At was 10:30 am. Snowflakes fell gently, wrapping the world in a soft white layer. The green grass was hidden, sleeping under the white cold blanket, waiting for the spring to arrive. Children laughed as they ran and played, making snowballs that sparkled in the pale winter sun. A loving couple posed for photos, holding each other close, while young girls skated across the frozen ice, their movements free. It was a warm welcome to the cold winter.
At the same time, at the forest's edge, a large hospital stood, its doors opening and closing with a constant flow of people - some were smiling, some were sad and a few with tears streaming down their faces. The entire hospital radiated a gloomy atmosphere, even the sun's warm light wasn't enough to wash away the gloom it radiated.
On the second floor, a young man with jet-black hair and piercing grey eyes layed motionless on his bed, gazing out the window at the gently falling snow. His skin was pale, and dark circles shadowed his eyes. His thin, weak body lay on the bed, struggling to breathe but it was manageable somehow.
'It looks nice...when was the last time I played in the snow? I have even forgotten the feeling of soft grass beneath my feet and cold snow sending chills through my skin.'
As Kai lay there, lost in thought, a middle-aged nurse burst in, surprised to find him awake.
"You're up early, Kai! Usually you get yo at 1pm. Is everything alright?"
She asked, her voice tinged with concern.
Kai struggled to speak, his voice weak;.
"I'm having trouble breathing normally, and my head feels heavier than usual."
The nurse swiftly moved to his side, her eyes scanning his face as she examined him. She nodded thoughtfully, her expression serious as she gently placed an oxygen mask over Kai's face.
As he inhaled the cool, soothing air, she checked the heart rate monitor beside his bed, her gaze flicking between the screen and Kai's face.
Next, she efficiently replaced the empty IV drip with a freshly filled one and turned towards Kai frowning;
"Kai please make sure to press the call bell button besides you whenever there's a problem."
Kai took a deep breath and answered;
"It's alright. It was manageable."
Nurse's expression turned soft as she sighed and spoke gently;
"I'll get the doctor to come and check you, Kai. Just relax and breathe deeply, okay?"
Kai nodded slightly, feeling a sense of relief wash over him as the oxygen flowed in.
Kai lay in the hospital bed, surrounded by the sterile smell of antiseptic and the soft beeping of machines. After some time, the middle-aged nurse, her face etched with concern, followed the doctor into the room. The doctor's expression was grave as he took a seat on the stool beside Kai.
"Hello Kai...How are you feeling?"
"Alive as usual, what about you doc?"
Kai asked while smiling gently at the doctor.
Doctor gazed downwards and chuckled
"Busy as usual... The weather's nice no?
Kai observed doctor's face and asked;
"Doctor...you are acting a bit unusual today...Is everything alright?"
"Kai...I'm terribly sorry."
The doctor answered, his voice low and gentle.
Kai's gaze drifted from the doctor's somber face to the nurse's tear-filled eyes. He forced a chuckle, trying to mask the growing unease in his heart.
"What happened? Did my uncle stop paying the hospital bills or something?"
The joke fell flat, and Kai's heart raced with a sense of great unease causing him pain. The doctor's expression remained grim as he took a deep breath before answering;
"No, child. Your test results came in, and... I'm sorry to say this but you have only 30 hours left to live. There's nothing we can do."
The nurse placed her hand on Kai's arm, her touch warm and comforting. Few tears streamed down her face as she gazed at him. Kai remained silent, his expression unreadable.
For four years, she had been his nurse, watching over him with care. The doctor, too, had been a constant presence in Kai's life, and now he stood before him, his eyes somber.
"I've contacted your uncle. He'll be here soon. I am... sorry Kai."
The doctor said, his voice gentle.
The doctor got up and went up to the door when Kai's voice broke the silence.
"I came here when I was 17, injured very badly. It was a miracle I survived, and lived till today. You played a great part in creating that miracle, Doctor Jason... thank you and I hope you will continue to create miracles."
The doctor stood for a moment, nodding before exiting the room. Outside, he leaned against the wall, letting out a deep sigh.
"If only I could create miracles...If only."
He thought, shaking his head.
