Adam's haunting past

Adam and Emily stood before the apartment building, well-maintained and possessing the charm of old-school architecture. Adam was instantly transported back, remembering himself walking alone, headphones plugged in, head down, isolated from the world. No awareness of his surroundings, no interaction with anyone.

Emily looked at Adam's face, seeing a flicker of fear and uneasiness. She held his hand tighter. "I'm here with you. Whenever you're ready."

Adam felt the warmth of her hand and the comfort in her words. He looked down at their interlocked hands, a sense of peace settling over him—a feeling he thought he'd never find. "I'm ready," Adam said, his expression slowly changing as he met Emily's gaze.

Emily, however, still looked worried, an expression that mirrored a time in their past. "Please don't worry anymore. I am better now with you. You're giving me the same expression like you were before," Adam said, holding Emily's hands tightly.

"That time, I didn't want you to know about me going away for rebirth. Though I didn't know it at that time, I was thinking about my cancer and short amount of time to live. I know it would have devastated you after your parents passing. That's why," Emily began.

Before she could finish, Adam interrupted. "It's fine, I understand. It must have been hard for you. Even I don't know what I would do. That old me shut off everything around him. I'm just glad I am here now with you. I'm sorry for not being able to see your love before. I know now, how much you have cared and loved me." Adam hugged Emily, overwhelmed by his past.

"I love you," Adam whispered in Emily's ear.

"I'll always love you," Emily whispered back.

Their moment was interrupted by a voice. "Is that you, Adam?" Both Emily and Adam were surprised by someone calling Adam's name.

They looked over, and Adam instantly recognized her as the landlord.

"Mdm Mayumi, it's been so long," Adam greeted her.

"You've grown up quite well, and who is this person you're with?" Mayumi asked.

"This is my wife, Emily. Emily, this is my landlord, Mayumi," Adam introduced them.

"Nice to meet you, Mdm Mayumi," Emily greeted graciously.

"Oh my, your wife?! You got married so early? Emily, have I seen you before? You look very familiar," Mayumi asked curiously.

"Yes, I was the girl that came to meet Adam sometimes in the past. Maybe that's where you've seen me before? We are in the same school," Emily explained.

"Then you should know Alice since all of you are from the same school," Mayumi added.

"Emily and I have changed schools since then, so we might not be aware of this person," Adam said.

Mayumi was puzzled by what she was hearing. She was about to say something when she suddenly remembered an important question. "Have you gone to meet your relatives? Your uncle from your father's side came yesterday looking for you. He has been paying your rental as usual after he found out you were in a coma," Mayumi explained.

Adam, who didn't really know his relatives other than the one he had stayed with before, wondered who this uncle was that he couldn't remember. "To be honest, I've lost contact with them. Do you by any chance have his number?" Adam asked.

Mayumi quickly took out her phone, found the number, and asked Adam to save it. Mayumi still looked like she wanted to say something but was afraid to do so. "I'll take my leave. There are some errands I need to get done. Nice to meet you, Emily," Mayumi said, waving to both of them as she left for her errands.

As Adam and Emily said goodbye to Mayumi, they both walked up to the apartment.