SOLARA’S POV
It was cold, dark, and raining. I have no idea where I am or how I got here. My white dress was ruined with splattered mud all over and torn at some places. My shoes and bag were long forgotten. I was running away from God knows what without stopping, wandering around with no clue as to where I should go. I tried to hide but the menacing voices kept on blasting in my ears. Louder and louder they come and I was so scared and I couldn’t help but weep. Now the voices, phantom voices of men to be exact, are upon me surrounding my being with horror that permeates into my bones. This can’t be happening. No, never, not again. Then I was pinned down by an unknown force and I tasted my own blood in my mouth. I screamed for help but no one came, I was only answered by their laughter that reminded me of the horrible hyenas in the wild. I fought and pushed with all my might but I couldn’t move. I’m starting to have trouble breathing so I just shrieked and cried and begged. With one last ounce of my strength, I gave one big shove and then… I woke up. It was just a dream, a nightmare. I felt someone cradling me and I realized that I was crying again.
“Shh. It’s okay. You’re safe now I promise. It was just a dream baby.”
I looked up and saw that it was my brother. “What are you doing here kuya? How did you know?” I managed to say after every sob.
“You were screaming and crying in your sleep so I had to wake you up. Don’t worry, no one’s gonna hurt you. Not on my watch. Please stop crying na. You know I hate seeing you cry,” he said then wiped my tears away using his thumb.
I just hugged him tight like there’s no tomorrow and he just held me for a few minutes. I haven’t had that particular nightmare for so long that I’ve actually forgotten that I used to dream like that every day. It felt so real and it scared me so much.
“Where are mom and dad?” I asked.
“Dad is still in China for business nakalimutan mo na? Mom naman went to Tita Diana’s house to babysit for the kids. She called two hours ago to say that she’ll spend the night there,” he answered.
“Please wag ka na maingay about this kuya. I don’t want them to worry about me anymore. Promise me.”
“Yes I won’t. I promise.”
I sighed and sat properly across the bed from my brother. I was just playing with the ends of my blanket when he suddenly asked, “Did something good happen to you today?”
“W-what? Why?”
“When you were recovering from the incident, napansin ko lang na every time nagkakaganyan ka may nangyari sa’yong maganda prior to having the nightmare.”
“What do you mean?”
“Like for example when you got into the dean’s list or received your first car or got the highest grade in your solo thesis. Why is that? I’m really curious.”