"It's not easy being a doctor... the weight...the regret."
He walked away. In the room Nurse tried to stop the sadness she felt for Kai. Kai was a good boy. The least troublesome patient and more mature than the ones his age. His sarcasm and jokes were liked by the most.
Kai turned towards the nurse and with small smile and gentle voice he said;
"Dear Aunt Rachel, thank you for looking after me these four years. It has never been boring with you. Your gossips, nagging and even cursing the other 'scumbags'... everything was enjoyable for me."
Rachel smiled through her tears, which streamed down her face. She gently patted Kai's head, her voice trembling with emotion.
"I only have two daughters... You have already met them... I never had a son until I met you."
She paused, collecting her thoughts.
"This aunt of yours will greatly miss you."
Rachel stepped out shortly after, unable to bear the bitter truth and the pain of seeing Kai in this state.
After an hour, a handsome middle-aged man with brown hair and grey eyes entered the room. He wore a sleek black suit and carried a box in one hand and a bouquet of red and black lotus flowers in the other. Kai gazed at him momentarily, then turned away, focusing on the snowfall outside.
"I'm not even dead yet, and you're already mourning?"
Kai's voice was laced with sarcasm and sorrow as he spoke. It had been four long years since he'd last seen his "busy" uncle. Despite the distance, at least his uncle had always remembered Kai's birthday, sending gifts and cake each year.
Kai's life was once filled with happiness and joy. He was a bright 17 years old boy, surrounded by loving parents and supportive friends. However, Kai's world was shattered in a split second.
A drunk truck driver slammed into their car killing his parents on impact and leaving Kai barely alive. The injuries were catastrophic, and Kai's chances of survival were almost zero.
Miraculously, Kai survived, but the trauma and grief forever changed him. He received terrible injuries that left him paralyzed and with great damage to his heart. After Kai survived he couldn't help but wonder if survival was a blessing or a curse.
Kai's friends tried to visit him many times after the accident, but Kai refused to see them. Kai never wanted his friends to see him in this state. Despite their continous efforts Kai refused to even let them see him once, his friends eventually gave up trying to visit him, but they never forgot his birthday and would always send cards and gifts. Toward the end of his life, Kai regretted his childish and stubborn behavior. He wanted to see them.
Kai chuckled to himself as he thought;
'I guess it's too late now. Ah, tomorrow is 18th November...Heh only 29 hours and 15 minutes remain of my life...After 16 hours it's my birthday...'
Kai sighed deeply while gazing out of the window, looking at the white snowflakes and whispered softly;
"The invisible mask I wear hides not my face but pain of despair, a heart forever shrouded in sorrow, a mind forever filled with regrets."
'Wow, how poetic... On the second thought, why do I sound like an old man?'
Kai chuckled as he thought to himself. Kai's uncle stood motionless, observing the scene for a moment with a complicated expression.
After some hesitation, he stepped forward. His face set in determination, he approached Kai. Gently, he sat on the stool beside Kai's bed and placed a bouquet of serene black and red lotus flowers at his feet.
Afterwards, his uncle pulled out an old, yet elegant, pocket watch. He opened it, glanced at the time as he whispered some incomprehensible words to himself, and then closed it with a gentle click. Kai, who had been observing his uncle's peculiar behavior from the moment he placed the bouquet on his feet, raised an eyebrow.
"Really, Uncle? A pocket watch? In this day and age?"
Kai asked, his voice laced with amusement. Kai paused, studying his uncle's expression before he continued;
"Especially while wearing a wristwatch. Are you trying to get my attention?"
Kai's uncle placed his hand on Kai's head, his touch gentle. Kai flinched at the sudden touch. After a moment, his uncle withdrew his hand, a soft smile on his face.
"Do you not hate this uncle of yours?"
he asked, his voice soft.
"I expected your anger, perhaps a pillow thrown or a few curses the moment I stepped into the room."
Kai studied his uncle's face and frowned;
"Why are you being so weird today? Did you hit your head or something?"
Kai's uncle remained silent, just smiling gently. Not getting any response Kai scoffed and turning his gaze towards the window;
"I am a dying man, what would I gain out of resenting you or this world?"
