Heka woke up slowly. A confusing haze was clouding his mind. It was obvious that he was at the mall. A vivid memory flashed through his mind. He remembered just a moment he was standing opposite the man who was pushing him. Suddenly, everything had changed.
He found himself not in the crowded mall, but in a quiet and sterile room. His gaze wandered around, taking unfamiliar surroundings. There were two guys on his right side. They laid motionless on the bed. The rhythmic beep of the nearby monitor and the faint scent of antiseptic, confirmed his suspicion that he was in the hospital. Unfortunately, he didn't know why. What happened to him?
In his mind raced with questions. "Why am I here? What exactly happened? Then where was that boy – the one who had been with me?" The memories were fragmented. It was like a shard of glass was cutting through his thoughts.
Then, though the quiet hum of the hospital room, he heard a familiar voice. It was soft, stirring a flicker of hope.
"Heka, finally you wake up. You had to sleep. It has been more than twelve hours. My uncle and aunty are on the outside. They are chatting with their grandparents and I don't know who he is. But I heard that his grandson was also there. His room is next door. Do you need help to call uncle and aunt?"
The voice turned out to be his little nibbling, Navi. He was busy and enjoying the games on his phone. However, he also realized that Heka had woken up.
Then, Heka woke up and said, "No, thanks." His voice was calm but carried the subtle firmness.
He glanced toward outside the windows. The weather outside was very bright and sunny. The morning light was flooding the room with clarity and warmth. Then he slipped out of bed and walked to the balcony. Behind him, his little brother remained engrossed in his games, oblivious to the quiet mention that hung in the air.
As Heka stepped onto the balcony, the gentle warmth of the morning sun embraced him. Then, his gaze drifted to one spot that might be the key of mystery that had been gnawing at him.
There, a boy who was with him yesterday was sitting on the balcony next door. He was reading a book quietly. Although yesterday was dazzling, Heka was able to see his face.
In that moment, a flicker of understanding sparked within him. Probably, he got the answer that he just sought. It was closer than he imagined.
Heka looked at him carefully. He felt sure that that person was the boy who was suddenly in front of him yesterday. But his body seemed weak and powerless.
He really hoped that the boy realized that he was watching him, and caught his gaze. In that time he would approach him. But just then his mother came. Gently she placed her hand on his shoulder. The daydream dissolved as reality settled back in.
"I feel glad that you're okay, my dear." She said. Her voice was soft and filled with tenderness. "The doctor said if you just slept. Your sleep was very long last night. I hope this is a sign that you can sleep regularly for tonight, the next and forever."
Heka nodded. Though the question lingered in his mind still. For now, he allowed himself to rest in the comfort of her presence.
His mother realized that he had been watching the boy on the balcony next door. Then she explained the person's condition, "The boy is also just conscious. He had a tumor on his neck. He was in a coma for two days after surgery. Do you know him?"
"No." Heka briefly said.
There was some odds. He was very sure that the person on the balcony was the boy from yesterday. Yet, this certainly felt both unreasonable and unbelievable. The pieces didn't fit together. The whole situation seemed like a missing puzzle part.
"Just for one night there were so many things happening. And there was no sense. Should I find it out or just let go." Heka thought. His mind was swirling with confusion.
All of that was very confusing and annoying for Heka. He just experienced something that truly made nonsense. Something defied the logic. It left the unsettled feeling and restless. Apparently, he didn't have an idea for what should to do next.
****
Heka was in the hospital. He focused on his laptop. His occupation was transcribed.
Even though he was in the hospital, he only focused on his job. Because of that, it was the only thing that could distract him from all the things that bothered him. Somehow that unsettled thought was haunted in his mind. Literally he was able to be relieved if there was something that made him forget it, even just for a moment.
His job as a transcriber was indeed very suitable for him. His bad insomnia was the only reason behind it. He had struggled for some years with barely being able to fall asleep. It stayed with him for a long and restless night. Yet the unfortunate condition has inadvertently shaped his life of fitting occupation.
Meanwhile, being a transcriber was more than a full-time job. The important thing for a transcriber was to be able to complete the task according to the strict deadline. Precision and speed were essential. While Heka had mastered both through countless nights that he spent to work when the world around him slept quietly.
Because he was too focused on work. He almost didn't expect that twilight had come. The soft fading light outside the window. It marked the passage of time.
Even though he was in the hospital and needed treatment for his insomnia, his mother let him finish his job. He also told Navi, his brother, to go home, just to bring his laptop. Heka found a strange comfort in the rhythm of steady anchor amid the chaos of hi sleepless night.