Tears of Dream

Dream from a Stranger

I caught Ashley and Ate Kailey at the dining table, while Mama was busy cooking corned beef. Looked like she had already cooked something else, since there were other dishes on the table.

I sat beside Ashley, who was glued to her phone. I glanced at Ate Kailey, who was busy on her iPad. What’s up with the gadgets? This early in the morning?

“Ma, can I request some coffee? Thank you.” I said as I scooped the rice onto my plate. I didn’t feel like eating corned beef. A hotdog was enough for me.

“Sure, just a moment. Let me serve this corned beef so you can all eat.”

When Mama served the corned beef, both Ate Kai and Ash immediately put down their gadgets.

“What’s with the gadgets? Why are you both so focused on them this early?” My curiosity got the better of me.

“I have work,” Ate Kai said while eating. I turned to Ash, who raised an eyebrow when she noticed my gaze.

“And you? Do you have work too?” I asked.

“Duh? Obviously not!” she snapped. Who did she inherit that attitude from?

“It’s called having a social life. You wouldn’t know, because your fashion is old class,” she said.

“Hey! What do you mean old class?” I scolded her, but she just rolled her eyes. This is what it is between me and Ashley—she’s always sassing me just because I’m only a year older than her.

“There you go again, you two! Don’t you ever get tired of bickering?” Mama scolded as she put down the coffee I asked for. I kept quiet and focused on my coffee instead—it was much more worth my attention.

“You should be used to it by now, Ma. Those two are like cats and dogs,” Ate Kai said.

“Whatever. But I’m the cat—I’m more of a soft girl than Ate Rai,” Ash said while fixing the ribbon in her hair. Just because you have a ribbon you think you’re a soft girl? With that attitude? That’s what you call soft?

“Dream on, Ashley! You’ve never been a soft girl,” I said, laughing. Our youngest really thinks she’s a comedian.

She rolled her eyes and went back to eating. That’s it—I won. I know Ashley, she knows when to stop.

“Speaking of dream, Ash said you were dreaming when she came to wake you up earlier?” Ate Kai asked.

As I’ve said, Papa is the only one who knows about my ability. They don’t know here at home, because I never tried telling them again.

The first time I told them about it, Ashley’s face was unreadable.

“Really, Ate? You’re telling us now that you dreamed Papa was going to leave, and all your dreams come true?”

“I’m telling the truth, Ash!”

“Stop it, okay? Just because it’s Father’s Day today, you’re bringing up Papa again? He hasn’t had any connection with us for 5 years. So stop mentioning him over and over!”

“You, stop it! This has nothing to do with Papa. I’m just saying my dreams come true!” I shot back.

“Oh really? Don’t make excuses, Ate Railey. Papa is gone. Maybe even in your dreams, he wouldn’t come back,” Ashley said before walking out.

That was the last time I mentioned my ability. I didn’t try telling Mama or Ate Kai anymore, because they might not believe me either, just like Ashley.

“Yes,” I answered Ate Kai when she asked.

“What was your dream about? Ash said you were crying?” she followed up.

“Just a girl named Khana and her friend Jomari. They were in an apartment, Khana was suffering—she’s in pain, she looked depressed… and her friend Jomari went to her apartment to comfort her. She was crying, missing someone. I guess I cried because the scene was so heavy,” I explained, recalling every detail.

“Wow? You remember your dream that well?” Ate Kai asked in amazement. Is this the first time I’ve told her about my dreams?

On the other hand, Ashley looked at me in confusion. I had told her everything before, but maybe she didn’t care enough to remember, since she didn’t believe me.

“Yes. Even the small details. I can even hear the point of view—like I’m watching a movie in my sleep,” I said. Ate’s amazement was still clear on her face.

I don’t know why I dream about other people’s lives. I don’t know them, and I don’t know if what I see has already happened or is yet to happen. But either way, the pain it causes is the same.

I used to wonder—what’s the point of this ability? Why am I like this? Why do I get to know other people’s lives? It feels like I’m invading their privacy, even if it’s unintentional.

I’ve also dreamed about people I know. Thankfully, they weren’t bad dreams. Because I don’t think I could handle it if something bad happened and I couldn’t stop it.

After breakfast, Ate dropped us off at school. I’m currently in my 3rd year of college, and Ashley is in her first year. Yes, I’m only a year older than her, but her schooling was delayed because of Mama and Papa’s issues. Mama couldn’t send her to kindergarten while I was in daycare, so when I entered Grade 1 and Mama was sure I didn’t need constant supervision anymore, that’s when she enrolled Ashley.

“How’d you score?” Mary asked.

The results for our Income Taxation exam were out, and as bad luck would have it—or maybe I’m just plain unlucky—I failed. It’s only the prelims though, and there are still two more terms to recover. Hopefully, my life doesn’t crash before my grades do.

“This test paper is good for wrapping smoked fish!” Jem complained.

“Smoked fish? Mine’s good for wrapping dried fish!” Vale said, almost in tears.

“You, Rai? Don’t tell me you’re quiet because you passed?” Jem teased.

“Go find some cat poop and use my test paper to scoop it,” I said, making them all laugh. Who in their right mind would be happy with a score of 16/100? I’d be content with just a passing grade for this subject.

“The exam was so hard, I barely understood the topic, so that’s why we all scored like this,” Vale said.

We were basically gaslighting ourselves to feel less bad. But the truth is, no matter how hard I study, I can’t seem to understand this subject. I know I’m in a Business course, but can’t we just skip this? It’s not even my major!

“Let’s go to the canteen. We still deserve to eat,” Mary said. Well, pass or fail, I’m not about to starve myself. When it comes to food, I always deserve it.

While walking, I noticed something familiar—a girl with her hair in a ponytail, slightly chinky-eyed. She was happily talking to a guy beside her, her arm linked with his.

I think I’ve seen this girl before. My suspicion was confirmed when I noticed another girl running toward them. That’s Jomari and Khana!

“Oh my God,” I whispered softly, but I think Mary heard me.

“Why, Rai?” she asked, puzzled.

“Ah, nothing.” I just smiled. We continued walking, but I couldn’t take my eyes off the two girls. They looked happy. Could my dream have been a past event?

While looking at them, I caught another glance—my heart pounded as I saw the guy with them looking straight at me, his face puzzled. Who was he?

Was he the one Khana missed so much?

Even though my heart was racing, I didn’t break eye contact. Neither did he. It was as if he was silently asking why I was staring at him for so long. I had a strong feeling he was the one.

If it’s really you… what’s going to happen? Why would Khana’s life be so miserable because of you? Why does she miss you so much?

Why would you leave? How?

All the way home, I couldn’t get out of my head what I had seen earlier. They were just my schoolmates? They looked so happy when I saw them. If that’s the case, maybe my dream has already ended before… or maybe it’s yet to happen.

Either way, the thought bothered me even more.

And that guy who was with them? There’s a big chance it was him. I had a strong feeling my dream hadn’t happened yet. I didn’t want to think about it, but this was the first time I had seen people from my dreams who weren’t close to me. What was the reason?