Chapter 8: Stepping Out of a Dream

It was a Saturday when came Tiara's parents came to visit.

"Is that really you?" Tiara exclaimed and ran towards her parents, and give them a big hug.

"Well... well... looks like somebody really missed us," her father laughed. Her mom stepped forward and told them that she thought they died in an accident.

"Now, as you can see, we are still alive and well, so no need to be sad," said the mother.

Her father continued, "There is something important that we have to discuss."

He told them, that Tiara can still continue her study since the campus is out of the catastrophic region. "But for safety's sake, at the end of the semester, after you had your final exam, to get your degree, we will come back here."

Her mother continued, "and if what we are facing is becoming worse, then we will stay here, living a modest life until the world is back on its feet."

Then she said, "I know you wanted to join in to save the world, you always did, but for now, please just stay away and keep yourself safe. I know you have the capability to see the future, but you cannot see your own future. So you don't know the possibilities of what could happen."

"Is the world really on the edge of destruction? Mom, where have you kept this girl? She seems not to know anything or did she has a memory loss?" Her father joked and stroked her hair. "I know she's a bookworm, but it seems like she is now a book caterpillar." They all laugh. The laughter of a happy family.

Tiara felt a sense of gratefulness to be part of a loving family.

But suddenly she heard the sound of a car coming near. She got out of bed. Am I dreaming?" She walked to the door and saw her parents come in bringing boxes of food, medicines, and other essential needs.

"Did you just come? asked Tiara.

"Of course. Help us carry these boxes. These are the essential things for us and for those in need," said the father while putting a box in the tiara's hand, for her to carry. Tiara did what her father told her, but her mind went back to a couple of minutes ago when she had a talk with her parents.

"At first I hoped that this is my reality, but now I'm sure it's a dream. how can my parents come twice with only minutes space? How do I get to my real-time? Or should I just stay here where I'm happy with my family and not an orphan?

As she was going back to the car, she saw mom wave her hands and the trees come closing in. "I have seen mom do it many times in my dreams. Is this closing of the forest not a dream? I can recall how many times mom did that to cover up our house. So maybe I should write down which one is real and hope that I could complete the puzzle and find my real-time?

Tiara hurriedly went to her room and started to write which things or incidents she could recall, with the hope that she can see which one is real.

Tiara," she heard mom call her. "Dinner is ready."

The conversation during dinner was not far from her last dream. Mostly about the riots in most places, and now people started looting. The killing spree was almost in every county. They mentioned that this January, the catastrophe seem to escalate. They kill to get food, but some do it just for the fun of it. Only this time, her parents did not talk about getting her University degree.

"Does it mean I have passed?" she thought. "Mother, when did I graduate?"

"In August. you were the best and the fastest of your class to finish."

"So it means, the gap between the first time my parents came and the second visit is about 4 months. So time did run fast here.

"Oh, and The 12th is the 60th anniversary of the campus, isn't it?

"I guess, I don't really remember," answered Tiara.

Tiara then wrote 'university' in her book and the date of the campus anniversary.

Time flew past

"Here's your milk Tiara," mom brought a big glass of warm milk to her room. "What time is it," Tiara asked herself. "I just had dinner, and now it's time for bed?"

Tiara who at first got confused now tried to count the time difference, just like when she saw Tomo counting it. She seemed to remember how Tomo felt the difference in time when he came here when she was a child. At that time he kept counting the difference in time, but as at that time, she was a child, she did not think it was important. "If only I knew, and if only I knew how to count it." Tiara sighed. "Could I contact Tomo?". She undid her intention of contacting him. "I have to try to find out myself. Maybe that's what I should do, to find my time. I must know which is real and which is not. Tiara tried to concentrate on how Tomo counted the time difference, as she had seen it, then tried it on her own.

Tiara remembered the time when they had to choose roads. Tomo said that they were in nowhere land. Could it be real and they are just unrest spirits? Could it be that Tomo was a dream?" It could be. Or could it be that Tomo has passed away and this is his feeling of remorse or his residual? Tiara didn't have time to think about it, for she heard her father say, he should put the car in the garage to hide it.

Tiara tried to scan the area around their house. Everything is quiet, but in the town down below, people start to close their stores. She could also see two army trucks come and park on the edge of town and groups of the army started to scatter and make roadblocks, to stop the rioters from entering the area.

As she had seen on the news, the army, national guards, and all security and environmental forces, tried to stop the catastrophe from spreading to areas which are still livable. Camps have been built for people who have lost their homes and have no families.

Suddenly she heard mom's voice. "No need to go there. We help them from here." Tiara was aware that mom knew she was going to town to lend a hand. That's why she said no need to go. And that it meant it is time for her to gather forces with her mom.

