MAN IN MY DREAMS

Edward was still holding the envelope with a mixed shocked and worried expression when Meri entered the room.

Panicking inside her heart, Meri composed herself not to say anything. She knew they'd demand answers of which she didn't have at the moment. All she could do was wondering how they found the envelope.

She had thought of burning it perhaps it could've solved the matter so easily but now that she never did.... everything was getting out of hand.

She expected the worst from Lala about the proposal as she believed their daughter also believed what the rumor had but no, she almost fainted when Lala told her she was going to distribute sweets in the neighborhood because of such good news. "Are you out of your mind Lala? Did you forget what people said about the Gaberaz?"

"Mother please, at least don't start today. I don't want anyone to spoil my mood."

"I'm a mother dear and mothers always know what's best for their children. I don't know why but I don't want you to marry into that family."

"I know that you love me a lot mother and I'm so happy that I have such an amazing mother like you but today I feel like you're just being overprotective. Nothing will happen to me mother, just say yes and let me enjoy a new journey of my life as part of the Gabera family. I'm so happy with this alliance mother. You may not have seen it but your daughter has been crushing on Derrick and I don't think letting this opportunity down is a good idea. I only want to marry him mother. You said that mothers know what's best for their children, then why can't they read their minds too?"

Meri was surprised to see that Lala was ready for anything just because of that man Derrick. "I guess she's been charmed."she breathed.

She could've let her be but the more she remembered how that envelope came, the hard she tried to make her understand that they were not good people at all.

"How can I tell you that they're not humans but something else."she breathed. Ever since that incident she had been wondering how the man entered their house because she had closed all the windows and doors before going to bed.

As she tried to think, she remembered how he left...he vanished!

"Oh no! They were indeed something else but what? Could it be true that they were vampires as rumor had it? Meri wished she knew something about vampires, maybe she would've been able to tell if that man was a vampire or something else.

"Don't tell you're still thinking about it. I'm sorry mother. I shouldn't have talked that way to you. I'm so sorry."Lala looked apologetic.

"It's okay child... but you have to promise me that you'll not say yes to those people no matter what happens. I know they'd come to you and maybe threaten you to agree but please...no matter what they will do or say, don't give in for them.

They're not good people. I know that you love Derrick so much but don't forget that your father, Amor (her elder brother) and I love you so very much. Don't let your love control you, instead you should control it."

"You can't even imagine how long I've been controlling it mother. I used to feel like suppressing all these feelings at some point but after today.... these feelings have turned into a worship.

I'm in love mother."

Since Meri didn't know what to do to make her daughter fall out of love, she just walked away, leaving her to celebrate the goods news which had turned into worse news for her.

The black clouds gathered around the sky and soon the whole place got covered in darkness -it was night!

Resting her head on her favorite soft white pillow, Lala fell into deep sleep. She found herself in the middle of the thick forest. She could hear some noise coming from different angles of the forest. Soon everyone was around her. Many had arrows and some with pistols and guns.

Everyone was asking for her hand in marriage. She was about to take someone's hand when a good brought up guy who's face wasn't clear appeared in front of her before he grabbed her by her waist and just like that she realized that others had already left. It was only her and that guy.

"What were you about to do? You wanted to marry someone else? Did you seriously want to do that. Didyou imagine how I would've dealt with the heart break.

You're mine Lala and only mine.

I can see how your mother is trying hard to take you away from me. She claims that we're bad people but does she really have anything to prove that? Of course not, she doesn't know anything about us even. I've told you my mind, the rest is yours to decide, whether to marry me or not, it's only up to you."

She wanted to say something before she realized that he was no more and moreso it was just a dream.

"This can't be a mere dream. I'm sure something is real about this dream.

But that man's face....it wasn't clear and it didn't look like Derrick's either. Who was he?" she was still wondering that she didn't realize when she fell asleep again.

Maybe it was a dream night for her because the moment she slept off, she fell into another dream. It was about the same man. His face wasn't clear still. He had brought her some gifts of which included a rose flower and a black balloon. She was so happy to receive the gifts from him..

The next time she opened her eyes, she saw a black balloon fluttering around the room.. On seeing it, her mind quickly drifted back to the dreamland.

"This can't be possible."she breathed in realization. " Same balloon!"she didn't believe it.