The rainy season had arrived. The sky over Jakarta today hung low with thick, dark clouds, creating a gloomy and dismal skyline. It was one of those many days when Jakarta was trapped in the clutches of weather that cast a sorrowful mood over the entire city.
The streets, usually crowded and bustling with traffic, became even more congested than usual. The drizzle forced drivers to move more slowly and carefully.
Amid the noise of honking horns and the soft rustle of rain on car roofs, people appeared to be in a gloomy state of mind. Some were covered in raincoats or under umbrellas, trying to shield themselves from the never-ending downpour. Frustration and fatigue overwhelmed drivers stuck in traffic, while pedestrians tried to keep their footing on the slippery sidewalks.
The city, typically vibrant and dynamic, was now flooded with a sense of melancholy. The tall buildings around Sudirman-Thamrin stood like gray monuments beneath the dark layers of cloud. The usual city lights, neon signs, and glowing streetlamps were muted under the cloudy sky, creating a melancholic atmosphere.
After visiting her real home, now sealed by the police, Sandra wandered the streets with her yellow umbrella, her loyal companion shielding her from the rain.
The woman kept staring at the original Sandra's diary, which had been left behind in a drawer. Inside were countless entries about her life. Everything about her past, written in that thick book.
"Why did you have to drag me into this!" Sandra hissed quietly. "If you wanted to die, just kill yourself! Why did you have to take me down with you?" she grumbled, full of emotion.
Sandra opened the last page, where a few sentences were written directly for her. Now, whether she liked it or not, she had to read the book from beginning to end to fully understand her new identity. She had to survive, even though her life had now changed. What else could she do, after all, but accept the reality and live it?
"I always dreamed of marrying someone at least similar to my bias. Jungkook, for example, or V, or someone mature like Nick Bateman," she muttered, stomping her foot.
It's not like Lukas was ugly—he was extremely handsome! If she thought about it, Lukas could easily compete with any of her past idols. But… his personality wasn't her ideal type! A cheater, emotionally unavailable, rude, perverted, annoying! Sandra wanted a charming, romantic husband! She wanted to find her soulmate on her own—not be forced into this!
"Why do I have to be trapped like this? I want to be Alana! I am Alana!" she shouted, deliberately breaking the taboo for the first time.
And the moment those words left her mouth, her body suddenly froze. Sandra collapsed in the middle of the road, drawing the attention of people nearby. They rushed over to her, worried.
Her breath caught in her throat as if death was approaching. That taboo was strictly forbidden because it could confuse the soul—make the soul realize it was in the wrong body. And if Sandra didn't survive, she would die and follow her original body to the grave.
"I want to go back to being Alana! I regret this! I want my old life back!" she sobbed, her breathing growing more labored. "Mama, Papa, you passed down this gift to me… but why did you have to leave me first? Why did you abandon me? Help me go back!"
*****
Lukas, currently stuck in heavy traffic, got out of his car when he saw a crowd. He didn't even mind getting drenched, just to satisfy his curiosity.
He was intrigued by the people shouting in panic under the rain. But the moment he saw what had happened, he became the most panicked person there. Especially when he saw someone performing CPR on his wife, whose eyes were closed.
"Sandra!" he shouted as he rushed over. He replaced the person giving CPR and kept calling her name.
"Sandra, what's wrong? Wake up!" Lukas had no idea what was going on, or why Sandra had been acting so strangely since the night before.
"Sandra, please!" Lukas kept trying. Thunder cracked loudly, adding to the already terrifying atmosphere. "Sandra, please wake up!"
"Cough… cough…" Sandra slowly opened her tired eyes after the CPR finally worked. Just then, the ambulance arrived and immediately began treatment.
Sandra vaguely heard Lukas shouting anxiously at the medics who were helping her. By breaking the taboo, she had nearly killed herself. This was her fate now, and it could no longer be changed. She had to accept it, whether she wanted to or not.
"Sandra…" Lukas gripped her hand tightly while holding her soaked diary and bag. Their entire bodies were drenched as well.
"What have you been thinking lately? Why did you do this to yourself?" Lukas asked, but Sandra remained silent, catching her breath.
"My head suddenly felt dizzy," she snapped, pulling her hand away roughly.
"You could've called me. Asked for a ride. Mom and Dad would kill me if anything happened to you!"
"Shut up!"
"Annoying woman!"
"My head hurts. Just be quiet, Lukas!"
Lukas gave up. He stayed quiet for the rest of the ride in the ambulance.
When they arrived at the hospital, they were greeted by a handsome doctor—Lukas's close friend. Sandra widened her eyes as the man examined her. Why were there so many handsome men around her lately?
"So what's wrong with her, Thomas?" Lukas asked impatiently.
"Looks like anemia. All her tests came back normal, except her blood pressure is a bit low." Thomas smiled. "She also has a high fever."
"Thank God it's nothing serious."
"Oooh, someone's worried!" Thomas nudged his friend playfully. Ever since Lukas got married, Thomas rarely saw this side of him—so anxious and caring toward Sandra.
"Don't be ridiculous! I was just shocked because she passed out and nearly died!"
"Maybe it's because of you. You've been hurting her all this time! Show her some love. Give her a kiss."
"Just go already! We don't need you anymore!" Lukas pushed his teasing friend out quickly, not wanting to hear more of his annoying remarks.
"What are you smiling at? Don't get the wrong idea! I'm not worried about you like you think I am!" Lukas snapped at Sandra, who had unconsciously smiled.
"Why not just admit it? You've secretly liked me this whole time, haven't you? You're just too proud to say it."
"As if!"
"Fine, whatever! But by the way… was that doctor's name Thomas? He's really handsome! Would you introduce me to him? Aren't we getting divorced anyway? Might as well match me with him!"
"What did you say?"
"If you don't want to be my husband, then Thomas is fine too!"
Lukas clenched his fists at her words. What was this? Why was he so annoyed hearing her talk about Thomas? He should be fine with it, right? Wasn't this the best way for the divorce to happen peacefully?
"Why's your face red? Are you mad?" Sandra pointed at his face sharply. "Are you jealous of me?"
"Don't be crazy! If you want to go after him, go ahead! I don't care!"
"Are you sure?"
"Go for it. That way, I can marry Kayla without any more problems."
"Don't regret it!" Sandra smirked, teasing him.
"I won't. I swear, I won't regret it!"
"Alright, then it's settled!" Sandra crossed her arms and smiled cheerfully.
"Just a moment ago, you could barely breathe and almost died. Now you're back to being annoying like this?"
"I really am sick! Come on, carry me to the bathroom! I want to wash my face, brush my teeth, pee—everything!" she said, stretching out her arms.
"Are you messing with me?"
"Are you going to help or not?"
Not wanting to argue further, Lukas finally carried her koala-style while holding her IV drip. Her body really was weak and burning with fever.
"Be careful next time. You nearly died. Don't go out alone again."
"Mmmm." Sandra hugged her husband's neck sweetly.
"Call me if something happens."
"Mmmm."
"I hope you really heard what I said." Lukas muttered as he lowered her onto the sink in the bathroom.
"By the way, you're burning up too." Sandra touched his forehead. "Are you sick?"
"Stop talking. Just brush your teeth and wash your face. Call me when you're done."
Sandra watched her husband's back as he left the bathroom. She then stepped down from the sink and looked at the mirror, staring at the reflection of her new identity.
"Okay, Sandra. This is your life now," she said as she studied her own face. "This is your life! If you failed to protect your previous body, then take good care of this one. Make your new life better than before! Make those who hurt you kneel!"
"As the original Sandra wished, I'll get rid of Kayla. I'll also find out what really happened to the original Sandra."