A Feeling About You

CHAPTER 9: Unseen Bonds

I wake up to the gentle buzz of my phone on the bedside table. Squinting at the bright screen, I see a text from Kai: "Hey Adira. Are you free to talk?"

I quickly respond with a thumbs-up emoji and a simple "Yes," and before I know it, my phone is ringing. I pick up, my heart skipping a beat at the sound of his voice.

"Hey Adira," he says warmly.

"Hey, Kai. What's up?" I reply, my voice laced with a mixture of curiosity and anticipation.

"I was wondering if you'd like to grab a meal this weekend," he starts, his tone slightly playful.

I can't help but smile. "That sounds great. Any place in mind?"

"Well," he hesitates for a moment, "I remember you mentioning how much you love spicy food."

My heart flutters. "Oh, yeah. I'm a big fan of spicy dishes."

He chuckles. "Good to know. There's this Korean restaurant in the plaza nearby, and they serve some amazing tteokbokki. It's one of their popular spicy, savoury dishes."

My smile widens. "Tteokbokki? I'd love to try it."

His voice carries a note of excitement. "Awesome! My mom owns the restaurant, and I work there part-time on weekends. I thought it'd be cool if we could have lunch or dinner there."

I nod, though he can't see it. "Count me in, Kai. I'm looking forward to it."

We chat a bit more, discussing the details and settling on a time that works for both of us. Eventually, we say our goodbyes, and I find myself drifting off to sleep, the anticipation of the weekend ahead putting a contented smile on my face.

But as the night wears on, my peaceful slumber takes a sharp turn. I'm back in that horrifying moment from years ago, the day my parents died. Our family vacation turned into a nightmare as our car careened off the road and crashed into the ocean. In the depths of my dream, I see a tall figure, obscured by a ski mask. His aura is dark, an ominous cloud of black and red that chokes the air around me. I struggle against it, feeling as if I'm entangled in ropes of energy, unable to break free.

The car sinks, and instead of water, it's his malevolent aura that surrounds me, suffocating me. Panic rises within me as I fight against the unseen force, desperate to escape. I can't see his face clearly, his features blurry and indistinct.

The nightmare leaves me gasping for air, my heart racing as I bolt upright in bed. Aiden is by my side in an instant, concern etched across his face.

"Adira, are you okay?" he asks, his voice soft but worried.

I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. "Yeah, Aiden. Just a nightmare."

Aiden's brow furrows as he studies me. "It must have been really bad. I woke up feeling your aura."

I blink, surprised. "You did?"

He nods. "Yeah, I felt something off. It was strong enough to wake me up."

I pull him into a hug, grateful for his comforting presence. "Thanks, Aiden."

He hugs me back, his embrace providing a sense of solace. "Anytime, big sis."

As we sit there, I can't help but reflect on the moment. In my dreamscape, it was like the dark aura was trying to consume me, to drown me in its malevolence. And yet, here in reality, I have people like Aiden and Kai who care about me, who anchor me back to the present. Aiden's empathy, his ability to feel my emotions, is a reminder that I'm not alone in this journey.

I stroke Aiden's hair gently. "You know, I should be the one protecting you, Aiden."

He looks up at me, his eyes filled with understanding. "It goes both ways, Adira. We're family, and we look out for each other."

I smile, touched by his maturity and care. "You're right. I'm lucky to have you, Aiden."

He grins. "And you're lucky to have me as a little brother."

We both chuckle, and I realize that even in my moments of vulnerability, I'm surrounded by a network of support. With Aiden by my side, I'm reminded that I don't have to carry everything on my own. There are people who care, who share the burden, and who stand with me as I navigate the complexities of my life.

As we settle back into bed, Aiden snuggles closer, his presence a comforting reassurance. I close my eyes, grateful for the bonds that anchor me, for the friends and family who remind me that I'm never truly alone.