A Day in A Life of Death

THREE

“I love you”

What? Did I hear it correctly? Did she just say that she loves me?

I just looked at her blankly and she’s just looking back at me seriously. Okay? What an awkward situation it is. What’s happening right now? Why is she acting so strange?

“You’re my husband now, right?”

“Uhuh?”

“Why don’t you say that you love me too?”

WHAT? WHY SHOULD I?

I slightly frowned in front of her. She just looks very innocent right now.

“*awkward laugh* Ohoh… uhm… Mara, can you give us a few seconds? I’m just going to say something to my stupid friend okay?” Then suddenly, Nemesis interrupted our conversation and immediately dragged me away from Mara.

“I’m not stupid Nemesis!” I immediately patted her shoulders because of what she said to me. I do not know why she keeps calling me stupid while as a matter of fact, I am the most intelligent spectral being created.

“Yes, you are! Look at what you are doing!”

“What? What did I do?”

“Listen to me, stupid. Can you just stick to your job?”

What is she talking about? Can’t she see what I am doing here? I just got a fake marriage from a soul that I have just known for about a few hours ago! How crazy is that?

“I’m doing my job!”

“No, you are not doing it correctly! It’s not real right? Can you just try to pretend that you love her because you just got married out here? Have you forgotten her wish? She made that wish because she wants to experience being married and to feel loved and cared for by someone. So will you please at least do that before she goes to the afterlife?”

“She said I love you!”

“I know! But it doesn’t mean that it’s true! Can’t you see? She’s just making an act to make it more realistic! Now can you just do your job nicely? You still have three days to do that”

After what she said, we both looked at Mara not too far away from us. She’s just calmly sitting at one of the old dusty chairs here in the abandoned church.

“But… h-how? I don’t know how it’s all new to me!”

“You are really stupid! You’ve met a lot of souls already then you’re telling me that you have no idea about marriage? Oh, come on, do your research. Now let’s go back there, do your job, then we’re all fine here okay?”

I feel like I am being scolded by a mom here. Is she that old?! She even pinch one of my legs then she dragged me back to Mara’s side like a child. Oh come on, what am I here? Am I still a grim reaper here? I don’t feel like I am the grim reaper that most of the souls are afraid of anymore.

“Hi, so I and my stupid friend were done talking. I’ll give him back to you then… I am going to leave you two alone.” when she said that ‘stupid’ word again, I elbowed her. If she says that again I’m going to kick ass next.

“What?”

Wait so she’s leaving? I might get annoyed with her sometimes, yes, and sometimes I want her to get out of my sight but I changed my mind just by this time. I need guidance for this awkward situation. I don’t know what to do next after this!

Well...

I mean, I have an idea but…

NO, NO WAY THAT SHOULD BE HAPPENING JUST NO.

“Work is calling me!”

“B-but…”

“Come on man! You can do it without me. Spend your honeymoon well and romantic. If you don’t, be ready with the scolding from up above *wink*.”

*poof*

And with that, she just left us.

It’s now just the two of us here. THE TWO OF US.

I don’t know what is happening but I really feel awkward right now. After everything that we have done. We had this marriage… we kissed… she said “I LOVE YOU”

Ugh… I need to puke. I did not imagine that I would be in this kind of situation.

“So, Thanatos. What should we call each other? Should it be...babe? Honey? Darling? Sweetheart?”

When she said those lines, my eyes widened up. She’s giving me goosebumps. I should be the one giving her that but she is not scared of me.

“I am not fond of those call signs,” I said as I started to walk slowly, away from her.

“Why? It’s sweet” and I am not surprised that she followed me, and of course, she wrapped her arms around mine. I just let out a big sigh.

JUST PRETEND THANATOS. BE AN ACTOR. BE PROFESSIONAL. IT WILL ONLY LAST FOR THREE DAYS. YOU CAN DO THIS!

If you don’t, be ready with the scolding from up above

I remembered what Nemesis said earlier, ugh… I even remember how she said it, the tone of her voice, everything.

“Okay fine, how about *cough* ugh… *cough* sweet… *cough* I guess let’s just make our own unique call sign, to be different you know”

I really can’t handle saying those cheesy words. I feel like I am going to melt or something.

I just face her and smile at her like begging her to agree with my idea. I don’t want to use babe, darling, honey… ugh I feel like I am going to puke again. It really gives me chills.

“Okay, that is actually a good idea! Then, what do you suggest?”

Thank goodness! She agreed! I thought she wouldn’t, so I got nervous for a while.

