Can't Help Falling in Love with the Opposite

Fifteenth Encounter

Dad's grip on the steering wheel tighten. I am sitting near the driver's seat. Dad is saying something but I can't comprehend what it is. I can't hear anything. All I know is that he is mad and shouting. Is he mad at me?

"Dad, I don't want to go!" I heard myself shout. "I don't want to go!"

Why are we shouting? Dad is shouting back but why is there no sound coming out from his mouth? I stare at his lips and try to read what he's saying.

He's a.... He's a.... That's the only words I can understand. Then I heard myself shout once again. "I know about it and I don't care!"

Why are we shouting? 

Dad turned the car to a tunnel and everything happened fast. We were hit by another car which made our car spin and hit the wall of the tunnel we are passing through. The impact is so strong and I immediately look at Dad. He's head is bleeding, eyes are closing but he is trying so hard to fight for consciousness. I try to reach for him but I can't move my body. Dad whispered something and this time I was able to hear it before unconsciousness completely ate me.

"He's a...murderer."

"No!!!!" I sat straight up as I gasp for air. Cold sweats drip from my forehead and I found myself choking from sobs.

"Emily? Are you alright?" Chad sat up and rubs my arm. I cry on his chest as I bury my face on my hands. "What's wrong?"

"Dad..." I continue sobbing. "I now remember how dad died." I felt him stopped rubbing my arm.

"It was just a dream, Emily..."

"No! Everything I've dreamt about was real. I'm starting to remember things, Chad!" I am thrilled right now. I finally can remember!

"What... What did you remember?" He asked. I faced him with my tears still flowing down my cheeks.

"We were in a car accident. All I remember is that we were shouting at each other and I have no idea why. Then it all happened so fast. Another car hit ours then I saw dad..." Sobs came out from my mouth once again as I remember dad covered with blood. Chad wrapped me in a tight embrace and shushed me soothingly. 

"It's alright," I heard him say. "Do you remember anything before the accident?"

I close my eyes and tries to remember anything but only the accident keeps on playing on my mind. I shake my head as I wrap my arms around his lower torso. "No." I tighten my arms around him as I recall how my dad was. He was such a jolly person. I remember him being very understanding at everything, especially to mom. So it makes me wonder what made my dad so angry at that day? Murderer? Who was the murderer he was talking about? Why was he and I so mad at that time?

"I feel like it's my fault." I blurted out what's on my mind. Chad pulled me a little away from him for him to look at me. I look at him with my trembling eyes as I speak. "I feel like the way he died was all my fault." I said and more tears escaped my eyes.

"Don't say that," he said. "It was never your fault. Everything that's happened was not your fault. Everything happens for a reason, Emily, and you were not the reason for what happened."

I look down at my hands which are trembling. "I don't know, Chad. I remember we were having an argument at that time. Dad never gets mad at me. I know I made a huge mistake at that time and I can't remember what that was. I was thinking maybe if I was not able to do that mistake, dad would still be here." I let out a long breath to pacify myself. I miss dad so much.

I felt Chad's hand on mine. "Look at me," I heard him say but I remained staring at my hands. His other hand carefully tips my chin up for me to look a him. He stares at me warmly. Stares which always make me feel that I'm safe. "It was not your fault," he gave emphasis in every word. "So please don't blame yourself."