SPICY DREAM
ARUL DAS
Copyright 2012 by ARUL DAS
Smashwords Edition
DARK
gray clouds covered the sky as I was passing along the sidewalk of a
high-walled subdivision where huge, sturdy and elegant houses are
built. The cold breeze of the wind touched my skin and blew my long
curly brown hair back. Silence was ruling all over the corners of the
street. No busy cars, no pedestrians, no people walking around. The
whole surrounding was totally empty and everything was strange. The
place was too solemn as it had brought me to deaf. As I continued
walking, I saw a guy sitting on a bench across the street from a
distance. We are, I guess, of the same age. Well, I’m not really
certain about that thing. I paused for a while and tried to recognize
him but his face was unclearly seen by me. Unsatisfied of the blurred
image, I crossed the street to approach him. No second thoughts, my
feet drew me closer to him. But the moment I have reached the bench
where he sat, He just vanished in the twinkling of an eye. I have
searched every angle but no mark nor were footsteps of him left.
Dizziness attacked me so I decided to take a sit on the bench. When I
looked down I found a white rose and pick it up. There’s a note
written in it saying “To my only love”. These white rose is maybe
of the young guy. The next thing I heard was a voice screaming out my
name.
“DENISE!!!!”
A loud familiar voice brought me back to reality.
WAKE
UP! IT’S THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL AND YOU CAN’T AFFORD TO BE
LATE”.
I
knew that it was Mom yelling from outside. She might be preparing for
breakfast.
Upon
opening my eyes the next thing I saw was the ceiling.
“A
DREAM? I thought it was real.”Talking to myself while rubbing my
eyes.
T’was
unusual, but I didn’t bother a lot about that thing. After having a
delightful breakfast which was cooked by mom, I groomed myself while
waiting for my school bus.
“Beep…beep…beep”
“Oh.
The bus is already here. Bye mom! Wish me luck on my first day!”I
bid her goodbye.
“Good
luck sweetie .Make the most out of it. Enjoy your first day!”
Those
were last words she said since I boarded the bus. Upon entering the
bus, I saw familiar faces smiling and some even waving at me with
sweet smiles in their faces. It was a heartwarming welcome for
me.
“Good
morning Denise!!Are you fine there?” Manong Adolfo, our school
driver, asked me.”Since your companion had left?”He added.
“Good
morning too! Yes, I am Nong. ”I cheerfully answered him. Quite sad
that she had left and transferred to another school, but it’s
surely fine with me. Thanks anyway.”
I
was referring to Kristen. She is one of my best buds. I don’t
really know where she may be now. We usually share stuffs while the
bus is on board. And now that she’s gone, the seat right next to me
is empty. Honestly I’m not used to being alone. No one to talk to,
no one to be with, and these things bring me to anxiety.
“Don’t
you worry, someone today will be there to accompany you. I hope you
will be good friends too in the near future.”Manong Adolfo
smilingly said. He then started the engine and held the steering
wheel.
I
used to seat by the window behind the driver’s seat. Traveling
towards school really excites me. The great architectures I see each
time we pass to different houses fascinates me a lot. How I dreamt to
have one soon.Then suddenly the bus stopped in a subdivision blocks
away from ours. A woman in her mid 40’s approached Manong Adolfo
and told him something. But actually, I was not minding them at all,
instead continued dreaming on my fantasized world.I was really
unaware of the time that I didn’t even notice that we’ve reached
the school. Not until I found out that I was left alone. I hastily
rushed down the bus. I felt the whoosh of the wind in my ears as I
run in the middle of the soccer field instead of passing through the
hallway. And as I gazed up I have witnessed the beauty of the vast
blue sky as if it was greeting me. Just a perfect weather to start
the day. At exactly 7:28 I have reached our building. Excitement
filled my heart. As I went up the stairs, making my way to the 2nd
floor, I met my schoolmates and professors and greeted them as well.
While I was walking along the corridor I saw a familiar-looking yet
strange guy. He was standing outside the 3A-RM, which happened to be
my room, leaning on the parapet with his hands crossed and headphones
on. He had black hair that is caressed by a wind that seemed to swirl
around with the grace of butterflies. He had almond-shaped deep-set
dark brown eyes that try to imply something and his high-bridged nose
perfectly proportioned. His lips are thin. He stands tall with slim
but very manly features. His lightly tanned complexion even made him
more attractive. He looks almost perfect, only his eyes were so
morose and were intently fixed on mine. His gaze shivered me as if he
was trying to penetrate the fog of my mind. He’s staring straight
at me, not moving at all. I can feel the vaingloriousness in his look
which made me hate him instantly. I withdraw my compliment. Then the
bell rang. I abruptly removed my eyes on him, pretended to look at my
watch and walked through the door immediately.
