A lot of things happen for a lot of reasons.
People go to school in order to secure a bright future; others do it simply because they're expected to.
Some get married because of love, while others do it for survival, greed, or lust—
or because they're forced into it.
But in the end, every outcome is shaped by one simple decision.
A single moment in time that decides one's fate forever.
There are absolutely no do-overs.
Yet I was given a re-do of it all.
And every time I try to change the course of events… the results are mostly unfavourable.
It makes me ask the question—why?
What good is it to know the future if you can't change it without causing disaster?
Kevin halted in the middle of the street, staring up at the blue sky as his thoughts sank deeper and deeper.
His hands were strapped tightly to the straps of his school bag, his feet rooted firmly in place.
He was clad in his school uniform—neat, too neat—carrying a hint of adult seriousness that contrasted sharply with how a ten-year-old should look.
"Kevin," a female voice called.
No reply.
"Kevin!" it came again, louder this time—yet he still didn't respond.
He couldn't hear.
He was too absorbed in his thoughts, his senses dulled by them.
"KEVIN!!"
This time, the voice came with a sharp smack to the head, instantly snapping him back to reality.
"Ahh!" he cried, rubbing his head as he lowered his gaze. "Why did you hit me that hard, sis?!"
"Only because a certain someone started daydreaming in the middle of the road!" Sonia yelled, her expression furious as she held their youngest brother, Emmanuel, firmly by the hand.
"How can you just forget yourself like that?!" she scolded, brows furrowed.
"What if you got hit by a car, huh?! What am I supposed to tell Dad if you—"
Her scolding faded into the background as Kevin drifted back into thought.
(…It's been a long time since I've seen her like this. Or maybe it just feels that way because of that… dream.)
He glanced at her again—her lips still moving furiously, unheard.
(She acts like she doesn't care, but deep down… she cares more than anyone. I guess that's just—)
A sudden sting cut through his mind.
A flash—no, a scene—unfolded before his eyes.
A glimpse of the future that only he could see.
It wasn't painful this time—more like a sharp jab behind the eyes.
"Hey! Are you even listening to me?!" Sonia snapped, glaring at him.
"Did you just zone out again?! What the hell is wrong with you?!"
"LOOK OUT!!" Kevin screamed.
Ignoring her words, he lunged toward a little boy standing in the middle of the street.
The child had wandered off the sidewalk to pick up a fallen toy, unnoticed by his mother.
He retrieved it—then froze, staring at the incoming bus.
"GET OUT OF THE WAY!!" Kevin shouted as he grabbed the boy and dove backward onto the sidewalk.
Screeechhh!!
The driver slammed the brakes, but the bus didn't stop immediately.
It missed them by inches before finally grinding to a halt.
"Hey… kid… you shouldn't… do that…" Kevin said between ragged breaths, his chest heaving.
He had landed on his back, shielding the boy with his body.
The child could only cry, calling out for his mother.
"Somto!! Jesus!!"
A woman in her early thirties rushed forward, scooping her son into a tight embrace.
"Oh, my son… my son… I'm so sorry ooh—"
She paused, tears in her eyes, as she looked down at Kevin.
The back of his uniform was torn, red road scratches visible against his skin.
"Nna, thank you so much oh! My God will bless you—hey, Chimu oh!" she cried, clutching her child close.
Kevin smiled.
Fulfilment.
Peace.
Joy—maybe even pride.
There were no words to describe how he felt as he lay there, gazing up at the sky.
Was he injured?
No.
He was simply basking in the glow of what he had done.
"KEVIN!!"
The moment was short-lived.
Sonia's voice rang out as she ran toward him, Emmanuel still in her grip.
.
.
.
A few moments later, Kevin sat at his desk in school, wearing his vest over his shirt to hide the torn uniform.
His sister's scolding still echoed in his mind.
How did you even know? And more importantly—why would you blindly jump in to save a total stranger?!
(…Why did I do it?) he wondered, resting his chin on his hand.
(I saw it in the vision—the boy getting hit by a bus. But still… why did I jump in, knowing how dangerous it was?)
His thoughts paused as he looked around the classroom.
Children argued over lunch, others read quietly—the usual chaos of break period.
(Was it heroism? Or was I just trying to prove that I could change fate? Either way… my body moved before I could think. That was stupid. Dangerous. I shouldn't—)
His gaze caught on someone.
Or rather… someone specific.
Nazy.
She sat alone, staring at nothing in particular.
Loneliness lingered in her eyes, though she tried to hide it.
She's always been strong, Kevin thought, watching her.
(…Why is she alone? She had so many friends in my dream.)
Guilt crept into his chest.
(Is this because of me? Because I tried to change things—)
Their eyes met.
Locked like colliding missiles.
One filled with rage.
The other—with remorse.
Nazy stood abruptly, breaking eye contact, and walked toward the exit.
Kevin kept watching until—
Zap!!
"Aghh!!"
The vision struck again.
Hot.
Violent.
Like a migraine tearing through his skull.
Nazy—crying.
Bruised.
Sitting on a cold floor.
Muttering—
"It's all because of him."
(…Why? Why does it have to be her? When this is all my fault!)
His thoughts spiralled, tightening until they burst from his lips.
"Why?!"
—To Be Continued.