I heard once from a movie that the only way that proved our existence is Time. There is a lot of debate whether to agree or to disagree with that statement. Personally, I somehow believed that. In the vast world we are living in where constant things are always changing, time exists to breathe life to the existence of things present in a certain space. Living beings such as animals and plants which underwent an evolution were pretty much non-existence in the present society, the only thing that told humanity that they are true and they indeed existed in this world is time. Which brings me to the question, how was time invented? According to an article I recently read, humans are the ones who invented time by recording and observing the daily motion of the Sun. Guess that's how well-adopted our ancestors were given that advanced technologies were not yet made and not been discovered. Nothing distracts them from communing with nature. The article also mentioned that during the 16th B.C., Egyptians used a water clock and the ancient Romans made the very first clock by measuring the water that flows in a container, later then sand was used in an hourglass and the evolution of measuring time continues even now. As an average human being, for me, just like everybody else, time is essential.
There are so many things that will happen within one minute. Just like this moment, my whole life is flashing before my eyes just like how time keeps on flowing. I can proudly say that I lived my life pretty decent. I studied hard, even graduated with high-color, landed myself with my dream job, and enjoyed life like everybody. I made friends and am still in-touch with my college friends, simply put my social life is not that amazing but ordinary. I do not dislike music, oh, I am not picky with my food, I enjoyed eating. However, I probably enjoyed reading the most. For my own perspective, given that I have biased in giving this opinion, I do have a big appetite when it comes to reading whether a novel, a short story, an essay, a poem, whichever literary types and genres are they I enjoyed being lost in those worlds to the point that sometimes I doubt if I am living in reality or with my own delusion.
I smiled bitterly when I felt myself coughed with a large chunk of blood. The pain reminds me that this is reality. I am facing death myself. The clock is ticking and soon will come to an end.
"Call 911! Ambulance!"
"OMG!"
"Oh gosh, someone help her!"
"Ambulance!"
It's noisy. I hate noisy environments, even though I am a teacher and constantly engaged in a loud and boisterous environment, I never get used to it. I can feel myself slowly losing my consciousness. Sometimes, I imagine myself dying. I even decided that the best way to day is when I am sleeping, since it's peaceful and less painful. But I am not the one who will decide on that hence, I simply imagine.
I love reading and I am full of regrets. These two ideas have nothing in common and feel out of place if you put them together. However, these two best describe myself. My life feels like a series of unrelated events.
I love reading books and eating. These two ideas sound good together for they have one theme. They are not awkward if you put them together in one sentence. There might be just one moment in my life where everything feels like puzzle pieces laid out perfectly in their respective places, but sadly, those moments are random and nothing but a passing note.
As the crowd went frantic, I simply lay on the asphalt. I wonder why I got stabbed. Seriously, our society is really dangerous. What is more dangerous is that humans can do something as evil as this. Crimes and murder. I guess the thief is in great need of money, probably his mother is dying and he needs to buy medicine and the only thing that he thought in order for him to get a hold of money is to do something like this. Probably, but I am not certain and I will never know the answer as death welcomes me in its embrace.
I closed my eyes and surrendered myself with death itself.
As I opened my eyes I was greeted with unfamiliar surroundings. The first thing that comes to my mind is, 'is this the afterlife'? Perhaps yes, but I am not really a fan of the idea of the afterlife. What makes people afraid of death is death itself, it lessens its mystery if there are such things as afterlife. I sighed loudly and sat abruptly.
"Where am I?"
Is this reality or my delusion again?
I scanned the place where I found myself at this moment. The place is huge, the ornaments and decorations in a glance can be seen as really expensive. Even the bed that I am seated in is made of delicate materials. I chuckled. I am not really good in description, I always find it difficult to even express myself in words. That's why I love reading. The author always finds the right word for me.
I snapped back in the present when I heard a knock.
"Young master, are you awake?"
I flinched when I heard a small and soft voice mentioned the word 'young master'
"Young master" felt bitter in my mouth.
I get on my knees and find myself in front of a mirror. This is not me. I am me consciously however the face, the hair, the physical appearance, this... This is not me.
As a response to the situation, I touched my eyes, my lips, it felt real. Is this one of those reincarnation novels that I read? I am fond of reading those kinds of stories because it gives the protagonist a second chance to start their life or even go on a different journey. I envy them because I, too, want to start my life again. I told you, I am full of regrets. I regret not doing the things that I like or even challenge myself to be the better version of me. If it's one of those 'isekai' then I gladly accept it as my reality even if I am not certain if it's really the reality of it is just my own delusion and my body is somewhere in the hospital fighting for its life. Whatever it is, I will succumb to my own delusion.
I clenched my fist and started to look for a paper or a pen. When I found one, I hastily (or even frantically) write the following:
First, Who am I? How old am I? Am I noble? Given the place that I am in and the way I was addressed by the stranger outside the room, probably yes. From all the novels I read, 'young master' is used for nobility. Additionally, this room, no, my room is full of expensive materials. However, given that I do not yet know the standard of wealth here, probably we are in the middle. I tapped the ink and started writing again. Who are my parents? Do I have a superpower? I stopped writing and without hesitation uttered the phrase, "Status window" Nothing came up. Okay. Next, do I have siblings? Friends? People that I am close with? What are my hobbies? Food that I like? Am I intelligent? Talented? Or not? What type of clothes do I wear? Am I a hero? A villain? An extra? Or an existence that should not exist in this moment and space?
Second, What is this place called? What kind of system of government do we have in this place? The system of status? System of hierarchy? What kind of occupation do people have in here? Type of houses? Is this place magical? Do they use magic here? Super power? What kind of people resided in this place? Am I still on the earth?
Third, if this is fantasy, which story takes place? Is this one of the stories I already read? What kind of genre I am right now? Do we have heroes and villains here? Monsters?
Last but not the least, is this real? Or an illusion?
"Young Master, are you awake?" I stopped writing and stared at the door where the voice was coming from. English. The voice speaking English or do language here shaped depending on my existence in this universe?
"Yes, I am awake." I calmly voiced out. I do have lots of questions and what I need to do today is to get answers for these questions.