LUCID

Every night, he appears.

He doesn’t knock or announce himself. He simply stands there, in the dark edge of my room, his presence scares me but why do i feel safe whenever he is near me. He has no face. There is only a blank and smooth  in his face that creeps me out. But his facelessness isn’t what creeps me most, It’s the way he seems to know me.

Tonight, he's in front of me, standing at the end of the hallway. The air feels thicker here, the dim light from the single flickering bulb above casting shadows around him. He doesn’t move, but I feel the invisible thread that pulls me to approach him.

“Who are you?” I whisper, my voice trembling as I step forward. The sound barely escapes my lips, swallowed by the oppressive silence.

He tilts his head slightly, as though considering the question, but says nothing.

I sighed when he didn't respond to my question. To this day, i took my courage and shrugged off my fear.

I took another step.

The closer I get, the less his face becomes blurry.

When i got finally closer to him the blank expanse from his face suddenly disappeared, slowly, his featured started to appear.

"My lady." He finally uttered when i was already in front of him

He had a face that seemed carved by the God's. His thick brows with his alluring hazel eyes down to his pinkish and slightly cherry like lips.

'It looks like kissable' she shaked her head from the crazy thought

"Aiden." He chuckled and moved forward his hand to me, waiting for me to accept the handshake.

"Leila" smiled awkwardly and i accepted his hands.

-------

Ever since that day, the man who seems anonymous to  Leila became her friend. Aiden started to visit Leila to her room. She felt weird at first but his presence made her feel safe, cherished, and seen.

He took her to places she had never imagined—a field of golden flowers under a sunset sky, a glittering cityscape where stars felt close enough to touch, a quiet beach where the ocean whispered secrets just for them.

She couldn't help but fell in love with the guy. He treated her like royalty, holding her hand, guiding her, and whispering promises that made her heart beat faster, and make the butterflies in her stomach dance in joy.

Meanwhile, Leila and Aiden who was holding each others hand while walking in the beach under the moonlight.

Every footsteps that they've made Leila felt all of this was not real.

“It feels wonderful to be here. I’ve never been anywhere like this,” Leila whispered as they walked along the beach, with the moon serving as their light.

He smiled at her and his eyes was full of quiet affection. “That’s because these places are for you. You belong in them.”

She laughed softly, feeling a warmth she had never known. “This feels like a dream.”

“And if it is?” he asked, tilting his head. “Would it matter?”

She shook her head. “No, as long you're here with me, then, you are real.” She held his hand and intertwined their fingers.

"Are you real?" she asked as she looked directly into his eyes

His eyes shifted away,
“I am,” he said, squeezing her hand. “You just have to believe.”