Artificial Horizon - A César Fernando Basa x Reader story

XXXIII: Mist

Visible water vapor, in the form of very fine droplets, in the atmosphere.

* * *

It feels like it had been a very long time since the last time I wake up with this exact same view in this dreamscape. The ceiling gives away at once for me to recognize that we're back in Manila, and it is no longer surprising to find César watching me sleeping for a few minutes before I gain sense of this dream.

His smile brightens and widens when our eyes meet, and his hand continues brushing the strands of my hair away from my face. He then greets me, "Good morning, my wife."

My eyes widen at that momentarily, and I try to have a gauge that my dreamscape ultimately skips that wedding moment that I anticipate. Not because I am eager for the marriage itself; but rather, I love attending such events to watch clearly in love couples make their vows to be forever 'til death in front of countless people. And I can add the notion that experiencing it on this dreamscape will somehow give me a gauge or trial of it, too, when the time comes in the real world... though I am not hopeful of it happening any moment soon or will ever be then in the future unless it is what's fated for me.

He frowns slightly and chuckles. "Bakit naman ganyan ang naging reaction mo kaagad-agad? Practice pa lamang tapos parang sinusuklam mo na kaagad."

"H-Hindi, 'no! Nagulat lang ako..." I admit.

"You better get used to it. It will be a reality than just an affectionate nickname by next week." He kisses me lightly on the forehead before he moves out and fumbles on with some trousers by the edge of the bed. Picking up his discarded shirt, definitely from the night before, he continues, "Mabuti na lamang at talagang pinayagan ni SC 'yong leave. At talagang sinagad niya pa na pagkatapos na ng Bagong Taon tayo kailangan makabalik ng Batangas."

It only means that we almost have a month-long leave... I ponder. I get that much despite not having any idea of what date it is today, and another reminder that the wedding is on the following week.

After cleaning up the room—or rather picking the clothes off from last night—César heads to the drawers, takes one of my familiar nightgowns, and hands it to me when he sits on his side of the bed.

I flush when I take it, and true, I am no longer surprised in finding myself in this dreamscape in a state of undress ever since sharing such a memory of that night.

"Tamang-tama lamang din na nakatanggap ako ng invitation para manood ng laban ng football team ng Ateneo mula kay LaO; junior member ng basketball team namin noon. Hindi ko nga lang alam kung naimbitahan niya rin 'yong iba, o ako lang dahil isa siya sa mga trainees namin noon din sa football. Final game nila mamaya against La Salle," he says as an additional reminder to me. "And tamang-tama rin na nasabihan ako nila Papa na bukas na tayo pumunta sa kanila, kasabay ng pista."

I also know a LaO in the Ateneo on my real world; the known team captain of the football team that also won against La Salle a year ago. Not to mention that I also remember him being part of Ateneo's basketball team from back then. Is it possible that the same LaO also exists on this dreamscape? Given that he and César also have the same respective relationship as he mentioned now?

And for some reasons, I don't know why I am feeling quite edgy. As if my brain, despite the enthusiasm of my heart to the future, is telling me not to be. Because I may be disappointed in the end of it all.

* * *

From my previous dreams, I am aware that César had been quite too active during his school days. Not only being a smart student to graduate with flying colors, but to be a member of too many sports and represent Ateneo into such that one will think that he is incredibly a superhuman to achieve all such feat without compromising the other. Despite being a member and not as a team captain of a respective sport, it is still an accomplishment worth mentioning as too many people who knows him will have the idea that they think he is taking this career or that. I think the ultimate plot twist of his life had been with his decision to be a pilot among all other things.