Chapter 13: Conversation

VI POV

“Yes, I know it sounds crazy but at least I prevented you from the accident.”

“But, how did you know about the exact time and date of the accident? Did a voice guide you?”

“Yes, how did you know?”

“Because it was my voice. You were the silhouette who saved me..”

So it was him. The person who saved me in my dream. But why does it have to be him, Bathala? Why did it have to be Dan? How was he able to listen to my voice?

I'm afraid of this ability. I'm afraid of having nightmares from the future. I can never prevent them, only Bathala can change the course of our lives. What if he didn't grant my wish? What if I couldn't prevent any nightmares from happening?

I felt a sense of responsibility under my shoulders. I looked at the stars above us, the constellations aligned themselves tonight. He was the only one who changed my future. He extended my life.

"I think I should tell you this, so listen carefully."

"I'm listening."

"I have precognition. It's an ability where I could have a glimpse of the future, whether mine, yours, or anyone that I've encountered with my perspective."

"Do you mean that you can tell me if I'll pass the quarter's exams?"

I lightly punched him on the shoulder. "Sort of. I can but not all the time. It really depends if that specific event made an impact on me. Honestly, I don't think that I'll ever know because I don't really care about your scores."

"Huh? From now on, I will permit you to look at them only if you tell me if I'll pass any upcoming quiz or long test?"

"Really?"

"Or at least in Math. I'm really not good at math."

"Just no. I want you to learn from your mistakes. Sometimes, you have to go through these problems so that you can rise again."

"Vi, give me a reason why I was called. Did you choose me to save you? Why me? Have you forgiven me?"

"I don't know. It was Bathala who chose you, not me. And I also wanted to know why."

"But, how come? Precognition, how does it work? I mean do you need to follow anything before you can predict the future?"

"I don't know. I just slept and then poof, I started dreaming of the future. Easy right?"

He giggled a bit. "That's it? So if I just sleep, I can see your future?"

"Not exactly. You see, you need precognition."

"But don't I have precognition? I just saved your life because of a dream."

I scratched my head in confusion. "I'm not sure about it. Maybe we are connected in some way?"

"Connected? If we were connected, maybe we would have felt it after our first meeting.

"Hmmm, I wonder. It was Bathala's decision, not mine. He chose you to save me."

"Bathala? Who is Bathala?"

I zipped my mouth after blurting out those words. I couldn't tell him who Bathala is since I really don't even know him either. He sometimes talks in my dream state and I know that he exists. He just proved himself right here.

"Uhmmm, let's just say that Bathala is someone who talks to me in my unconscious state. Don't worry, it's just an assumption. He calls himself Bathala."

"But still, why would he–"

"Sorry to bother you two couples, but please move aside. You're blocking other people's way.", a stranger's hand landed on Dan's shoulder.

"Oh sure. I'm so sorry, we'll move aside. Come on Dan, let's talk somewhere else where there aren't a lot of people."

I pulled him and walked past through the crowd. He was giggling softly as I gazed quickly at him.

“What’s funny?”, I asked.

“That man thought that we’re a couple.”

I narrowed my eyes. “That’s not funny Dan. We’re just classmates.”

“I know, but imagining us as a couple is funny. You telling me corny jokes while I get sleepy while listening --”

“Just don’t imagine it. Let’s have a little chat here.”

We came back to the coffee shop where I waited for Frank to appear a while back. I ordered two mocha lattès while Dan took a seat by the wooden chairs and tables near the windowpane. The rain started pouring down heavily as he traced the droplets with his finger.

I took my seat and started sipping on my beverage. "You still drink coffee, right?"

"Yes, but I don't drink coffee that often. Thank you though."

"Yep, anyway Bathala chose you to save me. It's not a big deal if you ask me but thank you for following your instincts.”

He tilted his head and placed the side of his cheek on his hands. “You’re welcome? Honestly, I’m confused if there was any significance in me saving you. I’m just relieved that you’re safe. Next time though, be more careful.”

“Don’t worry, I will. Since we’re here, do you want to ask anything about our Math topics so far? Is there a specific problem that you can’t solve yet?”

He dodged my question. “Actually Vi, can we not talk about Math right now? Can we talk about what happened in the past year?”

I avoided eye contact. “Dan, you know that we can’t be as close as we used to be, right? I can’t take any more risks, you know that. Sapphire knew a rumor from my previous school that might ruin my reputation in our school. And believe me, you don’t want to know about it.”

“Yeah but, I’m not in a relationship with her anymore. She doesn’t have any right to control our friendship. Do you want me to confront her?”

I widened my eyes. “Don’t! I don’t want to encounter any issues this year. All I want is to become a DL. To be recognized. For the past two years, I’ve been looked down upon by several people. Yes, I volunteered because I loved Math even if it seems difficult. Even if I don’t have any achievements related to this subject. And I’m already desperate to achieve this goal I have in myself. That’s why even though I want to back out, I can’t because the incentives that I’ll receive from helping you will help me improve my grades in Math. So please, try to understand.”

Soon after the rain calmed down, I texted the dorm managers that I’ll be late to return because of traffic. I kept my phone in my pockets and put the coffee on the side of my backpack. “Alright, I’ll be going now. Goodbye Dan, stay safe on the way home.”

Before I could leave our table, Dan grabbed onto my wrist. ”If you feel uncomfortable with me, I’m truly sorry. But please, don’t hold a grudge against me anymore. Talk to me casually as a classmate, not as someone you needed to avoid.”

I took a deep breath before replying. “I’m also sorry for making you feel that way. I’ll let you talk casually to me even during breaks but don’t do it often. I don’t want Sapphire to be suspicious of us again. ”

“Okay, I understand.”

He let go of my hand and asked, “Bathala, whoever he is, has chosen me for a reason. Could you ask him why he chose me?”

“I can but I can’t assure you that he has a direct answer.”

“Alright, just tell me his answer as soon as you find out.”

I rode in a taxi back to the dormitory and laid at the far side of the lower bunk bed. I’m glad that I wasn’t given any punishment because of the traffic and heavy rain. I checked my phone for any new messages from Frank. I put my phone in silent mode and took a quick nap.

***

There is only pure darkness surrounding me at the moment. No dreams are being formed yet as I am in between the present and future waiting in a tranquil state.

I calmed myself down and asked him, “Bathala, thank you for changing my fate. Thank you so much for rescuing me. Yet, I want to know. Why out of all the people I’ve met in this life, you’ve chosen Dan to save me? Why did you deliver my voice to him in my dream?”

Initially, I never expected an answer from him. Yet whenever he does speak, it was only a short message of encouragement. No, I never saw his face but his dark and masculine voice is recognizable.

He replied, “Dan is your guide, your compass. He will help you change the direction of other’s paths. The future of others. He holds a great part in your past life that you shall learn to embrace soon.”

“Past life… Couldn’t you tell me, Bathala?”

“Now is not the right time. You shall meet various people and go through trials in life so that you will discover your past life. You have to face your reality first to embrace your past. The advice that I can offer is that you should listen to your inner voice. Follow what you feel is right. You have this gift for a reason, so never hesitate.”

Before I could reply, darkness suddenly faded with light passing through. My surroundings transitioned into a classroom with mint green wallpaper and written notes on the whiteboard. I know that I should be focusing right now on this vision but I couldn’t help but ponder on Bathala’s words.