Her mom went up to her and said, "people basically can be divided into the good and the bad, but there is one group of people that are categorized as in the Middle, they are those who are basically good, but they got a wrong upbringing or involved in the wrong environment, so they become bad. These types can still be helped to be good again. I will teach you to see who is beyond repair and who still has a good heart.

Tiara and her mom sat facing each other. She felt energy seeps through her mind. She started to see people in groups of colors. Blue are good, yellow can still be helped to change into greenish blue or blue, while orange is bad and hard to change because it is in their personality and red is evil to their bones.

"I can see the colors, Tiara told her mom.

"Yes, and now you can take a look at the soldiers."

Tiara did so. "There is no orange or red there."

"Try to scan way below. There are people closing in on the barricade."

Yes, I see them in colors.

"Now change the colors and separate them. The movement to separate them was faster than the speed of sound, so nobody realized the change.

The group of greenish-blue and blue was put in a secluded area. while the orange and red, have to face the army.

"I will try to help by giving the army a barrier, Tiara told mom.

With their help, the riot subsides quickly, and the good ones will be taken to a safe place until they can return to their homes. Each morning, Tiara and her mom gather and joined strength to help those in need. They started from the worst environment, the most destroyed county, and continued to the less in danger. They made this into their routine. And so the bad people gradually became less than the good ones, so it will be easier for the military, crime squad, and other authorized security institutions to handle the situation.

In the meantime, she still tried to continue counting the time. She expected that when she is in her real-time, she would know as the time-space will not be as close.

But then, she contradicts her theory, when she remembered the days she and Tomo had to fight the attackers. The time-space is like usual, not as fast as when we were at mom's home. Is it because I entered it through the road and tunnel as Tomo did? Could it be that the battle is real, only the time I entered is incorrect?

Each day, Tiara wrote down things that she thought were important in her quest to find reality, the time and place where she really is. She wrote university, Japanese, campus, and lots of jumbled words. But by the time date of January 12th was mentioned during dinner, she hurriedly take a look at her calendar, and wrote it in red letters. Today was not yet the 12, so it meant she could still be there on time.

She read the news every day, so she can at least know how the situation was. But she couldn't have known what happened on the 12th, as it is still in the future.

Until one morning Tiara felt that she should take action, for she felt the days passed too fast. "This couldn't be my time. I am sure of it. So one day when her parents have to go back to the city, Tiara asked if next week, on the 9th of January she could go with them."

"Why do you want to leave?"

"There's something I need to do."

"Okay, so where do you want us to take you? I just want to go home with you, then I can go to campus by myself. I feel I need to be there on the 12th of January. In the meantime, I'll just stay at home."

"Hmm... Staying at home doesn't sound like Tiara." Both parents laughed.

"I'm sure she's got something up her sleeves. But okay, you can come. As long as you promise to be careful."

In the evening, Tiara collected all her things. Things she had written day by day., Things that she thought could take her into reality, to her real-time. I hate leaving mom, but I think it is my destiny to be in my reality.

After she has put everything in her backpack, Tiara went to open her drawer. "I will never forget this. Although somehow I knew that this map, is not part of my chance to find my real-time, I will still take it. She took a picture of it, took the printed map, and put it safely in her pocket. I will keep it separate, so as not to be an obstacle on my quest. The next morning Tiara left early. Her mom hugged her and whispered. "You will know if it is your time. Come back, Tiara. Stay focused on your quest. The rest can come later. I love you."

"I love you more, Mom. I will see you in real life, won't I?"

Her mom just smiled, again, she cannot reveal the secret of the universe and destiny."

"I will see you again," said Tiara.

She sat on the rear seat. As the car started to move, she saw the rows of trees open and closed again after they had passed it. Looking out of the window. Passing the winding road, she could see the untouched forest, and then she could see rows of tall fir trees, high up as if reaching the sky. "The trees must be hundred of years old," she thought. To regenerate nature on earth will take hundreds of years time. What Tomo's father did was just the beginning, and it will be in vain if it is not passed on to the next generation or if the next generation does not sustain it.

After an hour's ride, the car slowed down as they passed a lake. The car slowed down.

"Why are we stopping?"

"This place is special because you used to love having a picnic here. You were really an outdoor girl, who loves nature so much."

"Do you remember this place?"

Tiara shook her head. "Vaguely. But I feel I have often been here and happy." She went quiet for a while, then suddenly said, There was another family here. Two boys and a little girl. I feel that I'm scared of the older boy. Why is that?"

"Well, the older boy is not the older brother, they are cousins and he was a troublesome child. The brother and sister are a lot like you. They are kind-hearted, polite, and love the outdoors. The son even said he wanted to be a scientist to preserve the earth, like his father who is a renowned environmentalist.

"Could... could it be that their name is Tomo and Mika?"

"Ah so, you remembered them," her mother answered while glancing at the father, who glanced back knowingly. There was sadness on their faces.

