Dead Man Walking

I was at the hospital and I met my psychologist, Michelle, and I asked her why I was here.

"The question is... why did you do that?"

"Because I couldn't stand the thought of my existential thoughts anymore..."

The television was showing the news. The newscaster reported that a woman named Sharon killed the Editor-In-Chief of the New York Times company in the main building. She will be released today.

Wait, what? It turns out that I've been in a coma for twelve years. And she is coming here to visit me by the first day she is being released.

Michelle came into the room and asked, "How are you feeling?"

"I'm confused. I feel numb. I don't know how to feel anymore."

"That's normal. You just woke up from a long coma. You're probably experiencing a lot of confusion, disorientation, and anxiety."

"I am. But I also feel a sense of relief."

"Why is that?"

"I haven't had this rest in a long time. I've always wanted to be in a coma just to release all the stress and be in my own fantasy world. Sometimes I wish I would never wake up and just be in the dream world forever."

"Do you feel that way now?"

"Yes. I feel that way now. I feel relieved. I feel free. I feel happy. I feel peaceful."

"Good. I'm glad you're doing well."

"Can I ask something?"

"Yes?"

"Please take care of Sharon... I don't know if I want to see her at all... after all this happened, and her being crazy towards me all this time. I can't take it.

It gives me PTSD. Please take her to a mental ward... or something, until eventually she feels better. Wait no, not a mental ward, a mental rehab. For now..."

"You want me to take her to a mental rehab?"

"Yeah... please... she's crazy... and I don't know if I can take it... please..."

"I'll see what I can do."

"Thanks... when am I being discharged since I woke up from my coma now?"

"I think it's tomorrow morning. I'll be here to see you off. Bye."

"Bye."

It was almost dawn. I was dreaming that I was walking through the streets of the city.

***

The following morning, out of anyone else, my father, Rey, came into my hospital room and I was surprised to see him here. He was crying and devastated. His hair was completely grey but he looks the same as ever.

"Dad!" I cried out.

He was wearing a suit, which was odd because he didn't wear suits before. He was looking for me. He had a tearful look in his eyes.

"I'm so sorry, son," he said.

"No, dad. It's okay. Why are you here?"

"I'm here because I love you. I wanted to see you one last time."

"What do you mean?"

"I only have one day left to live. I spent all these twelve years taking care of you in this hospital when you fell into a coma."

"What... dad? You really did that?"

"Yes, Klei..."

"Thank you... gee... now you only have one day left to live? I thought your cancer wasn't active."

"My cancer became active as soon as you fell into a coma. And I knew I was going to die. As soon as I knew, I wanted to spend my last days with you, even if we can't interact."

The doctor came in as well as my psychologist, Michelle, and my brother Gie with his daughter, finally a teenager.

Dorothy was there as well, she was my main caretaker in this hospital where she works at this entire time and I didn't know. She was the one who got me to this place in the first place.

"Sharon is coming here to see you now," Michelle said.

"Okay, let's go."

We went out of the room and saw Sharon standing outside. She looked beautiful as ever. And I feel like I'm going to regret if I were to put her into a mental rehab, but it was for her own good.

I can't risk driving her crazy with me giving her affection. It's going to make her worse.

"Hi, Klei."

"Hi, Sharon."

She was wearing a red dress and a black jacket. She was carrying a bouquet of flowers in her hand.

"Did you miss me?"

"Of course I did. You're my girlfriend."

"Oh, Klei... I missed you so much. You were the only person who kept me sane."

I gulped and thought maybe putting her in rehab would be a bad idea since I'm the only one who kept her sane. Imagine if she was isolated far away from me for God knows how long.

So I told my psychologist, Michelle, to not put her in a mental rehab anymore and have her stay with me. Maybe help Sharon with medications.

"So, what brings you here, Sharon?"

"I heard you were coming out of the hospital and I wanted to see you. And continue what you promised me... if the contract is finished, we will be together again."

"Well, I'm glad you came."

"I missed you so much, Klei. I can't wait to be with you again. I want to make love to you again, I want to hold you in my arms again, and kiss you, and be with you."

"I love you and miss you too, Sharon."

My brother prepared his SUV and told us to get in the car. And we all went in it as my psychologist was left there in the hospital to take care of other patients. And the same goes for Dorothy. We were heading back home.

While during the trip, my father suddenly died inside the car, because his time had finally come for his cancer to take away his life.

***

Sharon and I flew all the way to the Philippines where my father was finally buried. We arrived at the cemetery and saw my father's grave.

From too much stress from all these years, all worth for nothing but worth it for the sweet release of death. I just had the most romantic idea to commit double suicide with Sharon and end this madness once and for all…

AND THIS IS WHERE THE REAL REINCARNATION BEGINS…!