It was a week after Heka was being discharged from the hospital. He had made an appointment to meet the boy. His name was Ansel McVeigh. They had made an appointment at a Japanese restaurant this afternoon.
He was very happy to meet Ansel. Because the location of the restaurant he chose was not far from the cemetery. But he ventured to meet him.
Ansel was 22 years old, while Heka was 26 years old. Although Ansel was younger than Heka, his mindset was mature. As he knew everything.
At first, Heka met with Ansel only to find out about what happened yesterday. But the truth was far from what he expected. He seemed to be invited into the world of nowhere, where the realm was beyond ordinary reality and the time and place blurred into mystery.
"Heka, what do you want to eat?" asked Ansel when they stepped into a Japanese restaurant.
"Seafood Ramen and Salmon Salad." Heka answered briefly. Yet his mind was swirling with the question about Ansel's cryptic words.
"Okay, I'll order the same one." Ansel replied with a small smile, signaling the waiter.
Heka heard Ansel's tone, He thought that he was humble. It became a much different impression the first time they met.
"If you meet someone new, don't ever believe the first impression. Because a person's character and personality will be completely hidden on the first impression. So, don't be surprised if there are big changes that occur at the second and next meeting.
Don't ever be surprised if someone who looks friendly, then turns cold and indifferent. On the other hand, when someone looks quiet from the start, he turns into a talkative person.
You have to be careful with people like that. Because they like to wear masks. It's very dangerous. You have to avoid it."
It was advice from his late Grandpa. He always remembered it. It was ironic. His late Grandpa was a psychiatrist, but he loathed when he had to go to the psychologist.
Nowadays, he was in a dilemma. He didn't know whether he should be careful with Ansel or not. He who was now in front of him looked friendly. It was much different from the first time they met.
Probably, this was not the first time he has met Ansel. However, this was the first time he had a face and got to know him firsthand. If he wanted to know his true character, then they have to meet a second time and so on. Each encounter would peel another layer of his real figure.
"About yesterday, Astral Projection. You really don't know, do you?" Ansel asked. His tone was gentle but probing. As he wanted to confirm that Heka really didn't know what Astral Projection was. They started the conversation by enjoying the food that had been ordered.
The warm bowls of seafood ramen and fresh salad. It provided a comforting backdrop to the unsettled mystery.
"No, it's the first time I've heard that word." Heka admitted. His curiosity piqued.
"Do you really want to know?" Ansel asked. His gaze searched Heka's for a sign of genuine interest. Because Heka's gaze looked so calm as he didn't have any attention out of his curiosity.
Heka just nodded in response. Actually he was eager to uncover the secrets that lay behind the strange phrase.
Ansel also tried to explain it with enthusiasm. "Okay, I'll explain what the astral projection is." He leaned closer to Heka. "Astral Projection is a spirit that is separated from the body for a while. At that time, the human body will become a statue, but that does not mean it is dead. Because the body is still connected to the spirit and will reunite. Do you understand?"
Heka nodded slowly, and tried to absorb the explanation of Astral Projection from Google yesterday. It was explained that astral projection was the state of the spirit that came out of the body. It was really hard for him to understand.
Afterward, Ansel explained about Astral Projection, everything that he didn't understand before. Now it has become clear. He felt his bet was really real. To find out more about what Astral Projection was, he had to ask him directly.
"When the spirit comes out of the body, it will be free to go anywhere and anytime, whether it's the human realm or immortal realm. Then, the spirit that is going to return to the body becomes difficult. It is so uncertain the length of time, it could be only a few hours, a few days." Ansel continued his words. His voice was steady and thoughtful.
Ansel paused for a moment. He wanted to know why Heka wanted to know what Astral Projection was. He looked at him with his flickering eyes that were filled with curiosity. "Why are you so curious about Astral Projection?"
Heka was hesitant, unsure of the reason himself. It seemed that it was just his fate. It led him toward the path that he didn't even know where it was going to take him.
"Just curious," Heka answered firmly. He chose not to reveal more. He just listened and let Ansel speak as he pleased. While, he just sat quietly and looked at Ansel, with his calm and attentive gaze.
