Eric Part 3

Sean rode his motorbike fast. It took about 3 hours to arrive at Eric's family's address. A woman I saw in Eric's memory world who was none other than his mother who welcomed us. She was surprised when she saw us. It's something natural because this is the first time we've met her. "Sorry, who are you guys?" Eric's mom asked us. "My name is Leslie and he is Sean. We are students at Grandes University just like Eric. We came here because there is something we want to give you and your family." Eric's mother looked surprised after hearing what I said. She let us enter her house. Once inside the house, I went back to continue my words. "We want to give this to you," I said, handing over the envelope in which there was a letter that Eric himself wrote. "What's this?" asked Eric's mother while receiving the letter from my hand. "That was the last letter from Eric before he decided to commit suicide. I'm sure after you read the letter, Eric's soul will feel at ease and be able to return to his realm." Now, Eric's mother's eyes widened at my words. Of course, she was surprised, maybe because she heard her son's spirit still hadn't calmed down. "What do you mean?" "Your son's spirit still haunts. He still lives in his old dorm room. Don't you know it?" This time, it was Sean who said it. Once again, I saw Eric's mother's eyes rounded perfectly. "D-don't talk carelessly. How is it possible that Eric's spirit is wandering around?" Eric's mother said with tears in her eyes. "I'm sorry, but it's true that his spirit still haunts me, and believe it or not, I just communicated with Eric's spirit. He showed me his memories. Memories that made him decide to commit suicide," I said while lowering my head. I feel sad when I remember the memories Eric's ghost showed me. I know he is very depressed, but I still disapprove of his stupid actions. He shouldn't have given up and decided to end his life. "C-can you see ghosts?" asked Eric's mother haltingly. "That's right, I can see and communicate with ghosts." Maybe Eric's mother has started to believe me now that she has read the letter. Her tears finally fell down her face, starting to look wrinkled. Her sobs grew louder as she read the letter word by word. "T-this letter was indeed written by Eric. This was indeed his writing. He poured out all his heart. You may read it," said Eric's mother, handing me the letter. Sean and I started reading the letter. Father, Mother, please forgive this useless son of yours. I've worked hard to make you proud of me. I know you have high hopes for me because of me, the only boy in our family. Since childhood, my father always educated me strictly. I know Dad did it for my good. My three older sisters are very smart and accomplished. Father always said, as a man, I can't lose to them. But you know, Dad? I always feel annoyed because my father always compares me with my three sisters. I have lost my childhood, which should have been full of happiness like most children because my father always pressured me to keep studying, learning, and learning. I'm tired, Dad. My heart hurts, Mom. Father always scolded me, and Mother was silent without ever helping me. I always try to do my best and never give up when I fail. But Dad's anger scared and frustrated me. I can no longer continue to live a life always overshadowed by fear. I've been fighting all my life but decided to stop. I decided to stop disappointing Dad. Forgive your son this, father and mother. I decided to leave, but I never hated you guys. I love you, Dad, Mom. Please also convey to my three older siblings that I love them, too. From your useless son Eric Sean and I both looked down after reading that heartbreaking letter. Somehow, I can feel the suffering that Eric has felt. "This is all my fault. I couldn't help my son. I'm a useless mother. Hiks… hiks…" Eric's mother's cries were getting louder. I couldn't see her, so I tried to calm her down by gently stroking her back. "How can I make amends to Eric?" she asked sadly. "In this letter, Eric said he never hated you or his father. So, I don't think Eric wrote this letter to blame you. But he just wanted to express his disappointment and regret. He knows he always disappoints you. He always wants to make you guys proud. That's why I think you should express all your feelings to Eric. So that he doesn't feel guilty anymore and can go to his realm." Sean, he's the one who said that, and I agree with what he said. "Where is your husband now? I think he should read the letter, too." This time, I was the one who asked while still stroking her back gently. "He died of illness. My husband has never stopped thinking about Eric since Eric's death. He always blamed himself. I know he loves Eric. He was the boy he had always been waiting for to be born. But he educated him too hard to make it like this." I looked around me because I felt a pain in my head. I also found the cause. I saw Eric's ghost standing in the corner of the room, staring at us. "Auntie, convey all the feelings of the auntie. Eric's spirit is here." Eric's mother looked up her head, which had been down. Now, she stares in disbelief at me. "There… Eric was standing there. He's staring at us," I said, pointing to where Eric's ghost was. "Eric, I'm sorry, Mom and Dad. Forgive us because we always make you suffer all this time. We are very sorry. But believe me, we love you. We're sorry, son. Father and mother have also forgiven you; we never blamed you. We have accepted your departure and, therefore, return to your world. Rest in peace there, son," she said with tears. I also saw Eric's ghost crying at this time. However, slowly, a change happened to him. His hideous figure slowly changed to how it was before he died. Incidents like this are not something foreign to me. I know soon, his spirit will go to his realm. My guess was right. Eric's spirit floated higher after smiling at me. He disappeared. "He has already gone to his realm. Eric is calm now," I said while still staring in the direction where Eric's ghost had disappeared. "Is it true?" I answered Eric's mother's question with a nod and a smile. "I'm grateful." Eric's mother buried herself in my arms while still sobbing. I can only stroke her back, hoping to help her to feel calm. *** It was already getting dark, indicating that night would soon come. Sean was driving fast. While I just looked around with my hands tightly wrapped around Sean's