A lame dream

I am sitting on the sofa facing him.

"So, how are we going to go home?" I asked him with a raised eyebrow.

"I said we can't!" He raised his eyebrow at me as well.

"We are in the middle of nowhere, Alex!" I stood up with my hands on my hips. "Far from the city! We don't even have money!" I waved my hands in the air.

"So, how am I going to explain this to anyone? Huh?" I slowly narrowed my face at him. "I'm only 16, Alex! What if Dad finds out that I'm not home?" I sat down heavily, scratching my head.

Stupid!

"I don't know." That was his only response amidst all my words. He was still leaning against the wall. He seemed relaxed, but I felt so nervous.

I can't even stand this guy for a day; how much more for a week!

"What about our classes? We'll be absent for a week?" I asked. I was absent last week, and now I'll be absent again this week.

Finals are fast approaching; what am I going to do?

"That's what you wanted!" he said firmly, lying down on the sofa.

"Shut up, Alex! You should be the one to be called a moron! So–so stupid!" I shouted at him.

"Tss! Why not enjoy the view, Pumpkin? Worry about the rest later, okay? We can't do anything, either." He stood up and went outside. I followed him with my eyes, and now I could see the sea. The fresh air was delightful, far from the city.

Maybe he is right, but how can I enjoy the view in a situation like this? I'm stuck with this guy.

I felt like puking again, so I went back to the room where I came from. I need rest.

Fast forward.

I woke up at around eight in the evening. I don't feel like eating. It's stressful because I don't know how to contact Dad in Cebu. Maybe the driver already informed Dad. I wish he would come pick us up.

It's only a day, but it feels like a month has passed. I went out of the house and saw Alex sitting in front of a bonfire. I approached slowly, and I could hear his sobs.

Is he crying?

He is really crying. He is holding a picture frame, probably of his Mom and Dad. I approached him. He looked pitiful.

"You alright?" I asked softly.

"Yeah," he replied weakly.

"Really?" I teased him. He just nodded. "Is that your Mom and Dad?" I asked while taking the picture frame. "Is this you?" I pointed at the cute baby boy. "You look like your Dad, but you got your smile from your Mom," I said gently while staring at the photo.

He didn't answer.

"Where are they?" I asked, prying.

"Gone."

"Gone? What do you mean?" I asked in surprise.

"I lost them both three years ago," he answered in a somber tone.

"Oh, I'm sorry!"

I didn't speak further. The only sound we heard was the wind hitting the fire and the sea.

"Where are your parents?" He seems confused.

"Are we getting to know each other now?" I joked. It worked because he smiled.

Yes! He got his smile from his Mom.

"My Dad is busy with work. I don't know if he knows I'm here or not. We haven't seen each other for days," I said.

"How about your Mom?"

"Mom? She's with her new family now. She left us a long time ago," I said with a forced laugh, but it was clear that I wasn't happy.

"Oh, I'm sorry." Now, he's the one apologizing.

"It's okay! I'm used to being alone anyway," I replied.

Alex broke another silence.

"It was Christmas when Mom and Dad died." He released a heavy sigh.

I just listened, not wanting to interrupt the flow.

"We were on our way home to Cebu from here." He is composing himself.

"I was so angry with them that time because I didn't want to go home. I wished that night that they weren't my parents." He paused, waiting for his strength to come back.

"My dad was driving, and my Mom was sleeping in the front seat while I was in the back still cursing at them." The crying continues. "And I regretted that day over and over again."

I could see how sincere he was. This is the first time I've seen him like this. I approached him and comforted him.

"We had an accident that night," he said, holding back his tears. "My Mom died on the spot, and my Dad and I were rushed to the hospital." Another moment of silence. "An hour later, Dad died, and I was left in the E.R. unconscious."

I could see how painful it was for him.

"If only I could turn back time. I wouldn't be too selfish to wish them dead. I regretted everything about that night. I haven't even had the chance to say I love them both for the last time!" he said while sobbing.

"It's okay." I hugged him.

"They were already buried when I woke up from a long sleep. I didn't get the chance to say goodbye."

It breaks my heart to see someone like him. I guess his family problems are worse than mine.

"Oh, I'm sorry!" He wiped his tears.

"No, it's okay."

He stood up and left. I know he's embarrassed, but I respect it. Now is not the time for us to fight.

I was left alone on the beach. We are really in the middle of nowhere. I can't even hear any noise. We don't have neighbors, and the villa is surrounded by the sea and coconut trees, far from destruction.

Maybe he was right. I should worry about the rest later.

I went back to the villa to sleep again.

The next day.

I woke up early because I hadn't eaten anything the whole day yesterday. I checked the refrigerator, and it was full. It's as if the house knew we were coming. I was about to cook when I smelled the sweet aroma of what Alex was cooking.

