EPILOGUE: UNEXPECTED MEET

6 3 0
                                    


---

Hyannah’s life had transformed in ways she never imagined. Years had passed since the dreams of Nix, and in that time, she had blossomed into a successful artist. Her talent had gained recognition, her art now gracing the walls of galleries and exhibitions. She had moved her family to a better home, and her brother Marco had graduated, finding a stable job. Her mother’s health had stabilized, and the once-heavy burdens of her youth felt lighter.

Yet, no matter how high she soared, no matter the applause and recognition she received, a part of her heart remained anchored to those dreams—the dreams where she and Nix had journeyed through impossible landscapes, where they had laughed, fought, and shared moments of quiet peace. The memories of those dreams had become her inspiration, fueling her creativity.

But Nix had never returned.

Hyannah often wondered if those dreams were merely a figment of her imagination—a coping mechanism during a difficult time. She had convinced herself to move on, to bury the longing she felt deep down, and focus on the present. Yet, every time she put her brush to canvas, she found herself drawn back to that mysterious boy who had been her guide, her friend, and perhaps, her first love.

One crisp autumn day, as she stood in front of a room full of eager artists, guiding them through a workshop, she ended her presentation with a quiet moment of gratitude. She thanked her family, her friends, and all those who believed in her journey. Then, almost instinctively, she whispered a thank you to Nix. It was a quiet tribute, one that only she understood.

---

Weeks later, she found herself rushing to the mall. An upcoming exhibition required last-minute supplies, and she had a long list of items to purchase. The bustling crowd didn’t faze her anymore; she had grown used to navigating busy spaces, her once timid demeanor now replaced with quiet confidence.

With her mind preoccupied, she moved through the aisles quickly, scanning the shelves for paints and brushes. She turned a corner sharply and collided with someone, almost knocking her basket to the floor. “Sorry!” she blurted out, flustered, not even looking up.

“No, it’s my fault,” a familiar voice said, gentle and soothing.

Hyannah froze. It couldn’t be. She raised her eyes slowly, and her breath caught in her throat. There, standing in front of her, was Nix.

He looked different, handsome, and more handsome . Yet his eyes—those eyes she had drawn over and over again in her art—were unmistakable. The same warmth, the same light, and the same mischievous sparkle stared back at her.

“Nix?” Her voice was barely a whisper, disbelieving. She took a step back, her heart hammering wildly in her chest. She had dreamed of this moment, had imagined it so many times, but now that he was here, she didn’t know what to do, what to say.

Without hesitation, Nix stepped closer and wrapped his arms around her. “Hyannah,” he murmured into her hair, “I’m so sorry. I never wanted to leave without saying goodbye.”

Her knees went weak, and she let herself sink into his embrace, feeling the warmth of him, solid and real. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she pulled away, searching his face for answers. “Where did you go? Why did you disappear?”

Nix’s expression turned somber, and he took her hands, leading her to a nearby bench. They sat down, and he took a deep breath, as if preparing himself to explain the impossible. “I need to tell you everything.”

---

It turned out that during the time Hyannah had been dreaming of Nix, he had been in a coma—a result of a severe accident. He told her how he had lain in a hospital bed for months, unresponsive, while his mind wandered the dreamscapes that they had explored together.

“I didn’t know you were real,” Nix said, his voice thick with emotion. “I thought it was just my mind creating something to hold onto. But when I woke up, bits and pieces started to come back to me, and I knew I had to find you. It’s taken me so long to remember everything, but I never gave up.”

Hyannah listened, tears streaming down her face as the reality of his words sank in. It had all been real. The adventures, the laughter, the moments of vulnerability—they had shared them together, even though they were in two different worlds.

“And I never got the chance to tell you…” Nix’s voice trailed off, and he leaned in, his forehead touching hers. “I loved you, Hyannah. I didn’t realize it until it was too late.”

She couldn’t hold back her emotions any longer. With a sob, she pressed her lips to his, feeling all the longing and love she had kept bottled up for so long burst forth. He responded with equal passion, holding her as if he would never let go again.

---

After their unexpected reunion, Nix revealed that his family was wealthy—something he had never told her in their dreams. He had always valued genuine connections, and with Hyannah, he had found someone who saw him for who he was, not for what he owned.

Their relationship blossomed, growing stronger with each passing day. Nix’s return brought new light into Hyannah’s life, and they spent time rediscovering each other, building a real-world relationship that echoed the connection they had once shared in dreams.

With Nix’s encouragement and support, Hyannah’s art flourished even more. They traveled together, visiting places she had once painted and finding inspiration in the world around them. Each trip brought them closer, their bond deepening with every adventure.

Nix proposed to her one evening in front of a large crowd at an art gallery displaying her work. He knelt before her, holding a ring that sparkled under the gallery lights. “Marry me, Hyannah. Let’s make this dream our reality.”

With tears of joy, she said yes, and the crowd erupted into applause. They married in a beautiful ceremony surrounded by family, friends, and the community that had watched Hyannah’s journey from the beginning.

Nix, with his wealth, supported Hyannah’s dreams, but he never overshadowed her accomplishments. He remained the anchor she had once found in her dreams—a constant source of strength and love.

---

Years later, as Hyannah stood on the stage, accepting a lifetime achievement award for her contributions to the art world, she looked out at the faces of those who had supported her. Nix sat in the front row, smiling proudly. Marco and her mother were there too, their faces beaming with pride.

She began her speech, her voice strong and clear. “I owe so much to the people who stood by me, who believed in me even when I doubted myself. But there’s one person, in particular, who I need to thank. He was there for me when I felt most alone, and he taught me to believe in myself. Even though he vanished from my life, his influence never left.”

She paused, her eyes finding Nix’s, and she smiled. “Thank you, Nix, for finding your way back to me.”

The applause was thunderous, and as she walked off the stage, she knew that her life—like her art—had been a masterpiece. She had lived through dreams and reality, finding love and happiness in both.

Nix met her at the edge of the stage, pulling her into his arms. “I love you,” he whispered.

“I love you too,” she replied, holding him close.

And for the rest of their days, they lived happily together—dreamers who had turned their shared visions into a beautiful reality, proving that love could transcend even the boundaries of dreams and time.

---

DREAMS (lucid dreamer)Where stories live. Discover now