"wake up Al", I heard in a very sweet tone. I blinked open my eyes. The first rays of light were painful. They stung and made me want to creep back into my sleep. "Breakfast is ready so get ready and come eat",the sweet voice had said. The thought of breakfast filled me with determination. I stretched and looked at the source of the voice. It was my mother. Tears started to form. "Mom where were you, I was so worried I didn't know what to do. Everybody was gone". I said extremely fast. "It's alright honey you'll be fine", she said comforting me. I went to get ready and joined my mom on the dinner table. I enjoyed a hearty English Breakfast and put my plate in the sink."listen Al", she looked at me with tears. "survive", tears were streaming down her face. I felt like I was being restrained. My vision suddenly failed me. I was falling, whilst I was falling I was accompanied by the darkness that had made me blind, and the darkness that came from inside.
I woke up sweaty and uncomfortable. I tried to recall the events of my dream and warm sweet tone that I felt. I had failed. I felt like shriveling up and crying and I almost did. The dream made me think of a possibility. A possibility that my family was gone and there's no one to take care of me anymore. I unlocked my phone and called all the family members I had in my contacts. They came up unanswered. I started to tear up, that possibility was becoming a reality, a reality I didn't want. I tried to hold back my tears. I didn't want to look weak. But no one would see me right? yeah it's only around 6 no one wakes up that early, today's Saturday. 1 drop fell done to my cheek. 2 drops. 3 drops. like raindrops they were cold. I was having a hard time breathing. I was at the edge of my bed. I'm sure I'm the first one to realize this reality. But then I can comfort my friends they won't have to be alone. I can be a good friend. " I can be a good friend too", someone had said as they hugged me.
I was startled. I look back with tears in my eyes and cheeks covered with dried tears. It was Riza. I had forgotten she had slept next to me. She looked me in the eyes. Her face was only a few centimeters away. She said softly," Like you thought. You're not alone Al. I'm here".
I looked into her green eyes and felt the same warmth I felt in the dream. I was overwhelmed. I didn't know what to do. So I cried. I cried into her sleeve. I wanted to stay this way forever. I wanted to be held. She kept comforting me. When I finally stopped, she was softly fondling my head. I asked,"How are you so strong?".
She looked down and told me to sit up. She answered," I figured this out yesterday. It apparent from the start". She smiled sweetly at me. " You comforted me".
I tried to recall any time I comforted her. "How?"
"You're dense", she said getting up from the bed. She headed out my room. I sat there thinking about what would happen now. A crippling anxiety will remained within me. But she had helped to suppress it.
I'm thankful for that.