Minutes
later. Our adviser had arrived. “Good Morning 3A juniors!! How are
you all doing guys?” Our very lively adviser, Miss Valle shouted
with joy. The four corners of the room was filled with laughter and
glee. Everyone yelled with her.
Excluding
me. Well, actually I’m not being antisocial; it’s just that I was
puzzled by the scenario which took place minutes ago; leaving me
absent mindedly looking to nowhere. He’s really a major irritant
right now. To my surprise, Miss Valle even approached him and ordered
him to get in.“Mr. Alcantara please get in.”He then take off his
headphones from his ears, placed it in his neck, and politely obeyed
her.
“Don’t
tell me-
“I
would like to introduce to you class this guy right next to me, Mr.
Vince Alcantara. From now on, he will be part of our class. Hope you
will have great time together.”
Then
screeches ruled over. I raised my right eyebrow.
“What
are the screeches all about huh?” Whispering to myself.
Then
a voice answered me.
“Gosh
girl! I never saw such cutie like him before. I just died”. My best
friend Chloe, who’s sitting right next on my left side,
exaggeratedly telling me while shuddering in delight.
Break
time. I and my best friends Chloe and Yelena went to the cafeteria to
have our snacks. Wherever I go now his name never failed to ring my
ear. May it be in the corridor, library or hallway. Vince! Vince!
Vince! All about Vince! Why is everyone so crazy about that guy? Even
in rest rooms, I can still hear his name. He’s like a plague that
hit the entire town, where I am the only survivor.
“You
know what Denise, you’re just jealous coz you’re no longer the
talk of the town.”Yelena teasingly said.“ Who wouldn’t be
tickled pink upon laying eyes on him? The way he looks really is
heart-melting; therefore he is now considered as the official
heartthrob of St. Gabriel the Archangel Academy”.
“You’re
right Yelena. He is truly an Angel!”Chloe agreed to what Yelena had
just said.
“An
angel, you mean a monster?? Yes, he may be handsome but he’s
nothing but an arrogant and annoying brat!” I strongly pursued my
thought contradicting to theirs.
“There
you go again!”Both of them giggled while dipping the nachos into
the hot chili sauce.
“By
the way, I’ve heard that he is a transferee from Adamsville School
of Elite; he must be very wealthy then.”Yelena added.
“But
why did he transfer to our school?”I asked with curiosity knowing
that he came from one of the most elite schools in our
country.
“Actually,
I don’t really have any idea too.”
“Let’s
not talk about him anymore. I want to ask something.”
“What
is it then?”They both answered in chorus.
“What
does it mean if you dreamt of a guy, I mean a guy which you’ve
never seen before?”
“Hmmm.
What is he then in your dream? How was it? Did he chase after you, or
hit you a soccer ball on face-
“Or
kiss you?”Chloe continued.
“Kiss?
No, he did not. At first, I was in a strange place full of
beautifully structured houses; the place was too quiet and the next
thing I saw was a young guy sitting on a bench. I can’t recognize
his face anymore. And the last thing I remember was a white rose and
a note.”
“What
does the note says?”Yelena paying much attention to what I was
saying.
“To
my only love-
“Really?
Don’t you think he is your soul mate? My grandma once told me that
if you dreamt of someone who is unusual to you, he or she will soon
come into your life.”Chloe stated her opinion.
Well,
I never really believed on what Chloe said. I don’t believe in soul
mates, destiny, nor romantic love as well. Because I believe that if
there were such things, then why did dad has to leave mom. Why did he
left us? These thoughts still troubles me. But there is something
more, haunting in my mind, neither dad nor the mysterious guy in my
dream.
It
was a good Thursday morning but thoughts of him kept running through
my mind. I can’t help but wish that he won’t be able to catch the
bus, because the mere presence of him makes my blood boil. Well, you
can’t blame me for it, it has only been two weeks but the constant
troubles he’s been giving me are way too infuriating. Like that day
when he bumped into me in the cafeteria spilling over the hot
chocolate drink on my uniform and didn’t even bother to apologize,
that day when he closed the door knowing that my hands are full of
loads, and lastly when he refused to be my partner in a subject. I
tried to lengthen my patience on him but he always gives me reasons
to make me hate him more. As I wished, he wasn’t able to catch the
bus. His desk was unoccupied. Everything was fine and plain that day
without his presence. But I felt emptiness in my heart, not because I
worry about him, maybe it’s because I got used to his annoyance.
