Deja Vu [ Lilian Ashley ]
16. The Third Nightmare

Slowly my eyes opened and found myself standing firmly with a body that felt a little sore as well as a head that was quite dizzy. Now I was on the opposite side of the train tracks and heard a ringing text message notification from the phone that I was holding earlier.

Inbox || Kurt : Hi, are we going to meet at the place as usual?

I've never gotten a text message from Kurt. But for the first time I know that this phone has saved Kurt's contacts.

I just realized that I was in an accident in a train crash. So why am I here in a different way? In fact, which began at night, now the sun became bright.

My mouth started to flinch when I checked the history section where text messages from Kurt had been sent every day. It was just a greeting, a promise at the meeting place and asking for daily news. My eyes were hot as I glanced at the cellphone clock that was on July 18:00. Time is repeating itself again.

Instantly a very important name sprang to my brain, namely River. I want to see how he is now.

So, will this repeated July 20th show a different world again like I experienced before?

I rushed home and quickly entered my apartment. I checked the surroundings that I could assess some changes. My figure photo with River is absent and replaced by a sleeping lamp. The calendar that I often doodled had been clean without the slightest ink stain. It seems I don't need to check out the diary book which was definitely empty and didn't contain the words "date 22, River was with me" earlier. Actually, that's not my reason for not opening the diary, but locked by a small circular padlock. I don't know where the key is and it doesn't seem too important to look for right now.

I opened my phone and saw a new app that I had never previously felt installed. "FoodGrab" is an online food ordering app. Spontaneous myself darted towards the kitchen and there was nothing I could process into food. In the refrigerator there are only canned drinks and bottles as well as sundries for snacking. I can conclude that I cannot cook now.

TLING'S!

I quickly opened the phone that was still clasped by my hand when I heard the sound of a text message notification sent.

Inbox || [Unknown Number] : Hi, how are you?

Message from the Mystery again, but the message this time is very memorable if he has known me as before. So, surely only he knew about me and followed me from the beginning until now. He was the key to finding answers about all of my life's dreams.

I have to go to him and ask for all the details. I'll start by asking why he just sent me a text message and wouldn't meet face to face, about his knowledge of me with amnesia, about me who received an accident but suddenly started life as if I had experienced nothing. I have to ask the guy directly.

I kept the person's number before replying to the message.

Sent: Can we meet?

My message was almost answered instantly.

Inbox || The mysterious: Sorry.

Sent: But, I have a lot to say to you. Please.

Inbox || The mysterious: Sorry again.

Shit, this guy refused. Even though it was useless he monitored me from a distance but did not tell anything about his own identity. I can't talk about this through messages either. He and I need to speak directly. It seems that I am free to force the will of this mystery man and I better order food because now my stomach has begun to protest to ask for intake.

TLING'S!

I went back to checking the text message I thought was the mysterious one. My guess is wrong, it's Kurt.

Inbox || Kurt : Why wasn't my message answered?

Oh yeah, I forgot.

Inbox || Kurt : Ok.

Such a short answer. It seemed that the guy was a little angry with my reply who refused his request. But it's for my own good, I don't want to travel nights alone. If he forces, he'll have to pick me up. It was a rule I made for the safety of the night terror that I do not know whether he is now terrorizing me or not. Or maybe the pale-skinned person is not evil this time. Maybe I can't be sure either.

After the food order between me until—only one box of teriyaki rice and pickled japan—and tipped the courier, I immediately devoured everything without waste and then cleaned myself with a bath to relax my body. After completing the ritual of self-cleaning, I immediately laid my body on the mattress and closed my eyes until morning arrived.

I think this morning will go as usual, it turns out very different. When my eyes woke up, the stacking of text message notifications had left me flabbergasted when I found out that the sender was Kurt. Damn, early in the morning has spammed me blindly. I didn't mind those messages. Before I even opened the bathroom door, my doorbell suddenly rang. I was eager to curse at the man who came early in the morning before the cleansing ritual. I thought that it was Kurt who was going to nag because the message was unrequited.

When I saw from the glass hole cebung on the door, it turns out that a stranger who wears an employee uniform with a package. Wait a minute, is that a food courier? I didn't order anything.

When I opened the door and asked him what was the reason he came, he said he wanted to give me food from the breakfast cathering I had ordered every month. Apparently, I spend money more often now. This morning has been decorated by breakfast toast, eggs of beef eyes, sausage-sized jumbo and baked beans as well as mashed potatoes on a small cup.

It is better to eat after bathing because it is not good to eat before brushing your teeth.

All the morning activities were over and I immediately shot towards the campus. I wish I could meet River again, though his nature might change and not think of me as before. But at least I have to express my gratitude.

I've learned that I can't possibly have a memory in this different situation and I'm actually just another version of Ashley. The version in another life that took Ashley's original life here. Ah, never mind, I'm even more confused if I explain it.

My eyes caught a very familiar figure, Kai. Good thing, if Kai was here then River wouldn't be far from him. I quickly approached Kai and greeted him cheerfully.

"Oh, hi Ashley," replied Kai who had an expressionless face yet still looked friendly. He usually smiles a lot when he sees me. "Tumben nyapa."

The tumben? Means I rarely interact with him here? Really weird.

"Yes, hehe. You see, I want to find your sister" I said while tucking my hair behind my ears. "He hasn't been to college yet?"

"My brother?" Instantly my mood changed upon hearing Kai's question which looked at me in confusion.

"Yes, River," I looked at Kai who was smiling.

"Gue doesn't have a sister, Ley. Who is River?"

DEG!

My chest felt battered and tight.

Now I was really shaken after hearing Kai's unbelievable reply. How I wish to shout and protest at whoever rules the life of the world for negating River in this moment.

Why is this change in the world so drastic that it takes away one important person from me? Even I can't forget a little memory of River from twenty July to twenty-four July until the time goes backwards to twenty july again. God fucking.

"Ashley, why dumbass? Lo's sick, huh?" I flinched as Kai reprimanded my attitude which looked shocked as a result of his words.

"Oh, no papa, I went to class first, yes," my sergeant who went straight from Kai to avoid some questions from him.

At that moment my tears fell without my control and I buried my face with my palms.

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