He was still in shock.
"What happened? Why won't you answer me?" I asked, my voice trembling with fear.
"Someone came in front of the bus… most probably not alive," she replied, shivering. I could see he was scared to death—his eyes wide, his hands shaking.
"What do you mean by 'not alive'?" I asked, studying his terrified face.
"There's blood… all over," he said in a shaky voice.
"What?!"
Without waiting, I rushed out of the bus. Some passengers had already stepped out, while others remained inside, indifferent to the chaos outside.
As I stepped off the bus, I was hit by the sound of screams and the sight of a crowd gathering around a woman—probably in her late twenties—lying unconscious with blood pooled around her. Her clothes were torn, as if she had been running and suddenly ended up in front of the bus.
Soon, an ambulance arrived and took her away. Someone had also called the police, and they arrived to begin their investigation.
"What a country we live in—every minute is a drama," said a girl as she stepped off the bus, removing her black sunglasses. She was in her mid-twenties, wearing a black hoodie and pants, her hair tied in a messy bun.
"People are desperate for attention. I'm already running late, and this stupid girl chose this exact moment to jump in front of the bus. Just wait—now she'll probably file a false complaint and extort money from the driver," she added arrogantly, her face twisted in disgust.
"It's not her fault. It was an accident—something that could happen to anyone, anytime. No one wants to end their life like that. And if you're really so busy, maybe take another bus," I said, unable to tolerate her nonsense.
"Who are you? Do you even know me? Idiots like you just love ruining other people's day. We're in the middle of nowhere, there's no bus stop nearby! Use your brain—where would I even get another bus?" she snapped with full attitude.
"I'm a citizen who respects life and understands others' pain—unlike you, who clearly has no time to care. If you had a brain, you'd know there are public vehicles you can take to the next bus stand and board your precious bus from there. Rich brains, no brains," I retorted, giving her a taste of her own medicine.
"You bitch! Ugh, why am I even wasting time with you? Better watch yourself before talking next time," she scoffed, flipping her hair as she walked away toward the next station.
"Sorry for the inconvenience," a police officer announced through a loudspeaker, "but this bus cannot proceed further. All passengers are requested to board another vehicle to reach the next bus stand."
Passengers began moving toward the available public transport.
"Gosh, I'm so late—no, no, no!" I muttered. "The librarian's going to call Lara again and she'll kill me."
I rushed back onto the bus to grab my bag and noticed that one man was still sitting there, unmoving, staring blankly out the window.
"You planning to stay here forever?" I asked, looking at him.
He didn't respond, still gazing out as if frozen in time.
"Hello?! Are you even listening?" I said, waving a hand in front of his face.
Still nothing.
"Excuse me! Everyone's gone. No one's going to feed you here," I said, shaking his shoulder.
"…Yeah," he finally mumbled, then grabbed his bag and quietly exited the bus.
I followed him. All the other passengers were gone by now—it was just the two of us, a few police officers, and the bus driver. As I glanced back, my eyes landed on the bloodstained spot on the road. My heart ached for the woman, and I silently wished she would survive.
We finally reached another bus stand and caught a bus just in time. Once at the library, I returned my books, paid the fine, and was about to leave when I noticed the same guy standing by a bookshelf, reading.
This time, I really looked at him.
He was about six feet tall, wearing a black shirt and pants, an overcoat draped elegantly over his frame, a brown scarf wrapped loosely around his neck, and black-rimmed glasses. He looked like a total book nerd—like a character straight out of a story, calm and quietly intense.
As he approached the counter, we made eye contact. There was something intense in that gaze—quiet, but powerful.
"Hey," I greeted him.
"Hello," he replied in a deep voice.
"You're here for books? You love reading too?" I asked, curious.
"Yeah. I love them. I usually spend my time reading. Books are my escape, my adventure, my quiet home. While others travel miles, I travel worlds from a single chair," he said, his eyes gleaming.
"But it's just words on pages."
"Ah, but those words breathe. They speak to me when no one else does. Every book is a doorway… and I've walked through hundreds," he said, smiling with genuine admiration.
"Good for you. I love books too, just… maybe not as deeply as you."
"Just give them time. They'll give you everything," he replied gently.
"Maybe… but my schedule doesn't really allow it. I've got so many things to do every day."
"That's okay."
"Bye," I said.
"Bye."
I left the library and rushed to my tuition class.
After a long, hectic day, I finally returned home, threw my bag to the side, and collapsed on the sofa.
"Miss Aurelia, done with all your dramatic business today?" Lara asked, walking out of her room.
"Yeah, a lot happened. I'm exhausted," I replied lazily.
"Let me guess—your bus crashed mid-journey and you had to run to catch another one?" she teased.
"…Actually, yeah. That's pretty much what happened," I said, still lying on the sofa.
"What?!"
"Someone came in front of the bus. She was taken to the hospital. I hope she's okay," I said, sitting up.
"Yeah, me too. Her family must be so worried…"
—
📍Scene: Emergency Room – Storm raging outside. Trauma lights flash. Monitors beep erratically. The woman is coding on the table. The tension is unbearable. No one breathes.
Nurse:
Doctor! She's coding—no pulse, no breath!
Doctor (shouting):
Start compressions! Now! 1, 2, 3, 4… come on, stay with me!
Nurse 2:
V-fib on the monitor. She's slipping fast!
Doctor:
Charging to 300 joules. CLEAR!
[Shock. Nothing.]
Nurse:
Still flatline… it's been one minute…
Doctor (gritting teeth):
Not today. Charge again—360. CLEAR!
[Another jolt. Still silence. A long beep. Everyone freezes.]
Doctor (whispers, desperate):
Don't do this… you're too young. You have a life out there—someone's waiting for you. BREATHE.
She was losing so much blood. Her chances of survival were already fading. And now… in this moment… it seemed impossible. Only a miracle could save her now.