At the funeral, many people were gathered, but no one was crying. Some whispered among themselves, while others smiled. They just visited and left.
The boy spoke: "If you're wondering whose funeral this is, why people aren't crying, why they're smiling, don't worry. It's mine. I'm already dead. But why am I here? Why can you hear me but not see me? Why start the story from the end? Well, that's a secret, and I'll tell you later. But for now, let's begin the story of '7 Days of My Life.'"
He paused for a moment, then pointed: "Wait a second. Look, there she is. I almost forgot to tell you her name. Her name is Hina, and she's beautiful... Yeah."
He turned back, a little frustrated: "Hey! I'm talking to you! Why are you looking at her? She's mine! I know, I'm dead, but she still is. Now, where was I? Ah, I remember. Let's start my story. '7 Days of My Life.'"
He took a breath and continued, "Before I begin, let me introduce myself. My name is Arya. I'm 22 years old. More details will come later. But for now, let's get started."
With a smile, he added, "Now, it's time for me to go. See you later… if possible."
"Huh… You're still here? Why are you watching? I told you—she's mine.
…Wait, why am I back? Did I forget something?
Oh, right. I was going to ask you something.
If you knew you were going to die in a few days, what would your reaction be?
My reaction…?
Ah, what am I doing? I'll end up giving too many spoilers.
Forget it. Never mind.
Now, I'm really leaving.
And one more thing—don't look at her.
Bye.
Hospital Scene – Second Floor Hall
Nurse: Have you cleaned Room 7 already?
Cleaner: Not yet. Some work is still left, like a few bags and other materials. We need to finish before 12 PM.
Nurse: Clean it quickly. Other patients are waiting.
(The cleaner starts cleaning the room. Suddenly, the door opens, and Hian walks in.)
Cleaner: Hian, did you leave anything here? If so, take it now, or we will move everything outside.
The cleaner wiped the sweat off her forehead and turned to Hian. "Can you help me carry that big bag outside?"
Hian nodded. "Sure."
She reached down, lifting the heavy bag. As she did, something slipped from the pile and landed on the floor with a soft thud. A notebook.
Hian bent down, picking it up carefully. She traced her fingers over its slightly worn-out cover, then glanced at the cleaner.
"Whose notebook is this? Is it Arya's?"
The cleaner shrugged. "Probably. I used to see him writing in it, but I never asked what it was about. We don't need it anymore."
Hian hesitated. Something about this notebook felt important.
"Can I take it with me?" she asked.
The cleaner waved a hand dismissively. "Go ahead. It's of no use to us."
Hian held onto it tightly. She helped the cleaner finish the task, exchanged a quick "Thank you," and then walked out of the hospital.
The small café near the hospital had a quiet, cozy atmosphere. A light rain drizzled outside, tapping softly against the window.
Hian stepped inside, the warm scent of coffee filling the air. She found a seat by the window and ordered a cup of black coffee.
As she waited, she slowly pulled out the notebook. Her hands trembled slightly.
With a deep breath, she opened the first page.
At the top, three bold words were written in neat handwriting:
"7 Days of My Life"
Beneath it, a chilling note followed:
"These are the days when I truly lived."
Hian's heart pounded as she continued reading.
I want to understand what life is. What love is. What emotions are. Because I lost my parents in childhood, I grew up without knowing any of it. I lived my life like a puppet.
If someone finds this book... please burn it after reading. I want to take it with me."**
Hian's fingers froze over the page. She could feel the weight of these words. The loneliness. The pain. The quiet desperation behind them.
She exhaled shakily, then hesitated for a moment before turning the page.
1 Day
I see love but can't feel it.
I see pain but can't feel it.
I see everything, yet it all feels empty—
Until I saw her.
Everything changed.
It was just another ordinary morning. The same as before.
I opened my eyes, staring at the ceiling. Raindrops tapped against the window. I turned my head to check the time—8:00 AM.
I rubbed my eyes. Still 8:00 AM?
No, wait. It really was.
Suddenly, my heart sank.
"The hospital," I whispered to myself.
I had an appointment. A check-up. For my condition.
I rushed out of bed. 8:30 AM already.
Grabbing my umbrella, I stepped outside.
The World Moves On
The rain poured steadily as I walked along the sidewalk.
People surrounded me—families, lovers, friends. Laughing. Smiling.
They looked happy. But I felt like an outsider.
I kept walking. Their happiness felt like something I could see but never touch.
A Meeting with Fate
I entered the hospital, shaking off the rain.
At the reception desk, a nurse looked up. "Arya, please wait. The doctor will see you soon."
I sat outside his office, tapping my foot. Ten minutes passed.
Then, the nurse called my name.
"Arya, you can go in now."
I stepped inside. The doctor looked up from his desk.
"Good morning, Arya," he said with a gentle smile.
"Doctor, is there a problem? Why did you call me in so urgently?"
He gestured to the chair. "First, take a seat."
I sat down, feeling uneasy.
"I've known you since you were a child," the doctor said. "This kind of news… it's something we usually discuss with family. But you don't have—"
I cut him off. "Doctor, what are you saying? You've been the only one around, but… that's all."
The doctor's eyes softened, but his hands trembled slightly as he folded them on the desk.
