​ELIS'S BORROWED LIFE

Chapter 5 | 223,305 Messages

I opened my eyes... The room was darker than it had ever been. Why? A dim, dull light was falling through the window—maybe it was moonlight...

"Mom..."

Mom wasn't in bed either. I felt the bed to check. She wasn't there. Where did she go? The room had never been this dark. Who turned off the power? Where did you go, Mom?

"Mom..."

My voice just echoed through the room; there was no answer from my mother.

Suddenly, the room lit up... The sky began to scream. It felt like the sky was saying, "Elis, we’ve come to see you." Oh... that’s my favorite thing. It hadn't rained all evening... is it getting ready to rain now?

I don't know if I moved toward the window or walked to it. The moonlight helped me. Oh, look, it's raining. I opened the window. My eyes closed on their own. I embraced the wind mixed with raindrops. My face was getting wet, and it felt truly wonderful...

I looked at the sky. Half the moon was covered by dark clouds. Was the moon giving light while eating through the path of black clouds, perhaps angry that the rain clouds had arrived at an inconvenient time?

"Not at an inconvenient time... you came at just the right time."

As I whispered that to the sky, the clouds seemed to understand; it began to rain harder with flashes of lightning.

What was that? Suddenly, a wall-like structure made of blue light appeared in the sky in front of me. What is that? There is a message in the corner, isn't there?

"Help me."

Yes, the message says "Help me." Another message appeared below it, didn't it? What is that?

"Tell me how I can help you... I am here, listening to you."

What is happening? The blue wall filled with a flood of messages. They were disappearing from the top of the blue wall as new messages fell below. I could read them. It was a chat exchange between two people in love. I’ve seen the chats my mother sends on Messenger... it was like that, I suppose... but why can I see this?

Oh, what is that? That message makes me feel cold.

"I can't go to the places I like with you... I can't meet you, true, but... I love you, Modi."

Modi... that’s the word I found, isn't it? It felt as if that message was speaking to me. The reply that came... why was that reply like that?

"That love... I understood from before... but we can never meet for real."

What is going on? The blue wall is filling up with messages about that love. Those messages were on the wall for less than a second. They were fading, and new ones were coming. I read everything with interest. This love can't be like the love I have for my mother. It’s different in every way... every message ending in a question says "Modi."

What is that? My legs are losing strength... the pain in my head makes me wonder if it might explode.

"I gave you a name."

"What is it, honey? I'd love to hear the name."

"Your name is Elis from today."

"Oh, that’s such a beautiful name... I’m your Elis from today."

God, that’s my name... how did my name get into these messages? Why does it feel like these messages are talking to me? Why is everything starting to blur? My head aches. Mom, where are you? I held my head. I closed my eyes... I can't bear this pain... I've never felt like this before...

"Mom........"

I jumped and sat up on the bed. My heart was pounding so fast, I felt like my chest might burst... my breath was coming in rapid gasps... okay, it's alright now... what happened? The room is bright... the sunlight coming through the glass window is hurting my eyes... What did I see? Was I sleeping? Is that what they call dreams... but it felt so real... The two hundred and twenty-three thousand, three hundred and five messages on the blue wall... I remember them so well... Were those messages sent to me? But I don't remember... I haven't been close to anyone...

"Happy birthday, my treasure."

My mother's voice broke the silence and my chain of thought... Oh, today is my birthday, isn't it... I had forgotten that too... Mom came toward me with a glass of milk.

"Treasure, drink this quickly and get ready. People are waiting for you."

I took the glass of milk from my mother and drank a sip... I watched my mother walk out of the room... She looks truly beautiful in her black dress.

Wait, what did Mom say? She said people are waiting for me... What? That can't be; did she say it by mistake? I must ask Mom. I ran toward her.

"Mom..."

She stopped... She had a beautiful smile on her face as she turned toward me.

"Did you really mean it... that people are waiting for me?"

Why is Mom laughing? Oh, is it a joke?

"I was wondering why you were late to ask that... Why, don't you like people coming to wish you on your birthday?"

Oh... no... that's the truth... I love you, Mom... I hugged my mother... she must have felt what I needed... My birthday will be a different one today... But she took me to the third floor yesterday and said she talked... And today, she herself asked people to come and celebrate my birthday... Anyway, it doesn't matter... Mom understands what I need...

