The Dream Catcher

The Dream Catcher (14)

"Wow Paige, you broke your record. Last time, you were late for like an hour but this time half day na talaga. Congrats!" pagbibiro ng kasama ko the moment I entered the office.

Wala pa naman ako sa mood makipag biruan, but I can't tell them the real reason why I was late. Hindi sila maniniwala and for sure they'd just think na invalid yong reason ko kaya hahayaan ko na silang isipin ano man ang gusto nila. I went straight to my desk and massaged my temple. Ang sakit pa rin ng ulo ko at ang sikip pa rin ng dibdib ko, I honestly still have difficulties in breathing pero hindi na ako pwedeng um-absent pa.

"So care to explain why you're late?" hindi pa rin ako tinitigilan ng workmates ko and it's starting to annoy me. I heaved a sigh and faced them.

"I overslept." maikling sagot ko saka binigyan sila ng ngiting guilty. Napatawa na lang sila saka pa ako tinigilan. I once again exhaled sharply before doing my work.

Hindi pa rin maalis sa isip ko ang nangyari, I'm also confused. Napansin kong mas tumatagal na ang pagtulog ko ngayon compared before kahit parang seconds lang naman ang nightmare. Biglang bumalik sa isip ko ang galit na sigaw ng Shadow, para bang naririnig ko pa rin ang pag yanig ng boses nito. Napahinto ako sa pag iisip at pag ta-trabaho ng biglang sumakit ang ulo ko.

"Paige, are you okay?" tanong ni Adam. I just slightly nod my head and endured the pain. Ilang oras na lang din naman at matatapos na ang shift ko. Hindi ko na lang ito pinansin at pinagpatuloy na lang ang ginagawa. Habang abala ako sa pag e-edit, my phone vibrated and saw Nathan's name on the screen. I took my phone and swiped the screen. It was a text from him asking if I was free after work. Hindi na ako mag isip pa, I immediately agreed. I need distraction.

"Guys una na ako." paalam ko habang nililigpit ang gamit.

"Huwag ka ma le-late bukas ha, marami pa tayong tatapusin." sigaw ni Ally.

"Noted." I answered and gave her half smile.

I left Nate a message and went to the park where we first met. Doon niya daw ako susunduin, I have no idea where were going, I hope hindi taliwas sa outfit ko. Baka kasi bigla niya akong dalhin sa bundok or what tapos naka heels ako.

I patiently waited for him for like 30 mins. I threw a glance at my watch, where could he be?

"Paige, I'm sorry for being late. May tinapos lang ako sa office. So, lets go?" I nodded and took my things. Naglakad na kami papunta sa sasakyan niya. I got in, I was about to put on the seat belt but I stopped when he did it. Ang lapit ng mukha namin and I can smell him, his manly scent perfume. I shook my head when I was about to think how addicting it is.

"You good?" he asked noong nasa drivers seat na siya.

"Oo naman, bakit?" I furrowed my brows confused.

"You're red, may lagnat ka ba?" inilagay niya ang mga palad niya sa noo ko, looking at me with a concerned expression. I felt my cheeks heat up as I look away.

Nakakahiya, hindi ko napansin na nag blush na pala ako kanina pa.

"Hindi, ano, I'm tired and stressed kaya ang pula ko." tumawa ako ng hilaw

"Should we still go? Baka gusto mo nalang na magpahinga na muna?" He's still wearing his concerned expression.

"No it's fine. I actually needed this, I need to relax." I gave him a reassuring smile and he smiled back saka siya bumalik na sa posisyon niya and turned on the engine.

We've been driving for an hour already and I still don't know where were going, ayaw niya rin namang sabihin at hindi na daw magiging surprise kaya hinayaan ko na lang.

It was a deafening silence, it wasn't awkward at all pero ang tahimik pa rin. I saw how he extended his arm and played a song. Baka naramdaman niya rin ang naramdaman ko.

The drive gone smoothly, I rested my head on the window watching the scenery outside I noticed how there's a lot of tree we're passing by. Inaantok na ako. Ang comforting ng feeling, the surroundings, the music and I guess with Nate's presence as well. I somehow feel safe. Kaya hinayaan ko nalang na makatulog.

