Chapter 6: The Agony

"The doctor said she was fine now. She just lost consciousness."

"This is all my fault. I shouldn't have left her alone."

"It's not your fault, Samuel. Maybe she's just tired."

Huh? I frowned when I heard voices talking next to me.

They seemed familiar to me.

I slowly opened my eyes but immediately closed them when the sunlight hit me.

"Anne is awake." I looked at my auntie, who was teary-eyed and looking at me.

"Anne..." said a voice next to me. When I looked at him, the corners of my eyes immediately warmed up.

"D-dad..."

He hugged me tightly as tears welled up in my eyes.

"Forgive me, sweetie. I'm sorry I wasn't by your side when this happened to you," Dad also cried.

I couldn't answer. I felt like all the doubts in my heart had disappeared because finally, after my brother's death, I felt my father's hug again.

"Dad...thank you for coming," I said, my vision blurred from tears.

After I was hospitalized for two days, Auntie and Dad took me home. Daddy also stayed with us, and when I was in the hospital, he said he also visited my grandparents.

He even told me that I should have visited on my first day here at their house.

"Auntie, did my friends take me to the hospital?" I asked while we were arranging my belongings that she had brought to the hospital. Dad was staying in the guest room next to mine. He had just returned from the US when Auntie called him and told him what had happened to me.

"Yes, Theresa said you suddenly lost consciousness while praying."

I was a little taken aback and remembered what had happened.

That day, I realized that Danny was the only soul I could talk to.

I just realized why, when I talked to him or shouted, people around me wondered. Maybe everyone thought I was crazy because I was talking to myself since I was the only one who could see that crazy ghost.

"What happened to you that day?" Auntie asked worriedly.

"Ah, maybe I was just tired," I lied and then stopped talking.

When we finished arranging, Auntie left me.

It's midnight, but I am still awake.

I went out onto the terrace and approached the railings, then looked at the other house.

The light in the opposite room, where I had seen Danny playing the guitar, was turned off.

I still can't believe that I actually saw a ghost. I didn't just see him; I was with him and argued with him. But what I can't believe the most is that I learned to love him in a short time, not knowing that he was already dead.

I climbed the rails and sat there with my legs hanging out.

I looked at the stars that brightened the night and searched for the brightest one.

"Danny, are you one of the stars now?" I said while still looking up.

I feel the corners of my eyes warm up.

"How did you do that, Danny? Talking to me, touching me, and kissing me like you're real. You made me believe that you were real. You're such a jerk, you know?"

I immediately wiped the tears from my cheeks.

"I thought you wanted to see me smile again... but do you think I can still smile now after you deceived me and made me believe you were alive? I hate you. You showed up like a mushroom and disappeared like a flash. I thought you loved me. But why didn't you tell me that you were already dead? Why did you make me fall for you and then leave me like this?" I burst into tears.

"I hate you, Danny. I hate you for making me fall for you. I hate you for making me miss you so much. I hate you for making me hope that you're not dead. I wish you were still alive. How can I forget you, Danny?" I collapsed, burying my face in my hands.

I couldn't help but cried all night.

-

Tomorrow is Saturday. Auntie and I drove Dad to the airport, which is just across the street from the Jollywood Resort that Teri mentioned.

From the small airport, you can see the beautiful view of the resort. There is a wide river between them, with only a hanging bridge connecting both sides.

The resort is at the top of the Red Land mountain, and like Hollywood, the name of the resort is also engraved on the side of the mountain.

It looks like a high-class hotel and resort when viewed. I think the hotel is on the 20th floor at the edge of the ravine. There is also a long zipline that goes through the gorge and crosses the Mumpong River, as the locals call it.

This is great, especially if you are with your friends.

"Did you know that there are also man-made falls behind that resort?" I looked at my auntie who was next to me.

Dad had just boarded the plane, but Auntie talked to someone inside, so I had a chance to look at the resort.

"Man-made falls?" I asked in surprise.

"Yes. The natural falls are far from here, so the owner of the resort created the man-made falls. They look real because the water comes from a spring. Do you want us to go?"

"Maybe next time," I replied with a slight smile.

We soon returned home. While on the road, I thought of playing some music so that we wouldn't be bored.

But I guess I made the wrong choice of music.

~ Would you know my name~

~if I saw you in heaven~

~would it be the same if I saw you in heaven~

~I must be strong and carry on~

~because I know I don't belong here in heaven~

I couldn't help but think of Danny. If he were alive now, maybe he would be with us, teasing me.

That man...he's annoying. If he were still alive, I would really hit him twice.

"Anne, are you okay?" Auntie asked worriedly. It was only then that I noticed that I was crying.

I quickly wiped away my tears. "Y-yes, Auntie, I just got something in my eyes," I said, then looked out the window. Auntie didn't press the issue, so our trip became quiet.

---

Sunday morning, my friends visited me: Teri, Ara, Jane, Mani, Ritchel, Maritess, Marivic, Nicko, Leo, Mark, Jay, Daniel, and Dondon.

As usual, Auntie was at church, so we were the only ones in the house. They had also just come from church and decided to stay here.

"How are you, Anne?" Teri asked after I brought them drinks in the gazebo.

Only the girls and Dondon were sitting because it was small, unlike Daniel's gazebo. Meanwhile, the boys had fun feeding the koi fish.

"I'm fine...I guess?" I answered hesitantly.

"I still can't believe you were able to see and talk to Craig for a few days," Jane said.

"Yes, and that's not all. He came to school without anyone else knowing except Anne," Mani added.

"But in fairness, he hasn't changed. He's already dead but still mischievous, even in his soul," Marivic said, slightly laughing.

Everyone also laughed at what she said.

"But girl, have you figured out why he showed himself to you?" Dondon asked.

"Yes, Anne. Why did Craig's soul come back just to be with and talk to you?" Maritess added.

I don't know if I should tell them what really happened—that Danny and I are connected to his accident. What if they get angry with me? What if, like others, they also hate me because I was the reason their friend died

"There must be a reason why he showed up to you, Anne," Ara said.

"Yes, Anne, do you remember him from before you came here?" Ritchel asked.

I don't know what to say. Should I tell them the truth? They have the right to know why Danny showed up to me.

But damn! How can I tell them that I'm the reason their friend is now six feet under the ground?

"I think I know the reason why Craig came back and showed himself to Anne," Daniel said, holding something.

A sudden throbbing in my chest at what he said.

He knows the truth?! What should I do now?!

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