บท 1: Exhausting Life...

In the confines of a cramped apartment, a family of four resided, their living space cluttered and devoid of comfort. Within this abode, the son found himself secluded in a room that offered little solace. Its meager dimensions were overwhelmed by a jumble of books, discarded garments, and refuse. It was hardly a space befitting a vibrant young man.

Seated before his computer, he engrossed himself in the pages of yet another novel. Day after day, he immersed himself in the fictional realm, his existence reduced to the confines of his room. Neglecting proper sustenance, his only respite came from the written word and the silver screen.

As the monotonous routine wore on, his family gradually forgot him, consumed by their own bustling lives. Each day, month, and year slipped by as they struggled through the challenges that beset them.

Once, this young man led an ordinary life like any other. However, the tides shifted drastically after high school. While his friends soared to prestigious colleges, his own fortunes dwindled due to the cruel hand of fate.

Bound to his hometown for further education, he found solace in a girlfriend who shared his school days. Their relationship bloomed, and for a time, they basked in the warmth of their companionship.

But alas, all things that flourish are destined to face adversity. In an abrupt twist of fate, she too, left from his life, breaking up with him. He loved her dearly, as the first girl he ever loved, he was broken after she left.

It was then that everything changed. He ceased attending college, shunned by the world outside. His parents lost in their own ceaseless arguments, paid him no mind. Neglect and apathy pervaded his existence as he cast blame upon his luck and his own being.

When faced with hardships that prove difficult to bear, we humans tend to shun them, projecting blame onto the intangible.

Failed college exams and subsequent academic setbacks followed suit, leaving him adrift. Eventually, he surrendered himself entirely to his room, indulging in anime, novels, and any form of distraction. His parents no longer bothered to check on him, indifferent to his well-being. His sister, always absent, showed no siblingly affection.

Thus, he found himself once again in his room, engrossed in the pages of a novel. Seated before his computer, his weary eyes bore the weight of countless hours spent in this monotonous existence. Their reddened hue hinted at exhaustion, a mere glimmer of vitality lingering within. Clad in disheveled attire and sporting unkempt hair, his countenance mirrored that of a lifeless soul.

In this moment, an unexpected pang pierced his chest, prompting him to massage the afflicted area. Yet undeterred, he returned his gaze to the novel displayed on the computer screen.

"What hour is it now?" he murmured his voice barely a whisper.

Days had passed without a morsel of food touching his lips. Weariness began to overtake him, making even the act of reading a struggle. His eyes drifted toward the closed door. "Are my parents even home?"

"What does it matter? They wouldn't come running if something were to befall me."

He knew, or rather, he felt it in his core.

Rubbing his chest, he felt the pain intensify, constricting his breath. A whirlwind of thoughts consumed his mind. His family's indifference, the abandonment of his friends, the betrayal he had experienced, and the departure of the girl he truly cherished—all converging in a cascade of despair.

"Is this the end for me?" A bitter half-smile tugged at his lips.

"It feels as though I have reached the limits of my existence."

"What a pitiful life!"

He berated himself for his perceived cowardice.

He condemned himself as a coward, berating his perceived lack of effort and resolve to truly live. The absence of love from his parents and the heartbreak of his departed love only exacerbated his feelings of despair. He now saw through the veils of illusion, recognizing that her affection had been nothing but a facade.

A weight settled upon him, his body growing heavy, and he slowly lowered his head onto the table. His eyelids drooped, drawn down by an unseen force. A profound weariness enveloped him, as if he were descending into a profound slumber.

Thus, with closed eyes, he succumbed to a sleep from which he would never awaken.

Within the room, there was no one to witness the stillness, his form motionless upon the chair.

No footsteps echoed through the house. He was alone, confined to his room. Yet, it was not his true self that remained, only his lifeless vessel.

As the evening gave way to the following morning, his sister approached, knocking gently on the door.

Tak tak.

"Are you in there?" she called out, her voice laced with concern.

Tak tak.

"Father is calling for you. Open the door, or I shall." Her words grew more urgent as she noted his lack of response.

Once more, she rapped on the door, not even in the least worried. Still, he remained silent.

In an act of determination, she pushed the door open, stepping inside. A sense of foreboding tinged the air as she made her way toward him, her eyes initially assuming he had succumbed to slumber. Approaching his table, she gently attempted to rouse him from his seemingly peaceful rest. She shook him once, and then again, only for his hand to slip from her grasp. It took mere seconds for her to grasp the unthinkable truth—he had departed this world, leaving only memories behind.