Tiara glanced at them. "Were they trying to make me remember Tomo and Mika? Do they play an important part in my real life?"

"Thank you for stopping. It's really beautiful here."

"But you'd better not be too shocked to see the scenery after this. Tiara tried to focus her mind, and her vision showed a burnt-down forest, houses were totally wrecked. "Oh my God. It's so spine-chilling," she uttered out loud.

Tiara opened her eyes and what she saw was exactly what was in her vision. She was open-mouthed but couldn't say anything. Only after a few moments, she said, "What happened to the families who lived there?"

"According to the statistics, 75% died, about 15% injured and the rest had to move with or without their families."

"I hate thinking of people's lives as statistics," his father added grimly. "Glad we're almost home."

Remembering

Tiara remembered the neighborhood straightaway. The red brick houses lined in a row. Every house has stairs in front of it. Tiara remembered how she loved sitting there daydreaming. Next to her house lived an elderly lady with her son and grandson, but they had left a few years back. The next house was... "It was Tomo's house. I remember it now. The little boy in my dreams is Tomo."

"It's empty now," her father said as if knowing what she was thinking.

"Where did they go?"

"It was during the first catastrophe when we left to the hills, and they also left. We never got in contact, until..."

"Until what? Please tell me!"

"Until... I'm sorry, I wasn't supposed to say anything," said her mother.

"You will know soon enough," her father continued.

Her parents quickly entered the house. And Tiara knew that that was the end of the conversation."

Tiara entered her room. Her tears trickled. She remembered every weekend she spent in this house. The room is made exactly like in mom's house, in the hope that Tiara will not miss her room.

"I must have loved this room so much, that in my every experience, the bedroom looks the same. Or it was because this is another dream?"

Tiara went to her closet. Only a few clothes. "Most of your clothes are with mom and in your dorm closet. Oh, and this is from mom," said her mother, standing at the open door.

She received the checkered blouse and jeans. My real-time must have been connected with this," she mumbled to herself. So I've got to use it on the 12th. Tiara tried to remember when and where she wore it, but as it was her favorite, so it was the most worn. "I can't pinpoint where and when. I couldn't remember."

Most of her mornings were spent as morning sessions with her mom, helping people the best they can. As this morning's sessions were over, Tiara decided to go for a walk, heading to a neighboring area.

Only this time, she walked until she saw a police line, and what she saw beyond the police line was devastating. She could see the debris of houses flat on the land while buildings were half torn. a typhoon had passed through the area and looking at the path of debris, it had headed north. Tiara's home was safe since it was not in the path of the typhoon. "We are so lucky to still have our house."

Tiara decided to walk back home as feelings of uneasiness, restlessness had mounted, nearing the date of the 12th.

"Why couldn't I remember what had happened on that day? Could the 12th be such a bad day that I erased it from my memory Or could it actually be my time, my reality?" Tiara thought.

As she walked inside the house, she still tried to remember the day, but nothing come up. She walks to get some milk, but it doesn't calm her as it usually does. On the contrary, she felt an air of sadness, but not hers. She felt her parent's sadness, even frustration. "What did really happen on that day?"

The 12th

Tiara waited until her parents came home. She even made dinner. Her parents still act as usual. Asking her about her day, and especially surprised to see the dinner Tiara made for them. "Hey, what's the occasion? Any good news?" They asked.

"No, nothing. I just felt like cooking."

"It's delicious. Thank you Tiara, and also thank you for waiting up for us," her mother smiled.

Both Tiara"s parents are doctors. Her father is a surgeon, while her mother is a radiologist, and both are dedicated to their work, to save people's life. That's why Tiara spent most of her days with her mom.

"We all better take a rest," said her mother after they finished washing the dishes."

"Good night," Tiara said

"There was nothing different in their behavior," she thought." But of course, the12th is still tomorrow, so they couldn't have known what will happen in the future." Tiara sighed and went to bed. She slept well and had no dreams.

She woke up, as usual, and changed into her checkered shirt and jeans. She brought her usual backpack, not forgetting her library card. Tiara loves to spend hours reading in the quiet library.

Her parents had already left, so she just locked the front door and started walking. She always walks to campus, while most of her colleagues ride bicycles. She started to remember the beautiful avenue lined with trees heading to the campus entrance. And from the entrance, an antediluvian church from hundreds of years ago, stood beautifully. It's well maintained as It's still in use now. Walking to the right, a four-storeyed building can be seen. The library is on the fourth floor, while the rest are classes. On the right wall, there's a cafeteria and a coffee shop. Tiara felt a sad sensation as she walked toward the building. And she suddenly felt a sharp pain on her shoulders, and then her legs. it was so painful that she can barely stand, and she decided to sit down on the road, waiting for the pain to ease.

