Crying is a Privilege

Chapter 2: Stranger's Fight

Can he really see me? Or is he a ghost, too? I waved and smiled at him as I walked towards his place. Let me check which one of these is you: is he like me or is he a human that can really see me. This is a bit nerve-racking. What if he is neither? What if it is already my time? But I still need to check. My curiosity might kill me for the second time. This is the first time that this has happened to me – not even in my 2 years of wandering. When I reached his spot, I immediately tried to give him a tap on his shoulder to see if I could touch him. If I can, then he is also a ghost like me, and if I can’t, then he is a human that has the ability to see me. To my surprise, I was able to feel the roughness of the fabric of his jacket when I tapped his shoulder. I gasped for air and covered my mouth with both of my hands. How can he be a ghost and be able to attend classes at the university at the same time?

“Hi there, my fellow ghost!” I exclaimed as I sat on his desk, blocking his front view. “It’s been a while since I have seen a ghost roaming around the same place as me!” I looked at him with a smile plastered on my face but he just stared back at me, blankly. Is he not going to say something? This is getting a little more awkward than I thought. “Uh, hello? Can you hear me loud and clear?” I asked him in an attempt to break the awkwardness that was slowly eating the atmosphere in the room. I still got nothing but a blank stare. “Can you teach me how to get hold of things? I have this book that I really want to read but I can’t even touch it. Can you help me, please?” I added as I clasped my hands together, pouting and anticipating his response.

“Excuse me? What do you mean ‘fellow ghost’? And isn’t it rude for you to block my view? Is acting all graceless in front a while ago not enough for you to get the attention that you crave for? Why do I have to be bothered by you, too? I don’t even know you, miss. So could you please get out of my sight?” He spat, frowning. I opened my mouth to speak but words were not coming out.

“Excuse me, Mr. Irvin? What is this all about?” The professor asked him. Wait, is he not a ghost? I jumped off of his table and froze. What the hell is happening? Everyone was looking at him now with questioning looks. He is a human, and not a ghost? How can this happen? I can’t touch humans, but how was I able to touch him? Enough of that! What do I do now?! I just turned him into a weird guy who talks to himself. I am so sorry, Irvin? Did I hear his name right? Irvin? “Mr. Irvin?” The professor called Irvin again. He finally turned his head to his professor. “Who were you talking to? Fellow ghost?” The whole class laughed in disbelief.

“Don’t worry about him, professor. Irvin has always been like that. He is quite weird,” one of his classmates said as he suppressed his laughter. Some of his classmates laughed at the remark. Was this not the first time that this happened? I feel so sorry, but I didn’t know either! I was just so excited when we locked eyes. I looked back at Irvin who was now looking down, fidgeting his fingers.

“P-professor, can I leave early for now? I-I’m not feeling,” I noticed him swallow a lump in his throat, “well.” He continued. Irvin did not wait for his professor’s approval and started to pack his things up. He went straight towards the door and left the classroom.

“Wait up!” I nervously said as I followed him outside the classroom. “I am really, really sorry, Irvin. When I realized that you were looking at me and when I tapped your shoulder, I really thought that you were a ghost, too! I’m really sorry! I don’t know how I can redeem this. I sincerely apologize. Let me know if there is something that I could do to make it up to you,” I blabbered as I walked beside him.

Irvin stopped walking and faced me. “Just leave me alone and don’t ever come back here,” he said as quietly as he could, afraid that other students might find him weird again. After giving me a couple of cold sharp gazes, he walked away from me.

“I am not so sure if I could do that, Irvin!” I shouted as I caught up with him. “You know, this is the first time that this has happened, that a human was able to see me. So, I don’t think I would be able to let you go that easily.” I explained but he did not give me a reply. “Can’t we be friends? I promise not to disturb you again when you’re doing something. But, can we at least talk to each other about anything?” I pleaded.

“Stop pushing it. It’s not going to happen, never.” He quietly said, emphasizing the last word, not even bothering to look at me. I’m sorry, but I am stubborn as hell. So, me? stopping from following you around? No, never. I silently followed him, trying to dodge all the students that were walking against the direction of Irvin. I wouldn’t want to collapse here now, right? I have a mission today, so I have to be careful of other humans. But, I guess, fate is not on my side. A door opened and vomited plenty of students. I was luckily able to avoid being struck by the door, which didn’t really hurt even if it struck me right through my heart. But I felt numbers of students pass through my bare soul – digging daggers deep into my imaginary flesh. I fell on my knees and gripped my chest, hoping that it would get numb from the t*****e of discomfort. I just sat there, trying hard to shed a tear in desperation for the pain to subside, as I watched Irvin’s retreating figure.