Then, Ansel continued his explanation about Astral Projection. "It's okay. But if the spirit goes to the Immortal realm, it will be dangerous. It may take a year to reunite with the body."
The weight of Ansel's words hung in the air. It filled the space between a strange mixture of wonder and unease.
Heka felt it all incessantly. A restless was stirring deep within him. He thought the vibes pressed heavily on his mind. "Maybe this is the reason why he didn't tell me directly last time. It is so complicated."
Ansel put his words seriously. He warned Heka into the frightened lines. "The difference between the human realm and the Immortal realm is very far, maybe it is one in ten thousand. When your spirit is in the Immortal realm for a second, it means you leave your body in the human realm for almost a whole day."
He only responded with a faint smile. For him, it was like a child trying to scare adults.
"It's a fact. I'm not kidding you." He seemed upset. He raised his tone because he didn't manage to scare him. Nevertheless, Heka's expression was too flat. It made Ansel disappointed.
Then Ansel vented it silently and didn't want to talk anymore. That was why he decided to end it and was about to leave. After all, he had finished his food.
Heka thought that there was no more chatter coming out of Ansel's mouth because he suddenly fell silent. "Okay, I believe you. But I'm sorry, I have to go." Heka said, standing up as he wanted to leave.
But Ansel held him. "Wait!!"
Ansel looked into his eyes with a sharp and intense gaze that he held transfixed for a long moment. "I can help you."
Heka was confused about what Ansel said. He just wanted to know what Astral Projection was, and nothing more. His thoughts were racing. "What is he saying about? Help, help for what? Can he read my mind?"
"What do you think?" Ansel asked to clarify what he meant. "I know you're in need of help. I can help you. "
The room seemed to grow quieter as the weight of Ansel's words settled in. As it was the beginning of something far deeper and might change everything.
Heka replied in a cynical tone. "I don't need any help."
"Probably, You can hide what you are going through from others. But not for me." Ansel said quietly. His gaze pierced.
Heka was frightened of Ansel's gaze when he said those words. It was as Ansel was able to read other people's minds. However, it was not important. So, he stood up and was determined to leave him behind.
"Never mind. I can solve all my problems by myself." Heka said firmly. He felt that he had to end the conversation. As he didn't want to see him anymore.
But Ansel was persistent. He forced Heka to stop by holding her hand.
Heka saw Ansel's hand grasp his hand. He gave a sharp and warning gaze. Without hesitation Heka shook his hand off.
Still, Ansel was trying to enter into his life. "I'm so curious. Are you supposed to tell me what you are?" He asked. His voice was steady but it was filled with genuine intrigue.
"Nope." Heka replied shortly. He didn't want to reveal more.
"You don't have to worry, you can trust me." Ansel persuaded him gently. His voice was calm and reassuring.
Finally he gave up and told Ansel. Meanwhile, he didn't tell it at the length of the story, but just a few words. "I'm looking for someone to cure my insomnia."
Ansel chuckled softly, as he didn't think it was a trivial matter. "That's all, hmm…but it seems so serious. How long has it been?"
"About six years. Can you really help me?" Heka asked. His voice was tinged with disbelief and fully trust Ansel.
"Of course, I can." Ansel answered firmly and confidently. But suddenly he added, "But I don't do it, my Grandpa will do. How is your insomnia? How many days do you do without sleep?"
"Maybe, I spent my lifetime which is a week without sleeping." Heka admitted quietly.
It made Ansel startled. But he knew for sure everyone would be surprised after hearing the fact that he hadn't slept for a week. So, he was calm when was dealing with various kinds of people's reactions.
It turned out that his bet was right, Ansel was talking nonsense. But whether he would accept Ansel's offer or not. The torn was between skepticism and desperation. "Should I try it? But he doesn't seem to be fully trusted. I probably should do it, because I struggle with all this."
Ansel snapped his fingers to break Heka from his daydream.
"Heka, hey! What's wrong? Don't worry, my Grandpa is great." Ansel said with a reassuring smile.
Heka shook his head. "Sorry, I really have to go. I'll call you later." Heka just left. He walked straight without looking back.
Meanwhile, Ansel stayed still. He watched Heka until he disappeared from his sight.