Last Breath

"What is happening here?"

I rushed in to see what is going on. There was a huge crash sound that I believe to be coming from two fatal gunshots.

People were looking at the crime scene when I arrived. I pushed myself to see what is going on there.

Tears filled my eyes and I can barely move my feet. Red and blue lights were filling in the scene, police are investigating the area and the medical personnel are checking up on the victims.

I slowly walked towards the wounded but the police were stopping me. All I did was look from afar.

I'm pretty sure that they were not the ones wounded. I'm pretty sure.

"Excuse me Miss? Are you of any relatives of the victim? You seem to be of a resemblance to one of the victims. Can you go to the hospital to accompany one of the personnel?"

No. It can't be.

I nodded and the police inspector left.

I still can't process everything that has been happening. I was just about to buy some stuff that are needed and here I am, stuck in the middle of chaos. I have been thinking bad things but I would not let negativity enter through me.

I sat down a chair and tried to think positive things. I just can't believe what is happening around me. Out of all people, why me? Why do I have to face such misery? I want to know the answers.

Tears are falling down my cheeks. I was supposed to live a peaceful and happy life together with the people whom I adore the most, but what has been happening is the exact opposite of that. Life sure is complex. All of these makes me anxious and it has been troubling me a lot. I don't know but I'm about to go insane.

"Are you okay?"

There's that phrase again.

"I just happen to see you around. Why you are here and why are your eyes so puffy and red? Is there a problem?"

The warmth of his words is comforting me through this tough time. I just don't know but I feel comfortable when he is around. All of these feels familiar.

"Uhm, nothing. It's just that- well never mind. Why are you here anyways? Are you following me? You stalk-"

"I'm no stalker. AHAHAHHA I just happened to pass by here. I was just about to buy some school supplies. I guess this is fate?"

Fate your ass you jerk. You're the one who drove me into those big, fat, ugly bullies in school.

A medical personnel approached me.

"Ms Takahashi? May you please come with me?"

I nodded and followed her. Phil seems to be a bit confused but he followed anyways.

"The heck are you following me?'

"Huh?"

"Don't "Huh" me. Why are you following me? Are you going to the same hospital as I am?"

"Oh. I figured you need someone to accompany you. It's already evening. It's dangerous for someone to come out here you know."

I ignored him and went to the roadside to book a cab. I guess he wants to go with me hm? It's true that I need someone right now. I want someone to talk to.

I booked a cab in my phone and went to the ATM machine nearby. I grabbed a few cash for us to pay and for me to buy things I need. And I also needed cash so that I can already eat dinner.

I approached Phil after withdrawing from the ATM.

"Hey, did you eat already? I mean I could treat you to dinner if you haven't eaten yet. My way of saying thanks for accompanying me."

"Oh. It's okay. But if it's free, I'm in! I know a good place to eat! But before that, let's head to the hospital okay?"

I nodded and just in time the cab arrived.

"Oh just in time. Sir? Take us to Nagoya University Hospital?"

The driver nodded and started driving.

"Uhm, are you okay? Do you want to eat first before going there? Well, I'm from Nagoya before so might as well enjoy our specialties here! I know places that are good!"

I ignored what Phil is saying and continued staring at the window, trying to process what is going on.

There will certainly be moments in our lives where we must face challenges, but the real challenge will be how we evolve and learn from them. And I am still very far away from doing that. As young, innocent children, we foolishly thought that life would be easy and painless. Oh, we were sorely mistaken; we can only wish for life to be that easy. I thoroughly wished I would spend my life easier.

As we mature from being children into adults, we will continue to face countless hurdles that only get bigger and more consequential. I'd give anything to be able to go back in time and think that learning division was as difficult as untying a string of knots. When our problems appeared trivial and foolish.

I guess I'm a fool for believing life is just very easy.

I closed my eyes and rested for a while.

An hour had passed and suddenly Phil woke me up.

"Oi! We are here. Oi! Wake up Rin!"

I opened my eyes and handed the money to the cab driver.

"Thank you sir!"

We went out of the cab and walked towards Nagoya Hospital. The medical staff approached me and looked at me with shock.

"Are you the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Takahashi?"

Why would she recognize me? I mean, I am a resemblance of my mother.

"Yes?"

I was trembling when I said that. I knew something was odd.

"I'm sorry to tell you this. But your parents passed away 10 minutes ago. They were involved in an accident in Tokyo. We tried to revive them in the ambulance but it was too late. The bullets were pierced in their lungs and they lost a huge amount of blood. I'm sorry for this news."

I still can't believe what is happening. My parents are dead? It can't be.

"I'm pretty sure those weren't my parents. They were some other people right?"

"I know it is very hard for you since you are the only child. Both of them are very good doctors. They excelled in everything they do both inside and outside the medical field. But sad to say that all of that ended in a second. Police officers said that there were people who are stalking them. They are on the hunt in finding them. I do hope that justice will be served. I'm really sorry Ariana. Our deepest condolences. Now if you excuse me."

I reached out for a chair and sat down, still processing what has been happening.

Trying to recover from this traumatic experience was painful and seemed to take an eternity. I felt as if the whole world was falling around me. My whole world was crumbling around me; it was as though everything I had ever known had been ripped away from me.

"Hey. Everything's going to be okay. I know you've lost both of your parents-

"No. It's not only the both of them but also my baby brother. Mother was conceiving a child. I think it was already 4 months in her tummy. I never get to see him just a bit."

Both of my parents only spend time with me during the mornings everyday as they are both busy doctors. Even though we only spend a little time bonding with each other, I know that they are working for all of us.

It's just sad that we never get to enjoy the company of each other. Ever since I was a child, i grew up living along with my nanny. But even though both of them are busy, they never forgot to share their love with me. We get to bond even in the breakfast table. They never forget to shower me with their fatherly and motherly love.

"I'm extending my condolences Rin. I know this would be hard for you but you've got to take care of yourself also. I know how it feels to lost someone you love."

"I guess I'll have to process the papers needed for their funeral and death certificates. You can go home now Phil. I'm already causing you too much trouble. You haven't eaten yet. I'm sorry/ Here is some cash."

"No. Let's eat first before doing some work. Your parents might hate you for not eating properly."

Yea. I guess mother would hate me if I would not eat properly. I nodded and followed Phil since he formerly lives here. I was also from Nagoya but both of my parents decided to leave Nagoya for Tokyo.

"I'll just follow you since you live here."

Nagoya is full of shrines and parks which both of my parents like. I don't know the reason why they transferred to Tokyo. Both of my parents won't tell me the exact reason and I didn't barged in asking why.

"I was also from Nagoya. This was my birthplace."

"Oh really? But you're living in Tokyo now right?"

"Yea. But we lived here until I was 5 years old. I remember how I used to be a playful girl and running around in the Meiji village near our house. I used to play with that one boy. He came to Meiji Mura every time."

Being able to live like a child seems like a dream where you live every day of your lives carefree. Running around, playing in the swings and slides and laughing each other's heart out.

"Yea. Nagoya is a good place to settle in. Sometimes people say harsh criticisms about it like maybe it ugly compared to other cities but it is an easy-to-live city. People here are very accommodating and helpful especially if you're not from around here. I can still remember how we are treated the first time we came here."

We were so happy yet it ended so soon.

I looked up into the skies. The moon is shining so brightly and the stars are glittering and so as my tears.

Why would you leave me so soon?