Somewhere in the stars

First Encounter

It's been a week since the accident, and I've already cremated my father. My father's life insurance paid for all of our hospital bills.

Me and Reya have both been discharged, and I'm currently taking care of her. I'm responsible for getting her to school and everything.

It's been really tough for me lately, especially since my father died and my mother is still in a coma. My father's insurance and the money he left us will not last forever, so I need to get a job.

Fortunately, Barb is a working student, so I asked her if I could work at the family restaurant she works at. I'd like to work there only part-time.

There is so much going on in my life right now, and everything happened so quickly. I honestly don't know what to do.

Right now, I'm dressed to impress because I'm going to a job interview at the restaurant where Barb works. I'm honestly terrified. I entered through the large glass door. I was looking for Barb when I noticed her at one of the tables.

"Hello, Barb. Is your boss here right now?" I smiled nervously at her. "No, you're fifteen minutes early; are you nervous?" She must have noticed how nervous I appeared.

I'm extremely nervous because this is my first job interview. Her boss finally arrived after the agony of being nervous and waiting. He was a little shorter than me and had a fatherly figure.

He had a big beard and appeared intimidating, or perhaps I'm just nervous. I greeted him with a big smile and shook his hand. "Hello, my name is Rumi, and it's a pleasure to finally meet you,"

I'm doing my best not to appear overly nervous right now. I was determined to make a good first impression. "My name is Roy Hemmings, but everyone here calls me Daddy Roy,"

I then gave him a wide-eyed look. I'm not sure if he was joking or serious. My question was then answered when he burst out laughing.

"I'm just kidding, you looked nervous there. Everyone here calls me Manager Roy," As a response, I simply nodded and smiled.

"All right, Rumi, let's get started with the interview." We then started the interview, and Barb gave me a quick thumbs up, cheering me on. I went outside after the interview to find Barb waiting for me.

She then looked at me waiting for me to spill the tea. "How did the interview go?" I made a sad face at her and she began to frown.

I then surprised her with a hug and yelled. "I got the job!" We both squealed with delight when Manager Roy suddenly walked out and looked at us with a big smile on his face.

"Congratulations, Rumi; see you at work tomorrow!" he said as he walked away. Barb and I then kept shrieking and jumping up and down.

After hearing the exciting news today, I went to the hospital to see my mother. I also bought her flowers. When I opened the door, I found her still in her hospital bed.

A part of me wants to cry right now, but I promised myself that I would be strong for myself and Reya. I then looked at my mother, tears threatening to stream down my face.

"Hi ma, I finally got a job. I'm working as a waiter in a family restaurant. And I'm doing this for us," When I thought about that fateful day, I began to cry a little.

How can a perfect day be ruined so suddenly? If only I'd known how that day would end. I wish I could have told my father how much I truly loved him. I wish I could have done something."Mom and Dad, I miss you," I muttered as I drifted off to sleep.

I suddenly saw someone. I think I see a face, but it's blurry. It's as if they're calling out to me. I know someone is talking, but I can't understand what they're saying. But then the face became more visible. It appears to be a man.

Wait a minute, I think I've seen his face before. I could see his mouth moving as if he was trying to communicate with me. But before I could even see him or hear what he was saying, a noise startled me awake.

I turned to face the nurse who had entered the room to check on my mother. She looked at me and began to apologize.

I then shook my head at her "It's all right, I was about to leave anyway. I didn't even realize I'd fallen asleep," She then smiled at me and walked out of the room.

That was a strange dream. What was that all about? I then began to gather my belongings and prepare to return home.

A cheerful Reya and Hannah, her babysitter, greeted me. "Rumi, take a look at this heart I made," she signed to me. I looked at it as if it were a masterpiece and hugged her tightly.

I then looked at her and pinched her adorable little cheeks. "It's really beautiful, keep up the good work," She then returned to our living room. When I turned to face Hannah, she gave me a warm smile.

"Your sister is a true angel," That made me smile and nod. "She is, indeed. Thank you for looking after her, and please accept your payment," She then took the cash. "Thanks, and I'd be happy to look after her at any time,"

She then gathered her belongings and said her goodbyes to Reya and me. I then started preparing dinner for myself and Reya.

It's a sad thought that it's just me and Reya now. Following our meal and cleaning up. I tucked Reya into her bed. And then I went to my own room and fell asleep.

As I slept, my body began to shiver, as if my room had become extremely cold, as if it were already winter. I started seeing someone again.

It appears to be the same man I saw in my dream at the hospital earlier. But this time I can see him more clearly and hear his voice a little more precisely. I believe he is trying to communicate with me.

Suddenly, the blur became clear, and I recognized him as the guy from the library, except his hair had been dyed a pastel purple.

And then I realized what he was trying to say. He was asking for help. I couldn't take the strange dream any longer, so I opened my eyes and woke up.

I woke up with a lot of sweat on my forehead. I wiped away the sweat, went to the bathroom, and splashed water on my face. That was so weird. Why would I have such a dream? Why was he asking me for help?