Dreams Can Come True

68. Late night calls

Tom and I nestled on the couch in front of the television, the soft light from the screen filling the room with a warm glow. The atmosphere was tense, palpable like an electric charge in the air, as I waited for a sign from Elise. Even though I knew she was safe with Bas, I wished we could leave this stupid argument behind us. My hands repeatedly reached for my phone, my fingers instinctively swiping across the screen in hopes of seeing a message from her.
Every moment that passed without a response from Elise felt like an eternity, and my heart pounded impatiently in my chest. I could feel the rising frustration, like a knot tightening in my stomach with every passing second.
A deep sigh escaped from Tom's lips as he watched my restless behavior. His gaze spoke volumes, a mix of understanding and concern. "Bill, you need to let go of that thing," he insisted, his voice filled with care.
I nodded weakly, knowing he was right, but still, I couldn't help but pick up my phone again. My thumb nervously scrolled through my messages, hoping for one from her. "I'll call her one more time," I muttered, my voice determined but also a tad desperate. I dialed her number and pressed the call button, but before it even rang once, Tom had decided to intervene.
He stood up and took the phone from my hand, his action determined yet gentle. "I think it's best if you give her some space, Bill," he said again, his words infused with concern. "Constantly worrying and bothering her won't solve anything."
I sighed, knowing he was right, but it was so hard to let go of my worries and fears. My thoughts were like a whirlpool, trapped in an endless stream of uncertainty and dread.
Tom placed my phone on the table and sat back next to me on the couch, a faint smile playing on his lips. "I'll keep an eye on your phone," he offered, his voice reassuring. "Meanwhile, let's play a game on the PlayStation. Maybe some distraction will help take your mind off things for a while."
I nodded gratefully, welcoming the distraction, even though I knew it was just a temporary escape from my worries. I reached for the controller he tossed me, determined to get lost in the virtual adventure, while my thoughts relentlessly returned to Elise and the uncertainty her absence brought.

The darkness enveloped my bedroom as I stared at the ceiling, my thoughts racing like wild horses through my mind. The digital numbers on my bedside clock stared back at me mercilessly, and the realization that it was already half past two slowly sank in. My phone wasn't beside me, as usual, but had been taken by Tom to his room, a necessary measure to prevent me from bombarding Elise with messages.
But what if she had tried to reach me? What if she, like me, couldn't sleep, trapped in a web of uncertainty and regret? My thoughts raced like a hurricane through my mind, tireless and relentless.
Eventually, I couldn't resist the urge any longer. With a sigh of frustration, I decided to retrieve my phone, just to be sure. Silently, I crept into Tom's bedroom, where the sound of his loud snoring almost made me smile. How ironic it was that this confident young man now lay snoring like an innocent child, his mouth wide open.
Without making a sound, I grabbed my phone from his bedside table and returned to my own room. My heart pounded wildly in my chest as I saw the screen of my phone light up, a message from Elise, sent just fifteen minutes ago. 'Hey, I feel terrible about this fight, are you still awake?' I read, my breath catching in my throat as I read her words.
A mixture of relief and fear washed over me. She felt terrible, just like me. Maybe there was still hope, maybe we could still fix this.

With a pounding heart, I brought my phone to my ear and dialed Elise's familiar number. The seconds that passed until she answered felt like an eternity. Then I heard her voice on the other end of the line, soft and filled with emotion.
"Sorry for reacting so angrily," her voice sounded, filled with regret. Its sincerity deeply touched me, and I couldn't help but offer my own apologies. "Sorry for misunderstanding you," I whispered back, my voice muted but sincere.
A moment of silence followed, in which our breaths seemed to find each other in a soft rhythm. It seemed like the world stood still for a moment as we both faced our emotions. "I want to see you, Elise," I declared with determination, my heartbeat quickening at the thought of her presence and a possible reconciliation.
Elise's breathing sounded like a soft breeze through the phone, her response carefully considered. "I'm with Bas," she finally brought up, her voice tinged with hesitation.
"I know," I replied, my voice filled with warmth and longing. "He let me know that you were safe." A faint smile played on my lips as I heard her soft grunt, a sign of her own inner struggle.
"Shall I pick you up in about 10 minutes and we go to the apartment to talk it out?" I suggested, my heartbeat accelerating at the thought of the reunion. "I'll be ready," she replied with determination, and with a soft click, she ended the call. With a smile on my lips and a glimmer of hope in my heart, I climbed back out of bed to fetch Elise.