"Why do I feel such pain? Did something happen in this area? Tiara shivered, not because of the cold air. She tried to stand up, and even though still shaking, she managed to walk up the stairs, to the 4th floor.

The library has opened, and she chose the chair near the window, her favorite place. before starting to read, she decided to look out the window, to calm herself after the pain that she had experienced. A couple of minutes later, students came flocking to the front lawn, some are heading to this building, some to the cafe nearby, and some went out of the entrance gate.

It was then she saw a bright light in the sky, heading downwards so fast. She was in shock that she didn't have time to do anything. It went boom to the rear side of the building.

"Everybody get out. Fast. It could be a meteor shower. She didn't join the hustle and bustle of getting down the stairs. She sat still on her chair, focusing on hitting the meteors. But she got distracted as she can faintly hear the sirene of an ambulance and campus police as they arrived on the scene, there must have already been casualties. She quickly headed to the front courtyard, looking at the sky and she could see a couple of white dots, coming in close fast. She pointed her finger and boom, one blew up in the sky, and another, and another. But even though it had been hit, one was coming in too fast and it landed with a boom near the church. The ground hit by the meteor was like a humongous crater.

People burst out of the church. Tiara kept shooting at the meteors, but the debris was still big enough to kill people. She was sure there was no more in the sky, but the debris still kept falling. At that moment, she saw a pregnant woman with 2 kids and a man carrying 3 children in his arms, and about a 10-year-old boy running by his side. They tried to run, but couldn't. Tiara could see clearly that the debris was about to hit them. She builds a barrier around them and shot the debris.

"Thank you, a voice said from behind her. She was about to turn to look when a big piece of debris headed toward her. She managed to take a shot, but there is still a big one heading toward her. But she had no time to avoid it. Suddenly she felt pushed to the side by the man behind her. The debris still hit her but, it wasn't fatal because she was pushed out of the way.

Tiara tried to move, but something pierced through her leg. It was the iron rod used as a simple boundary for new plants. Her head was spinning as it hits the brick of the road. She tried to move but couldn't, as the man who saved her, covered her back with his body which is now hurt badly, and he was unconscious. Tiara felt such excruciating pain, and she too passed out. The last thing that went through her mind was, "Is this the reality?"

She saw people wounded badly, and hospital staff running here and there to handle the victims as best as they could. Yes, she is now at the hospital. She looked around and saw her body on a cart, taken to the operating room. She saw her father, He looks austere and serious. The anesthesiologist gives a sign that everything is ready. The assistant beside him wiped his forehead. "He's already sweating, could it be because he had to operate on his own daughter?" Tiara thought.

Her father had to operate on her right leg, to take the iron out. The looks of her thigh were so gruesome that Tiara didn't dare to look. For Tiara, it was like reliving the battle again, when an iron stick jabbed her thigh. The difference was, Jun stabbed me in the back, while now, my shoulder got hurt. Why am I reliving the same dream but in a different situation?"

It was then she realized that she can see herself. "Does it mean that I am now a spirit? I can see myself clearly as if I'm watching a movie! She heard the nurse say the blood pressure is at the bottom low, and the heartbeat is getting weaker.

She felt the warm tears on her cheek. "How would Father feel if I died at his operating table? He must be devastated. I just couldn't bear to look. God, let it be just a dream if I were to die at the operating table.

She went out of the operating room and saw the pregnant woman, man, and children, all safe. "I know her, but who was it?" Her thoughts got broken as she saw parents hugging their children, whom the pregnant woman and man took out from the church. "So those are not their children, but they risk their lives to take them to safety. I"m glad they're all okay."

Tiara looked around. Lots of young people were injured, as the incident happened on campus. Some were already covered with a bed sheet or blanket. "It means.... they died?" Tiara can't help crying, especially as she saw spirits standing beside their lifeless bodies, and some just standing, not knowing what happened.

"Did I fail in saving lives? Why are there so many casualties? Why? Why couldn't I have done better in shooting the meteors? She sat on the floor as she felt her energy decrease.

She stared at the nurses and medics busy trying to save the injured.

Some policemen spoke among themselves." The number of death is only a minimum. It was actually a miracle that the meteors shattered into pieces before they hit the earth," said one police officer. But another officer said, "some of the witnesses said, that they saw a girl pointing to the sky and it blasted into pieces."

"They must have seen too many sci-fi movies." The others mumbled while shaking their heads. It seems they do not believe such a person exists.

Tiara only smiled. "Let it be just a dream, so I won't be questioned by the police."

She moved to the operating room. She was still there, but the iron had been removed. She was okay. Her father gave the signal that the operation succeeded. "Thank you all, and better clean this up so the next patient can come in. "I will let another do the next. I'll stay with my daughter for a while."

He pushed the cart himself, while a nurse accompanied him and checked on the vital signs. They went to the ICU, where the mother waits at the bedside. "She will be okay. How's her head? he asked. Her mother showed the MRI results, which showed there is nothing serious. "She only needs time to wake up," she said. 'I just hope it will be soon."