waist. "Leslie, you're not sleeping, are you?" Sean asked, which made me cringe. "No," I replied simply. "You must be thinking about what happened earlier." "Yeah, I always get into pathetic troubles. You know that makes me sad." "Then stop involving yourself with ghosts." I was so annoyed by Sean's words. Then I pinched his waist. There was a sound of moaning as if I squeezed it tight enough. Sean stopped his motorbike, making me surprised and confused. He pulled over his motorbike and parked it in a safe place. "Why stop?" I asked, starting to panic. Somehow, I have a terrible feeling. "Hurry down!" he ordered and immediately obeyed. "Why, Sean?" I asked in anticipation because I was worried that he had planned something terrible for me to repay my previous actions that bullied him. "You… dare to pinch me. What if we fell off the motorbike? I will repay you. Get ready, Leslie," he said with a hideous grin. Looks like my bad premonition has come true. "I'm sorry, Sean. It's your fault that pissed me off." However, Sean ignored my apology. He prepared to approach me. I was terrified, that's why I ran. I ran as fast as I could from Sean's pursuit. But he ran very fast, and he caught me. Of course, I can't possibly win competing against a basketball athlete like him. I'm such an idiot for making Sean angry. "Oh my gosh, Sean. Forgive me. Aaaahhh! Forgive me!" I screamed while struggling to be freed. "Ahh, it hurts." I felt a hard slap on my forehead. "You're so mean, I just pinched you earlier why did you even hit me." "That's punishment for almost making us both fall from the motorbike earlier." "But we didn't fall." "I said close, Leslie. Almost, I think you should clean your ears," he said flatly, making me annoyed to hear it. I wanted to reply to his words but stopped when I realized something. Our current body position is so close. Sean was holding my body tightly, not wanting to let me go. My heart is honestly beating fast now. I can see his handsome face from this close. I and Sean have been dating for a long time but have never been in this close position. The last time this position happened was when I unknowingly hugged him during the Prinka ghost incident at Grandes High School. Even then, without realizing it, I had kissed him. I might have forgotten that when I was hospitalized after the Celia ghost incident. We've never been in a situation like this. We had just made our relationship official, and Sean almost kissed me even though the kiss didn't happen because of interference from Angie. Since then, I've never been this close to Sean. I swallowed my saliva when Sean's thin lips got so close to mine. My heart was pounding wildly. I was even worried that Sean would be able to hear it beating. I closed my eyes as his lips got closer to mine. "Hey, Leslie, why are you closing your eyes?" I was wide-eyed at his question. I looked disgusted at his face, which was still close to mine. "Did you expect me to kiss you?" Immediately, I pushed as hard as I could. His question embarrassed me as well as made me lose my temper. "Hahaha ... I was just kidding, Leslie," he said with a smile. "You suck, Sean." "It sucks not kissing you, huh?" He said that while smirking, I wanted to punch him right that second. I clenched my fists, ready to hit him. "Look at that sky." However, I have undone the intention and followed his gaze, staring at the sky. Now I'm looking up at the black sky. However, it looks beautiful because there is a moon shining brightly. The moon was filled with stars that shone beautifully. "Have you seen the stars, Leslie?" he asked, which made me avert my gaze. Now, I was looking at Sean, who was busy looking at the beautiful sky view above. "Here we are looking at the stars," I replied flatly. Is it true that we are gazing at the stars now? "Hahaha... that's not what I meant. Hmm, in August, I heard there will be a meteor shower. You want to see it with me?" Now my eyes are wide open. Is this a date request? He took me to a meteor shower that would only be seen at night. "Near my house, there is a hill that is quite high. We can see it from there. That is if you want to see it." "You mean we saw it alone there?" "Yeah, why are you scared?" "W-why should I be afraid? Seeing ghosts I'm not afraid. Why should I be afraid of watching the meteor shower with you?" "You mean you want to see it with me?" I nodded, and he gave me a triumphant smile that made my heart feel like it wanted to jump out of my chest. "This is our promise, no one will break it, OK?" "Of course, I will keep my promise. You too, Sean." "Hmm, I promise." Sean hugged me tightly, and I hugged him back. "Hey, let's move on!" I asked after realizing the time was already 19:30. I wanted us to arrive at the Dorm early enough. I let go of my hug on Sean and walked towards the parked motorcycle. "Shouldn't we look for an inn nearby?" asked Sean, who made me cringe for the umpteenth time. "Haha, I don't want to. Why do we have to look for lodging? You're crazy, aren't you, Sean?" "Crazy? No way. Of course, I'm still sane. I mean we booked two rooms for the rest. Tomorrow morning, we go straight to campus. Instead of us traveling at night like this. Or perhaps you're the one who's crazy for thinking about my idea?" I don't know what's going on in my head. Today, negative thoughts about Sean continue to fill my mind. "Don't talk carelessly. Are you tired, Sean?" Sean nodded without hesitation. "Hmm, that's how it is." "OK, I agree. We're looking for an inn around here." I can't force him to keep riding his motorcycle when he says he's tired. At least I don't want to be considered a selfish woman by my handsome boyfriend. I and Sean got back on the motorbike. Of course, our goal now is to find a suitable inn for us to stay tonight. Honestly, I was still nervous, so I deliberately didn't wrap my hands around Sean's waist; instead, I held on to the metal behind the motorbike. "Leslie." "Yeah," I said when I heard Sean's voice calling me. "Where's your hand?" I stretched my hand forward. "This is my hand, why is it?" I gasped when Sean suddenly caught my hand and put it on his stomach. "Hold me tight, I don't want you to fall. A firm grip, huh." I'm sure my face is blushing now because of Sean's sweet treatment, but it seems I have no choice but to obey him, so I now wrap my hands around his flat and broad stomach and do what my boyfriend asked for. I have to admit this trip was fun.