Days passed. And he is getting into my nerves even more. He always
brings me misfortune.
For
an ordinary high school student, maybe one part of the school year
that you hate the most is the week after the midterms because of the
heartbreaking results, but as for me, this is my favorite, modesty
aside, I usually top our exams.
Finally,
the results are in. Our professor in Physics called us one by one to
get our papers.
“Abad...
Aizon... Alcantara...Alonzo...Aragon...”
After
getting our papers, we were immediately dismissed. Upon seeing my
paper my heart sinked, I crumpled and tore it into pieces. I couldn’t
just believe myself of what I saw. I can’t afford to lose my
scholarship grant just because of having a grade of 87%. I studied
hard, and even buried my head on books at the library every
afternoon, but never did I expect to get such low grade.Everyone had
their break except me. I cried on my desk with my head on its edge.
“Denise Alonzo? nice job!” It was Vince handing me a test paper.
I wiped my tears and puzzlingly looked at the test paper; saw my name
on it with a grade of 97%. Hurriedly, I tried to put the test paper
on my hand back to its original form, and to my disbelief it wasn’t
mine, what’s worse, it’s his. I looked at him and froze with
embarrassment. He broke the long awkward silence.“It’s okay, just
don’t tear everyone’s test paper.” He said mockingly and gave
me his usual arrogant smile.
The
ride from our house to Vince’s house is usually a five minute
ride,but today seems to be the longest five minutes of my life. I
can’t stay still on my seat. I don’t know how to face him because
of what happened yesterday. I decided to apologize for my
impulsiveness no matter how irritated I am to him. Finally our bus
reached their house, the woman in mid 40’s who I believed is his
mom, called out his name while tending her orchids. Instead of
hurrying it seems like his taking his time, used his headphones on,
and didn’t mind the woman at all.
“What
a jerk.” I thought to myself.
To
my surprise he sat beside me. I felt more uneasy because it was the
first time, not to mention his constant avoidance of seating next to
me, trying hard to join in the already loaded seats at the back. I
felt my stomach tighten. I tried to gather my courage and inner
strength to apologize, but before I knew it, like my mouth had a life
of its own.
“I-I-I’m
sorry for yesterday! I was impulsive and didn’t notice that it was
not mine. I’m really sorry.” I stammered. I looked at him and
laughed so hard, he wasn’t listening at all. He had all his
attention on the music he was listening, tapping his hands like a
drummer and gives a little head bang. I laughed even harder. It was
the first time I’ve seen him like this and I felt absurd of my
behavior minutes ago. He noticed me laughing. He removed his
headphones and with a mystified expression.“Uhh.. any
problem?”.Normally, I would be annoyed with the way he talks but
this time was different. “No..no..nothing. It’s just that-.Then
he looked even more confused. The bus has arrived the school and he
hurriedly took off. I chased after him.
”Vince!
Hey! Wait up!”But he wasn’t slowing down. So I ran after him and
blocked his way. I was panting and chasing my breath.”Listen,
Vince. I’m sorry back there, I just wanted to apologize about
yesterday, I’m sorry, really.” I said pleadingly. “No big
deal.” He said in a rather soft tone. It was unusual of him.
It
has been one month and I have been working hard on this science
project, rather, we, Vince and I had been working so hard on these.
We have to come up with an invention for our science festival. Vince
has been my partner since our teacher paired us because his grades
are getting lower and lower and she thinks that to be my partner is
the only way to pull his grades up. So every dismissal, we are
diligently experimenting and studying various things to get it right.
He isn’t bad at all. And I find it also amusing that he wasn’t
the guy I thought he was. He’s kind-hearted and smart, maybe he is
just lazy to study, but he isn’t that friendly. Over a month, I got
to know him better. Vince had been used to being alone because of his
sad childhood, his engineer parents got divorced when he was five. He
grew up with his aunt and his parents started a new family of their
own. I somehow feel for him because I see myself on his situation,
but the only difference is that he seems to be okay with it. He
already accepted it and has a positive outlook in life. I really
admire him, he’s like a bamboo, no matter how hard the winds blow,
it only bends but does not break. Just like Vince, a very resilient
person.