Tiara saw her bandaged leg, shoulders, and head. "I look like a broken doll... but thanks to Father for saving me, even when if this is a dream. I could see how dedicated and expert both of you are. I'm really proud of you. I hope in reality I will be able to enter my body."

Tiara went out of the room as her parents were called to be on duty again. The hallway was almost empty. She saw a man badly injured and lying almost lifeless on a stretcher. On his side was the pregnant woman she helped earlier. The woman cried to the medics, and cried, "Why didn't you take care of him? she grabbed a medics jacket and shook him. "I'm sorry mam, we prioritize those we are sure can be helped. This man has only a 25% chance. If it helps, please talk to the pastor"

She cried, not believing what she had just heard. "Tomo, what are you doing on campus? You have graduated, you shouldn't be there." Her cry was so piercingly painful.

Just at the same moment, Tiara's mother pats the medic on the shoulder. "Take him to my room, now! Don't ever act like God, as if you know who's going to die and who's not." Her decisive voice of her made the medic cannot utter a word and did what he was told. The pregnant woman followed.

"You're Mika? " asked mother. She nodded while still crying.

"This must be Tomo?" She nodded again.

Mother oped her mask, and ask, remember me?"

"You... you're Tiara's mom?"

Mother nodded. I will take care of Tomo. Have you told your parents?

Mika shook her head. Call them now. All of you can wait in my office. She told the medic to take them there, and added, "I need an intern to assist me!"

Mika and Tomo. Tomo? is that really Tomo? He doesn't look like Tomo she knew. This person looks so young and his body was just like a ragged doll.

She watched her Mother examine and scanned his body and head.

"He's in a coma, but not brain-dead. At least he's got a chance to live," she told the intern. Then she whispered in Tomo's ear," You are a fighter. You will survive this. Tiara's here, So be strong for yourself and her." She pats Tomo's hand while the intern did the first medical care.

Tiara felt so weak. She felt she cannot digest what was happening."I think I heard this condition from Tomo when he was attacked. In a coma but not brain-dead. Does it mean that he also has to relive the same dream as me? Was it a dream and this is the reality or is it vice versa?

Suddenly she heard a beeping sound.

It was herself, she felt her heart punched. She saw her mother tell the medic to put in an IV and life support on Tomo before she ran to the next room where Tiara was lying there with medics trying to resuscitate her. Tiara heard her father tell her mother, "she's in a coma, I'm putting her on life support, just for safety's sake. Hope she will wake up soon. As you said, she has no brain damage, only a slight brain injury."

Her father continued, "The ambulance paramedics who saw the incident told me that she would have been crushed to pieces if the man behind her had not pushed her away. She banged her head hard." he said, his eyes blurry. "Take her back to the ICU and sanitize everything and let the next patient in.

"The next one is Tomo. He's in a very bad condition. But I know you can help him." said her mother, while taking the examination results from the nurse, and discussing it with Tiara's father.

Her father and a neurologist were totally focused on healing Tomo. They work fast since Tomo is hanging on strands. After an hour, the neurologist said, "My part is done. I have done the best I can, and now it's his inner self that needs to fight. According to the result. we saved him in the nick of time. Call the orthopedic to assist in the bone surgery."

In the next minutes, the father's team kept handling Tomo's injury. It has been over 2 hours since the surgery started.

Tiara could see how her parents work tirelessly. Is this what they do every day since the catastrophe? They must be exhausted, but yet when they're home, they're still able to smile and give her the attention she needed. "I'm so proud of both of you. I never knew how hard you work." Yes, Tiara only knew that they were doctors and they never refuse to help anyone, especially those who are not in good financial condition. That's why they live a simple life.

Tiara was still troubled by what she heard. The question that crossed her mind was, who pushed her so she has the chance to be alive now? Was it the man behind her? "I need to thank him one day. I hope he survived as he could be the one badly injured." Lots of things filled Tiara's mind, as it seems that everything happened at the same time.

She stayed in the operation room and saw her father operate on Tomo. His condition was like when he was attacked by the grey cloud-like smoke, but this was much worse. It was as if, he is lifeless. "Tomo, be strong! Be strong for Mika!" Tiara exclaimed in his ear. His heart rate suddenly showed a jolt. "Yes, he is alive," Tiara said loudly, but no one could hear her. "I know you could hear me Tomo, stay strong, for me too," she begged.

The surgery lasted for 6 hours straight. Tomo was saved. There were numerous stitches and bruises, and he's also dependent on life support. He was moved to the ICU, to the bed next to Tiara.

Tiara who was standing beside the bed tried to move toward her body, but it wouldn't let her in. "Why? What did I do wrong?" Tiara cried. She kept following the nurse who took her to the ICU and put on IVs, oxygen, and other cables into her. Her breathing apparatus was now also on.

