Bang! Bang! Bang!
The alarm rang, and I immediately turned it off. I woke up for my morning prayer, then took a bath before getting ready for another visit. Little did I know that what I planned wouldn't go as expected.
As I opened my bedroom door, the smell of breakfast filled the air. I blinked in surprise. Fei was in the kitchen, cooking scrambled eggs.
"I did not expect to see you cooking breakfast," I said as she plated the eggs with a grin.
"I guess that's the least I could do after upsetting you last night. Come and join me for breakfast."
"Gladly," I said, taking a seat. She'd made French toast and pancakes too a rare sight, I may say. Fei never cooked. She'd rather order takeout than touch a frying pan.
"Hey, listen," she said, sliding her phone across the table. "I know last night's topic was hard to believe… but you should see this. I believe it's time."
I stared blankly at the screen before reading the text written on it. The name on it was far too familiar for me to ever forget.
---
HARRIS
Fei, I've had a bad feeling these few days. Maybe it's just wedding jitters, but I can't shake this unsettling feeling. I feel like something bad is going to happen soon. Maybe it's nothing, but I can't help worrying. I can't tell Erin. Our wedding is in three days, and if I say I have a bad feeling about it, she might think I've changed my mind. You know how she is. You're her dearest friend, Fei... if anything happens, please take care of her for me. Tell her that if I'm not there by her side, I would've wanted her to be happy. To bring light and warmth to the world, to keep being the cheerful girl that made me fall for her at first sight. I know I shouldn't overthink… but who knows. Maybe I just need to be ready. She must be busy... she hasn't been online lately. Tell her I miss her when you see her later, and that I can't wait to make her mine soon. Thanks for listening to my worries, Fei. If anything happens in the near future where I am not in, be there for Erin... that's all I ask.
— Sincerely, H5
[17/7/2017 | 7:00 a.m.]
---
I couldn't believe my eyes. It was true.
Tears ran down my cheeks, blurring the words as I finally realized just how much he cared for me… and how much I'd lost.
"Why now, Fei? Why didn't you tell me earlier?" I asked, my voice breaking.
"I was waiting for the right time. I couldn't stand seeing you fall apart again not after you were finally back on two feet after the tragedy. I just thought… maybe you were finally ready," she said softly.
"Then help me, Fei. If there's still someone out there for me, help me find him. Because I don't know what to do anymore. Where can I even find someone else…"
Fei smiled gently. "That's for you to decide, Erin. Just one thing… I hope you won't find your suitor at our hospital. You know what I mean."
"Oh? I'm sorry, I don't," I said teasingly. "Actually, that gives me an idea. I should start with the hospital. Maybe I'll go back to work. Isn't Dr. Seo still single, Fei?"
Her eyes widened. "Not Dr. Seo!" she blurted, then quickly covered her mouth.
"Why not, Fei? He's handsome, kind, and works in the same department. Wouldn't it be romantic to see your husband twenty-four hours a day?" I teased, smirking.
"Um… no. No one in the hospital is a match for you. And Dr. Seo isn't your type! If he were, you'd have fallen for him already. Besides… I've never heard him mention your name. So, to avoid rejection, he's off-limits," she said, flashing a triumphant grin.
"Oh? So I don't look good next to him? Or are you saying he's too good for me?" I asked, crossing my arms.
"I'd hate to admit this, but you'd look great together, Erin. Perfect, even. Like models," she confessed, cheeks turning pink. "But…"
"But what?"
"I kinda have a teeny tiny crush on him, Erin. I can't imagine seeing you, my best friend, with him. I don't wanna be jealous of you, you know? And honestly… I have a feeling he's not the one for you."
"I know."
Fei blinked. "You know? What do you mean you know?"
I grinned. "You blush every time you see him. And his ears turn red whenever I mention your name. You'd be a cute couple, Fei. I was just teasing you... and you're right, he's not my type."
She pouted. "You're cruel."
"I've been told," I said with a laugh.
For a moment, the tension faded, replaced by the warmth of our friendship.
"So… where can I find someone, then? It's not like a guy will just fall from the sky," I sighed, leaning back against the wall.
Fei thought for a moment, then smirked. "Give me your phone, Erin. I have an idea."
I narrowed my eyes. "Your actions are suspicious."
"Fine," she said dramatically, pretending to wipe her crocodile tears. "I try to help my dearest friend, and this is the thanks I get."
"Quit the act, Fei. Alright, fine. I'll do whatever you say," I said, rolling my eyes.
"Phone, please," she said, hand outstretched.
"I promise it'll only take an hour to transform it. Honestly, this thing is ancient."
Before I could respond, she snatched my phone and disappeared into the guest room.
"Fei! What are you doing? Why can't you just do it here?" I called out.
"Nope, it's a surprise," she said with a devilish grin before locking the door.
