Chapter 5: Glasses
"Asuka. . . Daniella. . . Junior. . ." I muttered, realizing that they were never there after all. "My. . . family. . ."
They left me. . . all of them. I was the only survivor. I looked at my glasses furiously. "A false life! You let me live a false life! You made me have false hope! You. . . traitor!" I exclaimed, throwing the glasses at the wall in front of me. It shattered into a million pieces and scattered all over the floor. I remembered the time when I underwent a check up after the accident.
"Mr. Marufuji?"
"Yes?"
". . . That bump you had on your head during the accident affected your brain. It accumulated a certain disorder."
"A disorder?"
"Yes, Mr. Marufuji. It's called Dementia. It affected most of your memory part of the brain. So you don't need to worry about your other parts of the brain. It's fine."
"What do mean? What's going to happen to my memories?"
"Well, you may forget some memories, you may experience some of them all over again. You may also forget where you are, when it is, or even who you are."
Yes. I remember everything now. I have a brain disorder. And because of that stupid disability, I was able to experience my wonderful life with my late family all over again. The memories were all treasured on those two extra eyes- my glasses. I was in a state of delirium.
I fell flat on the floor. My eyes were open. I didn't move a muscle. I just. . . stared. I stared and stared. . . and stared.
"Ryo."
Slowly, I sat up. I looked around me, wondering where that familiar voice was coming from.
"Don't be afraid. It's me."
But I couldn't see anyone. "Who are you? Where are you?" I called out. I felt an ice cold hand touch my face. It was creepy, but it was tender. "Asuka?"
"I'm here, Ryo."
The vision of Asuka appeared in front of me. She was a bit blurry, but then it became clearer and clearer. I wasn't afraid, nor terrified. I only kept my cool, wondering why my mind was playing tricks on me again.
"Asuka. . . You left me. . . Daniella and Junior. . . you all left me!" I said.
Asuka gave me a weak smile. "We never left you, hon. We were always by your side." Two heads popped out behind her. It was Daniella and Junior, clutching their mother's shirt.
"Daddy!" They exclaimed, hugging me tightly. Tears rolled down my eyes. I have never been so happy in my whole life. I hugged them back, not wanting to let them go.
"Don't worry about us, dear. We're happy." Asuka said. I let my kids go and looked at my wife. I hugged her, kissed her, caressed her, stroked her soft, beautiful hair. "I love you. . ." I muttered. "I love you so much. I love you I love you I love you. . ."
She just kept that sweet smile on her face, so serene and calm.
"Take me with you!" I shouted. "Please, take me with you! I can never live without you! Daniella! Junior! Asuka! Take me. . . please. . . take me. . ."
Epilogue
There was Ryo, lain on the floor. His eyes were closed, but he looked peaceful. He was happy now. He had fallen asleep, destined to never wake up ever again. His right hand was open and bleeding. His left hand was clutching a sharp-edged glass.
There was nothing left. Nothing but a freshly made pair of glasses, resting on the bedside table. Never to be used, never to be worn. Ever.