Enchanted

"Hi!" She repeated.

I gazed at her foolishly.

Inside my head, I am relieving all the dreams I have of her. She is the same girl that in my dream. Her eyes, her smile, her hair. Everything about her.

"Hi," I said slowly.

She's wearing a blue top and jeans. She has her car keys in her left hand.

"So your Adam?" she asked grinning.

"I am?" I asked her.

She snickered at my answer while shaking her head. She extended her hand. "Nice meeting you."

I stared for a moment at her hand then took it. It has the same warmth that I have felt in my dream.

"Yeah. Me too, I mean, nice meeting you too." I stuttered, then I let go of her hand.

Monique called out, "Hey! What's the hold-up?"

I step back to let her pass. I was exhilarated by her strawberry scent, it just hit me full in the face.

"Thanks." She said.

A bit dazed, I shook my head to clear my senses and then close the door. But my forefinger got caught between the door. Pain shot through my right arm.

"What the!!!" I groaned.

"What happened?" Raine hurried towards me.

"Nothing. Aah. Tsk." I shook my hand vigorously.

"We need ice on that," she said concerned. "Monique, can you get me some ice?" She called out.

"Why?" Monique asked as she comes out of the kitchen.

"His hand got caught on the door."

Monique laughed as she went back to the kitchen to get some ice. I heard her talking to Ralph and he started laughing too.

"You must be cautious next time. Does it hurt?" she asked.

"A bit," I answered. But honestly, pain receptors were racing against every strand of my hair. And my fingers throbbing.

Monique put down the bowl of ice on the dining table. "Put your hand here." She ordered.

We went to her side and I did what she said, and it works. My throbbing finger numbs eventually.

"Thanks," I said with a sigh of relief.

"So Raine, you've already met Adam," Monique asked pointing me with her thumb.

"Yup! Finally, get the chance to meet the clumsiest musician of all time."

"Am not!" I retorted.

"Yes, you are. And, a headstrong one." She added with a giggle.

Monique laughs at us. "You two are so cute."

We glanced at each other. She's smiling at me so I smiled at her too. I instantly feel comfortable with her.

"That's better," Raine said.

"What's better?" I asked, feeling stupid yet again.

"You're adorable when you smile. And it is much better if you do that a lot." She added with a wink.

I looked down at my hand soaked in ice. My hand's feeling numb now. Did she just wink at me? I thought.

I shook my head slowly, a smile spreading on my face. My heartbeat skip for a moment and started drumming inside my chest.

A month ago, Raine was just an imagination. She was just a dream, but today, she's here. She's really here. With us! Making fun with what happened to me.

"Guys, maybe you can help me put these foods on the table huh?" Ralph said sarcastically.

"I totally forgot you Big Bro." Laughed Monique.

Raine won't let me help her so I put the bowl of melted ice on the sink and got the soda on the fridge.

We sat at the dining table and started eating. Raine's sitting across me, beside Monique. Ralph's on my right, at the end of the table.

"Bro, this pasta is delicious." Said Monique.

"Just followed your recipe sis." He answered while he circled his pasta on the fork.

"I thought your flight is tomorrow?" he questioned.

She finished drinking her juice before she could answer.

"Well, I just said that," wiping her lips with a table napkin. "I really wanted to surprise you. Are you surprised?" She said wiggling her eyebrows.

"Surprise effect your face. Mom and Dad are on a business trip. They'll be coming home on Friday." Ralph answered her a bit annoyed.

"Why are you so grumpy? Where's Katty?" Katty's Ralph's girlfriend.

"She can't come. They have exams coming up, so she can't come with us." He shrugged. I wonder if they just have a fight.

"Ok. That's disappointing." She looked at me. "So Adam, when did you decide to become a caveman?" Monique teased me.

"Just now." I smiled. Raine chuckled. I look at her instantly. Her face is so...

"You know, I really like your first album. Especially the song 'Will I Ever'. It's so wonderful. What or who's your inspiration when writing your songs?"

"Monique, Adam's on vacation leave. We don't talk business especially when eating."

"What? I'm just asking." She rolled her eyes but she's anticipating my answer.

"Well," I answered wiping my lips with a table napkin. "My inspiration," I simply glance at Raine, she's looking at me, waiting for my answer so I continued.

"My mom, she's very supportive and loving. She's there every time to tell me what I should know and what should I remember. Your brother's also my inspiration, cause if not for him, I may not be this successful. And he's my best friend for God's sake."

"Yeah, Tita Aurora's wonderful. How's she?"

"She's fine." I smiled and continued eating.

It's been 8 years when my father died. It was a vehicular accident. He was driving home when a drunk truck driver smashed my father's car. He was still alive when we rushed to the hospital. But after he saw us, he died. The doctor said that there was a massive hemorrhage in his abdomen. His kidney and liver were affected by the impact.

Mom was devastated, but become stronger as years went by. That's when Sheena and Aunt Mary lived with us. They decided that we need company. And that's when Sheena and I become closer.

My parents and Ralph's parent are great friends. And they helped us when my father died. They supported us in any way they can.

"So Adam. You coming?" Monique asked me.

"Yes. Where to?"

"In a beach resort. Just outside the town. I heard it has white sand. And a very beautiful beach." Monique explained. "Don't worry, there won't be many people there."

"Don't worry about me," I said finishing my plate.

"So, Raine are you coming?" I asked her.

"Yes," She answered without hesitation.

I smiled. Monique and Ralph just looked at me but I ignored them.

"Hmm. So what do you want to do today?" Monique asked.

"Uhm." Raine started but she was cut off by the ringing of her phone. She looked at it but pushed the silent button. "Sorry bout that guys." She put away her phone in her pocket.

After a minute, her phone rang again. "Wait, have to take this call." She retrieves her phone and went to the kitchen.

"Let's just stay in the garden. It's a great day today." Monique said after a while.

"Ok. That's relaxing." Ralph approved before drinking his water.

Monique put the plates in a pile and brought them to the kitchen. My finger's still throbbing but can be tolerated. When Monique returned, Raine's with her. Her eyes were red.

"You ok Raine?" I asked her as I got up from my seat.

"Yeah. There's just something in my eyes." She beamed and rub her eyes.

There's something wrong, it must be that someone on the phone earlier. When she smiled at me, it doesn't touch her eyes. There is sadness in them.

"Monique, is it okay if I stay here for the night?" she asked softly. "I just need to drive home to get some of my things."

"Sure, no problem." Monique brushed her friend's shoulder.

"Maybe," Monique looked at me, "Adam, can you drive Raine home?"

Me? Driving my dream girl home. "Sure. Why not."

"No it's ok I can do it myself. Thank you." She added smiling at me. Her hand already on the doorknob.

Why does she have to smile at me like that? "I insist," I said firmly.

She opened the door. "Ok." And stepped outside.

I followed her out and heard Ralph asked Monique where we were going before I close the door.