3 Chapter 3: Weird Dreams

I immediately call Mang Jude from the backyard to say that we are going to the hospital.

Twenty minutes passed before we arrived at the front of the hospital. If it were not for the traffic, we could arrive earlier, say ten minutes earlier.

Elysian Medical Hospital

That's the name of the hospital my sister mentioned earlier. The good thing is that it is not far from our village.

When I step outside, I promptly run towards the entrance. The hem of my skirt were softly blown by the wind. I didn't have the time to change my clothes because of the panic.

"Excuse me," I squeezed myself with the others going inside the hospital. I even bump into someone, again.

Sprinting towards the front desk is my top priority now.

"Ignacio De Silva, sir." I was panting as I said my grandfather's name.

"Room 305, 8th floor, Miss."

"Thanks."

Running for the elevator, I saw someone inside. The door is closing.

"Wait!"

The man inside hold the door. Thank God.

"Thanks." I sparingly said. I'm tired. I lean the side of my head on the wall of the lift.

"Which floor?" he asked.

I'm still catching my breath. "E-eight floor."

Everything happened so fast. I'm unable to process the whole thing. I didn't even thank the guy when I've got on the right floor. I start to run like mad again, looking for the right room.

I start to look on the left aisle.

298...

300...

302...

304...

Then, behind me. 305.

"Pops!" I shout as the door open.

There, I saw him. My grandpa eating an apple while talking to my brother.

"Nali," he looked so shock to see me there.

Tears start brimming. I quickly run towards him and hug him.

"P-Pops," my voice shakes, my tears began to fell.

"Hey," he's caressing my hair. "Don't cry, I'm still alive."

Irritation spread to my whole body. "Pops, come on!"

My hot tears won't stop escaping my eyes. They just keep on falling.

"I'm fine, Nali. Don't worry, okay?"

"How are fine when you are here in the hospital?" He laughed at me.

Then I remember that we've got company here. I look back to greet my brother and my sister.

My breathing stopped when I notice Mama and Papa. They're here.

"M-Ma... Pa..." I tried to give them a smile.

Mama embraced me. I hugged her back.

Papa did the same.

The doctor said Pops got a sudden cardiac arrest. Fortunately, he's okay now.

Well, he better be okay. I don't know what I will do if ever I'll see him here again.

Pops' the only person I can talk to about my problems. All insecurities, the what-ifs, my fear of people's opinion about me, and me trying to prove myself to others.

I remember the thing he always say to me whenever I tell him how I try to prove myself to others.

"Nali, hija... You don't have to prove yourself to other people. You've got nothing to prove to them. Yourself is the only one you need... You need to prove yourself to you only. Never seek other people's validation, okay? Just do what makes you happy, and what makes you proud of yourself."

I'm happy every time he tells me that. He's right. I don't need other people's validation of me. I know it's right but I still try to prove myself to them. It became my nature, it became a habit, and it sucks.

We spent the night there. The doctor said that Pops will be discharge tomorrow.

We talk about things, we laugh, we eat together. All of us. I'm glad to be there. I can't remember the last time we ate together as a family.

Can I stop time for this certain moment?

12:00 pm when Mama and Papa decide to go home. They have work tomorrow.

Kuya Ryle is with his laptop, typing something. Work probably.

Ate Raine is sleeping at the couch. She must be tired from the ride home.

I yawned. I'm sleepy too.

I walk towards the one-seater sofa and hug the throw-pillow. I close my eyes.

"Hey, baby. W-wake up," is that Mama?

"Nali, wake up na. Ate is waiting here, your Kuya too. Even Aly is here awhile ago." it is Mama.

"Nali."

"Nali."

"Nali!"

My eyes quickly opened. Kuya Ryle's creased forehead welcome me.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

"Y-yeah..."

"You must be dreaming. You continuously shook your head. Even your eyebrows are furrowed," he calmly said.

I gave him a small smile. "Where's mama? I thought she's here."

"Did you forgot? They go home earlier, Papa and her."

"R-right."

He went back to his laptop. I glance at my sister and Pops. They are both sound asleep.

I checked my phone. 4:30 AM.

I bet Kuya didn't sleep.

"I'll just buy some coffee, Kuya. You want some?"

He looks at me and shake his head. "I just finish drinking my coffee."

I then nodded.

My movements were limited as I go outside the room. Even opening and closing the door, I did it slowly so the people sleeping won't be disturbed. I began walking and look up to see where's the nearest cafeteria.

The sign says there's one on the first floor and there's also one on the tenth floor.

I choose the one on the 10th floor. It's nearer. When I got inside the elevator, I rest my head on its wall.

What was that earlier? I'm sure I heard Mama's voice earlier. Did she go back? She also mentioned that Aly is there. Maybe they came when I was asleep.

My thoughts were cut-off when the doors open.

I buy some iced-coffee. I prefer cold beverage despite the cold weather.

When I was about to go back to Pops' room, my gaze go down on the elevator's button. Instead of pressing the number 8, I choose the last number that will lead me at the rooftop.

I want some fresh air.

The door opens. The slightly dark rooftop filled my eyes.

I started to walk towards the railings.

Jeez. It's freaking cold.

The iced-coffee I bought earlier just makes it more cold for me.

Thank God I'm wearing a cardigan. Mama let me borrow it when she noticed that I'm still on my uniform.

I plan to skip class tomorrow, I mean today. It's dawn already. Good news is my parents let me skip classes. They'll just inform my teacher, that's what they said.

I finish the iced-coffee when I reached the railing.

The memory of earlier came to my mind. Pretty sure my mom didn't go back. It's also impossible that Aly will come since Pops' condition is not that serious.

I remember the times I encounter the same scenario before. Someone trying to wake me up. Weird. Weird dreams, huh?

"Yeah. Weird dreams."

I looked down to calm my mind. I saw the road. Still busy even at this hour huh?

Then, I looked up. I saw the moon through my glasses. Wow.

I hugged myself because of the cold air then heaved a deep sigh.

"God, what a view," I say as I look down again to see the road.

"Yeah" someone said. Who's that?

I look at my right. There's no one.

On my left. There... I squint my eyes to see who's that.

"Oh," I said while pointing my finger on the person who talk. "It's you," the tone of my voice rises.

It's him, the guy who returned my ID.

He's looking up. Looking at the moon. He let out a deep breath.

"Yeah, it's me."

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