Chapter 3The Other Her

Days passed like this, and I was still completely lost, a heavy stone weighing down my heart.

Until one morning, Lyra was adjusting her collar.

She looked at me in the mirror. “Didn’t sleep well again last night?”

“Nope.” I rubbed my eyes, looking exhausted. “Dreamt all night.”

She turned around, her collar now perfectly straight, and came to sit on the edge of the bed. “Antonio, I need to tell you something.”

“Yeah?”

“I booked a couples trip to the Maldives a while ago, wanting to surprise you,” she took my hand. “But something came up unexpectedly at the lab, and I can’t get away. Why don’t you go first? I’ll join you in three days.”

I paused, surprised. She’d never let me travel alone before.

“Why so sudden…”

“You’ve been so stressed lately,” she said, smiling as she ruffled my hair. “Go relax. I’ll fly out as soon as I’m done with work.”

A thought sparked in my mind. This was a perfect opportunity to test her.

I nodded. “Okay.”

She turned to pack, and I followed, leaning against the doorframe.

She pulled out my favorite shirt from the wardrobe, folding it neatly.

Then she carefully placed sunscreen, a baseball cap, my usual medication, and even my preferred eye mask, one by one, into the suitcase.

“It’s hot there, so pack more light clothes. Don’t catch a chill, make sure to cover up at night,” she rattled on, her hands never stopping. “You have a sensitive stomach, so I put some soda crackers in your bag. Have them if you get hungry.”

I watched her busy back, my eyes stinging. She remembered even these tiny details.

“Oh, and that book you wanted to read last time? I downloaded it onto your tablet. You can read it on the plane if you get bored.” She turned back and smiled at me.

I lowered my gaze. The more thoughtful she was, the more I felt like a scumbag.

Seeing me standing by the door, frozen for so long, Lyra waved her hand in front of my face.

“Alright, stop dawdling,” she zipped up the suitcase. “I’ll drive you to the airport.”

She came and took my hand, pulling me out the door.

I glanced back at the spirit in the corner and saw she hadn't followed, letting out a silent sigh of relief.

Good. It must just be my imagination. My eyes must be playing tricks on me.

All the way to the airport, Lyra held my hand, making intermittent small talk.

I stared out the window, my mind a chaotic mess.

At the airport, she helped me check my luggage and then tucked the boarding pass into my hand.

“Call me when you land.”

“Okay.”

She hugged me, resting her chin on my shoulder. “Have fun.”

I walked towards security, then turned back. She stood outside the glass doors, waving at me.

My nose stung. She was so wonderful, and yet I’d been doubting her all this time.

I closed my eyes, silently vowing: This is the last time. I’ll never doubt her again.

Once on the plane, I specifically chose a window seat.

After takeoff, I gazed out the window, still seeing no sign of the ghost.

The heavy stone in my heart finally lifted. It seemed I needed to schedule a check-up soon.

Forcing down the lingering unease, I opened the book she had downloaded for me, letting it distract me.

Upon landing, I immediately pulled out my phone and sent her a message: “Arrived safely, don’t worry.”

She replied instantly: “Have a great time, waiting for you.”

I stared at the screen and smiled.