Chapter Text
The door slammed open, immediately awakening Jae. He rose up to the sunlight directly hitting his face, so he attempted to block the sunlight with his hand. He almost fell from the sofa when he saw the light literally passing through it. His mind went blank in confusion. But before he could figure out what was happening, he got distracted with the sound of footsteps. A lady with her luggage and huge backpack then came inside the apartment walking towards his room. She was followed by two men bringing huge and heavy boxes inside.
Jae was taken aback at the sight of strangers boldly barging into his house without even acknowledging his presence. He was standing right there but no one even glanced at him. The men soon left while the lady stayed. Jae just followed her with his eyes, speechless. She didn’t even at least greet him when she quickly went out his room again to lock the main door.
“Excuse me…” Jae uttered, trying to be calm. He was about to tap her shoulder when she moved and walked back to his room again. He immediately followed her inside before she could close the door.
Her back was still facing him as she opened her bag to put out her clothes.
“Excuse me,” he repeated. “What do you think you’re doing? This is my apartment.” He is is utterly confused and a little irked too with the intruder.
The sound of crickets would’ve been perfect when she just completely ignored him. Jae strode towards her as she started hanging some of her clothes inside the closet. He was about to speak again when he turned his attention towards his closet. He couldn't remember emptying it, but his clothes were nowhere to be seen. His eyes slowly wandered around his room. And there was not a single trace of him as the owner of the apartment. Jae slowly took steps back, getting even more confused. He couldn’t remember anything. Not even his name. But he’s sure that this was his apartment—or was it not?
He opened the door and walked outside the room, leaving the door open. He looked around the place. It was only then that he noticed that the apartment was empty apart from a few furniture and the boxes brought in earlier. He slowly slumped on the floor, suddenly feeling hopeless. He’s sure there was something odd going on. He’s confused with everything. He already had an inkling, but didn’t want to acknowledge it just yet.
He glanced at the window and immediately strode towards it. He held out his hand again to see the light literally passing through it. He repeated it many times only to see the same thing. He slowly stepped back, not believing his eyes, until he hit the wall and easily passed through it like thin air. But when he got up, he met the lady’s eyes through the body mirror. He was in the mirror and she was staring back. Although he wasn’t sure if she was still staring at her reflection or at him. But she was too surprised to utter anything or cover her chest. Jae was too taken aback when he met her eyes through the mirror that he didn’t notice that the lady was only wearing undergarments at that moment. When he realized what’s in front of him, he quickly passed through the wall again to escape the room.
“I—I didn’t mean to. I’m sorry!” He yelled through the wall even though he wasn’t sure if she’d hear him.
He anxiously sat on the sofa as he pondered the odd happenings. He looked down at his legs and stood up. He was standing on his legs yet he couldn’t feel them. He extended his arm on the side only to see half of it disappear through the wall.
“I’m different,” he mumbled. “Am I… dead?”
He slumped on the floor on his knees. “I’m dead,” he said, almost a whisper, confirming it.
“I’m dead,” He said again, now with a hint of acceptance in his voice.
He then heard the creak of the door, revealing the lady dressed up with comfortable baggy clothes. He looked up at her and watched her head to the kitchen. He followed her. She boiled water in the kettle and placed the cupped ramen on the table. Jae remained standing behind her.
He gazed down at his feet while fumbling with his hands. “Look, I know you can’t hear me but I apologize for what happened. I’m not a pervert… ghost... if that’s what you’re thinking. I didn’t know how I ended up on the mirror, really. So yeah. And with that I just wanna say that I hope you can leave as soon as—"
“Father? Yes, I’m at my apartment now.” The lady said over the phone while still waiting for the water to boil.
Jae’s head immediately shot up upon hearing it. He moved to the side to where she’s holding her phone. “What do you mean ‘my apartment’? This is my apartment. Mine.”
She ignored him again and went on to continue talking with her dad on the phone. After ending the call, she grabbed the kettle to pour the hot water onto the cup of ramen. Jae just watched her with a displeased look on his face. To her surprise, the cup of ramen was moved from the spot where she left it earlier. When she was about to grab it, the cup moved on its own again—although it was just Jae pushing it.
“Look, I can’t remember my name, or anyone, but I’m sure this was my apartment—I think. Now if you may, please leave—"
“Hello, Dad?” She said over the phone, unintentionally cutting off Jae again. “I forgot to add: when you visit me, please bring anything that can drive away ghosts.”