Chapter 10: Day Dreaming

Adex entered the house around 1 a.m., his steps unsteady and his eyes clouded from the long night he had just endured. Upon entering, his eyes widened in surprise. The living room glowed softly with candlelight. The walls were adorned, and gentle, slow music played in the background. In the center of the room stood a table decorated with a cake and a candle that cast a warm glow. The cake was surrounded by cheerful decorations, creating a joyful atmosphere.

Adex took a deep breath, savoring the aroma of hot, crispy fried chicken. He stood still, attempting to comprehend the surprise celebration surrounding him.

Lydia emerged from the kitchen, carrying a steaming dish of fried chicken. She froze when she saw him. "Birthday boy, you're home!" she exclaimed.

She placed the bowl on the dining table and approached him, her face radiant with joy. Adex remained rooted to the spot, startled by the weight of the surprise. Lydia smiled warmly and leaned in to kiss his cheek. His eyes glistened as she began to sing:

♪ "Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to you!" ♪

She clapped her hands together. "Happy birthday, my love. On this night, the stars shine brightly above. With every wish and every cheer, may joy and love fill your year. Happy birthday, my dearest. Our journey together has only just begun."

Adex stood frozen at the entrance, feeling overwhelmed. He opened his mouth to speak but could only manage a soft, garbled sound. After a long moment, he finally whispered, "This can't be real."

He gazed intently at Lydia, who stood before him with a look of surprise and confusion.

Lydia's smile faltered as she sensed his hesitation. "Are you okay?" she asked softly, her reassuring smile encouraging him to open up. She reached out, but Adex remained silent, his gaze fixed on her as if he were seeing a ghost.

After a few moments, Lydia took his hand and led him to the table. In a gentle voice, she said, "Come on! It's time to blow out the candle."

Adex stared at the cake before slowly shifting his gaze back to Lydia. His hand rose, trembling, as he traced her face with his fingertips, as if attempting to confirm her presence. "You're real," he whispered.

"Make a wish," Lydia urged with a warm smile.

Adex leaned in and blew out the candle. Lydia clapped and laughed joyfully as the tiny flame flickered and vanished. "Happy birthday, honey!" she cheered.

Adex remained still, his mind racing. The joy in the room felt distant. His throat tightened, and his voice cracked as he finally spoke. "What... what is happening? Lydia... you... you're alive?"

Lydia's smile faded. "What do you mean?" she asked, her voice softer, her eyes searching his.

He held her hand tightly, his grip trembling. His eyes were wide and full of disbelief, and he shook his head in short, shaky bursts. "I saw it happen. I was there..." He paused and glanced around with a puzzled expression. "This... this isn't real."

"Adex..." Lydia cupped his face with her hands and pressed her lips to his. "You look exhausted. You need to rest. Please, come lie down."

He slowly shook his head, his gaze fixed on her. "Are you Lydia?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Lydia smiled, brushing his cheek with her thumb. "Of course, I'm Lydia. It's your birthday." She gestured around the room. "Aren't you happy to see me?"

Adex's heart raced while he stayed silent.

Lydia led him to the couch and helped him sit down, her face reflecting concern as she observed him. "Are you sure you're okay?" she asked once more.

Adex shook his head, staring at the floor. "This doesn't make any sense."

Lydia's voice remained calm as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "I called you while you were on your way home. We talked until the signal dropped. I became worried when I couldn't reach you again."

Adex gasped in shock when she spoke and grabbed her by the shoulders. "What is happening here?" he shouted.

"You're scaring me, Adex." She looked frightened.

Adex slowly let go of her shoulders, his eyes still locked on hers. He later rose from the chair and began pacing, clutching his head. "I think I've finally lost it! I don't know what I'm doing anymore. Somebody, help me escape this misery," he muttered.

Lydia stepped closer, wrapping her arms around him in a tight embrace. "You're not crazy, my love. Nothing is wrong with you. Please sit down and tell me what's going on."

Adex slowed his pacing and lowered himself into the chair. Lydia sat beside him, keeping a reassuring hand on his shoulder. He stared at the floor, rubbing his face slowly, lost in thought.

Adex took a deep breath and spoke. "I have been at the bar since nightfall. We never spoke on the phone." His voice was flat but firm, though his brow creased. "What you mentioned happened a week ago, and I was the one who initiated the call."

Lydia hesitated for a moment before reaching for his hand. "Let's get you to bed," she suggested softly. "You look tired."

He jerked her hand off abruptly, refusing to be held. "I'm not tired. I don't understand any of this."

" Calm down, my love; you need to rest, " she said gently and calmly.

"I think I'm going crazy," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

She took his hand once more, tracing gentle circles over his knuckles. "You're not going crazy; you're just overreacting to the stress." Her voice was gentle and warm. "Let us go inside, and you can relax beside me. Isn't that what you want?"

Adex nodded in agreement. Lydia took his hand and gently led him to the bedroom, where the candlelight flickered softly. She smoothed out his shirt and guided him to sit on the edge of the bed.

His mind swirled with confusion as he lay back on the mattress. Lydia quickly snuggled beside him. Their faces were just a few inches apart. Adex's heart raced as he stared at her.

He frowned slightly and said, "I celebrated my birthday just a week ago. Why are we celebrating it again?"

Lydia's smile became more tender. "To me, each day feels like your birthday, my love. If I had the chance, if given the chance, I would celebrate you again and again," she whispered. "Every moment with you is special."

Her voice was calm and reassuring, yet doubt clawed at his chest. He longed to believe her, to surrender to the warmth she offered, but an uneasy feeling lingered.

Lydia moved closer to him, resting her head on his shoulder. Her warmth eased some of his fear, but her touch irritated him. He gazed into her eyes, experiencing a blend of love and terror.

As time went by, the sound of their breathing filled the room. Lydia's eyes closed, a soft smile still on her face as she drifted off to sleep. But Adex remained awake, his mind troubled and unsettled.

"This can't be real," he murmured, barely hearing his voice over his heart pounding.

In a desperate attempt to gain certainty, he raised his shaky hand and quickly slapped his cheek, just enough to cause a sting. The sharp sting was real, but nothing else changed. Everything remained the same, from the soft glow of the bedside lamp. The faint hum of the fridge and Lydia's steady breathing.

However, something felt off.

He turned his head and observed her in the soft glow. Lydia slept without any disturbance. Her breathing was slow and steady. A few strands of hair floated across the pillow while her lips parted slightly. She appeared calm, unaware of the storm that was taking place inside him. He wanted to wake her, to ask if she felt the unsettling, unshakable sense that something had shifted, but in the end, he let her be and decided to leave her sleeping peacefully.

Hours passed, his thoughts weighing down on him like a thick fog. Eventually, he grabbed the blanket at the foot of the bed and pulled it over her, tucking it gently around her shoulders. His fingers paused for a moment, brushing against her skin. He had no doubts about his love for her. Despite everything, an unease hid in his chest, whispering doubts he couldn't suppress.

Was she here, or was he losing his grip on reality?

His body ached with exhaustion. He didn't allow his mind to rest. He hesitated for a moment before finally lying beside her, moving gently to avoid waking her. Gradually, he wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. Her warmth and scent felt so familiar, so intensely real.

And still, the doubt remained.

His heart was torn between fear and hope, caught in a battle he was unsure he could win, even when his eyelids grew heavy and sleep pulled at him.