Chapter 1
"Naran, Naran, wake up," a voice called from afar, warm and familiar.
"Naran, Naran..." A hand shook my body, calling my name.
I slowly opened my eyes, a bright light piercing through. I squinted, trying to adjust. This... this was my room. Hadn't I died? Was I saved? Was I really alive?
"Get up, it's time for breakfast," I followed the voice and saw... my mother.
"Mom?" I called, disbelief flooding my voice.
"Eat first, then go back to sleep," my mom said, lightly swatting my bottom.
There was no pain, no memory of being buried alive. Hadn't I been injured and left for dead? Why was I here, at home? I sat up suddenly in bed.
Mom looked at me, her hand touching my forehead. "Are you feeling unwell?"
I stared at her, and suddenly, a wave of emotions overwhelmed me. Tears welled up, and I couldn't stop myself from crying. I clung to her warm neck and sobbed, "Mom, I missed you. I had a nightmare... I dreamt I died and was buried in the ground."
Mom gently patted my back, comforting me. "Were you scared? Don't worry, my Naran will live a long life. Today's your birthday, let's make a wish for you to live a hundred years."
My birthday?
"Today is my birthday?" I wiped away my tears and asked, still in disbelief.
"Yes, your 29th birthday, today is May 21st, isn't it your birthday?" Mom looked at me, puzzled.
29? But I was already 31! My in-laws had been pressuring me to have a child, threatening divorce if I didn't. How could it be 29?
"What year is it?" I asked, unable to believe it.
"Are you out of your mind? It's 2022," Mom poked my forehead and said.
So... I had gone back to 2022. I had been reborn.
