Oneirataxia: My Fictional Man

CHAPTER 26

Chapter Twenty-six

I did nothing the whole day but thinking of that strange caller. He couldn't be a prank caller because he perfectly knows about me. So to speak, it's nearly possible that he's just like me, a human from the real world.

But the question is, how did he get here? Does he have a mission just like me? If so, what would it be?

But, is it really a mission why he's here? He wanted me to get rid of Benjamin, and worse, in this world. Based on his tone, it's clearly said that he has a bad intention and not a mission as what I was implying.

What if he'll do something that can bring Benjamin down? If he's indeed a real person, his intention would be one-hundred percent attainable because the author couldn't control nor figure out his actions.

Wait... he could be one of those people who got drifted from the real world and got lost at the author's copied-place where Madam Belen warned me. Perhaps, he has already been here a little too longer than me because the story functional-system hasn't been shut down yet. And probably, I already met him.

Who is he then?

I almost jumped out of my chair when the telephone rang again. Siya ba ulit ang tumatawag?

Para akong nabuhusan ng malamig na tubig dahil sa naiisip. Damn this, I'm getting paranoid. I even closed my fists to prevent my hands from fidgeting. Masyado akong napapraning, paano kung iba pala ang tumatawag at importante pa?

I sighed heavily and just picked up the phone.

"H-hello?" I greeted, stammering from too much nervousness.

"What's with that tone?" I heard Benjamin's voice from the other line.

I sighed in relief knowing that it's him. Ang dating kaba na dulot ng takot ay napalitan ngayon ng kakaibang kaba na sa kanya ko lang nararamdaman.

"Hey, how's work?" I asked, ignoring his question.

"It's quite stressful. I want to rest but I still have a meeting until 6 pm."

Napaisip ako sa sinagot niya. Kung ganun, I still have much time to prepare for our dinner. Dahil ako naman ang magluluto, napagkasunduan namin na sa sarili kong condo kami kakain. That would be convenient and... exciting.

"Will you arrive at 7 pm then?" I asked again.

"No, it's too much to endure. I badly want to see you so I'll just go directly to your place right after my meeting."

Something just evoked in my heart. Para akong batang idinuduyan sa sinabi niya. His profession couldn't be questioned indeed. He's so damn good with words. He knows how to play it too well.

"Sir, nandito na po si Mr. ---" I heard Wayne from the line.

"Okay, tell him to wait for a few minutes," utos ni Benjamin sa sekretarya.

Umiling ako kahit hindi niya nakikita. He shouldn't make someone wait that long.

"Hey, I should hang up now. It's bad to make someone wait, don't you know that?" I suggested. Hindi na siya nakaangal pa nang nagpaalam na ako at mabilis na ibinaba ang telepono.

Our conversation was short yet it's enough to fulfill the tank of happiness in my heart until six o'clock in the evening.

I shook my head slowly, chuckling at my own crazy thoughts--- that later shifted to something I didn't want to think about, but I must.

I'm too happy that it hurts. It hurts because I know that all of these are just temporary, especially Benjamin. For now, I'll just pamper myself of what it feels to be with someone I fictitiously like.