I woke up, and everything was normal again.
No flickering lights.
No one floating in the air.
"Today is the last day of me being alone at home," I thought.
I went downstairs to the kitchen, searched for something to eat, and then sat on the sofa. I opened a packet of chips and ate quietly.
"I want to talk to her more."
That thought kept repeating in my mind.
Suddenly, the doorbell rang.
"They're here."
I opened the door. My parents were back.
"Oh, sweetie, were you okay while we were out?" my mother asked.
"Yes, Mom. I was all right," I replied.
"Then why do you sound so down?" she asked, looking at me closely.
"No, it's nothing," I said with a forced smile.
"You didn't create a mess while we were gone, right?" my father asked.
"No, I didn't."
I went and sat at the dining table.
"Why does he seem so sad?" Mom whispered.
"He probably felt lonely while we were away," Dad replied. "Don't worry, he'll be fine."
They went to their room to unpack their suitcases.
I stayed there, sitting silently.
"I want to see her. I want to see her smile once more. I want to talk to her. I just want to be with her."
After a while, my mother came back.
"What do you want to eat, sweetie?" she asked.
"Anything," I replied.
"Just tell me. I'll make whatever you want."
Suddenly, I remembered our conversation.
"Can ghosts eat food?"
"Yes, but we get very little taste."
"Then what's your favorite food?"
"Hmm… it's been a long time… Oh! Curry and rice."
"I want to eat curry and rice," I said.
"Okay, sweetie," Mom smiled and went to the kitchen.
She started cooking, but my thoughts were still somewhere else.
"I want to see her."
We ate lunch together. After that, my parents and siblings went to sleep, but I stayed on the sofa. Normally, I'd be watching anime at this time, but today I just stared at the clock.
"I want to see her."
Time passed slowly.
It was 6:00 p.m.
Mom was preparing dinner, Dad was working, and my siblings were watching TV beside me. I was still staring at the clock.
"I want to see her."
Around 7:30 p.m., I asked, "Mom, is dinner ready?"
"Yes, sweetie, but it's a bit early," she said.
"I'm hungry… and I want to sleep early today."
"Alright."
I ate dinner quickly and went to my room.
I sat on my bed, staring at the clock again, counting in my head.
One… two… three…
"Hey."
A voice came from behind me.
I turned instantly.
"Hey," I replied, my eyes locking onto her.
She was there.
"Today, you were waiting for me, right?" she asked softly.
"Y-yes," I said, unable to look away.
She looked down shyly. "Then… let's talk."
"Okay," I said, patting the bed. "Come sit."