The Dream between Us

Elara! Elara!! Elara!!! I got jolted out of my dream, my safe heaven. My heart was racing so fast as though I had just been caught doing something terrible. Confusion washed over me, and the world I was in dissolved just before I could grasp what was happening. I do not know whether it is my imagination playing tricks on me but this dream feels deeper than usual… familiar in a way I can't quite place it, like a memory slipping out of my hands. And before I could even catch my breath, Mira walked in the room, all dressed up ready for work. I am sure she is here to remind me yet again, to make sure I prepare dinner once I’m back from lectures. “Wait! Why are you still in bed? I am sure you know the clock will not stop for you”. Mira said, tugging the bed over my face with a playful smirk. The warmth of the dream clung to me, I didn't want to let go just yet. “I… I was just resting my eyes,” I mumbled under my breath as I tried dragging the blanket away from her. Under her breath, she muttered, resting your eyes or day-dreaming about your mysterious man again. I just had to pretend as though I didn't hear, I really do not have energy for any drama this morning. I sighed my last lazy girl sigh, swung my legs off the bed. I dragged my feet to my bathroom, murmuring my fav jam, just my own little effort to start the day in a happy mood. The steam from my shower wrapped my petite body, feeling like I was in another world. Oh, how I love to romanticize my showertime. 1..2…3…, I started my sixty seconds countdown washing my face but my mind drifted elsewhere, back to the fragments of my dream. I rubbed my cheeks, feeling the water sliding down my bare body and for a moment, just one moment, I felt a cold hand on my shoulder, this sent a cold sensation down my spine. Just a turnaround, and my phone alarm sent me out of my imagination. Oh my god, I have been here for more than 30 mins. Panic surged me as I tried to wash off the remaining soap, my movements were so clustered and confusing. While I struggled with it, Mira called out for me… Elara! Why are you wasting time again this morning? I really think you need to get yourself a car or better still use the bus if you will continue this way, she screamed from the kitchen. Buy myself a car or what did she just say? I promised myself never to drive or sit in the front of a car so I don't know where the buy yourself a car talk is coming from, I said as tears started to form in my eyes. My door swung open, Mira was standing there looking all pitiful and regretful. Elara, I am sorry, that came out wrong. She said as she sat on my bed. Well my parents died in a car accident eight years ago and ever since then it has been me and my fear for cars, driving or anything that has to do with sitting behind the wheels. I swallowed hard, trying so hard to avoid blinking my eyes lid to avoid the tears formed in there to spill over. Mira’s eyes softened as she reached out to hold my hands, I… I’m sorry, that came out wrong… and too fast. I worry about you, okay? and I will never say anything to bring back those ugly memories, she said. “I know Mira, it has been eight years since the accident and it feels just like yesterday anytime I hear the word driving.” I whispered, my voice barely audible. She gave me a soft, reassuring smile, squeezing my hands softly. “You’re safe, I got you, Always and forever. Now let’s get you ready for school. It is the beginning of another semester, you should start off on a good note. I sighed and nodded again. Mira stepped back, dusting off whatnot from her dress while she headed for the door. “ Breakfast is ready so you should be downstairs in five minutes or you might end up stuffing a cold meal down your throat. I faked a smile, trying to shake off the lingering chill from the phantom hand of my imagination. Slowly, I made my way to the wardrobe. Another hustle of picking what to wear. After what seemed like forever, I finally settled for baggy jeans and a backless top. I got dressed, packed up my bags and headed downstairs. One minute later, I was seated across the kitchen table while Mira dished my breakfast. You have five minutes to finish that, she said as she left the kitchen. Who serves a full course and expects anyone to devour that in five minutes. I stood up to get a ziplock bag, packed the toast and the biscuits for lunch while I ate the remaining immediately. I tried to focus on the warmth of the cup I was holding but the hand… I remembered how it felt again. Was it my imagination or someone was truly behind me? I wondered, tracing a faint line on my cup with my finger. Why does it feel as though someone is watching me, eyes I can't see? I forced myself to finish the tea, even though my throat feels so tight right now. I swallowed the last drop and stood up abruptly, the chair scraping behind me, “Enough”, I muttered. I was not about to allow my imagination to ruin my morning. I grabbed my bag and called out for Mira. “Mira! I’m ready!”, I called out so loudly, trying to drown the thoughts in my head. I grabbed my bag, sliding it down my shoulders, and waited for the sound of her heels. The morning air was crisp as Mira opened the door, letting gentle breeze that helped clear the lingering fog in my head. “Come on, Elara, before we are so late” she called, glancing her eyes over me playfully. I locked the door behind and we set out for the day. I took a deep breath, trying to push the remnants of my imagination aside. Stepping outside again, I felt grounded, at least slighlty. As usual, I slid for my spot at the back of the car, the familiar hum of the engine filling the silence between