Chapter 6

Zara:

I closed the bathroom slowly after I checked in and she wasn’t there. It was already 12: o'clock. I looked inside the closet even though I knew it would be the last place for Clara to fall asleep. Not there either. That left me with the half-log that had been cut dry outside the compound.

I had watched her sit on the log to watch the sky alone on a very cold night in the name of getting some air. The moon was bright enough to already light up some part of the night. Cars were intact, I gulped in spittle and headed to the back veranda to check for her. It was only her sit, she wasn’t there either.

“where could she have gone? The question got stuck in my head. While my heart was still racing about her whereabouts that night, a shadow had crawled from my back and it was just by my side before I realized. It was a human’s, I jumped and turned, not out of the fear of the shadow but... of realizing it so late. A shadow whose footsteps I didn’t hear turned out to be my sister.

“ oh my God, you scared me” I stated in heavy breaths but still letting my words low so Father wouldn’t hear us. It was Clara indeed but her impressions and attitude weren’t normal. She didn’t react sanely as she stood watching me like everything was just ok. I waited for her response but she shunned me, turned, and headed towards the entrance.

“you’ve got to be kidding me” I followed her steps literally until we finally got inside the room.

"Where did you go?" I asked but she headed right straight to bed like no one had spoken. She unfurled the blanket and wrapped herself up properly just to lie still and scrutinize the ceiling.

She stuck her eyes strictly at the bulb before I surged close and held onto the blanket.

"I asked where did you go?!"

"I beg your pardon, can you leave me alone?"

She threw at me.

The anxiety, as it was flying through my heart took me back in the dream.

It was just like real when she yelled that I let her be. They got me quiet for a while. The fact that I realized that it was already reality caused me to be silent. I hoped I could change the moment, our birthday was just tomorrow, it was already past 12 and another day had come upon us.

I never knew what to say to her. I tried very hard to stop being speechless so I found myself asking..."do you want it off? The light."

When she turned slowly to look at me, I realized I was screwing up again. I had asked the same question I asked her in my dream.

I fear she won't respond the same way.

Unfortunately, she released the pressure on her face, sheltered her lower lip, and nodded slowly.

"No, hell no, this is all the dream!" I was screaming inside. I couldn't let any more about the dream happen in real. I had to change it.

"How could such a bad dream want to come true?" I gummed shocked on the bed until her eyes met me again. About the light, she had already nodded that I turn it off...I couldn't help the moment, so I got up and turned the light off. I made up my mind not to inquire into the case anymore for that night. I didn't even advise any more conversation between us for the rest of the night.

So I fell back on the bed gently and tightened my eyes to sleep. I worried about the fact that that never defined a good term between us but I couldn't help it.

I had to sleep it off, just to change a story on the dream at least.

*********

"Zara... Clara..." Someone was calling us to see the morning light. I opened my eyes and at first, it was blurry but the voice that I heard was kind of familiar.

"Hurray!" She pushed her way into our room and as I suspected, it was her.

My heart had fled very early in the morning.

A part of the dream had changed.

Why is Daisy here? I got scared and so I sat upright watching her.

She stood wondering why none was excited about her arrival.

I didn't know that but of course, facial utterances speak for themselves at times.

I let that fake smile spread on my face while I push up sharply.

"You made it" I beamed at her and spread my arms for a hug.

"You know I don't miss the day to the day" She laughed and hugged me but her words injured my heart.

It was more like everything that happened in the dream wanted to replay in real.

"Zara" she presumed.

I nodded and turned to see Clara rolling upon the noise. She scrutinized us for a long before she said "hi" with a smile.

"You guys know why I'm here!" Daisy said.. excitedly looking at me.

"Well....yeah" I smiled at her.

"Then why are we still waiting?"

"Um..can we do that later in the...noon?" I asked. Keep in mind that something could change if it isn't going to happen in the morning.

"Why?" Daisy asked.

"I think...I...don't feel so good this morning, I'm sorry," I pleaded placing my hand on my abdomen as I staggered back to bed.

"Oh c'mon bae, what's wrong with you" Daisy asked.

"Well, maybe I could help her pick a dress" Clara's voice struck me.

"Huh?...no!" I objected sharply.

Just when I thought I found a way, it almost got worse.

I don't know how I'd go about that but letting just those two go without me would be the last thing I'd want..

"I'll manage.." I nodded at them both.

Clara was just like what she was in my dream.

She wasn't moody that morning but it wasn't an exemplary call.

She would soon be dreadful...