“M-me?”

“Yes”

“Why me? It is up to you. Whatever comes up to your mind it is fine”

“Are you sure?”

Why is she giving me that look now? I feel like she’s planning something that I won’t like? But never mind, I need to do what she wants for three days. I need to make her happy even before she goes to the afterlife or else, I’m doomed again.

“Yes”

“Okay then, how about cookies and cream?”

I knew it. SHE’LL DO SOMETHING THAT I WON’T LIKE. WHAT THE HECK IS THAT KIND OF CALL SIGN?

“What? No! Are we an ice cream or something? Anything but not that”

“You told me everything that comes to my mind is fine, right? Then why don’t you agree with cookies and cream?”

“Because it is an ice cream flavor and we are not an ice cream”

I gave her a lot of wide gestures just for her to see that we are not a flavor. I am a reaper, she is a soul. How can we be cookies and cream?

“How about cupcakes?”

OH COME ON REALLY? DO I LOOK LIKE A SWEET FOOD TO HER? I AM NOT. AND I AM KIND OF ANNOYED.

SHE’S GIVING ME THAT CUTE INNOCENT LOOK REALLY? IT WILL NOT WORK ON ME.

“What? We’re not food! Can you not give a call sign that is related to food?”

“I’m confused with you, you told me that it’s all up to me but you are not agreeing with my suggestions.”

“How about… light and dark? You are light, I am dark. You light up my dark world. How about that?”

Wait, what? How did I say that? Why did I say that? Where did I get that? Really Thanatos? Light and dark really? Light up my dark world? What is happening to me?

I am surprised with myself, very surprised.

And as I can see, she was stunned by that too.

Well, it is better than cupcakes or cookies and cream!

“I never knew that you would be that sweet, I like it!!!”

Then she hugged me, I don’t know but I just let her do that. Do whatever she pleases.

“So that’s it, nice to be with you, light”

“I love you, dark”

Wait, what? That is not how to respond to what I said! I just looked at her and she’s also looking straight at me with a smile on her face.

Okay Thanatos, it is fake. Just pretend that you like her. Pretend that you are very happy to be with her. Pretend that you are a very romantic husband.

Ugh, Lord, why should I have to do this!?

“Dark? I said I love you”

“I love you too, light”

---

“So why are we here? We keep on going to old places huh” I said as I stroll around this messy small house near the church that we’ve been to earlier.

“Well, you’re my husband now. Might as well, you should at least know where I grew up.” She’s really into our fake marriage thing huh.

“Oh okay. So you lived here” I never knew that her childhood house was just near the church.

I looked around and touched one of the old cabinets. It is very dusty. A lot of dirty cups and bottles are stuck at the corner of this house. It seems like a tornado or storm had passed in here.

“Yes but look, I know you feel awkward about what’s happening to us right now. That is why I want you to know me more.”

She walked towards me and looked at me straight in the eyes. I don’t know but I can’t look back at her, so I just locked my sight from the wall away from her.

“I don’t say that I feel awkward”

“But it is too obvious, Dark. Even if you are not saying anything to me”

I am surprised when she suddenly touched my face to let me look at her instead of the wall. I had no choice but to turn my attention to her. It gives me goosebumps, aside from that, she called me Dark. She really is planning to continue what she is doing huh.

We just stare at each other for a few seconds and it makes me uncomfortable. That is why I start to talk.

“So, how is your childhood here? Memorable? Memorable in a positive way or memorable in a negative way?

“You are the grim reaper. You should know it right?”

“No? Does a grim reaper supposed to know everything about the life of the soul that he is taking?” Then I swiftly walk backward, away from her. She keeps on cornering me and I can’t handle that.

“Well, I guess?”

“Sorry to inform you that you are wrong. We don’t know EVERYTHING. I will just know a part of your life when you allow showing it with me”

“What is that supposed to mean?” As expected she went near me again, then she touched one of my hands. It feels like she can’t stand it if I am away or not by her side. She’s too touchy and it makes me feel uncomfortable. I'm not used to someone always holding me, or always getting close to me.

“Lay down,” I said with an authority

“Wh-what?”

“Lay down on the floor and close your eyes” then I touched both of her shoulders. I don’t know what she’s thinking right now but she looked very confused.

“Why? W-what are you going to do? h-here? Is it just too early for… that?”

Early for that?

“Huh? What are you talking about?”

“I know that we kissed and everything but… I am...uhm”

“What?”

“I am still a virgin”

What the? So she’s referring to THAT?

