The Primordial Bride

CH. 4 Warning Signs

It was one in the morning when I finally made it home. I was on cloud nine. Surprisingly, I wasn't tired. Or so I thought.

The second I laid down I passed out.

I dreamed I was back at the restaurant talking to Ramón. It's been so long since I connected with another person. Being born with the Sight leaves you alone and lonely. You can't relate to anyone. Yet, I could with him, a normal human.

Maybe it wasn't my gift. Maybe - no. It's been me along. I considered myself too different to identify with anyone. To an extent, I saw myself superior to them. I had good reason to be: I saw and interacted with spirits. I learned things about our world and beyond, including people's dirty laundry.

I was and am stupid. I wasted all these years moping about my loneliness, but never bothered to solve it. I shouldn't expect another like me. I'm still human. I would have been able to relate to another thru other means.

Now here I am talking to a guapo - that one was a complete surprise. I never wished I could date someone like that. I didn't think an attractive guy like him would be relatable or even be attracted to me. I may be no zero, but I still no ten either.

I continued to tell him more about me, things I've been holding back. I told him about my Sight and the spirits. He didn't laugh at me or feared me. He believed me.

Soon the restaurant was overun in Indian Paintbrushes until everything and everyone was submerged in an ocean of red flowers. It was just me and Ramón.

He moves closer to me and gently grabs hold of my face. Butterflies were tickling my insides. His fingers glided across my skin from my face to my arms, leaving goosebumps in its trail.

"Meleda," he said softly.

I didn't say anything. I don't think I could. His voice left me giddy.

"Meleda." He kisses my forehead - meanwhile, his hands were on my back where they slid down my spine.

"Meleda." He kisses my left cheek - his hands moved to the front not before grazing the sides of my behind.

"Meleda." He kisses my right cheek - his fingers clawed up my thighs before grabbing hold the edge of my dress.

We gazed at each other, energy pulsing between us. My lips tingled with anticipation.

Then, I felt it.

That horrible pressure that threatened to crush me.

No. Not now. Not here.

I grab onto Ramón and tried to ask for his help but nothing came out. It felt like gravity took hold of the fibers of my being and pulled, trying to rip off the layers of my existence. I look to Ramón but he was still lost in the moment. He lean towards in, ready to kiss me, but I tried to pull away. Although he wasn't holding on tight, Ramón's grip was strong. I called out his name hoping to break whatever spell he's under. It doesn't work. He was intent on kissing me. So I let him, maybe he'll finally listen.

He presses his lips against mine. At first, there were nothing. No sparks, no butterflies, no joy - nothing. Then, it hit me like a gust of wind. A warmth wrapped my damaged being. I never knew how cold I was; misery numbed me and I built a wall to protect myself from any more heartaches. I walked life alone, bound by mysterious laws to keep my Sight a secret. I spent so many nights crying alone on the verge of losing my sanity.

Then, Chief came into my life. His friendship saved me. And for the first time I liked what I saw in the mirror. The self-hate I developed over the years gradually turned into self-love. Now I wasn't scared about my future, because I wasn't going to be alone anymore.