When I returned home, Mom rushed toward me, clearly confused about why I had left. Seeing her so concerned, I actually worried she might take me to a mental hospital, thinking I was going insane. But I really wasn't, and my eyes don't lie.
Lying on my bed that evening, I kept visualizing the guy I frequently dream of. For a moment, I questioned my sanity as I realized I was picturing him as the same guy I had seen earlier near the bus station.
The next day at school, everything was already chaotic. Vera and I had started working hard from the beginning, hoping to do well this year. Even if we succeeded, I would still feel uneasy because I hadn't found a clear path for myself. It felt pointless anyway—my mother had already decided: "A lawyer." I was actually good at debating, but I couldn't memorize well, so the idea didn't appeal to me at all.
But as they say, you're either a lawyer, a doctor, or an orphan. I couldn't see the glory in it, but I knew I had to fight for my own way. The famous Veronica loved teasing me about it, pretending to be concerned while clearly trying to embarrass me.
Walking through the school hallway, I noticed the janitor – an old man who seemed extremely familiar. I tried to approach him, but Vera called me to class. As I walked away, the janitor looked back and smiled. I didn't realize he was the same old man from the day before – like an angel quietly watching over me while I assumed I had no one protecting me.
The bell rang, and we headed to the school buses, ready to leave, when the driver suddenly stopped. All the students gathered as we saw a young man dressed in black, wearing a hat and mask, blocking the bus. The driver got out, and the mysterious figure started arguing with him.
We watched in awe as the man carefully rescued a nest of newborn birds that had fallen under the bus's front wheel. After placing the nest safely aside, he simply walked away, the same silhouette as the young man I had seen the day before.
Emily! What is wrong with you these days! I am going insane, I thought. Until time proved me wrong, unfolding the mission destiny had prepared for us.
I needed to know the truth. Something was off – I shouldn't be fantasizing so much about a guy who didn't even exist. Impulsively, I left the bus and ran after him. Embarrassment? Shame? Awkwardness? I didn't even consider them. I was so out of character that I surprised even myself. I followed the path he had taken but couldn't find him.
Returning to the bus, the old driver saw me but simply drove off, smiling. He looked just like the janitor! No – he was exactly like the old man I had helped the day before.
What is happening to me? I AM LOSING MY MIND! I panicked. I had no phone, the road was empty, and there was no one to call. What should I do now?
As I stood there, replaying the past few days in my mind, a hand rested on my shoulder. Instead of fear, a warm sense of relief washed over me.
I turned immediately and saw the same guy who had helped the birds. Looking into his eyes, I felt butterflies in my stomach, the same strange feeling from my dream.
I had so many questions, yet I was speechless at the sight of his emerald eyes. Who says we only communicate with words? His eyes conveyed grief, beauty, and resilience all at once.
Mesmerized, I barely heard him ask in a quiet, deep voice, "Why are you following me? What do you want? I saw you yesterday as well. Did that woman send you?"
I couldn't focus. The first thought that popped into my head just slipped out from my mouth: "I know this seems crazy, but can you take off that mask?"
He raised his brows, confused. "Sorry?"
I blurted out, almost too fast: "I just want you to take off your mask. I can't explain, but you look so much like someone I mouth – or… not someone I know, but someone I imagined… no, not imagined – ahhh! " I stopped, frustrated with myself.
He looked at me and walked away.
I followed, calling out, "Well, can I know your name?"
He ignored me, walking on as I kept asking bunch of questions that were left unanswered.
"Hello?? Sir? I'm Emily, by the way. I go to the high school near town. We met yesterday, and it seems you remember. What's your name?"
"Noah," he said sharply.
"I know it sounds crazy, but… do you dream of me?"
He stopped and looked at me strangely.
I quickly clarified, "No, no, not like that. I mean… am I familiar to you? Have you ever pictured someone like me?"
He continued walking, unbothered. I added, "Forget I said that. Let's move on… where are you from?"
"Hell," he said.
"Come on, have I offended you somehow? Why do you always frown like I'm doing something wrong?"
He stopped again.
"What do you want?"
"What do you mean, what do I want? I just want to know more about you," I replied.
He side-eyed me. "No motive can be that pure."
"Okay, but I just want you to take off that mask – just once! It's really important," I said.
He was quiet and hard to read, walking fast as I struggled to keep up.
He noticed I was losing track of him so he slowed down. I smiled, noticing his quiet benevolence, and rushed forward. Leaning my head close to him, I teased, "Ha! Caught you slowing down so I could catch up! You're quite the arrogant nice guy, aren't you?"
He looked at me, realizing our faces were close. His eyes softened. I blushed and quickly stepped back.
We both hurried again, flustered. Suddenly, he stopped and said as if he was angry again "Do you want me to show you my face? I will, but when I do, leave me alone."
He removed the mask, and my jaw dropped. How could it be? It's you! It's him! The guy from my dream! This was unreal. Was I dreaming again? I pinched myself twice. No, I wasn't. He was real. Soo real, and with visuals that are surreal. I was stunned, speechless, as he walked away.
I couldn't catch up, so I screamed, hoping he could hear me: "Where are you going!? I know nothing about this place!! Will you just leave me here just like that? Alone on this deserted road!?"
If he was the guy from my dream, I knew he would come back. No matter how cold he seemed, his heart made me feel warm. He always came to my rescue. I know he will turn. He'll turn. He will… Will he?