Kai's uncle gazed down at the black box in his hand, a faint smile on his lips as he replied;
"Hmm... Nothing worth noting, I suppose."
He turned to Kai, his eyes locking onto his nephew's.
"Take this, a final gift from your uncle... that is, if you don't resent me."
Kai forwned for a moment before sighing and reaching for the box, but his uncle swiftly pulled it back. Kai's left eyebrow twitched slightly due to annoyance.
"Only open it after I'm gone, okay?"
Seeing his uncle's unusual bright smile.
Kai frowned, curiosity getting the better of him.
"Why? Are you leaving me a stash of R18 magazines or something?"
His tone filled with annoyance. Kai's uncle frowned as he answered;
"Why would I give away my precious treasures?"
Kai's expression turned flabbergasted. After a moment or two Kai's grinned and said;
"Treasures? You must be joking!"
His uncle's expression remained serious, but a hint of amusement danced in his eyes.
Kai's face transformed into a mischievous grin.
"No wonder you reeked of 'single' vibes. When was the last time you had a date?"
His uncle raised an eyebrow, chuckling as he answered;
"I have all the time in the world, unlike some people."
He glanced at Kai, his gaze tinged with gentle teasing. Kai's face darkened, and he pointed an accusatory finger.
"As a dying person, I curse you with a lifetime of singletonhood!"
His uncle's smile faltered, as he gazed downwards towards the black box in his hand;
"Kai, I haven't been visiting you these past four years due to a reason... I wish I could explain, but I am unable to..."
He paused, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Let's just say I had to keep my end of the bargain."
Kai followed his uncle's gaze downwards towards the mysterious black box and spoke;
"You just had to ruin the mood...As I said before, I don't resent you...Now that I only have 29 hours left...I want you to stay but I guess I am asking Way Too Much from you."
Kai's uncle smiled weakly, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Kai... Please forgive me... I hope you'll understand my choice."
Hearing his 'dear' uncle's answer, Kai frowned deeply for a moment. After a minute, Kai sighed deeply, his voice cold;
"So you really can't stay with me, even in my last hours... Fine. Then please, just go. I wouldn't dare to waste your time... I don't want to talk to you anymore. Leave me alone."
Kai's uncle gazed at the Kai and nodded, his eyes welling up. He got up and placed the black box near Kai, his hand lingering on the smooth surface for a moment before he whispered;
"Kai... In this box, one of the pages holds a hidden secret and a hidden treasure. Find it."
Kai ignored him continue to gaze outside. As Kai's uncle reached the door, he turned back towards Kai, his voice barely above a whisper...
"See you..."
The hospital room door creaked open, and Kai's uncle paused, locking eyes with Kai for a small moment. Then, he disappeared into the hallway, leaving Kai with an unsettling mix of emotions and unanswered questions.
Kai's gaze fell onto the black box. After sometime, Kai reached towards the black box, his fingers tracing the smooth edges. Kai studied it for a moment before opening it.
Inside the box was an old red book. Kai raised his eyebrow in curiosity as he carefully took the book out before putting the black box on the bedside table. Kai noticed the temperature of the book was unusually warm.
The steady beeping sound of the machine and antiseptic smell of the medicines in the background calmed Kai's nerves
As Kai opened the book, an unusual pleasant aroma wafted out filling Kai's nosestrill. The book's yellow dusty pages made him frown as he thought to himself;
"What is this? Why did Uncle leave this for me? How old is this book? And what is this nice fragrance?"
Kai's eyes scanned the pages, searching for answers.
.....................................
"Welcome back, dear reader.
The lady in the cat mask smiled gently.
'You must be curious about me. You may address me as Tia, your host. Did you know that in some cultures, the black and red lotuses represent rebirth and growth? I wonder... Oh dear, how careless of me; I forgot to get you the mask."
She chuckled.
"Dear Reader, which mask would you like to adorn? Imagine one, and it shall appear. But be careful: don't lose your real self amidst acting as another."
"The humans tend to regret the present, forgetting to live in it. Later, they will regret regretting the present, now past, having lost it."
"Dear Reader, Do you have any regrets?"