Ru’s POV

“How often do you follow her, Ru?”

Like as always, Marik questions me about everything I do for Rina.

“Marik, please just let me do these things.”

“Who said I’m stopping you. I’m just asking,” he said as we walk close to Rina and Mona.

For some reason, I had this feeling that I wanted to see the things she’s seeing. It’s like a reflex since I always do that when I’m still alive.

Rina likes to go out and eat somewhere new, places with cute foods I don’t know what you call it, dog cafe or even cat cafe. 

She even likes museums and other stuff related to arts and music too.

A simple date is ideal to her, she’s a simple woman.

How could you not love a girl like that?

“Have you dated someone before Marik?”

Well, I know he won’t answer me and that’s enough to shut him. He doesn’t understand me when I tell him about dating anyway.

He smiled at look up the sky.

“One sunny day, I remember it clearly. The wind blew from the north, and she’s having a hard time fixing her long hair and tucking it in her ears. She enjoyed flower scenery as we walk together. I’m still a student back then so I can only give her a dandelion and she’s full of smiles. Happily thanking me. Those memories are actually haunting me, every time I see you all over your woman. So I guess I dated before.” he then smiled at me.

I’m shocked! 

Marik telling something about himself without breaking a sweat.

What’s got into him?

“I-is she beautiful?” I asked him.

“The most beautiful,” he once again smiled at me and the heck I’m blushing because of that! Where is my blood coming from??!

It’s like seeing a man totally in love with his woman.

“Of course it’s base on my point of view, because for sure, Rina is the most beautiful for you, right?”

“OF COURSE!”  I shouted.

He just laughs and he continued walking.

He’s in a good mood I guess.

We arrived at the new museum in town.

Rina wanted to go here since the museum opened last week.

I would also want to see it so I tag along.

“So a museum huh? Not bad.” Marik said he’s interested too.

Marik sometimes talks and acts like an old person. It keeps me wonder how old he really is.

This is a pretty museum, and interesting too. I let Marik wander all by himself somewhere. Well spirits like us have free access to anywhere, it’s convenient.

Rina and Mona enjoyed their walk inside the museum. They enjoyed the flower painting that I knew Rina would love.

She likes flowers, and also her surname is a flower name, azalea. But she really likes the iris flower more than anything.

She said I remind her of that flower and I don’t really get it.

As of now, I‘m just plainly contented that I’m seeing her smiling. Mona’s been with her since our junior high. And I’m so glad about their friendship. She really cares about Rina.

Looking at Rina, I actually longed to hold her when I see her happy. I wanted to express how happy I am too. Day by day the urge of wanting to do it grew more and more. And I know I have to stop it at once.

And like now, I have to turn my back and walk far from her. I wanted to cry but even if I wanted to, I knew I have no more tears to shed.

I got to at least calm myself and my feelings.

I wander on my own too, and as I’m walking in an almost emptied hallway, I saw this piece that had me stunned.

A painting of a woman, holding a single iris flower. Why this sole piece is making me cry again? The painting is so sad, and her eyes speak all of her unspoken words. The piece's name is Unseen. Somehow I kind of understand what the artist of this piece wanted to convey. This woman is suffering on her own and she keeps it to herself.

This is sad. I can only think of Rina. She might be smiling now but I know she’s not fine and she doesn’t want to talk about it.

God I’m so sad thinking about it.

I continued walking without a direction and I just wanted to be by myself. Marik is nowhere to be found too. Rina and Mona are still enjoying their trip.

And suddenly, I saw someone familiar.

A guy with flaming red hair, walking in the museum too.

No way!

Elliot?

I’m hiding behind a pillar somewhere, and why am I hiding when I’m already dead?

I’m looking at him, and he did change a lot.

I know he’s a model now, and he moved to another country long ago.

So he’s back huh?

I don’t know what to feel at the moment.

We didn’t settle the things between us and it’s kind of awkward seeing him now.

And also, this unsettling feeling that I can never reconcile with him anymore.

Makes me feel a bit sad.

But why am I thinking about that? All things are done now. What else could I possibly do?

I looked at him again; his expression is still the same. He still looks like an idiot. How can he become a model with those dull eyes?

He suddenly stops walking and looks in front of him.

Then the panic starts inside of me.

I totally forgot about it. He saw Rina.

Base on his expression, I knew he’s shocked seeing her once again.

Oh what should I do?

What if Rina recognized him?

I don’t want her to get hurt again.

And I automatically walk straight to where Rina is.

Despite knowing I’m just a spirit, and I can’t do anything about her, I acted out of my instinct and stand between him and Rina.

Eyes widen, shocked expression and we have the very same reaction.

What?

Can you see me, Elliot?