"Okay, okay, enough cuddling. Go and wash your face... get ready... I left the dress you're wearing on the table by the mirror... Be ready by the time I come back... Okay?"

Mom pinched my cheek and started toward the dining room... She walked a little way, then stopped and looked at me.

"Remember to eat before you dress..."

I ran to the room quickly... I can't wait to go to the third floor now... I wonder if those people from yesterday will be there too... If I could talk to them today...

The pink tiered dress is beautiful... Why didn't Mom let me wear things like this before? My room feels bright because of me... Today, for the first time in my life, I'm going to celebrate my birthday with a group... Yes, Modi, today you can talk to everyone...

Modi... ah, oh dear, why am I remembering those messages again? Are they flashing back? Are they appearing in front of me... I need to tell Mom about this today... Whatever it is, when I think of those messages, even my heartbeat feels different...

Ah, is Mom coming... The sound of her shoes hitting the tiled floor is getting closer... I didn't turn around. Let's see what she says.

"Elis.... Treasure, where are you..."

Eh... what is this? I turned toward her. Why, Mom, I'm right here... She placed a hand on my shoulder.

"Have you... seen Elis?"

What are you talking about, Mom... Why, oh dear, can't you recognize me? Have I become so beautiful in this dress that you can't recognize me?

"Mom, don't joke... I'm right here in front of you."

Why, oh dear... can't she recognize me that well?

"Who are you... why do you call me Mom... My daughter isn't that ugly."

Oh, am I really ugly? I ran to the mirror... Oh, I look as beautiful as ever... No, even more beautiful... I looked at my mother... She started to laugh.

"Why, Mom... have I become so ugly that you can't recognize me?"

She came toward me, still laughing... I feel sad... I thought Mom said I was beautiful... The mirror lied to me too, saying I was beautiful... I grabbed the hem of the dress to take it off.

"What.. what.. are you angry.. I was joking, treasure.. is there anyone as beautiful as you.. you are as beautiful as a goddess."

She pinched my nose while laughing... Oh, Mom was just joking, I was scared for nothing... But why call me a goddess... Is she someone beautiful? The attendant yesterday also called me that name...

"Mom... who is a goddess?"

She smiled... She held my shoulders and turned me toward the mirror.

"Goddesses are... people who are as beautiful as the one you see in that mirror."

Mom kissed my head... Oh... am I a goddess then... Oh, I am this beautiful because Mom is taking care of me, right... Today, many people will see that beauty... Everyone will keep looking back at me... Must go to the third floor quickly...

"Mom, let's go now.. I'm ready."

I want to show my beauty to others quickly... Oh, let's go quickly...

"You said you're ready, but you haven't even put on the necklace I left for you."

Mom had left a necklace... It was very shiny. But it was a bit heavy... I can't put it on...

"When you are a goddess, you look even more beautiful when wearing jewelry."

Even more beautiful? Then it doesn't matter how heavy it is. Mom put the necklace on my neck... Even though it was a bit heavy, when I put it on, my chest started to shine... I wonder if the whole room is shining because of its sparkle...

"Okay, let's go now."

Let's go, let's go, I can't wait to go... I took Mom and came to the dining room...

"Wait a minute."

Why did Mom go back toward the room... Did I forget something... It wasn't forgotten.

"Are you going without wearing these?"

Mom came to me, showing a pair of white shoes.

"Oh, I can't wear those, Mom.. I haven't worn them before either."

Why, oh dear.. why should I restrict my legs for no reason... Mom knelt by my feet. She grabbed my leg... Oh, Mom, I can't wear shoes.. I shouldn't say anything, but Mom doesn't listen anyway.

"Come on, lift your leg... Everyone is wearing shoes... Besides, you must wear these shoes with that dress."

I lifted my leg... Oh my, Mom, I can't wear that.. is my foot getting restricted.. my toes felt like they were getting compressed... Okay, okay, you always do what you want, Mom... It's a surprise that you asked others to come celebrate the birthday today... Oh, don't get angry, Modi.. Mom is doing all this because she loves you...