us. Mira adjusted the rear view mirror giving me a quick, knowing look. You seem… weirdly quiet this morning, do you want to share? Mira said, her eyes peeping from the rear mirror. I shrugged, pretending it was nothing. “Just thinking about… school, I guess’’. She didn't push any further, thankfully and we drove off. The city was just waking up, the sun casting golden streaks over the buildings. I tried to focus on the ordinary, the rhythm of the road, the chatter of high school students, the smell of the nearby bakery but a small part of me keeps drifting back to the hand, the cold sensation. Oh gosh, the feeling felt weirdly good and safe. Maybe my head is playing one on me again but damn I would pay a million dollars to experience that again. I shook my head, trying to push the thought away. It is just my imagination. Just my imagination… But the memory lingered, teasing me with warmth I shouldn't feel from something so eerie. My chest tightened in a confusing mix of fear and… something else, Desire. I glanced out the window, hoping the sunlight and the familiar streets would ground me, but my mind kept wandering back to that phantom hand, that impossible touch. I leaned back in the seat, letting the hum of the engine fill the quiet gaps between my thoughts. Mira’s heels clicked against the pedals, her fingers drumming lightly on the steering wheel, and for a moment , the ordinary rhythm of the city began to pull me away from my thoughts… the warmth that lingered in my mind. Mira broke the silence, glancing at me with a dirty smirk. “ Lost in your thoughts again? Or planning to escape from the first lecture?” I smiled faintly, shaking my head. “ Just… noticing things,” I muttered, hoping she wouldn't press further. “ Uh-huh”, she said, pretending to write in the air with her finger, “master of observation, queen of noticing. Don't tell me you’re going to grade the clouds next”. I chuckled softly, though ,my mind wandered elsewhere. Clouds could be interesting if you're looking at them right. Shapes forming, dissipating, just like fleeting memories… or dreams. I forced my gaze back to the street. The closer we got to the campus, the more the city seemed alive with anticipation. Students clustered in groups, carrying backpacks too big for their frames, earpiece dangling, phones out. I tried to focus on familiar sights, the banners fluttering the gates, the cobblestone paths leading to the lecture halls but a part of me kept drifting, tugged by the ghost of that impossible touch from my dream. Mira nudged my shoulder gently. “ Earth to Elara! Don't tell me you are planning to mentally wander off during orientation too”. I shook my head, forcing a smile. She rolled her eyes playfully. The closer we got to the main gate, the more I felt the hum of energy, of students buzzing with excitement, nervousness, and the thrill of a new semester. Beneath it all was a quiet unease lingering in my chest, like a whisper I couldn't hear, a presence I couldn't see. Mira glanced at me, raising an eyebrow. “ Ready to face the madness?”. I nodded, gripping the strap of my bag. “ As ready as I’ll ever be.” The gates of the campus loomed ahead, and I took a deep breath, feeling the mix of anticipation and apprehension settle into my chest. Whatever awaited me inside, I reminded myself, I would face it, one step at a time. I stepped out of the car, sighting a familiar figure, Luca, my best friend. While I tried to bid Mira goodbye, he sighted me already and was running towards me. I could bet he was waiting outside for me all these while. Luca skidded to a stop in front of me, his backpack swinging as he caught his breath. “ Elara! You are finally here, I was beginning to think you are not resuming today again,” he said, grinning widely. By now, Mira was already about to drive off. I waved at Mira as she drove off, then turned my attention to Luca. “ Of course I’m here, I will not miss our first day at college for anything”. I said. Luca laughed, shaking his head. “ You always say that, but somehow you always manage to be fashionably late”. He nudged my shoulder playfully. “ Come on, let's get to class before the lecturer decides to start without us.” We started walking toward the campus gates, the chatter of the students and the distant honking of cars filling the morning air. I couldn't help but notice how familiar everything felt, yet a strange pull tugged at my thoughts, dragging me back to the fragments of my dream… every time I think about it, I can't quite place it. Luca glanced at me, raising an eyebrow. “ Worried I will steal your spot as the best student in class?”. I glanced at him, pretending not to notice the smirk on his face. “Worried I’ll finally beat you at something, princess?” Luca jabbed, nudging me with his elbow. “ Or maybe you’re scared I’ll make you look like a rookie in class today?” I frowned, pretending to be offended. “ Excuse me? I’ve been the top student since forever, you wish you could catch up!”. He laughed, leaning closer. “ Oh, don't worry, I will remind you and enjoy watching you panic while I steal your crown. Consider this a fair warning!” As we tried locating the venue for our first lecture, Luca kept talking, but his voice was fading as my thoughts began to cloud my mind. A soft hiss brushed my ears, whispering my name, “Elara”. My heart tumbled, I turned sharply, scanning the crowd, but everyone was busy with their morning. I froze in my steps, every instinct screaming that something… someone was close. The crowd moved around me and my vision began to become blurry. Elara!Elara!! Elara!!! A voice called out for me, and suddenly I was on the floor. It was Luca.