The Meeting

It's starting to get creepier, whenever I dreamed of her staring at me. There's something about her that keeps me wondering if she's real.

Am I falling for her? A girl in my dream?

I told Sheena about my dream. At first, she doesn't believe me, but when the dream increased in frequency, she finally gave me an advice. "You're crazy for falling for her! She's just a dream," she keeps on reminding me.

"She's just a piece of your imagination, that's why you really need to have a girlfriend." She said teasingly but became serious again.

"I'm telling you this, do not expect anything. You didn't even know if she's real or what. And it seems like you're starting to fall for her. Adam, she's just a dream ok. Don't expect her to jump out of your dream and be with you. You're a successful songwriter, there are thousands of people who want to be with you. Don't dwell in your dreams. Live your life, Adam. Wake up!"

But I am very desperate to meet her. She's all I can think about. I even make sketches of her, but it made me more desperate to find her.

"Stupid, crazy, desperate guy. Get a grip, Adam!" I threw my pencil on the wall. It rolled under the closet. I grab a handful of my hair and close my eyes.

"In a month. In a month. I hope this craziness ends in a month."

I fall asleep at my desk, and all of a sudden my phone rang. I was startled. I search for my phone and my sketches fell on the floor. I got them one by one. And when I got up, my head bumps on the edge of my desk.

"Shit!" I put the sketches on top of the table with so much force. And answered my phone.

"What!?" I said a bit louder when I answered the phone.

"Woke up on the wrong side of your bed?" It's Ralph.

"What time is it?" I spun around looking for my clock.

"It's 10:05 in the mow-ning Adam. What's happening to you?"

I have slept for 6 hours and I haven't even notice that I actually slept that long.

"It's already 10?"

"Yup. Hey. You alright?" Concern in his voice.

"Yeah. Yah. Sorry. I pulled up an all-nighter answering fan mails. Sorry 'bout that. What's up?"

Ralph chuckled. "So, a little hot-headed huh? Well, Monique's coming home tomorrow for the end of the semester. It would be nice if I invite you over today."

"For what?" I asked him, puzzled.

"Well, her best friend's coming too. And we're planning to have a vacation. Maybe you want to come with us?"

"Today? Uhm. Sure. Sure." Uncertain of my reply. "I'll just take a shower. And is it ok if I drop by our house first? I have to get some stuff."

"Sure. Take your time." Then he hanged up.

I looked around, a bit disoriented.

I stood up. Trying to steady myself. The bump in my head is still aching. I walked out of my room, scratching my head, went to the kitchen to get myself a coffee. I sat on a high chair while drinking. It's gently drizzling outside when I looked out of the window.

After I finished my coffee, I went straight to the shower.

I put on my favorite t-shirt, a fresh pair of jeans, and sneakers. As usual, I haven't combed my hair. If only Anna's here, she'll kill me. I laugh at the thought of that. Then, retrieve all my belongings. I made sure that everything is unplugged before I go out of my condo and locked the door.

I lived on the 8th floor of the 18 floors of Pine Towers in the heart of the business district.

I pushed the down button, and the elevator door slid open. I stepped inside, hit the GF dial, and the door slid shut. I saw my reflection on the door. My messy hair is a bit longer and it looks like I haven't slept for a week. Mustache's growing in my face. This would be a great disguise when we go out for a vacation.

I got off the elevator and headed to the parking lot. I climbed into my car, put everything in the front seat, and drove off.

It was just a short 25 minutes drive from my condo to our family house. Nobody's home so I made a note for mom, "I'm staying at Ralph's tonight. We're planning a vacation with Monique. I'll return tomorrow morning before we head off. Love you guys." And left it on the fridge door.

I went upstairs to my bedroom to get some of my old jersey t-shirts and shorts and went back to my car.

Ralph's house is 5 blocks away from us and took me 5 minutes to get there.

It is a two-story house with a wide shady garden. A porch with different kinds of flowers. I knock on the door.

"Just a minute," shouted Ralph.

A minute or so Ralph opens the door.

"What the hell Adam!" he blurted out.

"What?" I stroke my hair.

"You look like a caveman! You need a shave or else Anna's going to kill you."

"I've already thought of that. So, you're cooking huh?"

He's wearing a black apron, with a little chef hat on the center.

"Monique's coming now. I've been talking with her when you arrive. They're at the airport right now and just waiting for Raine's car." Ralph explained as he let me inside the house.

Their living room is very spacious with 2 very comfortable looking sofas. On the other side is their 32" flat tv. On the far end of the living room is what looks like a music room with 2 electric guitars hanging on the wall, a drum set, and a piano. And the staircase.

On the right is the dining area and through it, is the kitchen.

I followed him inside the kitchen and put my bag down on the counter.

"Whatcha cooking?" I asked.

"Pasta." He answered while stirring the sauce.

Ralph can also cook but with the help of Monique's recipes.

"Hey, how's my last recording?"

"It's great. And Ms. Lucy said that you need to add 2 more songs to that album."

"Why?"

"Dunno."

"I was thinking, can I record an instrumental album?"

"Well. That can be arranged." Covering the saucepot.

"Can you help me arrange the table? Plates are there on the cabinet. And spoon, forks here at the drawer."

I followed his instruction. 15 minutes after we fixed the dining table, someone sounded their car's horn.

"Ralph I think they're here." I glanced at the kitchen window.

"That soon? I'm not finished yet! You mind getting the door?" Adding cheese to the sauce.

"Ok." Then someone knocked on the door.

"Coming." I walked out of the kitchen and into the front door and opened it.

It was Monique. "Hi, Adam!" She greeted me.

"Hi, Monique. Let me help you with that." I took her heavy backpack and close the door.

"Oh, Raine's just parking on the driveway."

"Ok, I'll get the door for her." I put down her bag on the sofa and went back to the opened front door.

My world suddenly stopped revolving.

Time suddenly slowed down.

I really can't believe my eyes. It feels as if I am INSIDE my dream.

The effect's perfect.

There she was, walking in the garden. Her pony-tailed hair swayed while walking. The light breeze, the rays of the sun illuminating her tanned skin.

She walked up the porch, and I just gazed at her, mouth hanging open.

As if casting a spell, she greeted me.

"Hi!" then she smiled.