Reset

I guess I always felt it, but chose to ignore it. The feeling that its happened before. It’s like watching a movie for the first time, but somehow being able to tell what happens next. I feel its not just me, but us all. No one ever talks about it, we forget as soon as we remember. Who cares, so long as we are happy, that’s all that matters.

Mr Ben, do you have carrots today?

No, Sam, but I’ll get fresh supplies tomorrow.

Mr Ben is a fruit vendor, he is always by the road side, next to the Comic bookstore. I feel his supplies never arrive, they are always on the way. His fruits are always fresh and cheap, that’s why I buy from him.

Today I and my buddies will go to the game shop to play some games, I’m supposed to meet them at the train station, hope they are on time. “Reset”, that’s the name of the train station, for some reason I’ve come to know every inch of it. I guess I’ve ridden it long enough to observe its rough edges and all shades of it. The train has three stops, one of which I am in, the other two are named Before and After. I often wondered why anyone would give a train station such weird names.

My friends are here now, we are heading towards “Before station”. That’s where all the fun kids stuffs are. I hope I get to see Mary again. Mary, she is everything I like in girls. Sometimes I feel she was made for me. Unfortunately I’ve never had the courage to tell her how I feel. Met her twice at Before, haven’t seen her again, I think it’s been two weeks now…

Seems she isn’t here today, either way we had so much fun, would have been better if I had seen her though. We are headed back now, to Reset…

(On the train) Hey Sam, wake up, we are almost at our stop. OK, I’m awake.

What kind of dream was that, I heard voices that seemed familiar, and a constant beeping sound. Same dream again but a slight change this time, the voices are new. And as usual, someone always wakes me up when I hear the beeping.

(Reset station) “Welcome back to Reset”, the automated voice in the train says. Why include “back” in that phrase, its not like we all on the train left from Reset. Well, today was fun, just like yesterday and the day before. Its always happy, sunny and bright here, same people, same weather, nothing ever changes.

(At home) Hi mom, hi Dad.

Welcome back Sam, how was your day? it was pleasant. Go wash up and get ready for dinner.

(In my bedroom) It’s perfect here, but I feel Something is missing… Mary. When can I see her? Maybe check out After? could be she now stays there. Never been there before, come to think of it, why haven’t I ever thought of going to the After station. I’ll check it out tomorrow.

(The next day, on the street) What a bright new day. Hello Mr Ben.

Hello Sam.

Do you have carrots today?

No, Sam, but I’ll get fresh supplies tomorrow.

I feel his supplies never arrive.

As usual, Mrs Becky is early at the coffee shop, she’s always the first customer, always having omelette, fruits, and coffee.

Hey Sam, are you headed for the train station?

Yes.

Say hello to Justin for me when you meet him, tell him I’ll pay him a visit soon.

OK.

Justin lives at Before. We usually pay him a visit whenever we go there. That’s Mr Tim, Justin’s father, I don’t know why he never goes there to pay him a visit, always asking me to say hello on his behalf.

(Reset train station) Hello, I need a ticket to After train station.

After, are you sure?

Yes.

But you always go to Before, why choose After today.

Well, I’m hoping to find someone there.

She must be very important that you would want to go there to find her.

Yeah, she is… Wait, how did you know it’s a “she”?

(ignores the question) Well, I hope you find what you’re looking for. We’ll miss you.

It’s not like I am running away or something, I’ll be back.

(She smiles and whispers) No you won’t. That’s your ticket to After, have a safe trip. Next…

Thanks… What was that, does she think I’m running away from home? Besides, why ask too many questions, it’s not her business where I choose to go. Whatever… let’s go find Mary.

(On the train) “Now we have arrived at Before station, next is After”, the automated voice said.

“We have arrived After station passengers, we are glad to have you back with us.” the  automated voice said.

Then I opened my eyes.

(In the hospital, on the bed) “Call the doctor, someone call the doctor, he is awake,” I heard someone say.

(thoughts in my head) Justin… Justin… that name… I remember now, he was my childhood buddy, lost him in that train accident when we were thirteen. Yeah… Mary as well, my childhood crush, I never really got over her.

Emmalase.