The Mind Reader

“Howdy, folks!” Khali said, smiling.Khali woke up as the first rays of sunlight broke through the curtains. She could feel the gentle pull of a new day. She got up from bed with a clear head, ready to make the most of her time at school. As she started her morning routine, the cool, fresh air woke her up and prepared her for the challenges and chances ahead. It was Rye that the user noticed when she walked into the dining room to eat her breakfast. For a split second, their eyes met, but Khali broke the link first, making him seem like he wasn’t there for her.With a big smile, Remy walked up to her and put a glass of milk in front of her.“Hey, Khali, have you had a chance to talk to your mom?” Remy asked.“No, not yet. Why?” Khali asked.“They’re taking you to Singapore,” Brady added.“What?” Khali and Rye exclaimed at the same time.There was a short but essential pause when Rye and Khali looked at each other. Remy and Brady looked at each other with knowing eyes twinkling with lau

“I thought, do you want to move on with her? Why are you still pursuing her?” Rye asked.Brady and Rye relaxed beside the pool, adding their feet to the cool water to feel better. There was a sparkling swimming pool to the left of their house. Brady successfully snooped through Cassie’s social media accounts while they enjoyed a beer.Brady said, “I can’t believe what Cassie told me, man.”“Do you think there’s a deeper reason why Cassie turned down your advances?” Rye asked. “Maybe you just can’t handle it, dude!”Brady took his eyes off his phone and looked at something else. He carefully put the device close to the pool to make it easy to reach.“Nah, man, that’s not what it is. After the party, Cassie seemed off in some way. The next morning, she wasted no time telling me she didn’t feel the same way. Hey buddy, didn’t you see us at that party?” Brady askedRye couldn't say a word because his lips were closed. He enjoyed the excellent taste of a beer, and then his attention was pul

After many hours had passed, they finally arrived at their intended location. For two days and three nights, they secured a spacious home in the charming city of Baguio. “Khali, there’s a room available.” Coach Mark was on the verge of speaking, but Brady interjected and interrupted him before he could utter a word. “How many beds are there, coach?” said Brady. Coach Mark began to say, “Four double decks,” but Brady cut him off. “Khali’s room, coach!” said Brady. “There’s just one bed,” said Coach Mark, but he didn’t finish because Brady spoke. “You can put a mattress on the floor, right?” Brady asked. “Yes, it’s a big room,” said Coach Mark, but he couldn’t finish his sentence because Brady spoke up. “Pick up your stuff,” Brady told Khali and Rye. “The three of us will sleep in Khali’s room.” “What?” Coach Mark inquired, his voice laced with surprise. “Why are you going to sleep there? There’s lots of room for people to play.” “All of us here are men, and Khali is the only w

Khali was startled. Unbeknownst to her, she had drifted off into slumber while in the vehicle. With a furrowed brow and a glance at her wristwatch, she felt a sense of unease wash over her. The time read a mere 3:00 in the morning, yet her mind was already racing with worry. Beside Khali lay a sandwich and a bottle of water, ready for her consumption. She, too, possessed a blanket. The identity of the person responsible for adorning her with the mysterious items eluded her, though she entertained the notion that it could have been Brady. Khali drew in a deep breath, feeling the beads of sweat on her forehead. With a quick swipe of her hand, she cleared the moisture from her skin. She awoke from a restless slumber, and her mind still shrouded in a haze of confusion. A peculiar dream had visited her at night, yet its contents remained elusive. Despite her best efforts to recall its details, the memory of it slipped through her grasp like sand through her fingers. As Khali wiped her fore

Khali kept looking at her tangled hair in her helmet. Suddenly, she heard a voice she knew. Khali turned toward Rye's bedroom and saw him looking at her. She saw his face and was surprised and embarrassed because she caught him staring at her. Khali gave him a little smile and then went inside the house. Khali's parents currently live in Singapore. They had some business there. After Brady died, Nanay Remy looked after her. There were just the two of them in the house. Nanay Remy is sixty years old this year, and her children tell her to stop working, but Nanay Remy can't leave her. The older woman always said that if Brady was with Khali, she could go to Khali alone, but since Brady had left, Khali would be alone. "How come you are late now? I'm worried about you. I told you not to drive your motorcycle to school." the older woman said. She had a smile. "I've visited Brady, Nanay Remy." "Oh yes! Did you light a candle?" the older woman asked her. "Yes, Nay! I also prayed." Khali