29 Dream or reality?

The shock of seeing Ryan in her dream was so profound that Zara woke up with a start. She gasped and looked around breathing heavily. She was tangled in the sheets, her hair plastered to her back that was sweating. Her hands fumbled at the side table and she knocked a few items off it while retrieving a bottle. She took large gulps of water and tried to calm her jittery nerves.

She was happy to be in her room, lying on her familiar bed. She couldn't remember many details of the dream, if it was one. The only thing she could remember was Ryan seated on the pew in the church. Some corner of her heart had wanted to look at him one more time, but what an odd place it was- an old church, to find him.

She could remember the look of plain horror on his face, he looked different with long hair and bags under his eyes. He seemed tense about something and was praying for the well-being of someone called M. But, he never struck her as the praying type. Maybe her mind was playing tricks on her or maybe she was delusional.

She got up from her bed and washed her face. She then went downstairs to look for her mother. "Mom", she called out. Hearing her voice, Veronica flew towards her and hugged her tightly. "Are you okay?", she heard her best friend ask herself as Veronica tried to stifle a cry.

"Gosh, V. I am okay. I only overslept," Zara replied as she hugged her back. Veronica pulled her towards the sofa as Rose came rushing out of the kitchen. Her face was tearing up too. "My baby, it's so good to see you finally awake."

Zara shot them a puzzled look. "What is wrong with you guys? I know I don't sleep much but you both are acting very strange right now."

Veronica opened her mouth but Rose signalled her with a finger to go slow. She fumbled, "Yes, you are right. You must be hungry right? Your mom was making awesome pancakes for us."

Veronica then hurried towards the front porch and closed the door behind her. She dialed Jake's number who received it in the first ring. "Any updates?" he asked. Veronica cried as she informed him, "She is finally awake."

Jake fell down to the floor, "Oh, thank God. Let her eat something light and tell her everything slowly. Actually, you know what, I'll be there in fifteen. We ought to tell her carefully."

Veronica replied, "Yes, come soon. She will soon start asking about school and classes."

Zara had gulped down a bottle of orange juice and two pancakes before Veronica stepped in. "Comeon V, let us finish eating. Then, we can binge-watch movies" Zara added merrily.

Zara asked her mother, "Mom, did you see my phone? I forgot to charge it before sleeping."

Veronica and Zara's mother shared a look and then Veronica hurried to the TV cabinet and began searching the drawers for movies to watch. Rose replied as she looked away from Zara, "Um, it must be in your room, sweetie."

Zara got up from the sofa. "Okay, I will go get it then."

Veronica slid in front of her, "What is the hurry, Z?"

Zara raised an eyebrow, "I want to-" she didn't want to say out loud that the dream had made her itch to call Ryan one more time. "-text a friend."

Veronica calmed down, "Oh, you mean Jake? He is on the way. He will be arriving here in some time. He was also worried about you."