The rooster

Hyun Lee, a corporate worker in Changqing, China, was under a lot of strain. The end-of-year budget presentation deadline had not yet been met. As it is New Year's Eve and he was in charge of the accounts department, he must persuade his boss to grant him an extension.

       He saw his boss getting onto the lift and rushed towards it. But alas he couldn't reach before the door closed. He ran fast towards the stairs and accidentally collided with his colleague. A hot liquid spilled all over Him. With little time to spare, he dashed up the stairs and eventually arrived at his boss, Mr. Chan.

      Mr. Chan is a cool minded person he listened to Hyun, but now he's on probation.

Well atleast his job was done. Finally the day has ended, and he started walking back home or rather dragging his body till he reaches his apartment. He started thinking back how after his father died, his mom had held them steady, doing every odd job to sustain them. He was walking deep in thought and did not notice some ashes that lay on the side of the road until his feet landed on them.

       "Hey man, what did you do, now evil spirits will get you", came a elderly voice from behind him. "Come to me; I can assist you in getting rid of it." He didn't pay attention, scamming is high these days. He kept dragging himself instead.After a while he reached home, and went to take a bath. Usually he felt relaxed after a bath, but not today, he was feeling sweaty even under the shower. Tightened shoulders were not easing, he also felt a gentle tremor all over his body.

       He lives alone in his apartment, sometimes he feels lonely, sometimes freedom. He ate his dinner, went to bed and fell asleep instantly. After a little sleep he woke up at 3 am. He slowly opened his eyes to darkness. Heart beating faster as he realized he's not alone. A faint creaking sound came from downstairs. His mind started racing. "Is someone there? "Did I forget to lock the door?" wondered Hyun. He kept on looking further. Shadows were dancing on the walls, a faint moonlight was coming through the curtains.There was a creaking silence.There was also a stale air,a hint of last night's dinner.

       He sat still, trying to figure out if he heard right or wrong. Sleep was long gone, slowly the night turned into morning. It must have been an illusion, he was stressed last night. He got up, freshened up and went to his office. Stephen, one of his colleagues, remarked, "Hey hyun can not wait to party, tomorrow." Hyun felt a bit relaxed. Partying is a good way to be stress free. "So when and where is this party?, asked Hyun. " Well, tomorrow after the work is over, we will go to celebrate the new year onto my house and party all night. The first day should be celebrated so that we stay blessed all year round", said his colleague. Hyun was confused for a while, the first day! Wasn't that today?      Then his phone rang, it was his boss on the other side. "Mr. Lee is the presentation ready? I want it on my desk before today evening." he cut the call after saying this. But Hyun wasn't feeling right,didn't he convince his boss yesterday, was it all a dream! He rushed towards his bosses chamber but he had already entered the lift, and door had closed.Now he had an only way that was the stairs. He swiftly went there and collided with his colleague and a hot coffee fell on him. A hot burning sensation ran down through him,but as anyhow he rushed to his boss. He did receive some extra time for his presentation, but also a probation. 

      The job for the day was over, now he was dragging himself towards his apartment, and he stepped on some ashes."Hey man what did you do now evil spirits will get you" said an old man from behind him. This time he stood still on his route and turned back but no one was behind him. The stores nearby were also closing, with chit chats of how they want to reach home before new year's eve. The incidents from morning started coming to him one by one. His colleagues' invitation to the New Year's party, a reenactment of the incident with his boss, hot coffee, ashes, and the elderly man speaking. 

      He was very scared now. With wild eyes, flushed face, and a contorted expression he reached his home,with a racing heart and a violent tremor all over his body, his breathing coming out rugged. Then he laughed at himself, how silly of me ghosts don't exist, he thought. After a while he took a chilled bath and went to sleep. No need to eat, he was very tired today. As he thought sleep came to him immediately.He woke up again around 3 am. He heard footsteps outside his bedroom. Heavy, deliberate steps. His breath got caught.             "Who could it be?" He then with trepidation and in a careful manner trudged towards his gate, picked up the flower vase and opened the door, but there was no one outside. He searched his complete apartment, but it was empty. Fearful, Hyun went to his room, locked the door, and sat with his duvet over his head.He sat like this till the morning. This time he was feeling really exhausted, not sleeping much for two nights straight can put a toll on anybodies health. Yet again he got up and prepared for his office. You can die but cant skip a day, in your corporate life, what a bummer.

      When he opened the main door two people from his neighbouring flat started arguing, he got dragged unnecessarily in it. Jeez what a waste of time. Fighting over petty things, repeating the same nonsense and solving nothing. Bunch of idiots. Like this he reached his office Stephen clapped on his back. Saying, "Hey Hyun can't wait for the party tomorrow.". The rest Hyun did not hear. What's wrong with this guy can't he see? Hyun is very tired today. Always repeating same words. 

      As soon as he sat on his desk,the phone started ringing irritating him. He picked it up planning to tell them to shut up but he stopped, hearing that it's his boss. "Mr. Lee is the presentation ready? I want it on my desk before today evening." Hyun placed his phone down, why is everyone stuck with their dialogues?, thought Hyun and stared towards the lift. Not again, his boss has entered the lift and he has to rush towards the stairs. On his hurry he collided with a colleague of his in whose hand he was holding a hot coffee which spilled all over Hyun. But he can't stop now his boss will be waiting. He's in probation, as expected that's what his boss is doing for three days straight. Again he went towards his apartment and stepped on the ashes, this time a laugh came from behind. 

