Funeral In The Sky

Chapter 2: Dream

"Athiana! Athiana!"

I can hear someone calling my name. But it's my real name this time and the voice belongs to a woman. In a snap of fingers I feel like I am being pulled away from all the strangeness and my consciousness slowly comes back to me.

"Athiana, wake up!"

Was I dreaming then?

"Hey, are you okay?"

I groan. Slowly opening my eyes, I can make out a figure of a woman looking worriedly at me.

"Hey Shelly," I call out weakly. "I'm fine. But thank you for waking me up."

"Not a problem. But I was worried."

"What happened this time? Was I yelling in my sleep?" I ask sleepily.

"Not this time, no... But you were restless. I can only imagine what kind of dream you were having."

My clothes are damp. I realize I was sweating in my sleep.

"The same dream again?" This time Shelly sits down at the edge of my bed, looking worriedly at me. She sure is bothered by all of this, especially because this isn't the first time.

"Yes. But it's nothing to be worried about. Just the same stupid dream." I shrug.

"Well, I don't think it's nothing. You don't look good when you have that dream."

"Look, it's nothing. Don't worry, okay?" I say, wiping the sweat from my neck. I’m starting to get irritated now.

“Okay, if you say so.”

"Plus, we don't necessarily have to interpret the dream literally. Like they say, dreams are a product of our subconscious mind." I say, jumping from my bed this time.

"You got a point there. Maybe it's just trying to show you what your inner desires are."

"Maybe" I force a smile. "Well, I guess I'm just gonna have to interpret it then. Maybe that way I can understand myself better... " I say in a low voice. My mind is starting to wander now.

"Maybe.  Anyway, what happened to you last night? I was talking to the other girls when I realized you were gone." Shelly says, changing the topic completely when she noticed the tone of my voice.

"Oh, yeah about that. I needed to breathe so I went up to the rooftop. After an hour I got bored so I went home."

"I see. But when I got home, I found out that the door was not locked. And your room was open. Girl, you shouldn't leave the doors unlocked. You might be raped by some weirdos you know."

"Sorry. I was a little drunk."

"Yeah. But be a little more cautious next time."

"Sure." I answer her tiredly.

Shelly and I have been roommates for the past three years. At first I was the only one renting this small apartment. But when I met her in a small restaurant that I was working back then, I took her in just so I could have someone to share the rent with.

Now, we both work in a coffee shop a few blocks from home and Shelly has become more of a friend to me. Actually she is indeed my friend, the closest one I've had for the past few years. And if there is someone who knows me any better, it's her, even though I never tell her that.

Because I know that she’s going to leave me someday too. Just like everyone else.

"So, what are your plans for today?" Shelly stands up from my bed and is walking towards the small kitchen. Opening the cupboard, she reaches out for a box of cereal.

I stand up from my bed as well. I get my towel and head for the bathroom. I need to wash my face.

Few minutes after, I emerge from the bathroom and go to the kitchen. Shelly has prepared two bowls of cereal and two glasses of milk on the table. I sit down and drink my milk.

"I'm going to the cemetery." I answer. And I feel a sudden wave of sadness washing over me.

"Is it today?"

"Yes." I say coldly.

"It's been seven years now, right? Can I come with you?”

“Yeah, I guess you can.” I murmured.