"Arya, I need you to stay calm," he said, voice thick with emotion.
A strange feeling crawled up my spine. "Just tell me, Doctor. I'll be fine."
He took a deep breath.
"Arya… you only have a few months left."
Silence.
My heartbeat slowed, but I didn't feel any panic.
"A rare disease," the doctor continued, his voice heavy. "I've tried everything—consulted the best doctors in the world—but…"
His words trailed off, but I didn't need him to finish. I already knew.
I smiled, though it felt more like a reflex than anything genuine.
"It's okay, Doctor. Don't worry about me."
"But—
"You've done enough," I interrupted. "You've kept me alive when no one else would. I owe you nothing."
The doctor clenched his fists. "Arya, there has to be another way—
I stood up, feeling strangely calm.
"Everyone dies, Doctor," I said, voice barely above a whisper. "Looks like it's my turn."
I turned toward the door. The rain was still falling outside, as if the world didn't care.
"Maybe in my next life," I whispered, "I'll be luckier."
As I walked out of the doctor's office, my mind was blank. No sadness, no fear—just emptiness.
I made my way through the hospital's corridor, passing the reception desk when sudden commotion caught my attention.
Outside, through the rain, an ambulance rushed through the hospital gate. The siren wailed, piercing through the heavy downpour. Nurses and doctors hurried to the entrance, their footsteps quick and urgent.
The ambulance doors swung open. A woman stepped out, her face pale with fear, her eyes swollen from crying. Behind her, a young boy—her son, maybe—clung to her hand, his expression frozen in terror.
"Please, save her!" the mother cried, her voice breaking.
A stretcher was pulled out, carrying a girl. Her eyes were closed, her face bruised. She looked unconscious.
I stepped aside as they wheeled her past me, her mother sobbing beside her, begging the doctors to do something.
I didn't know who she was or what had happened to her. But in that moment, a strange thought crossed my mind.
What a coincidence.
There I was—someone who knew he was going to die but didn't care. And there she was—someone who wanted to live, surrounded by a family desperate to save her.
If my parents were still here… would they have worried about me like that?
I let out a small breath and turned away, opening my umbrella as I stepped into the rain.
I found a small café near the hospital and stepped inside. The warmth of the place felt strange after the cold rain outside.
I took a seat by the window and ordered a black coffee.
A few minutes later, a waiter arrived.
"Hello, your coffee," the waiter said, placing the cup gently on the table.
Silence.
Hian didn't react. Her fingers hovered over the notebook's pages, her eyes fixed on the words. The world around her faded—the quiet café, the faint clatter of cups, even the waiter standing beside her.
The waiter hesitated. "Miss, is everything okay?"
She blinked, as if lost in thought. "I'm fine."
"If you're uncomfortable, I can call a female staff member," the waiter offered.
"It's okay," she replied softly.
The waiter nodded, placed her coffee in front of her, and walked away.
Hian stared out the window, watching the rain fall. The raindrops tapped against the glass, their rhythmic sound filling the quiet room.
She remembered a time when she used to sit in her wheelchair, gazing at the rain, longing to go outside and feel it. But she couldn't.
Just then, a familiar voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Aha! So, you're here."
Hian turned her head slightly. Arya stood behind her, hands on his hips, pretending to be exhausted.
"I've been looking for you on the second and third floors. Finally, I found you."
She gave him a small smile. "Did you need something?"
"Not really," Arya shrugged. "I just remembered… you once told me you wanted to go outside in the rain. Back then, I was too busy. But if you don't mind… let's go now."
Hian hesitated. "Thanks, but my condition isn't—"
"Don't worry about the doctors and nurses," Arya cut in with a grin. "We'll be back before they even notice. I know a way out through the hospital's back door."
"But—"
Before she could protest further, Arya grabbed the handles of her wheelchair and pushed her toward the exit.
They reached the back door, where the rain poured steadily outside. Arya pulled out an umbrella and opened it.
"Alright," he said. "Let's go."
They moved forward, the rain pattering softly against the umbrella. After a while, Hian reached out her hand, letting the raindrops touch her fingers.
A gentle smile spread across her face. "It feels… nice," she whispered.
"See? I told you," Arya chuckled.
"Thank you so much," she said.
Arya shook his head. "No need to thank me. We're friends, right? And as you said before—no thanks or sorry between friends."
Hina chuckled. "Oh… sorry, I forgot."
"Again?" Arya sighed playfully.
She laughed. For the first time in a long while, she felt truly happy.
RING!
The sudden sound jolted her.
Hina blinked. The rain was gone. Arya was gone.
She was back in the café, sitting at her table.
Her phone vibrated on the table. She hesitated before picking it up.
"Hello?"
"Honey, where are you?" her mother's voice came through.
"I'm at a café near the hospital, Mom."
"You didn't take an umbrella with you. Stay there until the rain stops. Your brother and I are heading out, so don't wait for us. I left the keys with Syria Aunty, okay?"
"Okay, Mom."
"Take care, honey. Bye."
"Bye, Mom."
She placed the phone down, exhaling softly.
Hina took a sip of her coffee, savoring its warmth. She closed her eyes for a moment, allowing the rich aroma to settle her thoughts. Then, she opened her book and began to read, the words drawing her into a world where the rain and memories couldn't reach her.