"Ha…hghhh"
I sluggishly forced my body up from the bed. Still groggy from just waking up.
I turn to look at the window right beside me. The light from the sun peeked through the curtains, illuminating me in this dark bedroom.
"Hahhhhaaaa…"
A yawn came out of my mouth as I put my thoughts in order.
"Again…"
I wonder when I last had this dream.
Ever since I moved here 2 years ago, I stopped having it at all.
It just sort of drifted away from my mind, as any dream should be.
A fading, fleeting memory.
Yet it came back again just now, much more vivid than I remember it to be.
The only remaining memory I had of her.
I've already forgotten her face, her name.
All I remember now is that last day with her.
"Lame."
No use thinking about it, I have better things to do. Let the dead lie down forever.
I stretched my arms out. Though as I do, I knocked something off on the desk right beside me.
Looking at the floor, it was no other but the necklace I saw in my dream.
I moved out of my bed and scooped it off the floor.
I clenched it tightly and felt the sharp points dug into my palm.
Ten years, I've been safekeeping it for ten years…
Pointless really, there's nothing else for me to wait for. The girl who gave me this chain is long gone.
But I…
"What are you doing Ken?"
A voice called over from my doorway.
Standing there was a tall middle-aged man with dark hair. He wore a white buttoned shirt as he held a dark suit over his arm. The voice belonged to my father, Keiichi Kazutoki.
"It's already 7:30 you know? Weren't you supposed to go somewhere today? I know your mom used to say that being fashionably late is a trait that all Filipinos have, but you're not going to survive in Japan if you stay like this." Dad gestures at his watch. "Time is essence!"
"I know!" I barked back at him, "I was just to get up anyway. Also, I can afford to be late because my friends are already there in the first place."
Yeah, I was supposed to go camping at a nearby river in my town. My friends have already set up there, I was only invited after the fact (sad, I know).
That said, the dream I just had completely preoccupied my mind. I would have forgotten about the trip if it wasn't for Dad reminding me.
"Oh?" Dad said, his voice going lighter as if he was actually surprised by what I said. "Still, keep in mind what I said though! You'll end up going a long way in life if you manage your time right."
"Yeah, yeah." I said exasperatedly. I'm tired of hearing this shit out of his mouth over and over.
"Oh! Breakfast is ready by the way! I want to try making us breakfast for once. Just come down when you're ready."
"Haaaah…" A sigh leaves my mouth. Him entering my room made me more tired than I should have been.
Though, I can't say I completely hate his company…
He might be a bit too energetic for his age but I don't mind it at all.
Besides, we're the only ones left in this family. We can't afford to leave each other alone.
"Isn't that right Mom?"
It's just the two of us.
"I should just eat… I've been remembering too much this morning. I'd rather get a wet dream and only have that to think about when I wake up instead." I scratched my head.
I'd rather have my son get hard rather than my heart to go hard instead.
— knock.
"Hmm?" I heard something knock on my window.
I slid the curtains aside and opened the window but there was nothing there.
"Must have been the wind. Ah, that's a cute cat though."
A white cat was sitting at a hedge, curiously looking at me.
Sorry buddy, I don't have anything on me right now.
"Ken!! If you don't come down yet I'll eat already!"
A voice came reverberating from downstairs.
Aside from the cat who's hungry (probably), there was also another one who's hungry.
"I'm gonna come down soon!" I yell loud enough to make him hear me from upstairs.
Closing the window, I stuffed the necklace down my pocket and made my way for breakfast.
There were a lot of things going through my head but all of that is pointless in the end.
There's a long day ahead of me, I'd rather focus my brainpower on something far more important.
Though, I closed my eyes and ponder on a seperate thought altogether.
I wonder if Dad would let me keep a pet? Maybe that cat I just saw.
Then… maybe…
"This house would feel less emptier than before."