Far away

"Where am I? This world...this place, I've never been here before. How did I get here?" Romwe was in a state of panic. He didn't understand what was happening. He doesn't remember anything that had happened in the past. The only thing he could recall was a name. "Arima." "Arima? Who is that? Do I know anyone named Arima?" As he was thinking, someone passed him. It was a boy on a...car? A small flying car with wings to be precise. Romwe was so busy in his thoughts he didn't realize he was standing in the middle of the road. It was not a usual road, it was the size of two large grounds combined. There were flying vehicles and tall buildings everywhere. Everything here was different, things he had never seen before. As he got back to his senses he noticed how everyone here was staring at him. It was like an animal in the zoo getting stared at. People gave him weird stares which made him anxious. He ran to a less crowded spot to hide. He didn't know what to do. He couldn't understand what was happening. He tried to think of something but his head felt empty. It was like...his past memories never existed. He could not remember where he came from. He felt like...he just existed; existed without any purpose. He was scared. In a world where everything was new to him, he didn't know what to do. He pulled himself together and put on a brave face. "This is no time to act like a scared cat! First I need to know more about this universe."

He began by dressing up like the people of this era. To his surprise, he found out that there's no need for money to buy things in this world. Free vending machines of every product were provided everywhere. Anyone can take anything they want without having to pay for it. "Now, I need to talk to someone." His stomach growled. I should probably eat something first. He thought. He went to the closest restaurant and gave his order. He was just walking towards his seat when he bumped into someone, making them fall to the floor. It was a woman dressed in beautiful clothing which didn't seem to exist from this era. To find someone of such aesthetic in this universe, Romwe was surprised. He apologized and introduced himself. The girl introduced herself too. Her name was...Armia. He remembered the name but couldn't understand how he knew it so he kept quiet and pretended like nothing happened. They both got a liking for each other right from their first meet and decided to sit for their meal together. They talked and laughed. They didn't realize they had been talking for more than two hours. "Oh, my! Time flew by in an instant, but now it's time for me to go. It was really nice meeting you." She took off with a smile. Romwe had such a pleasant experience that he had completely forgotten he was in a different world. He realized it after long enough that he couldn't even tell the lady he just met about it. Although he was in a different universe now, talking to that woman made him feel like he was at home. She didn't feel like a stranger from a different universe. She felt like someone he knew.

Romwe had now started staying at an apartment that was near the woman's residence. And after that day, they both hung out very often with each other. Went to amusement parks together, movie theatres, and whatnot. They even shared their little tales with each other, they had many interests in common. Romwe was having the best time of his life with her. He had even gotten a job and was now living as a normal resident here. It had now been about six months since he somehow appeared in this mysterious world. He wouldn't have imagined he would be so happy with a stranger he met at a restaurant in a world completely different than his. Romwe was more than happy. But happiness doesn't always stay for long they say. And that might happen to Romwe soon enough. One day when Romwe was on his way back from work, he gets a call from one of Armia's colleagues, telling him she was admitted to the hospital. Romwe panicked and nearly drove his car into an electric pole. He drove as fast as he can to the hospital and rushed into Arima's ward. She was deeply injured. "When...How did this happen!?!?" He screamed, tears rolling down his face. "She might've been drunk while driving and bumped into a truck..." Said the doctors. "You need to get out of the ward, sir. You can't stay with the patient. A nurse took Romwe away and told him not to worry that the doctors will definitely save her. He stayed the whole night at the hospital and a few other days too. He didn't eat anything in the time being, more like he couldn't eat anything. The thought of someone important to him going away scared him. If Arima died, there would be no one left for him in this unknown world. And then, the thing which scared him the most happened. The doctor came out of the OT and said "Sorry, she's no more." He couldn't take it. He screamed and cried his lungs out. He had lost all control over himself. Everything was over now. There was nothing left for him anymore. The only hope he had in this strange land was now gone. He had no reason to live anymore.

Due to not eating for many days, he collapsed and fell to the ground. Even though he was asleep, but he was conscious. He could sense things. It was quiet around him. It didn't feel like he was in the same hospital anymore. There felt a certain change in his surroundings. He opened his eyes and suddenly everything was dark. He stood up from the bed and started walking. It was pitch black, nothing was visible. He called out for someone but no one heard. It was like he was the only person in the world. Had everyone just disappeared? He just kept on walking, it felt like the hallway was neverending. And just as he was walking, he heard someone say his name. "Romwe...Romwe..." He turned and couldn't see anyone. He started running towards the sound of the voice but the more he tried to get near it, the farther it got. "Arima? Arima? Is that you?" Said Romwe. "Romwe...it's me. You remember me, right? It's me, Romwe." Romwe had tears coming down his face. He was so close yet so far away. His world was collapsing right before his eyes. He had lost all hope in living. He curled up and fell to the floor. "Please...please come back. I can't live like this. I don't want to live like this. Please! Please!" he sobbed.

Suddenly a bright light filled Romwe's eyes. Everything started becoming clear. His eyes opened and he found himself on a bed in a hospital room. He sat on the bed and looked around. A nurse came in through the door and froze when she saw him. She ran back screaming for a doctor. Everyone arrived in the room and was very happy to see him. Romwe didn't understand what was going on. In the crowd, he saw a familiar face. It was his mother. She was crying tears of joy and hugged him. When everyone calmed down and the doctors and nurses had left, Romwe got a chance to talk to his mother. He asked him what had happened, and why was everyone acting this way. "You were in a coma for six years." Romwe's eyes widened. "I...I was-" he couldn't form words in his mouth. Just about how shocking this was, he remembered someone. "Arima...Where's Arima?" Apparently, Arima and Romwe were childhood best friends and had always been together. He lunged towards his mother to hear what had happened. "It was a horrible car accident, my son. Both of you were deeply injured. Doctors managed to save you but..." Romwe knew what she meant but he wasn't ready to accept the truth. "but Arima lost her life in this tragic incident."