WHY DO I KEEP IT'S REAL?

Chapter 2

I started to think about this in so many ways. Was it an illusion, or was it real? I didn’t know. But when I spoke to him at the museum, it felt real—so real that my skin tingled and my heartbeat raced in response. Still, I couldn’t bring myself to tell Min Ai. She was the first friend I made here, and I didn’t want to risk losing her. I’ve lost people before because of this—because of my so-called “hallucinations” and my vivid dreams that feel more real than reality itself. My old friends thought I’d lost my mind. They laughed at me, avoided me, and some even pitied me. I didn’t want Min Ai to feel the same.

So, I decided to do the only thing that ever comforted me—I called my mom.

After we got back to our apartment, Min Ai dropped her bag and groaned dramatically. “Bharu, I’m so tired. I need food, and then I’m crashing. If you want anything, help yourself. I’m skipping dinner today.” She didn’t even wait for my reply—just waved and disappeared into her room.

I wandered into the kitchen, pulled out a packet of instant noodles, and started boiling water. The steam fogged up my glasses as my thoughts drifted back to that boy. His voice echoed in my mind like a forgotten song I once knew by heart. His words... how he looked at me as if he knew me from somewhere deeper than this lifetime. I shivered.

Once I finished eating, I sat on the balcony, feeling the breeze brush past me like a whisper. The city lights sparkled far away, but nothing could distract me from the strange heaviness in my chest.

I picked up the phone and dialed the number I knew better than my own.

“Hello, mom?”

“Hi, Bharu, my sweetie! How are you doing?” Her voice felt like a warm hug through the phone.

“I’m fine, mom… How’s everyone at home?”

“They’re all good, dear. What about you? Are you liking your new job?”

“Yes, I do. I love it, mom. But... I need to talk to you about something serious.”

“If you don’t like it there, you can come back anytime, baby. Don’t force yourself.”

“No, no—it’s not that. I enjoy my job. And I’ve even made a friend, Mom! Her name’s Min Ai. She’s as caring as you. But that’s not what I wanted to talk about…”

“Then what is it, love?”

“I think… I think I’m hallucinating again.”

There was a long pause.

“What? But the doctor said you were completely cured! Are you taking your medicine on time?”

“Yes, mom. I swear I haven’t missed a single dose. That’s why I’m so confused. I saw someone today—a man I’d already met before in the museum. I talked to him again… but Min Ai said she didn’t see anyone near me. She thought I was talking to myself.”

“Oh dear…” Her voice turned soft. “Maybe it was just a misunderstanding. You know how sometimes people don’t notice things around them. Don’t overthink it, sweetheart.”

Her words were reassuring, and for the moment, I believed her. Maybe I was just tired. Maybe my brain was playing games. I decided not to dwell on it and went to bed. Tomorrow was a new day, and I needed to be ready for work.

The next morning, I walked into the office with Min Ai, trying to keep my mind clear and focused. I had a project to prepare for, and I couldn’t afford to get distracted. As I was organizing my thoughts, that rude lady from the fresher’s party—the one who asked about my love life—came walking toward me.

“Why are you calling me?” I asked, not bothering to hide my irritation.

“Relax. The boss is waiting for you. He asked me to bring you. Go see him,” she said coolly.

I took a deep breath and walked into the boss’s office.

“Good morning, Miss Bharathi,” he greeted me with a kind smile.

“Good morning, sir.”

“I need your help with something. Think you’re up for it?”

“Of course, sir! I’m always ready.”

“Wonderful! I want you to research everything you can about dragons. We’re developing a new supernatural game and want it to be as realistic as possible. This project could define your career here.”

“That sounds amazing, sir. I’d love to do it!”

“I thought so. You might need help, though. How about Livia Su Ming?”

My smile faded. Livia? That snake? No way.

“Sir, may I suggest someone else?”

“Sure. Who do you have in mind?”

“What about Min Ai? I work better with her. We make a great team.”

“Good choice. Take these files with you. They’ll help you with your research.”

I hurried out with the files and almost skipped over to Min Ai.

“Guess what!” I beamed. “We’ve got a new project! We need to dive deep into dragon myths and build a game that feels magical and real.”

“Sounds awesome!” she said. “Let me finish up this task, then we can start.”

“Okay, I’m going to the restroom while you wrap up.”

As I walked down the hallway, I heard a weird sound coming from one of the rooms. Curiosity got the better of me, and I peeked inside. I instantly regretted it.

There was Livia. And our boss. They were... very close. His hand was inside her shirt, and he was massaging her breasts. I gasped and rushed to the restroom, my heart pounding.

What the hell did I just witness?

Mentally slapping myself, I told myself I should’ve just minded my own business.

I tried to calm down and washed my face—only… there were no taps.

Instead, there was a small waterfall. A garden. Trees, flowers, birds chirping. The room smelled like jasmine and lavender. The floor beneath my feet was no longer cold tile, but soft, damp grass.

My hands trembled. Was I hallucinating again?

But it felt so real.

As I stood there, paralyzed by the beauty, I heard a voice behind me.

“Bharathi…”

I turned.

It was him—the guy from the museum.

He smiled gently. “Don’t be scared. I’m not here to hurt you.”

“I don’t even know who you are,” I whispered.

“But I know you,” he replied. “I’ve always known you.”

He gently held my hand. His touch was warm and calming, like sunlight. “Do you know? You’re the only person who makes me feel... this.”

We sat down together on the grass. His head rested on my shoulder, and I didn’t push him away.

It felt comforting. Peaceful.

I closed my eyes. For the first time in a long while, I felt... safe.

The world around me faded. All that existed was the sound of his breath, the rustling leaves, and the way his fingers traced gentle circles on the back of my hand.

But then, a knocking sound echoed in the air.

I opened my eyes and turned.

It was Min Ai.

She walked toward me, confused. “Bharu? Why are you staring at me like that? Are you hiding something?”

I looked around. The garden, the waterfall, the boy—they were all gone.

We were back in the office restroom.

I froze.

Was it another hallucination?

I’d taken my medicine today. Why was this happening?

“Bharu, answer me,” Min Ai said, shaking me gently.

“I—I just got lost in thought,” I said with a fake laugh.

She smiled and rolled her eyes. “How can I live with a daydreamer like you?”

But inside… I was screaming.

This wasn’t like before.

In the past, when I hallucinated, I knew I was hallucinating. But now?

Now it all felt real. Too real.

And that terrified me.