It's been six months after the story.
Six months since Dave started living in the Waking World with her.
Sa anim na buwang lumipas, naunawaan ni Cornelia ang kapangyarihan ng kanyang hiling. The people in Eastwood were back to their old selves in no time, being able to sleep again without constant nightmares. Naglaho ang mga balita tungkol sa nangyari sa kanya, at maging ang mga pulis at kanyang mga magulang ay hindi na maalalang nawala siya. It like she was never missing to begin with. The most surprising part? Dave was magically provided with all the necessities he had to start a life of his own---valid ID's, a birth certificate, an apartment downtown, cash, and even being enrolled at her school.
'The universe really has its way,' she sighed in disbelief.
And everyone around them acted like it's nothing out of the ordinary.
"Remember class, you need to pay attention to every detail when you're making a sculpture."
Bumaling si Cornelia sa kanilang propesor. Iniisa-isa na pala niya ang gawa ng kanyang mga kaklase. Maya-maya pa, nilapitan nito ang isang sculpture ng babaeng nakaupo sa hardin ng mga bulaklak. The professor smiled and praised the young man's talent.
"Excellent work, Dave! Did anyone ever tell you you had a talent for sculpting?"
Dave smiled and momentarily glanced at her, "Actually, she's the first one who noticed."
Uminit ang mga pisngi ni Cornelia. Nonetheless she beamed back at him when he mouthed the words "I love you" at her. The professor seemed to be intrigued, but laughed it off and proceeded to critique his other students.
Nang matapos ang kanilang klase, Cornelia pinched his arm.
"Aray! Para saan naman yun?" Dave frowned, slinging his backpack on one shoulder.
She rolled her eyes. "For making a scene earlier! Nasa gitna tayo ng klase at..." Napahinto ang dalaga nang halikan siya nito sa noo.
"At alam naman ng buong ECU ang relasyon natin. No need to be shy, Elia."
That made her cheeks even redder. Damn Dave and all his charms!
'Nakakapanghina.'
Ilang sandali pa, tumunog na ang school bell, signaling their early dismissal that afternoon. Sabay silang naglakad sa hallway, pinagmamasdan ang mga tao sa kanilang paligid. Cornelia and Dave watched them drift in and out of their line of sight, chasing deadlines and dreams in this reality. She sighed, feeling a sense of contentment. Malayo na sila mga problema ng mga imortal, sa ibang mga dimensyon, at panganib na hatid ng mga negatibong emosyon ng mga taong ito.
But the memories still lingered, like a scar that would be etched in their souls.
None of that matters anymore.
Because Dave and Cornelia vowed to live this life and dream together.
'Together.'
She can feel his hand squeezed hers, the warmth providing her a sense of security. Tumingin si Dave sa kanya, isang makahulugang ngiti sa kanyang mga labi.
"You're beautiful."
And for the first time in her life, she does feel beautiful.
Just in time, a breeze swept over them. Tinangay nito ang ilang talulop mula sa mga bulaklak ng cornelia sa buhok niya, the pastel-colored petals dancing in the wind. When she followed the direction they drifted to, she noticed a familiar man standing beside a tree.
'Parang kilala ko siya...'
Bumalik sa kanyang mga alaala ang liham na iniwan nito. Ang parehong liham na inabot sa kanya ng kanyang tiyahin, noong gabing iniwan niya ang Waking World para iligtas sina Cornelia at tanggapin ang trabaho ng pagiging Dreamcaster.
The genie.
"Ju---"
But just like that, the memories drifted like cornelia petals.
Suddenly, he disappeared.
Suddenly, she can't remember him..
Beside her, Dave sensed her confusion. "Elia, okay ka lang? You look like you just saw a ghost..." Nilingon ng dalaga ang kasintahan at pinilit ngumiti. Baka naman namamalikmata lang siya? Or maybe it is a ghost... the ghost of a past she couldn't remember.
"I'm fine, Dave. Let's go home."
*
'It's over.'
June caught a petal between his fingertips, smiling to himself just as Cornelia and Dave started walking away.
'This is for the best,' he thought. He was setting her free from the burden of seeing his kind, and triggering the bitter memories June brought. Sumandal siya sa puno at pinagmasdan ang iba pang mga mortal sa paligid. Katulad na rin ni Cornelia ang mga ito, hindi siya nakikita o nararamdaman. Simply because he was existing on a different plane, the Realm In Between.
As a Dreamcaster, it's his duty to keep the balance between dreams and reality.
"Kung ayaw kong daldalan na naman ako ni Coco," he sighed. Hindi nagbibiro si Sandman noong sinabi nitong sasakit ang ulo niya sa cactus na yun, but then again June appreciated the company. It made him feel a little less lonely.
Glancing at the pocket watch Morpheus gifted him when he fully inherited Sandman's powers a week ago, June smiled.
It was time.
In a flare of golden sand, the Dreamcaster disappeared to start his shift.
---
BINABASA MO ANG
✔ Dreamcaster
Fantasy"I am a Dreamcaster." "But you don't have any dreams?" "Does it matter?" He challenged. She glared back. "It does." After his mentor's retirement, tuluyan nang pinandigan ni Dave ang kanyang mga responsibilidad bilang isang Dreamcaster. As someone w...
