2 Chapter Two: Epey's Dream

Later that evening, while Epey was fast asleep, she began to have this dream that she had always dreamed of when she was still younger. In this dream, she saw these two young children talking. One girl and one boy. They were about eight or nine years old. The only problem was that she couldn't see their faces properly. 

"I have to do this, Nico. I will not allow anyone to stop me or to take everything from us. And you, you are the future of the great Escanderonia family. That is why you should also do what is best for you and your family. Just...be careful from here on out. " the girl uttered. She was too serious and eloquent for her age.

"You know what, I actually really want to stop you. I don't want you to get hurt or anything like that. But… I know your decision is final so I'll give it to you…" answered the boy. He was also as well-spoken as the girl he was talking with.

However, as usual, that dream was not able to continue and get some resolution because Epey, whether or not she had some control over it, woke up. She looked so shocked and lonely at the same time. That dream was really something strange. So strange that she would always wake up panting and feeling broken inside. It would always start with those two children sitting while facing each other in a dark place where only one lamp was producing light and ended with the boy named Nico giving a necklace with a round Jade pendant to the girl. She could not understand herself but every time she would actually dreamed of this dream, she would automatically cry for no apparent reason. It was as if the sadness and the pain seemed unbearable every time she was having that particular dream hers. And the most amazing thing about that dream was that the necklace in there looked very similar to the necklace that Epey's father had given her on the day that she had recovered from her illness back when she was still a child. She then sat on her bed to breathe properly. She also tried her best not to be too noisy so that she would not wake her parents up. Only now did she realize that she really wanted to go to the Academy of L.I.B.E.R.A.T.I.O.N. When she was a child she, she would always find herself dreaming of a place that she had not been before. And there, she saw this boy whose name was Nico. Although, his was not vivid to the eye. She believed that this Nico was the same Nico that she would always dreamed of talking to that little girl. Only, she just had no idea as to why she was always having that dream. As if a message or perhaps an alternate world was trying to enter her mind without her volition; without her permission. She tried to ask her parents about it before when she was still around nine years old and they had just moved in their current house, but they said it was plainly just a dream and maybe it was just a result of her wide imagination, since Epey was known to be a very creative and imaginative folk. She even got so insistent about it before but her parents would just dismiss the topic right away. Hence, as time went by, she, too, had learned to dismiss that topic about Nico. But later on, it seemed like she couldn't escape it because it was always haunting her.

The next day, there wasn't much enthusiasm on Epey's face. She was obviously not a hundred percent awake. While they were eating with her family, Billy and Marecel noticed her gloomy mood. 

"Epey, what's wrong? Are you in pain? Do you have a problem?" Marecel asked. 

"I noticed that too, Pey? Are you feeling anything strange?" Billy added.

"Uhm no." 

"Epey, your father and I know you. What's the problem?" 

Epey gathered her strength before speaking. 

"Well…do you still remember what I always dreamed of before? About that Nico and his friend?" Her parents were stunned but Epey just kept going on. "I dreamed of him again last night. Don't I really have a friend or a brother named Nico?" 

"Epey, dear, didn't your mother tell you before that it was just your imagination? There is no Nico your life. Also, Dorina was the only one you always played with when you were young, you know that, so that dream is really just a dream. Nothing more; nothing less."

"But, pa, how could I? It's been bothering me for years. It's just so surreal that after all these years, I am still dreaming about the same thing, the same person, the same feeling. I have read some academic papers about dream interpretation, but I have not encountered something like this yet. If most dreams are just wish fulfillments, then what could I be wishing for for a very long period of time? Or if it's about trauma, then..." 

"Epey, please. Give it a rest." Maricel said calmly.

"But, mom, what if..."

"What your father said was the truth, dear. Please don't think too much about it. Besides, you will have an interview in the next few days in Manila. Don't take your dream too seriously, you may lose focus on your true goal. You don't want that to mess with your performance by then, do you?" 

"Well, no."

"Then just forget about it. It won't help you focus. After we are done here, I suggest you go back to your room and have some rest. Relax for a bit. Maybe you haven't gotten over you National Statistics Competition experience. I will wash the dishes for now. Is that alright, Epey?" Maricel assured.

"Yes, mom. I'm sorry."

Epey really wanted to push the topic through, but she decided speak anymore. She knew her parents were not lying and she had nothing against the explanations of her parents. Perhaps, it was just that, something in her wanted more.