" Every time we meet, I always see you carrying that book" Von pouted.
I laughed and pinched her cheek " jealous?"
" ouch! stop pinching my cheek, Teresita!"
I am still laughing because of her expression.
She sipped her drink. " Next time don't bring that book"
" You know that it is my favorite book" I insisted.
" But we rarely see each other because we were both at work. Just give me a little time."
" Hey, I am not reading this in front of you. I just carry it. " I said then drink my coffee.
She frowned " I don't know but every time I see you carrying a book ,I feel that something might happen to you"
" That dream again? I told you it is not true" I said.
" But what if it might come true?"
" Seriously, Von? How can I go to the other world? I don't even have super powers"
She still frowning. " Just please don't carry it next time. I feel uncomfortable."
I surrendered" okay okay , I promise. Next time I won't bring it with me."
" It's not that I am prohibiting you to read novels. I am just not comfortable with it. I can really sense that something will happen"
I put the book on my bag. " after this ,you wanna go shopping?"
Her mood changes " That's what I call bonding!"
I smile
Von is my childhood bestfriend. We've been together for almost a decade.
She currently work as a public teacher while I work in a publishing company as an editor.
True. We rarely see each other because we were both busy at work. But even how busy we were, we don't forget to chat or call each other everyday to asked if we were both okay.
" What do you think of this dress?" Von asked while looking at the mirror with the dress on.
" You look prettier." I said
She pouted. " You never fail to make my heart flutter"
I rolled my eyes. " Stop being dramatic. I am just saying what you want to hear"
" So its not true?"
" I really mean it. It suits you well"
She smiled "Well, I want you to try the other design. Then the next time we meet, we will wear it"
"Okay"
*****
" Wow, I really enjoyed our day off. It is really fun."
"Yeah, I can see in your eyes that you really enjoy it" I sarcastically said while looking on the paper bags that she is holding.
" I deserve it, I think" she laughed.
I rolled my eyes. I knew that buying girly stuff makes her happy.
" Gonna miss you. " I said while at the car park.
"You sure you won't go with me in the car?"
" Nah. I have to go somewhere."
" Its already 8pm."
" Not afraid. You know that our place is safe from criminals"
"You won't tell me where you will go?"
" I forgot something in the office. I need to get it"
" We can go together"
" No. Just go home. Might go home late"
" I thought it is your day off today?"
" Yeah, but you know, sometimes my boss will asked me to do this and that"
She sighed. " Just don't forget to call or chat me when you come home, huh?"
" Yes, sissy" I said then kiss her cheek.
" Take care."
"Bye" I wave my hand.
I stood there for a while to see her car off.
CITY LIBRARY
I felt excited and happy when I entered in the City Library. I am lucky because this library is open 24/7.
" Good evening, miss" the librarian greeted at me.
" Good evening" I replied back.
I visited City Library everyday to borrow or read a novel. Every week they have new sets of novels which I was happy about. I spent almost my time here after work. Sometimes I even forgot to eat my meal just because I read novels. I even brought my books at work. That's how crazy I was in reading. But I can't let Von know that I was super obsess. She will surely get mad at me.
" Debris in my heart.... hmmm. the title sounds interesting" I murmured.
I read the synopsis and it caught my attention.
" Gotta read this" . I looked around the library and it seemed that I was the only one here.
I seated at the sofa. I opened the book.
"ahhh" when I opened the book the light came out. I can't even see my surrounding.
It lasted for 5 minutes then the light was gone.
I stood up and approached the librarian.
" Did you see the light?"
"What light?"
" The light coming there" I pointed the area where I seated.
She shrugged, " no, and I don't notice any light"
I was confused. I thought that light filled the whole library but why did I only notice it?
I can't even ask anyone because I am the only one there.
"Are you okay miss?"
"Huh? Ah yeah."
" Are you going to borrow that book?" the librarian pointing her finger on the book in my hand.
" Ah!no. I will just read it here."
She nodded.
I went back to the sofa and stared on the cover of the book.
Am I dreaming?
I sighed heavily and decided to open it again.
When I opened the book, the light wasn't there anymore.
Huh? Am I hallucinating?
I laughed to myself. Maybe I am just daydreaming.
I started to flip the pages of the book when I felt the energy of the book.
And I don't know what happened anymore. I just passed out.
****
My head hurts and my body aches. I could hear murmurs here and there.
