DreamWeaver's Plane

Chapter 1: SERGEI, THE DREAMWALKER

Chapter I

SERGEI, THE DREAMWALKER

INSIDE THE LITTLE chapel within the premises of University of Dreamville, Sergei knelt in prayer. He asked for God to guide him in his life so he can make good decisions. He also asked Him to give a sign if Aiden will be the love of his life.

"Dear lord, if Aiden is the boy who will be my beloved and I should pursue him let me find him when I step outside this chapel. May this lead me to the love I dream for in this life." He closed his eyes in fervent prayer and did the sign of the cross.

He dragged his feet away from the altar after vowing to the image of Christ, dreading he might not find Aiden outside the chapel. That would mean he should stop chasing him.

He descended the small staircase in front of the chapel. He looked around the school ground and he smiled upon finding Aiden in the small garden beside the college building talking with his friends.

He passed by them coyly listening to what they were happily conversing about but he could hardly make out the words with such distance.

As if he felt his presence, Aiden stood up while still laughing with his friends in a friendly chat. He briefly glanced at Sergei as if acknowledging him. Then he suddenly fell quiet, his smile gone from his lips while still listening to his friends.

Sergei had to look away as if hurt by that simple action from Aiden. 'Why does he have to be that quiet all of a sudden as if he was not happy to see me walking by,' Sergei thought.

He decided to spend time in the library instead, reading his favorite book about ancient Greece. This was not a particular history or mythology known about the Greeks. He finds it appealing because it was about the story of a Greek Emperor falling in love with an apprentice soldier in his kingdom. He also loved the fact that it was about Icarus who flew towards the sun but depicted in a fictional story based on the tradition of Greek men having romantic affairs with apprentice young men readying them to be the great men of the world.

He is not worried about the historical accuracy of where the book was based from but he is content with the fact that on these pages, a love between two men felt real.

An hour passed and he had to go to his Advertising class. He looked at his watch and it indicated he only got five minutes to get there or he would be late. He crossed the school ground in haste towards the building of the College of Mass Communication.

He had to ascend several flights of stairs to reach the 7th floor where their Advertising class was held for that semester.

He could feel his heart pounding, gasping for air and worried about getting reprimanded for being late. It was already 1:10 PM as shown on the clock in the hallway.

He entered the room and the first person he saw was Aiden sitting on the armchair chatting noisily with their classmates.

His heart skipped a beat when Aiden smiled and winked at him as if he was happy to see him.

"I thought you would not come. I was worried you'll be late again." It was Valerie, his close friend in class who called his attention, breaking the spell of Aiden's smile.

As he and Valerie tried finding their seat, he noticed Aiden behind them as if following him with his happy voice so loud he could almost not hear his own heartbeat. He wondered if he was following them intently with such a loud voice as if calling his attention.

They settled in the middle row while Aiden sat at the row on his right. Just enough angle to see his every move.

Their professor arrived in a few minutes apologizing for arriving late explaining that an emergency meeting with faculty consumed her entire afternoon.

The time went by with Sergei trying to focus on the lecture but his attention was all on Aiden. Observing his every move.

Aiden seemed to be aware that he was looking at him from time to time but pretending to take notes.

'This boy is driving me crazy. I chase him at times but he seems to be so aloof when I am around but whenever I decide to distance myself, he seems to be happy to pull me back to him by smiling at me or doing things to notice him.' He thought to himself.

The bell rang and everyone in the class raced to the exit doors including Aiden who did not seem to look back at him to say goodbye.

'You wished Sergei. You wished.' Sergei taunted himself.

Valerie kept telling him about her plans for the class project but Sergei found himself thinking about Aiden.

"Hey guys!" called on by Myrrha. "Would you mind if I take your photo for the school exhibit next month?"

Valerie replied, "Not really! We would love to be one of your subjects."

Sergei wanted to groan. He would love to reach home and think about Aiden but his friend's energy does not wane, especially if there is a chance to be the center of attention.

He had no choice but to oblige and ask Myrah what they should do.

"You just have to be still but pose like you were walking the school ground unaware that I was taking your photo. I would love to capture the students in the University on their routine," she explained in detail.

After a few shots she thanked them and Sergei and Valerie parted ways to go home.

SERGEI DROPPED his body to the bed facedown. He gripped the pillows beside him as if channeling all his frustrations and desires for Aiden.

'You drive me nuts boy. I wonder what you really think of me.' Sergei silently thought of Aiden.

He tried to understand this boy but he can never read his mind clearly. He wished he could know his heart. He wanted to know if he should stop chasing him and just look for somebody else to love.

He remembered his prayer in the chapel. God gave him the sign he asked for, so why should he stop now?

He rolled over his bed and stared at the ceiling. Then an idea entered his mind. What if he can see Aiden's dream? Look inside it and find the answers he sought desperately.

He closed his eyes and as if by clockwork, that familiar sensation of floating in the air crept to his body. He opened his eyes in the dream state. He looked down and found the lighted city of Dreamville.

Sergei looked around and located the house of Aiden. He reached his room and saw him dozing off in front of his computer.

He floated beside him and then went into his dreams.

He saw Aiden sitting under the trees at school as if waiting for someone. It did not take a minute before he saw a familiar face arriving at the scene.

It was Claudine, the school muse. Aiden walked past Sergei who was hiding on a nearby wall and went straight to her. They locked themselves in a sweet kiss and tight embrace.

Sergei felt something in his chest loosen and crumbled. He was shocked to discover that Aiden was in love with this girl. What a way to shatter the years him fantasizing about being with Aiden.

He felt the world around him melted and found the surroundings of Aiden's dream literally liquefying like a house of wax.

The ground beneath Sergei opened up and he was swallowed by iridescent lights under him.