I walked away from the neatly parked car in the campus parking lot, traversing the corridors towards my class. The campus where I study is rather expansive, with several buildings separating the various academic programs.
My interaction with Bang Aldo had instilled a sense of confidence in me, tempering my fears a bit. So engrossed was I in my walk that I didn't notice Kaivan calling out to me. Now, he was walking alongside me, stride for stride.
I was naturally startled and turned to look at him.
"Kak Kai," I said.
"You contacted Bang Aldo?" Kaivan was straightforward, foregoing the usual pleasantries to ask directly about Aldo.
"Yes," I replied succinctly.
"What for?"
"It's a secret," I said offhandedly, a response that, as it turned out, would only strain my friendship with Kaivan further.
"I'm serious, Yura."
I stopped walking because Kak Kai, once again, spoke with a raised voice. Whether he suffered from hypertension or it was just his nature, I couldn’t tell.
"Kak Kai, you're raising your voice again."
"Ck. It’s because you're giving me unclear information when I'm seriously concerned," he retorted.
I sighed before I unleashed my silent tirade on Kaivan.
"I did contact Bang Aldo, wasn't it Kak Kai who introduced us? So it's not unusual for me to reach out to him when I face supernatural troubles at home," I pointed out, a fact he couldn't dispute. Quickening my pace, I left an annoyed Kaivan behind.
In class, Mail hadn't arrived yet, but Nana was there. So I asked Nana to get in touch with Mail.
"What's the big deal? He'll show up," Nana remarked.
"Just do it, you'll find out why soon enough."
"He's not feeling well. He's had trouble sleeping since a relative passed away, and it didn't help that Mail's extended family has been in some conflict," Nana explained.
"What kind of conflict?"
"I don't know, he didn't give details," Nana replied.
"Huh, talk about a long life," I commented as Mail appeared at the door. He greeted us with a smile, looking even more disheveled than usual, his pale face and dark circles under his eyes betraying his lack of rest.
I dared not look at Mail for the presence still lurking behind him, its gaze oddly fixed on me. Although I insisted on contacting Mail, I fell silent and didn't sit next to him when he arrived.
"What's with you?" Mail questioned, to which I just shrugged.
"You're acting strange," Nana added.
"I want to talk after class, but not here," I said.
As the class filled up and the professor entered, my concentration wavered, and I occasionally glanced at Nana, leaning on the desk. Mail seemed uncomfortable in his seat, and the presence kept glaring at me.
I whispered a verse and a prayer that Bang Aldo had taught me for when I felt fear or saw unsettling spirits. When class finally ended, most of the students left, some lingered for chats or were engrossed in their phones.
"Let's go to the canteen," Nana suggested.
"Mail... I want to talk."
"So talk."
"But not here," I insisted, donning my backpack that held only journals and a wallet, no heavy textbooks.
"What's going on with you two? I'm getting suspicious," Nana expressed. "It's not like Yura has a crush on you, Mail."
"Why not?" Mail joked with a chuckle.
"Get real. Let's go," Yura led the way with Nana and Mail following. They would complain about my leading them to a secluded area of the campus.
"You're not making us do something weird, right?" Nana pressed.
I said nothing and chose a bench on the porch of an empty classroom in the deserted corridor. Mail sat next to me, making my skin crawl with its sudden iciness. I slid away from him.
Nana stood watching Mail and me.
"I need to tell you something, but don't interrupt," I said.
"Then hurry up, you're making us curious," Nana interjected.
"Mail, you're carrying something unseen by others," I said, looking down to avoid direct contact with the entity.
"What do you mean by something?" Mail asked.
"Yuraaaa...."
I was startled and looked straight ahead, a shiver running up my spine. The being really wanted to communicate.
"Yura," Nana called. "What are you talking about?"
"I can see things you cannot—things that are invisible," I clarified.
"You mean like demons," Nana cut in.
"Something like that," I conceded.
"Damn it," Mail exclaimed, standing up. "Where is this thing you're talking about?" his voice edged with unease.
"It's on your back," I said quietly.
Nana moved to sit beside me, my eyes still downturned. Mail, visibly nervous, asked what he should do.
"Yuraaaa," the quiet voice persisted.
"Mail, please be quiet. You can't see it, but it's speaking to me now. I can't hear it properly if you keep yelling."
"How can I not yell, Yura Bestari, when you say I'm carrying a demon on my back?" Mail cried out.
Nana was silent, hugging my left arm.
"You should recite any prayer you know," I suggested, feeling the weight intensify on me as the entity sought my attention.
"What if I get it wrong?"
"What's wrong with the prayers, Mail?" Nana asked.
"Like, if I recite a prayer wrongly, thinking it's for undressing or a meal. That would scare the demon out of its wits."
Nana laughed at Mail's remark, while I just shook my head in disbelief at their ability to joke in such circumstances, feeling increasingly weak.
"Yuraaaa, deliver my message," the lingering spirit asked.
Slowly, I lifted my head, swallowing hard when I saw the face peering at me. Nana ceased laughing and signaled for Mail to be quiet as well.
Seeing my silence, Nana and Mail exchanged glances and prompted me to speak. I raised a hand, silencing them once more.
Shortly afterwards, I leaned back, catching my breath.
"Yura, what's wrong?" Nana asked, tapping my cheek as I momentarily closed my eyes.
"Ra, please tell me you're not joking," Mail pressed.
I tried to sit up straight, facing Mail, who was still standing with the entity no longer looking as menacing behind him.
"Mail, do you mind telling me how your relative passed?" I asked.
"They were sick," Mail replied.
"I believe our time is predetermined by God, but he told me family discord led to his death, that someone used black magic against him," I shared with Mail, who knelt before me, a little distance away.
"Is that true, Ra? How do you know?"
"Because he just told me," I answered. "He feels bound to you because of your guilt about your parents' involvement..."
I halted as I heard Mail's heavy sigh.
"Yes," Mail admitted, looking down.
"Mail," I called, drawing his gaze.
"He says you shouldn't feel guilty, he's at peace with his time to go. As long as you hold on to blame, he remains constrained. Try to let go, to forgive; it’s God's to judge who's at fault," I explained to Mail.
Mail wiped his face roughly.
"Ra, let him know..."
"No, he hears you. What do you want to say?"
"I'm sorry I couldn't stop their actions. If only I had known, maybe..."
"It's fate, Mail. It was his time," I corrected him.
"God willing, I'll try to forgive myself," Mail murmured, while Nana clung tighter, sensing Mail breaking down.
I watched as the entity slowly detached from Mail, smiling at us gently before finally fading away completely, leaving my body worn out.
"Yura," Nana yelled. Mail moved in, sitting next to me.
"Yura, what's wrong?" Mail inquired.
"Out of the way!" ordered a new voice.
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