To Change the World

"There are kids... kids dying out there," she says furiously, trembling in disgust. "Kids being starved, kids being enslaved, kids being abused by their own parents. And that's all you can say? How would you react if you suddenly ended up being one of those children struggling just to see the sunrise once more? I'd hate to break it to you, but life isn't a game. Things happen. Unfair things. Completely innocent kids can end up being punished for things that weren't even originally their fault. If you want to be holed up all day, living out your perfect life, then so be it. You can go do that. I'm going to turn this world into a place better for everyone." She turns, and storms away.

"W-Wait!" I dash forwards, shoes soggy from the rain, stepping in puddles of water that spray everywhere. Ripples on a pond. My fingers reach out, and I grab Arya by the shoulders right before she tries to cross the road. "Don't... don't leave the rest of us behind. You're only one girl. It'll be best for you if-"

"If what?" she retorts mockingly, not even bothering to turn around, but cutting me off as harshly as ever. "If I pretend to be an airhead like everyone else? Clueless, naive even, with no idea on the cruelty of the world? Maybe that's a life you want, but not for me. Even if I'm alone... even if I fail... at least I'll go down knowing that I tried."

With that, she runs on across the street without even looking back.

One second, I'm trying to chase her down.

Another second, and a car has made an appearance on the road to my right.

Everything happens in slow motion. I can only stand in shock and watch as the car speeds and turns around the corner without slowing down. Perhaps at the last second, the driver realizes that there's someone standing there, but by then it's all too late. The sounds of screeching tires against gravel, a short-lived scream, and crashing metal all make their way into my ears, as I stand frozen and helpless, still on the curb.

Sometimes there's no warning.

No warning at all.

~

Her last words ring, distant and far-off in my ears. Even if I'm alone, even if I fail, at least I'll go down knowing that I tried. I bury my head with my arms, unable to cope with what's going on, what's happening.

Arya was submitted for emergency surgery hours ago, and now it's already hours into midnight. About thirty minutes ago, a surgeon came out of the room and told us the details. "We tried our best best, we had to resuscitate her several times, and in the end her frail body couldn't handle it. No, she isn't dead, but... I'm sorry. She is in a coma, and has a small chance of waking up again."

Even if I'm alone, even if I fail, at least I'll go down knowing that I tried.

"Is this what you wanted, then?" I moan silently, feeling the abandoned tears from before coming back. "Or is this fate playing us into its hands instead?" A queasy feeling rises up in my stomach, and my vision blurs over. Pain - not physical yet throbbingly emotional at the same time - howls somewhere inside my heart. The mere thought of that harsh moment when metal and life collided... it sends shivers shooting up my spine, because I don't think I'll be able to live out my life with Arya gone.

Her parents had gone in first, followed by her relatives. I sit by myself now in the cold hospital chairs. Metal ones. Yet another reminder of the traumatic accident yesterday. The seconds tick by, turning into minutes, every moment as restless as the one before. The suspense builds up as I await my turn, headaches pounding... finally, Arya's family comes out bearing tears.

I'm alone in the waiting room.

"Would you like to go in now?" the surgeon asks.

~

She looks like she's merely asleep.

I walk towards the bed cautiously, teetering, unable to keep my balance. I collapse in a chair, but my eyes are forever trained on the one girl who was... is... my best friend. Wrapped in a possible eternal sleep, an aura of peace seems to have settled over the once fuming rage that was the Arya from yesterday.

Her words from the day before echo in my mind. I'd hate to break it to you, but life isn't a game. Things happen. Unfair things. Completely innocent kids can end up being punished for things that weren't even originally their fault. Back then, I hadn't cared. Back then, I didn't take it seriously. Back then, I hardly even thought about it. Now... I regard Arya's face with glazed over eyes, and I can feel the moisture gathering in my eyes. She doesn't deserve a life like this - attached to artificial instruments desperately trying to keep a life alight. Possibly never opening her eyes again to create and see the utopia she imagined. If someone had to end up in a coma yesterday, it should've been me, the ignorant, arrogant one who didn't listen at all.

"I'm sorry," I whisper, feeling the tears roll down my cheeks. They feel hot and warm against my skin, but freezing cold at the same time. It feels like strokes of icy fire are brandishing at my face, cursing me for my last fatal sin. "I'm sorry," I say again, unable to relieve the tension building up inside my heart. "I'm sorry, Arya... I'm sorry that I never listened... because you were right... all along..."

She doesn't answer. Her eyes remain closed, and she doesn't stir at all. But I can't break my gaze; it's like time is standing still. But time doesn't wait, and even mercy meets its capabilities at some point.

I'm sorry that you never got to do what you wanted to do... Right here, right now, I make a snap decision. Maybe it's true that only the first of Arya's words had begun to sink into my limited understanding of the world, but it doesn't matter. If she doesn't wake up... then her final wish will never come to the light. Someone like her doesn't deserve that. To satisfy myself, my best friend, and the world, it'll be up to me to fulfill what Arya started.

I stand up, wiping the tears away. "I'm going to fight now. Fight for justice, fight for equality, fight for the goodness of the world, and bring about the best of mankind." Rising over her bed, I speak to her as if she is still full of life, the Arya from yesterday. "One day I'll make you proud. I'm going to lead and create the world that you wanted, with peace and harmony. When you wake up, you'll open your eyes to the brighter days of the future... the brighter days that you deserve to see."

I finally let my gaze fall to the ground. "To change the world, Arya. To change the world, for the better."