My Unconventional Lover: Seeing A Different World

156 I Even Met A Beautiful Girl There

(Tom’s PoV)

Standing behind me were Rama and my ex-girlfriend, Nita. Nita was holding a bouquet of flower in her hand while Rama was supporting her. With one look I could tell that she had just given birth. Her baby must be around six to eight months old now. Her complexion didn’t look that good. Even after months of giving birth, she still looked pale and weak.

Was there something wrong?

“It’s really you.” Nita gasped as her hand holding the flower trembled. Rama’s expression didn’t look good, as if he was hiding his guilty.

“Yeah.” I stood up. “I’m back. Congratulation for your wedding! Hope you have a happily ever after marriage life.” I said casually. I didn’t want them to think that I came back to claim what was mine.

Heh, Nita was a good girl. She loved me and I loved her dearly. It’s just, I didn’t know how much she loved me. And I couldn’t, didn’t want to blame them, really. After all, they heard that I was dead.

Well, I did think I was dead as well.

So, it was just normal for Nita to move on with her life. Rama, as my best friend, was suitable for her. He might have tried so hard to be there for Nita when the news about me being dead came out. So, yeah, he deserved it.

Anyway, there was nothing for me to be angry about, so I really had no idea why they would put on that expression.

.....

I sincerely hope for the best in your marriage life, hey!

“I-I’m sorry...” Nita said. I almost couldn’t hear it since her voice was like a whisper.

“No need to be sorry.” I smiled. “It’s not anyone’s fault. We’re just not destined to be together. You guys look cool. How is your baby?” I tried to switch topic. Surely, talking about their newborn baby was a joyful thing, right?

But, why did they look even gloomier? What’s wrong?

Tears came trickling down Nita’s cheeks and suddenly she was sobbing. I was stunned, didn’t understand what had happened. Did I say something wrong? My eyes shifted towards Rama, trying to get some information from him but he looked so sad -I hadn’t seen him that sad before- even though he held it in.

“Um, what’s wrong?” I asked carefully. It was amazing that Nita’s tears didn’t move me like I used to. Before, I would feel panic whenever she started crying without knowing what the reason was, but now I was just startled and thought that I might say something wrong.

“We lost him, Tom.” Rama said in a whisper, nearly choked in his own voice.

I was speechless. No wonder their reaction was odd, turned out their long awaited baby... died.

“I’m sorry.” I could only say that. “My condolences.”

Rama nodded as he hugged the weak figure in his arms. I watched as he coaxed her softly. He was really a good husband.

“We come to visit our baby.” Rama said. “Do you... want to meet him?” He asked carefully.

“Sure.” I nodded.

I followed them to a small grave. Nita knelt in front of the grave as she rubbed it tenderly. Her tears didn’t seem to stop anytime soon. Rama left her alone as he stood beside me.

“She is the most shocked one when it happened. She couldn’t stop blaming herself for her carelessness. You see, she is supposed to be healthier now, but because of the grieve, she looked weak and pale. We visit our baby’s grave almost every day since the day he died. Even when she doesn’t feel well, she will still come here.” Rama said slowly.

I frowned. “What happened? If you don’t mind to tell me, of course.”

Rama sighed. He looked several years older than me now when actually we were of the same age. “I’ll tell you, but after I took her home. Do you want to come with me and have a coffee somewhere?” Rama looked at me.

“Sure.” I nodded. This man was once my best friend. Because of the accident happened to me, I didn’t know if we were still best friends or not. He might still feel guilty for marrying my ex, and I might feel awkward for all the complicated things between us. So, maybe we could start with a long talk.

“What are you doing here, then?” Rama asked.

“Ah, I’m visiting Rizal.” I nodded to where Rizal’s grave was.

“Poor boy.” Sadness clouded his face again. Even though Rizal was our junior, he was our favorite junior for his obedience and good manner. As time passed, he became one of us.

“Did you know his wife died after he died? She was pregnant, but her sadness over losing him made her had a heartattack.” Rama started. “But, there’s a rumor, saying that Rizal didn’t die because of sickness. He died because he was used as a sacrifice. But something went wrong that not only Rizal was dead, but also his wife and their unborn child. Even Rizal’s brothers got crippled. If that’s the truth, then he was really a poor boy.”

It was not even a minute since my frown disappeared, now it formed in my face again. At this rate, by the time I went out from this public cemetery, I would have many wrinkles on my face. Jane would laugh at me for sure.

But, it was hard not to crease my brows when I heard that twisted story. Sadly, I knew that the story was true. After all, I was there when Kunti told Jane that he didn’t marry a human. Even though at that time the story was still unclear, but I could connect the dots here and there about his death.

We chatted for a bit about small things while waiting for Nita to finish her conversation with her baby. The clouds were getting darker when we finally went out from the public cemetery. Because I drove by myself when I came and the couple also drove their own vehicle, Rama made sure to safe my phone number and asked me to wait for him in our usual cafe near the campus.

So, I went there alone. The cafe owner was still the same despite his wrinkles started to be more apparent. He didn’t seem surprised when I appeared there, seemed like he had heard about my return.

“Hello, young lad. You’re still alive, huh? How was the other side?” He asked with a joking smile on his face.

“Alive and healthy.” I shrugged nonchalantly. “The other side? I didn’t reach there. But I can tell you something.” I leaned towards the bar table. “Where I went is an awesome place. I even met a beautiful girl there.” I grinned.

His old eyes sparked with excitement. “Really?” His eyes widened.

I nodded to express my seriousness. If only he knew the awesome place was my own bedroom, hahaha...

“But, old man, don’t go there yet.”

“Hahaha, I still want to live well, young lad. Don’t worry.” He laughed.

I smiled. “Is the rooftop available?”

“Yes. Just go. How about your order? Still the usual?” He asked.

“Nope. I’ll take apple juice. But the food is still the same. Make it two. And a cup of black coffee. Rama’s gonna need it.” I waved my hand as I headed to where I usually sat with my friend; the rooftop.

The place didn’t change much, save for the number of flower pots added in the rooftop. The paint had started to fade away, but our signs were still there.

“Tom was here.” I read the stupid sentence I wrote when I was still a college student. A smile crept in my face before I knew it, but it disappeared as soon as I felt something cold caressed my back.

Even though the sky was dark and I was in an open space which meant it could be wind, but I could distinguish the difference. This cold was only belong to those who were either dead, or already a ghost. I didn’t remember this place had ghost.

Ah right, I couldn’t see them back then.

“Pretty boy, pretty boy, come here.” Sultry whisper was heard even before I turned my head. It was so enchanting that I was tempted to put a stupid on my face.

But, I held back. This was wrong. Something was definitely off here.

“Pretty boy, wanna play with me?” The voice was even closer to me as a pair of cold hands carressing my shoulders. A transparent hand appeared from my back to my chest, rubbing it lightly with the cold air around it.

Damn, this ghost! How dare she took advantage of me?

I grabbed her wrist in annoyance, but I knew well my face didn’t show any expression other than being stoic. I must show her that not everyone could be seduced. She might remember my face for someone that couldn’t be messed up with.

With a light tug, the ghost who was sticking to my back was pulled before me. She even let out a seductive shriek, how devoted was she to be a seductress? I was about to scold her, but all of my words got stuck in my throat as my eyes widened in surprised.