That...THAT?

Why the heck would she think of that? Is she kidding me? Her face looks funny right now.

“*laugh* You know what, Mara? Your mind is dirty. I never expected you to think about the things like that”

“Huh? So it’s not… that?”

“Of course not! Now lay on the floor and close your eyes”

“Oh, that’s embarrassing. Please forget that”

She immediately turned around not facing me. She looked ashamed of what she said. It’s very funny!

After a few seconds, she starts to lay down then she closed her eyes awkwardly. Her facial expression is very funny!

“Mara, try to relax yourself.”

“S-sorry”

I saw her take a few deep breaths before she relaxed her face and her body. This woman is really crazy.

“Okay, now try to remember the things that you had in this house”

“Okay”

“Take a deep breath again. Inhale… Exhale”

“Mom, nobody wants me in school. They say that I am a weirdo” I saw the young version of Mara walking grumpily inside the room. She immediately put down her backpack on the floor and went to her mom who’s currently cooking in the kitchen.

Her mom turned around and face her with a worried look.

“Why what happened?” Her mom said while she wipes away the tears of her daughter, Mara.

“They say that my friend, Sally, is not real”

I saw the change in the mom’s expression when she heard the name Sally.

“Mara...”

“Mom, she’s real right?” Young Mara keeps on crying.

Her mom looked at her and stopped moving for a while.

“Mara… Sally is your imaginary friend”

“What? No, mom! She is not imaginary! I can see and touch her! She always plays with me at night! She is real, mom!” Young Mara threw tantrums and her mom can’t do anything. Why is she not doing anything?

“Mara… we cannot see your friend. We just see you talking and playing with yourself”

“Mom don’t say that!”

“Sorry if I told you this just now. It is hard but I have to tell you the truth.” her mom touched both of her daughter’s shoulders and sincerely looked at her.

“No mom! You are lying!”

“Mara… I know it is hard for you to be alone here while I’m away selling vegetables. I accept that. I have many shortcomings and I can’t give you my full attention. Your dad left us just before you were born and it has to be me to support our family. It’s hard for you, I know. Believe me, I know. It is hard for me too. But you have to face the reality. There is no Sally. You just made her up because of loneliness”

“No! She’s here. I’m going to call her. She’s in my room.” Mara took off the hands of her mother on her shoulders and went inside her room. Her mom just started to kneel and stayed where she is. She began to cry.

“Mara please…”

“Sally! Where are you? My mother wants to see you!” I see young Mara looking for Sally. She looked everywhere but it seems like Sally is nowhere to be found.

“Mara, stop”

“Sally?! Where are you?” Mara went back out to the kitchen near her mother, hoping that Sally is in there. But no.

I am surprised by the next thing that her mother does. Her mother pulled her harshly and shook her.

“Mara! I am your mother, listen to me! There’s no Sally and I am telling you the truth!”

I saw young Mara was surprised by her mother too. She calms down for a little bit.

“B-but… she’s the only one who can understand me, mom”

“I am really sorry Mara. It’s my fault. It is my fault why you became like this”

Then her mom just hugged her after that.

This memory is kinda sad…

I feel really sad about it.

“Mara. Mara, you’re crying” I now try to tap Mara’s shoulders to wake her up from her memories.

“I’m sorry… I did not notice” she immediately wiped her tears from her face and slowly stood up. Why do I have this kind of feeling right now? I pity her.

“I saw it”

“What?”

“I saw your memories here. You… your mom… and… Sally”

“Yeah, Sally. So that’s how you see our lives back then?” I see her eyes, and it is full of sadness.

“Yes, just part of your lives. I can see what you allow me to see. Uhm so this… Sally… when is the first time you saw her?” I am kind of intrigued by that ‘imaginary’ friend.

“When I was four years old. She’s always beside me, playing with me, talking with me. Until I turn seven when my mom told me everything… I never see Sally again”

“What does she looks like?”

“I don’t remember her face now. It’s been a very long time ago. I just only remember her long black hair. It is very long and straight. It covers her whole back down to her waist. And she always wears white dresses. But let’s just forget that. She’s just imaginary. I just made it all up with my mind”

Imaginary…

Hmm…

“Yeah, maybe…uhm so, let’s get out of here? Or do you still want to stay?”

“Let’s go somewhere else” Then she quickly went out of this house.

That Sally that she’s talking about…

I am not sure but I feel like she’s not just an imaginary friend.

I have this feeling that…

Sally is…

a lost soul.