Chapter 1

(I Choose You – Sara Bareilles)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooiLP_zqnFs

     I woke up squinting my eyes from the sun’s shiny rays that entered the small gaps between my window curtains. I felt something wet in my cheek and wipe it out. I stayed sitting on my bed for a minute; recalling my dream, yawning and scanning my room as if searching for someone or something. After pushing myself up, I walk towards my study desk, pulls out the drawer, arching my body downwards and search for my diary. My eyebrows furrow as I irritably pull out parts of my desk then laid it down my perfectly furnished wooden floor. I unconsciously scatter my things on the floor and lifted the case upside down. My eyes widened as my mouth formed into an O shape when reality hit me.

“Shit! My diary's missing!” I shouted under my breath and panickly checked my desk hoping it’s just in there. “Nononononoooo!”

     I ran a hand through my hair and sat down my bed trying to calm myself. My heart is thumping loudly against my chest which I automatically cover with my hands thinking my brother from the next room may hear it.

     I stayed like that for some minutes gathering my thoughts. I let out a heavy sigh then gulp big time. I looked at my messy floor and finally decided to fix things up. I stood up biting my lower lip firmly. I am about to pick up my pen when I felt something under my left foot and froze while eyeing the strange thing and tilted my head in confusion before leaning down.

“I never owned a voice recorder ever since” I murmured while picking it up and brushed away the dust that’s making it look old.

“Who the heck bought this when it’s the 21^st century already?” I scoffed and pressed the play button.

     I tapped my foot, impatiently waiting for a response. Suddenly, a screeching noise echoed. The recorder accidentally slid out of my hands and landed on the floor. I immediately covered my ears like a 7-year old kid not wanting to hear the thud. I got irritated and nervous at the same time but also afraid that the recorder might break from the sudden fall but fortunately it didn’t.

     I sighed as the infuriating noise faded away at the same time surprised to the old thing's good quality.

“Pretty strong huh?” I grinned while talking to it as if it can hear me.

     But what surprised me the most is when I heard a deep voice coming from the device. Singing a song.

     When the he stopped singing, I slowly picked it up without noticing my jaw dropping.

“Dae-bak!” I praised with amazement while feeling something strange I can't point out.

“Now I'm more than sure this isn't mine” I said, eyeing it with a puzzled-amazed look, like a child being tricked by a magician.

     My head ached a bit but I suddenly thought of a bright idea. I pushed the record button while grinning childishly.

“Ehem” I cleared my throat for a start and sat on my bed with comfort.

“Dear Diary, Last night while I was walking down the street, I passed by a fancy coffee shop and wondered where the people went since it is freaking empty. I walked in and I smiled at how beatiful it looks and started scanning the room. I got amazed by the cute paintings in the wall that made the small room looks like the universe and small lamps in each corner which became the only source of light in the place. “Beautiful” was the only word that leaked out from my mouth. “Beautiful" it echoed from a deep voice. I froze for a second and shut my eyes tightly. I panicked, thinking that it might be a serial killer who’s about to gash my pulse and tug out my bloody heart. I started praying some bible verses in my mind, getting ready for my horrific death. But to my surprise, he suddenly placed his hands on my shoulders. Nothing like I expected. It was so gentle that made my eyes widened as I recalled his voice and recognize it. I turned around to face him only to see his superb features in nearest distance ever. God! His mesmerizing eyes, pointed nose, fair skin, perfect jaw line, and pinkish pouting lips are sooo seductive. I shoved my dirty thoughts away and gulped big time. His next move made me held my breath. He elevated his right hand and softly placed it on my burning cheek. I looked right into his eyes and he did the same to me. "I knew you'll come. Happy anniversary” he said with the sweetest tone ever and like on cue, the lamps turned off and small lights twinkled from the ceiling. My eyes dazzled with amazement and looked at him with my lips curled upwards. It was a moment of bliss when he slowly leaned down and took a soft peck on my lips. "You planned this?" I asked while looking up, smiling at the star-like lights. He nodded cutely and winked. I almost burst out from the wink but managed to stop it, not wanting to ruin the moment. "Close your eyes" he said in a calm, sweet voice showing his beautiful smile. I nodded lightly and closed my eyes with a slight grin. A minute passed by and I got impatient. "Yah! What's taking you so long? Can't I open my eyes yet?" I pouted. But no one's answering. I can't even feel his presence anymore. I panicked and shot my eyes open and almost faint when the man who’s standing earlier right in front of me is gone. I can no longer trace any sign of life in that coffee shop. Tears started to form into my eyes and my vision got blurred due to the liquid that’s blocking my sight. I scanned the room with weak legs from the numbness I'm feeling all over my body. “Don't play like this. It's not funny" I shouted, my voice breaking. The moment he was out of my sight, I felt like a knife was stabbed into my chest that made me emotionally shatter into pieces. I ran out of the shop lifelessly. Loud roars errupted from the sky and big drops of rain started hitting me. I fell on my knees while sobbing silently. I stayed there not giving even a slight care for myself of getting sick. So. . till here my diary. Li"

     I pushed the stop button and let out a small sigh. I stood up and placed back the voice recorder inside my desk's drawer.