Dreams Can Come True

79. South Africa

POV Bill

Around 5 AM, I was abruptly yanked from my sleep by the shrill sound of my cellphone, which cut through the silence of the night like an unexpected alarm bell. With a sleepy sigh, I groped for my bedside table and grabbed my phone, the screen glowing brightly with an incoming call from Elise. My heart suddenly pounded faster. What could be wrong? My groggy mind scrambled to figure out what was happening as I answered the call.
"Elise?" My voice was tinged with concern as I pressed the phone to my ear.
"Bill," her voice came through on the other end, but there was something strange about the way she spoke, as if her tongue was weighed down by alcohol. My frown deepened. "Everything okay?" I asked, hearing muffled sounds in the background that resembled the murmur of a party.
"Bill," she repeated, and I could hear the laughter in her voice. It became clear that she wasn't entirely sober. "I can't come online for a Skype video call later."
My heart rate slowed a bit, realizing it wasn't anything serious. "Where are you?" I asked, my concern easing somewhat. "I'm with Bas and some of the crew at that new nightclub," she shouted into the phone, and I could hear the sound of music in the background. "Yeah, Bas, I know!" she added, obviously talking to someone else.
A sigh of relief escaped my lips. It seemed like it was just a night out with friends. "No problem, Elise. Enjoy yourself," I replied, though a tinge of disappointment crept in at the thought of not seeing her via video.
"Bill, I miss you," she said softly, her voice shifting from the earlier exuberance to a more intimate tone.
"I miss you too, Elise," I responded, saying her name brought a warmth to my chest. "But promise me you'll be careful, okay?"
"Of course," she answered resolutely. "I have to go now. Can we call tomorrow instead?"
"Yes, let's do that," I said, already starting to miss her voice. "Until tomorrow, love," and with a soft click, she hung up.

After the call with Elise, I placed my phone back on the bedside table and tried to pull myself back to sleep. I nestled under the covers, closed my eyes, and attempted to pick up the thread of my dreams again. But no matter how much I tossed and turned, my thoughts kept swirling, and my body refused to fall back asleep.
The bed suddenly felt too warm, as if the worries and thoughts racing through my mind had wrapped around me like a blanket. I felt the time slipping by as I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to find the calm that would take me back to dreamland.
But every attempt seemed futile. My mind was too full, my heart too restless. Elise's words echoed in my head, mingling with the sounds of the party where she was. I tried to calm myself, slow my breathing, but it all seemed in vain.
Eventually, I gave up. I knew there was no way back to the sleep I sought. With a sigh of frustration, I pushed the covers off and sat up in bed. My thoughts wandered to Elise, to the party she was at, and I couldn't help but wonder what she was doing there.
With a weary sigh, I rubbed my face and decided to get out of bed. Sleep might be out of reach, but perhaps I could make good use of the time before the sun rose and a new day began.

Feeling frustrated by my sleepless morning, I got out of bed and walked to the balcony of my hotel room. The fresh morning air embraced me as soon as I opened the glass door and stepped outside. A gentle breeze played with my hair as I saw the sea glistening in the distance under the pale light of the moon.
I lit a cigarette and took a deep drag, the smoke slowly escaping my mouth seemed like a small escape route for my pent-up thoughts. As I watched the calm rhythm of the waves and heard the sound of the breaking surf, I felt a certain peace descend upon me.
Standing on my balcony with a cigarette between my fingers, I observed the world waking up under the soft glow of the morning sun. My gaze drifted to the beach, where a few joggers in the distance made their way along the water's edge. The sight of the joggers, their steady pace, and the tranquility they exuded, caught my attention.
A sudden thought flashed through my mind. Maybe it was time for me to take a morning walk as well. The idea of breathing in the morning air, burying my feet in the sand, and listening to the rhythm of the waves felt like a refreshing break from the daily grind of performing.
After a few minutes of contemplation and enjoying the view, I decided it was time to get dressed and take a walk on the beach. I had always had a soft spot for the sea and the calming effect it had on me. Besides, I knew that amidst my hectic schedule, I wouldn't often get the chance to quietly enjoy such a walk on the beach.
Slowly extinguishing my cigarette, I stood up from my chair. With determined steps, I walked inside, quickly put on some clothes, and grabbed my key card from the bedside table.