"Hungry?" He was smiling at me.

"Yeah!" I glared at him, but I realized we were friends last night. "Yeah," I changed my tone.

"Come here, taste it." He was different.

We were like a married couple.

"Taste it. Check if it's already good." He spoon-fed me the broth.

"Umm.. delicious!"

He's not bad; he's good at cooking.

"Come on, let's eat!" His smiles were unfamiliar.

For the first time, we talked like normal people. No more shouting!

"It's my first time eating with someone. Thank you!" He looked sincere again. I can't measure how much pain he needs to endure, but I know it's somehow tiring.

Same as with you.

I always eat alone since the day Mom left home. I only get to see Dad during the holidays. The older I get, the fewer chances I have to be with him.

"By the way, where are you planning to attend college?" I started the conversation.

"It depends. How about you?" he returned the question.

"I don't have plans yet."

I took a bite of rice before finishing my sentence. "You see, I'm still in my third year, and it's still a long way to go," I added.

"I wanted to go to U.P., but I guess my Aunt will send me abroad to learn the business. They're just waiting for me to turn 21, and I'll finally take over Dad's position," he said while chewing his food.

"Oh, I see. How old are you?" I asked.

"I'm 18—today!" He smiled again. This time, I could clearly see his dimples.

"Today?" I said in surprise.

"Yeah! Today. And thank you for being the best gift for me." He looked at me.

I choked. "Best gift?"

"Yeah! I haven't celebrated my birthday since that accident."

I listened to his stories. He turned out to be bubbly, talkative, funny, and cute. I wish he were always like this, not the annoying Alex. He is better today.

"I wanted to buy a cake, but I don't have money here, and of course, we are in the middle of nowhere—"

"It's okay, Alex," I interrupted him. "Let's just be like this," I said while holding his hands.

I feel nervous again.

"I don't know how to start this, but I sincerely apologize for all the bad things I've done." I feel shy.

I didn't expect that he would be so cool in saying sorry.

"I was too dumped and doomed during that day, and suddenly, you came and disturbed my silence," he said while staring at me now. I can't read his eyes, but one thing is for sure: his eyes are adorable. "I sincerely thank you for that," he added.

What is he talking about? I asked myself quietly. I don't want to interrupt him.

"I like you, Alex." I swallowed hard.

You like me? Really? Then why do you keep cursing and insulting me? I'm still talking to myself.

"Every time I call you ugly, that means you are the most beautiful woman in my eyes." He looked at my eyes again. This time, he didn't look away.

"When I said you're stupid, I was referring to myself because I can't even express how much I like you!" He doesn't move an inch. It feels so awkward.

"Please forgive me," he lowered his voice this time.

"It wasn't my intention to prey on you." He played with my hands. I could feel the coldness of his hands. "That's the only option I have to approach you. I've been watching you since I transferred to your school."

So, he's a transferee? That's why his face isn't familiar.

Watching?

"I first met you at the cafeteria last year. You keep bullying others, and I find it cute." He smiled again.

"Tss!" I don't know what to say.

"I didn't know how to approach you until you came and approached me first. I was really waiting for you at that very restroom that day, Alex!" I am looking into his eyes, and I don't know if he is telling the truth or if it's another act of the game. "And I thank you for throwing that vase at me."

He moved even closer to me, making me blush more. "Our start may not have been good, but I hope confessing the truth might change the fact that you hated me to death. I really like you, Alex!"

I had nothing to say, so I waited for him to continue talking.

"Remember those nights that I disturbed you? It's because I can't say what I need to say." He moved his head an inch away from mine.

"Remember the time that I didn't disturb you? I've been holding on so much, hoping that you'd be the one to call me first, and you did." He held my right cheek now.

"Every time I hurt your feelings, I'm hurting too. I just don't know how to tell you the exact words, so I keep annoying you. I'm sorry for all the trouble that I've caused. I promise I will not do it again—"

"Alex, hey! Wake up!" I woke up to a loud knock on the door. Everything was just a dream.

Tss!

I got up in annoyance.

"What!?" I angrily stuck my head out of the door.

What a lame dream!

"You've been sleeping the whole morning. Aren't you hungry?" Alex asked in surprise.

"No!" I retorted, only for my stomach to growl, contradicting my statement.

"Tss! Come on, let's eat!" Alex dragged me downstairs.

Pancit canton, beef loaf, and sunny-side-up eggs were served on the table with fried rice.

"Eat, you might lose weight. Remember, you are ugly!" he said while leaving the kitchen.

He's back in his usual aura. And I'm starting to hate him again. Everything he said in my dreams was all a lie!

Damn!

...to be continued.