" What should we to do her?"
"Should we tell it to the king?"
" Where is she come from?"
" How did she appear?"
" What is she wearing?"
" She looks different on us"
"Ugh....." I'm in pain right now. Why do my neighbors are so noisy early in the morning?
I tried to get my pillow but I can't find it. I even felt the hardness of my bed. Does my bed change? Why is it hard and rough?
I could still hear the murmurs of my neighbors. This time it became louder like it would damage my eardrum.
Even my head hurts and my body aches, I tried to open my eyes to see my noisy neighbors. I was about to shout at them when I see ....other people.
My eyes get wider and bigger . I immediately get up to look on my surroundings. The people are staring at me. And I don't know them. I look on my body and notice that I am not on my bed but I'm lying on a dirty floor.
"Where am I?" I started panicking.
I stand up and still looking on the way. The people are still following me like they see something rare.
"What's this commotion?" I heard a loud shout.
I turned my back and see a white, handsome and tall man riding a horse. The people bow their heads when the man gets near.
I even didn't notice that I am the only one left at the center.
I see the man frowning. He gets off the horse and walk towards me.
" Who are you?" I could hear the authority in his voice.
My body was shaking. I can't even think properly.
The man looks at me from head to toe.
" What are you wearing?"
I looked on my white dress. That's when I realized what happened.
I gasp and hold my mouth. The man is intently staring at me.
" I'm inside the book" I whispered
" What?" the man asked
I looked at him and on the people. I look different. The way they dress. It is far from the present. Both men and women wore hanbok.
" Your dress is too vulgar. The men are staring at you" said the man.
I look on my dress. It is not vulgar to me. But I remember how conservative they are when it comes to clothing.
" Please help me" I came back to my senses. From what I have watched. This guy looked like a soldier.
I could hear the whispers of the people around us.
Their looks can kill me. As if I am an alien.
" Come with me" the soldier holds my wrist and we leave the crowd.
We go to a place that looks like a forest. It is quiet and no one surrounds us.
" What is your name?" he asked.
I stop and stare at him. I am hesitant to tell my real name.
" Where are you from?"
What should I do? Do I need to tell him that I'm inside the book?
I bite my lower lip and my sweat is falling down on my cheeks.
If I will tell him the truth , he might think I am crazy. If I don't tell the truth, who would help me here?
" I don't know."
Maybe I should pretend that I am not okay? that I forgot everything?
"Its seems like you don't know yourself. "
" What will happen to me here?"
" The people will surely talk about you. many of them saw you. "
" Can you help me? I don't know who I am and where I came from."
He examines my face. I try to look directly on his eyes to pretend that I am stating the truth.
He sighs. "I have never encountered this problem. I don't even know how to help you. "
Me either. I don't know what to do. I don't even know the story of this book. I don't even know the characters. Even when I read the synopsis, it didn't mention the characters.
I feel anxious. I am scared.
There is a defeaning silence between us. We are just staring at each other ,waiting for the next move.
Luckily, the guard enters the scene. My eyes got wider when I see my bag.
"Is this yours?" the guard asks me.
I nod. I get my bag and check on my things.
I am shock when I see the book that I was about to read in the city library.
I check the book. Front and back. Then I open it. What? Why is it empty? I flip the pages but I didn't see anything. Only the title and synopsis are written on the book.
What is happening?
" Is this a book?" the soldier asks and gets the book.
"It is empty" he said. " Is it a book or an empty sheet?"
Huh?
" Is this yours?"
I want to tell him that I got it from the city library but it will create confusion.
" It is mine."
" I thought in a first glance that it is a book but I didn't see anything here."
" even the front and back ?"
"yes"
I get it back and examine again. Why can I see the title and synopsis? But why does the soldier didn't see the words that are written?
Am I the only one who can read this?
I look on the guard and ask him if he sees anything. But the answer is still no.
" You act strange. " The soldier said.
"Can you read something there?"
I shrug. I didn't want to confuse him. I just go with the flow. I shouldn't make any mistakes. One mistake it might end my life.
" Ji Han, kindly escort this woman to my house. Since she can't remember anything, she needs to stay in my house."
" Yes, sir." he bows and gets my bag.
" This is new to me. I never have this bag before." Lee Ji Han said.
" We will talk later" The soldier tells me.
I nod and say thank you to him.