"Mother, can you see or hear me?" said Tiara near her mother who was standing on the side of the operating room. Her mother did not react. "Mother, please hear me," Tiara was desperate. "When will mom be here? Why can't I talk to her?"

As if her mother heard her, or maybe it was just a coincidence, her mom mumbled to herself. "Mom, be here tomorrow, please. Tiara needs you."

Tiara felt a bit relieved after hearing the news. "Mom, be here, please. How can I wake up from this dream?"

The dark road

She watched her body lay there and Tomo was lying next to her bed. Tears starts to fill her eyes when she heard the familiar voice. "Don't cry. You'll be okay. I'm glad you're in a better condition than I am."

Tiara turned, and yes Tomo was standing behind her. Suddenly she exclaimed, " I remember now, you... you're the person behind me. You saved me! And you sacrificed yourself! Why did you have to sacrifice for me? You told me not to sacrifice myself for you, then why did you? Tiara was happy to see Tomo but sad that he was in such a bad condition.

"If I had been able to save you, you wouldn't be in such a bad condition now. So, I'm not sacrificing anything"

"I overheard my father say an eyewitness, who was also a paramedic, said that if the person behind me, didn't shove me, I would have been crushed totally."

"So is partly crushed better than totally crushed?"

"That is not the point. The point is, You saved me! I am grateful for that, but I'm sad to know that it was you who saved me! Now, look at yourself!" she said in between sobs.

"Tara, you saved Mika first, remember? the pregnant woman?"

Tiara's mouth opened wide, but no words came out. "Yes, I was aware of it a few moments ago."

You did a good job in destroying the meteors, and helping people and the children with Mika and Dave. They're all safe because of you."

They both went quiet. They both realized that they always help other people first before thinking about themselves. After some time, Tiara asked, "How come we are standing in here and not inside our bodies? Is this also a dream?"

"I don't know, could be? There was a similarity with what we had experienced, right?" Tiara continued," I did notice that the incident in the last moments was similar to the ones we had. But is it all a dream?

"Couldn't answer that either"

"Are you a scientist now Tomo?"

'No. I'm an engineer."

"And you have graduated?"

"Yes, I'm two years older than you, remember?"

"So that's why Mika cried, 'why are you on campus?' She asked the question over and over"

"So why are you on campus?"

"Yesterday, I felt that I should go home. That's when I saw you daydreaming on the porch. I wanted to say hi, but I was afraid that it was only a dream, and I was scared that I might be ruining your real-time. But at the campus, I couldn't care less. I had to save you."

'Thank you, Tomo."

Tomo nodded. "Thank you for saving Mika and all."

At that exact moment, Tomo's heart rate, as can be seen on the electrocardiogram, was slow and becoming a long line. Tiara screamed when she saw the long straight line on the monitor, especially as she was aware, Tomo was not beside her anymore. Tiara saw her father rush to help. The pacemaker was used again and again until most of the medics started to move away as if there was no hope.

Her father kept pumping his chest. He never stopped giving him CPR. He mumbled in between his breath, "No, Tomo, don't give up! Don't give up on Tiara! her father said while continuing to pump Tomo's heart. A slight jolt could be seen, and another.... and the heartbeat went normal again, although still weak "You did it Tomo. Remember you are strong, you always have been" Tiara's father whispered in his ear. "Both of you fight for your life together."

Then he went to Mika and Dave, "Stay with him, talk to him. this is not about science. It is about giving him the heart and love, and also the strength to live."

"How's Tiara?" asked Mika

"She's still hanging by the thread, but she is in a better condition than Tomo. "

"I'll stay with her, while Dave can stay with Tomo, so you both can rest for a while."

"Thank you, her mom will be here tomorrow, so you can take turns."

Tiara stood watching. "Tomo, where are you? Let's fight it together!" She didn't get any response from Tomo. So she tried to enter her body again, but couldn't. "There must be something that I have missed.. but what?"

Tiara leaned back on the wall. Thinking of her every step by step. She couldn't find the answer. She walked here and there until she saw her mom beside her body.

She heard her mom say, "Tiara, why are you still not here? Have the strength and dream to live on. Life doesn't end here, remember that Tiara," mom's voice trembled.

The dream to live on

Tiara tried to digest her mom's words. 'A dream to live on... Tiara suddenly remembered her paper. it was still in her pocket. This is what I have always dreamed of. "The picturesque scene of the beach, the wooden hut, and the creek with crystal clear water. If I could be there again, it would be a dream come true." Tiara did not dream of the pictures in the brochures, she dreamt of the one she spent her days with Tomo on an unknown beach. " Tomo, I still have the coordinates you gave me. Please meet me there. I don't know whether this is a dream or not. but please wake up."

