SHE'S THE CAMPUS PRINCE

C6: Dreams and Nightmares

Mirae found herself standing at the middle of a very familiar garden. She looked around her and saw white roses standing beautifully. She slightly lifted her chin and gazed at the clear sky, she squinted her eyes and lifted her hand to cover her face from the bright sun. This all feels familiar.

It didn't take to long for Mirae to realize that she's dreaming. And this dream is no foreign to her. She knew exactly what will happen in this dream. She had already memorized every single moment and detail in this dream ... well, this is the nightmare that has been haunting her for years, after all. So of course, it's imprinted in her mind prettily.

Nightmare, this nightmare again. It keeps on replaying like a broken record. Over and over again.

"Catch me!"

That voice, Mirae knew that voice very well. She looked at the direction where the voice came from. And there it is, she saw the person who yelled. It was her...it was her 7 year old self.

Mirae stared at the young version of herself. They look so similar yet so different.  Just like her, the girl has light brown hair and a pair of golden eyes. But unlike her, the girl looks so innocent and happy.

Mirae heard footsteps behind her back. The sounds of the footsteps are getting closer to where she is.

"Mimi~"

"Mirae!"

Mirae also knew the owners of those voices---well, how could she not? She tried to look at her back to catch a glimpse of the approaching people. But before she could even do what she wanted, her surroundings began crumbling and disappearing like ashes in the wind.

Hindi man lang ni Mirae makontrol kahit ang sarili niyang panaginip. This is so unfair!

Within a few seconds, nag-iba na ang paligid ni Mirae. Ngayon ay nasa loob na siya ng banquet hall ng Golden Palace. Sophisticated and Lavish ang ayos ng lugar na ito habang puno naman ito ng mga taong elegante ang dating at ayos.

Sinundan ng tingin ni Mirae ang direksyon kungsaan nakaharap ang nobles and guests. Nakita niya ang isang pamilya sa stage. Ngunit bago niya pa matitigan ang pamilya na iyon ay bigla na lang nagsipalakpakan ang mga taong nakapaligid sa kanya. Walang tigil ang palakpakan at patuloy lang ito sa paglakas.

Maingay. Masakit. Nakakabingi.

Itinakip ni Mirae ang kanyang mga kamay sa kanyang mga tenga. Napapikit siya ng madiin. Napaupo siya sa marmol na sahig ng banquet hall. Pakiramdam niya ay nawawalan siya ng lakas.

Kumalma lang si Mirae nang finally ay tumigil na ang ingay. Pero pagmulat niya ng mga mata niya ay nagbago na naman ang kanyang paligid.

Nakaupo na ngayon si Mirae sa puting sahig. Pinagmasdan ni Mirae ang lugar na kinaroroonan niya. Mula sa kisame hanggang sa sahig...lahat ay kulay puti. Kahit saan siya tumingin ay kulay puti.

"I wanna go home..."

Mirae heard whimpers. She searched for the person who was crying. And once again, she saw her younger self.

Mirae stared at her younger self who's at the farthest corner of the room. The girl was sobbing while her face is hidden between her thighs. She's hugging her knees as if seeking for warmth and comfort.

Even Mirae felt pity for her younger self. And so, she turned around. Tinalikuran niya ang sarili niya. Hindi niya kayang panoorin pa ito habang ito ay nasa ganitong estado.

Once again, nag-iba na naman ang location ng panaginip ni Mirae. Sa pagkakataon na ito, napunta siya sa isang lugar na mistulang laboratory. Natanaw niya ang dalawang bulto ng tao na nakatanaw sa salamin tila ba nag-uusap ang mga ito. Pero hindi niya na nagawang pagmasdan ng maayos ang dalawang tao at ang paligid niya dahil mabilis na namang nagpalit ang scenario na kinaroroonan niya.