I felt a light tap on my shoulder. I slowly opened my eyes and was greeted with Nate's smiling face.

"We're here." tugon nito. Inayos ko ang sarili saka lumabas sa kotse. My mouth dropped the moment I landed my eyes on the surroundings. This is a beautiful forest, it somehow felt enchanting. I pressed my eyes shut feeling the fresh wind touched my skin.

"What do you think?" I opened my eyes and stared at Nate.

"It's beautiful, I love it here." inilibot ko pa ang tingin habang naglakad-lakad. Sumunod naman agad si Nate.

"I knew you will. Lets go, I wanna show you something." He held my hand as we walk together whatever it is that he wanted to show me.

Ngayon ko lang napansin, I fell asleep but how come I didn't have any nightmare. I was supposed to have one, not that I want to but it's just how it is pero bakit wala. To be honest, everything has been confusing, wala na akong maintindihan. Pinasadahan ko ng tingin ang magkahawak naming kamay ni Nate. He turned his head on my direction and smiled at me. Agad naman akong nag iwas ng tingin. My heart... It's doing something and I'm not liking it.

Hindi ko namalayan na huminto na pala kami. Infront of us is a big river with its water as clear as a crystal, napapalibutan din ito ng mga bench and a lot of trees. Everything here is so enchanting and I refuse to believe that I'm not in a dream.

"Beautiful, right?" tanong ni Nathan saka umupo sa bakanteng bench. Sumunod naman agad ako.

"Yeah, but are you sure I'm not dreaming? 'cause I feel like I'm in a dream." I heard him chuckle.

"You're not. This is reality. Ang ganda dito no? It's very relaxing." I nodded in agreement.

I shook all my worries away and instead enjoyed the ambience of the place. We were in silence for minutes before we decided to take a stroll.

Ang layo ng inabot namin but it wasn't tiring at all, nag kuwentuhan lang kami saka tawanan bago nakapag desisyon na umuwi but before that he wanted to take me to another place, doon daw kami kakain ng dinner. I didn't ask more questions, I just let him do whatever his plans are.

We were just walking, malapit lang din naman daw dito 'yon. To be honest my feet are starting to get hurt dahil sa heels ko pero hindi ko na sinabi. It didn't take that long when we arrived. And wow, I'm really impressed with his choices. Parang alam niya kung ano ang gusto ko. It's a rooftop restaurant, kitang-kita ang dami ng mga bituin at ang laki at liwanag ng buwan, and since it's located in a higher place, the river we saw earlier was visible dahil na rin sa mga lights na naka palibot sa mga puno.

"So how was my picks?" ibinaling ko ang tingin kay Nate at nginitian siya.

"Perfect! I love everything." I said chuckling. Para bang biglang nawala lahat ng pagod at takot ko and all I feel is warmth. I feel really safe everytime I'm with Nate and it feels like all my worries are somehow gone, I don't even think about the past just the present. Right here, right now, with him.

"Thank you Nate." I blurted out of the blue. I saw how he shifted his gaze unto me while the side of his lips curled up.

"Don't mention it. I'm just glad you had fun." ibinalik niya ang tingin sa mga bituin and I can't help but smile as well.

"Really. Asking me out was a great timing, I had a nightmare last night. It lasted long enough to wake up late for work. It bothered me a lot but because of you, parang it made me at ease somehow." I confessed. Hindi ko alam kung bakit but he was just staring at me and it's making me conscious. It wasn't a bad stare, I can't explain what kind but it was enough to make me blush. Dammit.

"You should've told me earlier Paige, please tell me next time if you're having your nightmare. I'm worried." you can see the sincerity in his eyes crystal clear. Naalala ko ang nangyari kanina, when I fell asleep but no nightmares.

"Actually kanina nakatulog ako but surprisingly I didn't get any nightmares. Nalilito na ako sa totoo lang." I was hoping Nate could give me an answer but base on his expression I don't think he knows anything.

"I'm sorry I can't give you any answers to that. Hindi ko rin alam Paige but let's hope it's a good thing. We're gonna find that out... together okay?" he squeezed my hand as we walk towards his car para umuwi na.