"I will Tiara, I promise. If I survive this dream or reality. I will be with you there. You are the first friend I have," Tiara turned and couldn't stop her tears.

"Never stop trying to wake up, Tomo."

"I will never stop trying. But you shouldn't think too much about me. If it's your time to wake up, no matter if it's a dream or not, take the chance. Wake up!"

"Tomo, I kept the coordinates you gave me. I hope you remember. I dream of going there. If we find our reality, please be there."

"It was the happiest moment in my life. I wouldn't want to miss it."

"Go Tiara, it's time for you to wake up. Even if it's not reality, we'll meet in our dream.

"But this time I want to go there as the real me," Tiara added.

Tiara turned towards her body, while Tomo watched closely. Tiara now felt that she has really something to live for, for herself, not for the sake of others. She now has the strength to survive.

She walked to her body and in a split second, she was inside herself. Tomo smiled. "You did it. Tiara. Do it for yourself. Don't do it for me and don't wait for me." he whispered.

It seems that she heard the last message, for she couldn't believe what she just heard. At that exact moment, her body jumped up as if a cardiac pacemaker have just been used, and she slowly opened her eyes. Her mom, mother, and father were all there, sitting beside her.

"Is this a dream? she asked.

"No Tiara, this is your reality," her mom answered.

"Yes Tiara, this is your real-time You made it!" Her mother smiled while keeping hold of her hands.

Her father kissed her forehead, " You waited for mom to come before you woke up, didn't you?"

"Thank God you're really here," her mom patted her head. How long did you think you were sleeping?"

"Only two days?"

"Two full weeks, dear."

" Tomo! Is he awake?"

"Not yet, soon I hope. especially if he knew Tiara has woken up," said Mika from behind the curtain separating Tomo's bed and Tiara.

"Can I see him?"

"Not yet, rest first. Then we have to take out all the cables on you, and later you can have porridge."

Tiara whose still drowsy but excited, immediately slept. This time, really sleeping.

It was a no-dream sleep.

A bowl of porridge and a glass of warm milk were on her side table. She woke up, wanting to reach her glass of milk, but she felt it hard to move her legs. "mom, why can't I move my legs?"

Her mom, startled to hear her voice, said, " Not to worry, it's just stiffness. Let me get you your milk. Tiara drank in one gulp and then finished the porridge in just a few minutes.

Will I be disabled? she asked.

"You will be able to walk again. But it needs time. You only hurt one leg. The other one is just stiff. "

"Can I sit?"

"Yes, I'll help you. "

Tiara sat and looked at her leg, it was not healed like in her dreams. She has stitches, and it was black and blue, but besides that, she is okay and had no other injury. Her head has healed. No other side effects.

She was about to be moved to her private room when Tiara asked to be taken to Tomo.

She was taken aback when she saw him. He was thin and bandaged everywhere. She was shocked to see his hands. It was like the story Tomo told when he was attacked.

"Your father did an operation on him and he said that after time, he will be able to use his fingers again," said Mika.

"Yes, I'm sure he will," said her father who pushed her wheelchair.

"We haven't said our thanks in a proper way,"

"Don't thank me now. Your son is not out of danger, We still have to wait until he wakes up. Then you can thank us."

Tiara nodded. She moved closer to Tomo and said," we'll get through this, as always. Be at the beach."

Before she left, she gave the paper to Mika, to give to Tomo when he woke up.

"I will remember to give it to him,"

"And I will keep him company every day. You all should have a rest."

Tiara was admitted to her own room. Every day she trained and did physiotherapy, not to mention staying by Tomo's side. "She talked and read to him. At times, she just stays quiet and lets Tomo and herself enjoy moments of silence."

Tiara never pushed Tomo to wake up, as she now knew, waking up is not easy for Tomo. He has to face a double challenge, to heal from his physical head injuries and also the will and strength to live. Tiara never showed her sadness whenever she's beside Tomo. Even though she wanted to cry, scream and be in a rage.

After a month, Tiara was able to walk normally, and she can go home, as she doesn't need any more treatment. She remembered, her father asked her if she wanted to have plastic surgery to get rid of the scars. Tiara answered confidently that she doesn't need it. "This is me, father. I am happy to be what I am, and this is the only thing that could remind me of Tomo's kind heart and unselfishness."

Going home?

Tiara couldn't be happier to see her mom waiting for her at the front door. She has a family. "I'm glad being an orphan is not a reality." She was even more relieved to know that earth is out of its catastrophe. People can start living as normally as they can. She and her mom also decided to stay with her parents. Tiara becomes a volunteer at the hospital, while mom stayed at home and helped Tomo's parents to restore nature, through her ability.

It had been more than a year since the incident, and still, there were no signs of life in Tomo. Physically he looked much better. his wounds had healed. A physiotherapist visits him every day so his muscles will not decrease and still keep their flexibility. But the main problem was how bad his brain injury was, how much it has deteriorated.