I sighed. "What a way to make me anxious…"
Little did I know, whatever she was planning next… would change everything, and I mean it.
An hour passed by, and she was still cooped up in the guest room. I was wondering what was taking her so long.
"Hey, Fei! Just so you know, your time is up. I need my phone back now!" I said as I brought the spare keys in front of her door. I was ready to open it when I heard her respond.
"I'm done, I'm done! Just wait a sec. You're too impatient, girl! Cut me some slack — I'm only five minutes late!" she exclaimed.
I moved away from the door. I didn't want her to know I was waiting right outside — it would be too obvious how anxious I was. I immediately took a seat and pretended to be drinking coffee.
Finally, she opened the door with my phone in her hand, looking ridiculously proud of herself.
"Well, consider this a gift from me, my dear friend from the ancient times where whales still roamed the land," she said, barely holding back laughter.
"What do you mean ancient times? I tend to keep myself updated with recent events, you know," I protested.
"Oh yeah? The only thing I found on your phone was a game of Pou. There's literally no social app in there! I feel like I'm befriending someone from the time dinosaurs existed. Where do you even get your news from? The newspaper?" she asked, handing me my phone.
"Yeah, where else? I mean, I buy it every day before work, so I might as well stay informed," I said simply.
She stared at me, dumbfounded. "That was sarcasm, Erin! And one more thing I gave you the phone to check it out, not shove it in your pocket. You didn't even bother to look at what I did."
I sighed and turned it on… only to be greeted by horrors.
"You downloaded games and deleted my Pou!?" I shouted.
"Well, that thing was useless anyway. And those aren't games I downloaded a few social media apps for you! Instagram, Facebook, Twitter. Oh, and a dating app! It might help you," she said, practically glowing with excitement.
"You avoided the question, Fei. Where's my Pou?" I asked again, louder this time.
"I killed it! MUAHAHAHA!" she said, showing me her wicked smile.
"You murderer! I'm not going to thank you for this. I don't even know how to use those apps. Everything you added is trash. I'm deleting them and getting Pou back."
Before I could, she snatched the phone.
"You can just redownload that thing later. Geez, you're old enough to get rid of that damn thing no wonder you're single! Your only commitment is Pou, and even that you couldn't care for! Don't waste my hard work. I'll teach you everything," she said warmly.
"Fine… one chance, Fei. That's all you get. If by the end of the day I still think it's useless, everything goes," I said with a devilish grin.
"That's all I need, Erin. That's all I need," she said, smirking.
She spent the next few hours teaching me how to use social media. I was shocked at how much I didn't know. Before today, I didn't even realize I could read news online! She taught me how to follow people, and I was amazed at how connected the world was.
"Well, what do you want to find? Maybe something that piques your interest?" she asked.
"I don't know… maybe someone who posts quotes? I think I need a little motivation lately," I said quietly.
"Of course, Erin. Let me help you set up an account just for that," she said, typing quickly.
Within minutes, I had my own profile, and before I knew it, I was following at least twenty quote pages. I found them comforting more than anything else. That was the best I'd felt all day. I loved my quiet, serene, peaceful life.
Fei, however, wasn't impressed. "You should follow actors or singers or something. At least make it look like you have a life," she joked.
I laughed softly. "Maybe later. For now, this feels right."
She yawned, rubbing her eyes. "Teaching you is harder than teaching my grandparents. They're better at this than you are."
"It's late, Fei. You can go to bed," I said, smiling.
"But I haven't shown you how to use the dating app! That was supposed to be the main event!"
"Yeah, but there's time for that. I don't want my half-asleep friend helping me with it. I might get into trouble if I do."
"Just because I'm half asleep doesn't mean I'm… umm... ca...ap...ble.." Her words trailed off.
I chuckled softly. She'd fallen asleep mid-sentence again. I carried her to the guest room, whispering, "You should thank me later, Fei. Thankfully, you're not that heavy."
That night was peaceful and quiet. For once, I felt like a new person someone who just got to know the world.
I looked at my phone one last time, staring at the dating app icon.
"I'm sorry, Fei, but this app has to go," I murmured, deleting it. It was of no use for someone who wasn't ready.
I stepped onto the balcony, the cool night breeze brushing my skin. The moon hung high above, its silver glow spilling over the rooftops, bathing everything in a gentle, ethereal light. The stars shimmered faintly, like distant memories scattered across the velvet sky. The air was cool and calm... almost healing.
"Dear God, please guide me on my journey to find destiny. I seriously don't know what to do," I whispered. "Please… just give me a sign."
I stood there, waiting for something anything. The world was silent, but my heart felt strangely calm under the moonlight. The moon looked incredibly beautiful tonight... like it was watching over me, whispering secrets only I could hear.
When I finally went to bed, exhaustion took over in minutes. That night was one I would never forget... because something rather odd happened.