Over
time, I got used to his annoyance and presence. I was even amazed on
how things have changed between us. From an annoying arrogant
stranger, he is now like my guy best friend. We would even spend
weekends together, be it for a school activity or just hanging
around. We were comfortable with each other. We would talk about our
lives and on some random silly things, and laugh like idiots. It
seems like we have mutual understanding or something. I knew that in
those moments, I already fell in love with him. But I was scared to
admit it because I’m afraid that he might leave me too. Just like
what dad did to mom , and I don’t want that to happen to us. There
was even a time when he wasn’t able to come to school for one day
and I felt so lonely. It was like a big part of the puzzle was
missing.
Finally,
the big day has come and we had an expo. Everything went well that
day and it was time to announce the winners. I was nervous but
Vince’s warm hands held mine. It helped me calm down. I was very
excited for the first place, but then I was shocked when the
announcer did not called out our name. I was speechless. I haven’t
moved in my place. I was expecting to win because our experiment was
good, not only good but great.
“It’s
alright Denise, at least we made our best. Don’t you worry, we can
always try next time.” He said those comforting words to me.
Putting his arms around me.
Tears
now are streaming down my eyes and ran away from the noisy crowd. He
tried to ran after me but he got lost in the crowd.
I
went to the girls comfort room and cried my heart out. My phone rang
for times, I knew it was him calling, but I refused to answer him and
turned it off instead. After minutes of crying and over thinking I
decided to went out and face him. As I open the door, I saw him
outside as if he was there waiting for me.
“You
feel better now?” with a concerned look in his face.
“How’d
you know I was here?”
“I
don’t know, maybe I heard you crying?”Then he wiped my
years.
Without
words he pulled me closer to him and locked me around his arms. I
felt his warmth and enjoyed the silent moment together.
He
brought me to an ice cream parlor and treat me like a 4 year old
child.
“Maybe
an ice cream would help you get over it.”
But
he knew I was okay just by his presence. We were laughing like
children over an ice cream when suddenly his expression became
serious.
“Denise.
Thank you for everything. For being a confidante and my friend.”
I
saw the sincerity and sadness in his eyes. I fed him spoonful of
chocolate ice cream and laughed just to dismiss the serious
atmosphere.
Five
months has passed and we were more attached to each other. I mean
more than friends. He even spent Christmas and New Year with us.
When
suddenly on the 20th of March 2011, 6:00 pm, our last day of school
as juniors, Mom was rushed to the hospital because of heart attack.
Our relatives came to visit her. Chloe and Yelena came too. But
before leaving they left something.
“I
saw this on your desk, it has your name on it. So, we brought it
here.”Chloe said.I was about to read the letter when suddenly the
monitor went unstable so I placed it on the side table and hurriedly
called the nurses. Minutes later, the doctor told us that she must be
on close watch so I stayed awake the whole night to watch her
condition. I wonder where Vince is, I haven’t seen him the entire
day. Morning came and I was still at the hospital. I remembered the
letter Chloe gave me that I failed to read last night. I looked for
it on the side table and saw the weak white rose attached to it. It
was familiar. My name was written on the letter and at the back it
says “To my only love” with a familiar handwriting. This is what
it says:
March
20,2011
Denise,
6:00
pm at the park. I never told you that you have captured my heart from
the moment I saw you walking at the corridor. You gave meaning to my
once boring and dull life. I can’t afford to lose you coz’ you
are my life now. If you’ll come, I’ll take it as an acceptance to
my love. If you don’t, then I will never bother you again. Hoping
to see you later.
With
much love,
Vince
Before
the letter sinked in, I immediately took a ride to Vince house. In my
haste I rang the bell almost ten times, when her aunt opened the
door. “Where’s vince? I need to talk to him.” I said ,
forgetting my manners.
“Didn’t
he tell you?”
“A-a-about
what?” I felt a strange feeling in my heart.
“He
left this morning to Canada to live with his mom.”My knees weakened
on what his aunt said. Tears now rolled down on my cheeks. I
“But-but
that’s impossible!”
“His
mother has been trying to convince him since the second semester, but
it seems that something’s letting him stay.”I was left hanging
with what I’ve heard. My heart totally crushed.
One
year had passed and I’m already graduating. Today was the very same
day Vince left me. It’s been a year but the feeling is still fresh.
But now I’ve realized that people come and go in our lives. Some
would come to end our sadness, only to start a new one. And some
would come into our lives to teach us valuable lessons. That is to
love and learn to accept and let go. He will always be a part of me
no matter where I go. Vince came into my life just like a dream. I
never planned for it, but it just happened. If I just knew that he’s
just a dream, I wished that I rather be asleep forever. He’s my
spicy dream. And forever will be.