It was early in the morning when Tiara was exercising her walk. Out of nowhere, the sound of a gunshot could be heard, followed by a scream.

Tomo's story

He sat in a dimly lit room, alone. he was in a small hut, resting. He tried to regain his strength, but every time, there was always something. A black figure that challenge him or even tried to take him away. there are moments when he dreamt of lost souls who needed help. Some were victims of crime, some are the offenders themselves. It felt hard for Tomo to be strong in facing his life in 'nowhere'.

On this day, Tomo decided to try and find his destiny. "I hope my destiny is to be with my family and Tiara, but I don't know. I'm sure this is not my destiny. I am still alive, although barely. I have to find a way to tell my family that I'm still alive. I don't need life support. I just have to find the way out.

Oftentimes, Tomo tried to contact Tiara or her mom but never succeeded. "I've been here for 12 days. Tonight I have to fully regain my strength to be able to find a way. This time, I'm going to do a good deed for myself, so my family will not live in distress.

He walked and walked until he found the crossroad. But this time, only one was lit.

He saw his family and Tiara in a serious discussion. He saw Tiara and Mika hugging and crying. He wanted to say, I'm not dead, I just mixed up with other people's problems as always. But then he heard what the doctor said that it has been more than a year since he didn't show any progress "A year? Has it been that long in reality? Tomo couldn't believe what he had heard. He was even more shocked when the neurologist explained that they should make a decision whether to continue the life support or not, so he can rest in peace. "Rest in peace? What does he mean by that? Is what he meant to let me die?"

Tomo paced up and down and decided to go through the tunnel to the dimly lit room. He went straight to Tiara, hoping that she will notice or at least hear him.

"Tiara, please listen, I'm here. I can live without my life support, believe me. All I need is your trust in me to help me enter."

Tiara suddenly shouted, "He's here. Tomo's here!"

Everyone in the room looked at her. The other doctors thought she was just making it up to stall the process. Tomo's father stood and sternly told everyone not to move and be quiet. No one argued.

Tiara closed her eyes. "I can see you Tomo. I believe in you. The road is getting brighter, and Tomo walked hand in hand with Tiara toward where he lay, and Tiara can feel the presence of Tomo in what seems to be his lifeless body.

Tiara stood still, and said, give me a handkerchief. Mika gave her full of tears handkerchief. "This is all I have, " she said.

"It's okay."

Tiara put the handkerchief over his eyes. "You can open your eyes now."

Tomo opened his eyes slowly. Tiara asked his father to take a look.

"No, no, don't take the handkerchief. It's too bright." he shouted, but all they could hear is a whisper."

His father kneeled and cried. "Tomo's here. You are right Tiara. You brought him to us."

"No sir, it was Tomo's strength and love for the family that he was able to enter. He could have done it without me."

The nurse was told to bandage his eyes. then Tiara said to Tomo, we will take the life support off you. I'm sure you are ready." Then Tiara whispered," we all waited for you to move to the beach.". The heart rate on the monitor was getting back to normal and so did the graph of his brain activity.

"Maybe we should cancel taking off the life support," said one of the doctors.

"No, I believe in Tomo. If he said he's ready, then it meant that he is."

Tiara got a firm grip from Tomo, and he said. "I'm ready Tiara." Tiara made a sign to Tomo's father. He then told the doctor to take the life support off. A few seconds later, normal breathing can be seen. Tomo even moved his fingers. All felt relieved and glad that Tomo's back.

A week later, Tomo was not in a wheelchair, he was only using a crutch, and was allowed to go home.

Their dream island?

After a month at home, Tiara asked Tomo if he was ready to go to the beach. Prior to his consciousness, Tiara had asked Tomo's father to pinpoint the real location of the island, based on Tomo's configuration.

Tomo and Tiara chartered a private plane. They were so excited to be there, especially since Tiara told Tomo, that facilities for clean water, solar power, communication facilities, and satellite have been prepared, and it was only half an hour's flight.

They landed safely. The place was just like they remembered. They went straight to the hut. It was still the same, but with the comfort of modern life. A bed, exactly like the one she had. a nice kitchen, and a sofa.

"The other one is yours," Tiara said. The hut looks the same except there is a desk and a cabinet for Tomo to work. "Thank you, I love it."

"Your father made it all possible."

"It would be nice to be alone and especially if once in a while, the family would come over," said Tomo.

"I'm sure they will."

Meanwhile, at mom's home, a room with two beds has been prepared. A portable life support device was put on the bedside table. A few moments later, an ambulance stopped in front of the house. Two stretchers were brought out. Two persons were taken into the prepared room, slowly and lovingly put on the bed, and connected to the devices.

"Come home soon, both of you..."

-- END --