1 Welcome to (1/2)

-City Hospital-

-20XX-

I... woke up with a girl crying beside me.

Everything was all hazy. I remember being in a car with my Mom and Dad. It was my high school graduation day. Dad was driving. I remember the trip being mundane up to this point before the car lurched violently as Dad tried to avoid something on the road. Then it all went dark.

Ugh... My body feels so weak. My head really hurts, so hungry and I'm thirsty as hell.

”Thank God you woke up! It's been three years since the accident,” Her familiar voice rang out softly in my head in between sobs. I tried opening my eyes and I still can't see properly.

”Hey is that you Mari? You've grown really cute,” Trying my best to speak with my groggy voice just to see her smile. I don't want to see her cry. She must have been in a lot of pain by herself.

She grew up really cute with that baby face and mid-length hair.

”You still haven't changed brother. You can still joke around even after what happened. I really missed you. I'm so happy that you woke up!” She's smiling while wiping her tears. She's really happy. Thank God, I still know how to make her smile.

Then it dawned on me, I've been lying down here for three years. Three years huh... on the plus side, that would mean that I have three seasons of my favorite TV show to watch.

”By the way, where are Mom and Dad?”

The question brought a fresh wave of sorrow across her face. With her expression like that, I already know the answer. It felt like everything happened yesterday. I know that I should cry or be sad about it but for some reason, I only feel empty inside. Am I really a bad son for not grieving for my parents? No, because I know that wherever they are, they will be always with me in my heart and right now I need to face the present and try to live my life with my sister.

She looked away softly and said, ”Mom and Dad didn't make it.”

”I'm sorry, brother,”

”You don't have to be sorry,” I paused, thinking for a moment.

”Wherever they are, I know Mom and Dad are happy,”

-After a couple of months-

The next couple of months passed by in a blur. With my medication and rehabilitation, I am able to walk by myself now without help from anyone but it was tough. I regain my strength by doing what my doctors told me to do which really did great for me. After all that, Mari helped me settle the paperwork needed and I was discharged from the hospital. Some doctors told me that my body healed so fast but maybe that's just because I'm eager to go home.

We went to visit where Mom and Dad are resting. I really miss them. Fresh flowers lay beside each of the graves. It must have been hard for Mari. I allowed myself a weak smile.

She must have had to really go through a lot these past few years alone, having to deal with Mom and Dad's death, while I laid in a coma. The doctors told me she would visit the hospital almost every single day, waiting for me to wake, her only family.

”Thank you, Mari,” I said, so softly I wasn't even sure she heard it.

-Present Day, Morning-

The house looked pretty much the same as it always had. Mari did her best to keep the house clean, another thing to add to my sister's list of achievements in the last three years.

”Hey bro, your room is clean as always! Thanks to your sister,” Yeah, she's pretty proud of it. You could almost see her pride beaming through.

”Thanks, Mari, I know it's sad to be alone for three years. I promise you I won't leave you and will always be here for you,” Your brother got you.

”Thanks, bro, I really missed you,” She smiled and tugged me towards my room.

”I'm sure you have a lot of catching up to do now, so I'd leave you to it!” She left me alone in my room.

It looks like my computer is still working fine. I surfed through some of my social websites, the first few months were filled with friends posting their get well wishes and then posts fizzled out into occasional pictures they had of me. It was heartwarming.

As I was scrolling through some of the more recent feeds, something popped up on my chat - a message from Jay. Jay is my best friend, looks like he saw me online.

Jay Renzo: ”Hey Aries? Is that you?!”

Yup, I'm Aries Kim. Right now, I feel like I'm still 17 years old but in reality, I'm a 20 years old college student... or I would have been if not for the accident. I'm your regular normal looking guy, tall and pale skin. Why am I talking like someone's listening though?

Aries Kim: ”Yup it's me, Jay. I just got out of the hospital. My sis is with me here in our house,”

Jay Renzo: ”Why didn't you tell me?! Ok, I'll contact Son and we will be there for a minute! Stay there!”

Aries Kim: ”You don't have to-”

He was already offline before I could hit ”Enter”. Now I kind of remember the reason why I did not tell them I woke up.

-Afternoon-

Only took about fifteen minutes before there was a loud knock at the door. Looks like those two are here. I feel like it's just yesterday since we last saw each other, though.

”Hi, Jay! How did you know Aries is here?” Mari answered the door, surprised to see the grinning faces of my best buddies.

”Oh Mari, Jay saw me online earlier and with Son, they rushed here,” I replied happily, ushering my friends in.