. Not many people around. The VIP floor is quiet as usual. Bringing myself to the door no.3, I knocked. No response. I swiped Sister Mei's card. The door opened and I got in. The guy on the bed looks very young. May be in his 30s. He has been lying comatose for almost four years. He was here even before my soul came through. I have visited him before with Sister Mei. This hospital has been my second home for 3 years now. How could I not know this long term tenant?

I put down the package on the table and walked towards the bathroom. Every VIP ward has a well equipped bathroom. But No.3 is only used by the nurses. The patient himself is unable to use it. Intresingly, no one ever visited this man. His identity is a mystery. May be...only the Director knew it.

I stepped into the bathroom and closed the door gently. I just wanted touch up. Not to mention lunch, going anywhere with Wen Li can be very demanding. She always wants you to be in full form. It ruins her mood otherwise.

Just as I finished applying sunscreen, I heard the door being opened and closed. I was about to put my hands on the latch of the door when I heard a male voice.

"ah! swapped it already.mmm. He is still in a coma.mmm....a week and he will be dead"

My mind stopped at the last word "Dead"?

swap?

murder?

I found it very hard to process my thoughts as these important details rushed to my head...

and I suddenly found it very hard to...breathe

Right here. Right now. Just why did it have to be me ?