
Hajimemashite Sekai
I blinked but it stung. My eyes felt red. It almost hurt to look.
One more, just one more episode. Yet another film. One last game.
How long has it been I wonder. A week? Two weeks, maybe three? How long since I’ve been outside? I think about it, almost everyday. I think about outside like a fond memory, a crystal I long to find, a fine specimen I’ve yet to try.
But this glowing machine knows me best. Through its beaming face it communicates my truth.
Did I doom myself?
Though admittedly I don’t feel doomed. Actually I’m taken by the hand, I’m led to a place I never wish to escape from. I’m treated with a taste of bliss.
Besides, I hold the power, in theory at least. I can close the glowing device. I can shut the portal. I simply choose not to. It’s so much brighter here. How lighthearted, almost fluffy.
Mother came back late today. She’s upset, she ordered me to take out the trash. Why me? I haven’t moved in so long. My bones cracked and I held my back.
I opened the door. The ground felt almost alien. I didn’t remember it being so stiff. It was evening I believe.
Gloomy. Very gloomy. The grey sky bruised with all sorts of clouds. Weird shades of grey.
Silent. Everything around me stood still. Was this tree always this green? And this wind. This frosty, chilly air blowing my hair out of my face. Was it always this intoxicating?
Wow. I suddenly felt…nostalgia? Is that what this is? I could almost smell my childhood. Did the wind do it? Did the grey sky awake something in me somehow?
My lungs felt fresh. The air tasted crisp.
What was I supposed to do? Why did I come out?
Water. Could it be? I raised my chin slightly. Cold water, thick and rich poured from the sky and like a light shower it washed my every doubt away.
I closed my eyes. So this is it huh?
Nice to meet you once again…world.
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
(hajimemashite sekai=nice to meet you world in japanese.)
Oh, thank you for explaining. The title really fits the theme!
Here we are again Lydia and how time passes when writing our stories. I like this – how many of us have felt like you? Have we all really come to a stand still? Well yes we have, as you explained – my bones cracked and I held my back. Wonderfully put, and just wait till you start to draw your pension! Eric.
Thank you for your feedback! I appreciate you taking the time to comment 🙂
This is so relatable to me Lydia, well except for the cracking bones and back pain. The tv is now my best friend and my main reason for stepping out is to take out the rubbish. A well written story and most definitely of its time.
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
It makes me happy knowing I am not the only one. Thank you for the feedback!
Hi Lydia, your story brought to mind the Lovelace line, “Stone walls do not a prison make.” And the beginning of your story reminded me of a deep bout of depression (one of many that rendered me lifeless and transfixed by tv) in my early thirties when I was held captive by the computer game, Doom (pre-internet). I couldn’t think of a better substance than water to snap someone back into life. I loved the shift from the sense of nostalgia, onward.
Thank you so much. It feels great reading all your experiences. Am glad we can all relate!
No worries, Lydia. I’m starting to get a good feeling about this group of writers here, too. Looking forward to more of your stories, and maybe a haiku.
I loved how you ended the story with the sentence “Nice to meet you once again…world”. Exactly what a new dawn would say if it could.
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
thank you!
You’re very welcome, Lydia!
This story is so utterly relatable Lydia and very nicely written. I had a trip to the beach when lockdown lifted. It felt more like visiting an old friend, such a glorious feeling to be outside in the fresh air.
I am so glad you could relate. Thank you for taking the time to comment!
Oh, thank you for translating the title, Lydia. It is very relatable and well written. Nice one.
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.