      His drowsiness had vanished as if cold water was splashed on his face and replaced with a terrified frozen stare. His breathing felt like ragged gasps, as if a scream stuck inside his throat. Today's day was repeating itself. He was a fool to not have noticed this the whole day. Oh my god is he in a loop!? He ran stumbling towards his apartment. When he reached there he had overwhelming sweat. He closed the door and collapsed this time, he couldn't get up as if he got paralysed. His heartbeat felt like it was participating on a race,fast enough to cause a pain on his chest. When he got up he started trembling terribly. He didn't even have the energy to wash up today and stumbled directly on his bed, falling asleep without a beat. 

It became 3 am and he woke up to a sound of the door knob rattling, then it turned, in an agonisingly slow motion. Hyun started sweating, If he thaught his heart was participating in a race then, now it was running for the first position. The door slams open. A dark figure was looming . Hyun freezed. "This is it. This is the end.", thought Hyun. He could see a black silhouette, and feel a menacing presence.Slowly extending it's hand towards him.

        Anyone could taste the scent of his fear now. His skin felt icy as if someone had doused him in ice cold water. His heart pounding trying to jump out of his chest, but rest of his body felt numb.He was experiencing an overwhelming anxiety, feeling trapped. A strong dizziness grabbed him, his eyes rolled back and he became unconscious. When he woke up the next morning, there was no one in sight and he was intact himself. Today he sat n bed for a while and looked out the window. Is this how he wants to die? Cooped in an apartment building, away from his family, with unfinished work hanging over his head, and without a good bye to his close ones. No, if death comes today, he wants to be ready. He started on his presentation, even if he get a probation for being late at least it's the last day of the year, or his life! After he finished, he got up and got ready for the office, this time he took a cab. 

      At the gate he met Stephen. "Hey buddy, comming to the party tomorrow?", said Stephen. "No, I won't be able to, but I really wanted you to know you made working in this office less painful. Thank you very much. ", said Hyun. Stephen stared at him for a little, made a comical face,laughed and went on his way. Next he placed the presentation copy on bosses desk and went to his chair. 

     Time to call mom."Hey mom, I missed you so much. Just called to say I love you." a old voice came from the other side " My darling, I love you too, but tell me one thing, are you alright? You sound different from before."" Yes mom, I'm all fine, you don't worry. ", said Hyun and kept the phone away hurriedly, better not make her anxious. The time for going home came too fast. He got up from his desk and collided with a colleague who had a hot coffee on his hand. 

       Hyun gave a pause today. His colleague was continuously apologising, but he assured him and went for a first aid. Along with many more important people in his life, he had neglected himself as well,and now it's going to end. His eyes got a little wet. No, he won't cry today. He has achieved many things today, he should be happy and content. 

      He went out of the office and booked a cab. Expending some money on himself doesn't appear to be a luxury anymore. Since he would not be able to sleep at home today anyhow, he got into a taxi and closed his eyes.He eventually awoke to the sound of laughter. Still in the taxi, he checked his watch to see that it was three in the morning. How come he is still in the taxi? From the driver's seat came the laugh once more. Looking up, Hyun saw an elderly man who appeared frightening. He had a skeleton structure peeking from where his nose should have been, his eyes were lidless, and his skin was coming out as if it had been peeled by something. 

"Who are you?" Hyun said in a voice that was shaking. "Me? "Well, you are the reason why I did not receive my money," the driver said. Hyun asserted, "But I did not take anyone's money." "Stop talking, you moron. You stepped on some money that my descendants were burning for my afterlife. It was my only opportunity to get some. It was ruined by you. You now pay for it with your life," the ghost uttered.

     Hyun, experienced an adrenaline rush upon hearing this and leaped from the vehicle. But instead of stopping, the car sped up behind him. He ran a long distance before tripping over a stone by the road and collapsing. A rooster croaked just as the car was about to crush him. And the car disappeared entirely. Hyun got to his feet and gaped at the road. The car disappeared—where? What caused the rooster to croak in the middle of the night? He went to his apartment, believing that at least he was still alive, and collapsed onto his bed like a log, drowning in the lake of sleep.

       The following morning, a golden ray broke through the room's darkness. Hyun is woken by the soft morning light. Then he heard a familiar voice on the other end of his phone when he picked it up. My child, are you okay, Hyun? "Happy New Year, my son." He felt like crying because it was his mother, and he never imagined hearing her voice again. His mother said, "Are you crying, my dear boy? Do not cry. I was really uncomfortable when you ended the call, so I went to our village shaman in the hopes that he could help you. He advised me to burn some money as a sacrifice to the ancestors because there is some bad energy surrounding you. And the remainder will be handled by the rooster god. My son, do not worry; you will be fine very soon. Hyun was so moved by this that he began to weep uncontrollably.Thanks, mom. You saved my life yesterday. I am so grateful. Do not worry, mom. I will be over to see you soon."Wiping his eyes, he ended the call."Then Hyun turned to face the outside world. In addition to the symphony of nature, birds were singing their morning song. How come he had not looked at this earlier? It is really lovely. incredibly comforting.