“Hey, Adimlen,” Ruhien sat up on impulse upon noticing the looming commotion on the surface of the glittering ocean. “Check that out.” It had been an hour and a half since Aipreal had succumbed to dream world, as indicated on the watch she lent him. “What do you think it is?”
Adimlen simply stared keenly at the gradual escalation of ripples on the water. The two of them were hanging out peacefully by the dying campfire they had put up earlier when the calm surface of the water began to show signs of distress.
Then he mumbled, “I’ve been waiting for you for the longest time.”
Expecting a more direct answer, Ruhien shot him a confused look. “Well, is it coming? The wave bearing the portal?”
“She did it!” Adimlen suddenly cried out in victory as he quickly readied himself for a swim. “Come on, get your girlfriend. We’re out of here.”
My girlfriend? Ruhien scratched his head, debating whether he liked the idea or not. Nevertheless, he did as he was told and hurried to the hole to fetch Aipreal’s sleeping body.
They arrived at the shore, panting. Adimlen wore a knapsack, which seemed to contain all his belongings, while Ruhien carried the unconscious Aipreal on his back.
“You must be excited,” Ruhien smirked, as they unperturbedly watched the approaching giant wave when they should be running for their lives. The wall of water grew taller and taller by the minute until beams of light started to radiate from the bottom.
“I’m anxious,” Adimlen clarified.
“About what?”
By this time, they could already make out the bright hollow found at the base of the wave. It looked like the mouth of a sea monster, ready to gobble everything in the way.
“I wonder which thread she reset,” Adimlen replied.
Ruhien glanced at him in alarm. “Please, tell me that’s not bad news.”
Adimlen shook his head. “No, actually it doesn’t matter which thread it is.”
The tide had now risen to waist-level near the shore and they could already feel the pressure of being sucked into the hole.
“Don’t you think I should wake her up?” Ruhien asked. “She might choke in some water.”
Suddenly, Adimlen shot him a dreaded look, as he was afflicted by great apprehension. “But I’ve got the worst news.”
“What?”
Finally, their feet were no longer touching the ground. The surf began to carry them off towards the portal, like a river leading to a waterfall.
“I forgot to tell her how,” were the last words Ruhien heard from him before the portal had swallowed the three of them completely.
Aipreal found herself wandering aimlessly in this place she was not sure what to call at all. She had gone back from that nowhere situated on the other side of the First Gate, which they had dubbed as the Backstage. With clear awareness, she could lucidly see the traffic flowing smoothly down the length of Dreambelt. And she stood there on the roadside, watching psyches emerge from it in all directions. Some would join bystanders like her, similar to what that blonde girl had done a while back when she saw this boy named Levin.
“Is it okay to say that I’m back in Trance now?” she asked herself. But how can that be? I’m not even supposed to be dreaming. I’d remember all of these when I wake up.
Wake up? That just had to hit the alarm button in her.
“More importantly, how do I get out of here?”
Never mind the falling asleep part. She knew she had missed something very important because this whole task turned out to be too easy to be true. And thanks to her quickness, she was able to simplify it further, even making the most of it. But now, with panic beginning to linger within her, she couldn’t help but consider a possible dead-end ahead of her.
How do I get out?!
She felt like screaming like a caged animal when suddenly, a timid voice interrupted her frustration. “May I help you?”
Aipreal turned to see who it was and found the pretty girl with golden locks standing next to her. She was wearing a peach dress and, like herself, she was barefooted. Her hair was done in elaborate tresses, framing the healthy semblance of her small face. Serenity was written all over her with those vivid emerald orbs staring at her in concern.
“You look troubled. Is there something I can help you with?” she went on with such a sweet tone.
Aipreal knew she had nothing better to do than to respond. Besides, help was exactly what she need right now. And so, she asked, “You’re Levin’s friend, right?”
This brought a smile to the girl’s face, “You know him?”
Aipreal was reluctant in disappointing her. “No, not really. I just met him a while ago.”
But the girl showed no sign of dismay. “He’s very kind. He has taught me a lot of things,” she continued with full enthusiasm.
“Oh, I see,” Aipreal chuckled, amused by the girl’s sudden outburst. Well, isn’t she a bit lively?
Feeling embarrassed, the girl hid her blushing face as she added coyly, “I’m just glad that all he’s asking from me is friendship.” Then, her timid voice suddenly reduced to a gloomy tone, “Because that’s all I can give him.”
“It’s okay,” Aipreal said soothingly. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to embarrass you.”
Promptly, her face seemed to glow with a smile once again, as she pointed towards the direction where she came from. “He’s over there. He went to see me off.”
With this, Aipreal’s ears perked up. “You’re going home now?”
She nodded. “And you?”
Somehow, the girl seemed to know what to ask about exactly. “I’d like to but,” Aipreal paused to muster better words, “I can’t.”
She had anticipated some follow-up questions from the lass. But instead, she had that mystifying faraway look in her eyes that told Aipreal she was currently lost in profound contemplation.
“To be alive is wonderful,” the girl finally spoke up after a long pause, “Even though sometimes the people you love would suddenly leave you.”
Obviously, Aipreal had no idea what she was talking about. But there was something in those words that made her listen to the rest of what she had to say. Somehow, she was able to empathize with the sentiments the girl was trying to express.
“Still, I want to try something new,” the girl went on. “That’s why I’m going back.”
Her words spelled out resolve. And Aipreal, not knowing exactly how to react, simply stood there speechless, while trying to process everything she had just heard in an attempt to figure out a way to go home herself.
Then suddenly, as she studied the placid figure of the blonde in front of her, she had the urge to voice out what had just occurred in her mind.
“You have beautiful eyes,” she mumbled out of the blue, which surprised even herself.
The girl gaped at her, and then quickly averted her gaze towards her feet, blushing. “Levin said so, too.”
Though she looked flustered in embarrassment, her tone was sad.
“Have we met?”
For some reason, Aipreal felt that she had to ask.
But there was now sadness in the girl’s eyes as well as she replied, “Even if we have, I won’t be able to remember your face.”
“Oh, is that so?”
Just then, the girl’s solid appearance began to crumble as her body was slowly disintegrating into splinters.
“What’s happening?” Aipreal inquired in alarm.
“I guess it’s my turn,” the girl said, watching her hands fade away. “Sorry, I have to go now.”
Aipreal understood right away. And so to bid farewell, she called out to her for the last time, “By the way, my name’s Aipreal,” she smiled in gesture. “What’s yours?”
Upon saying this, she saw the girl’s expression change into a stunned one before vanishing completely.
“You forgot to tell her what?!” Ruhien screamed at his conscious companion in disbelief upon arriving at their destination.
Adimlen stared at the lofty ceiling, the fine chandelier at the center, the intricate carvings on the frame of the painting hanging overhead, and finally felt the unique softness of the cushion beneath him.
“Where are we?” he asked in awe.
“This is her house,” Ruhien replied casually as he got up to lay down Aipreal’s sleeping body on the bed properly. He moved her a little to the side, outside the portal’s imaginary radius. Then, he gestured towards the center of the bed. “And this is the bed that has the portal.”
Adimlen, remained still on the other side, wondering. “So, she was able to find the right thread after all,” he concluded.
“Anyway, how, of all things, could you forget to tell her the way back?” Ruhien asked firmly.
Adimlen scratched his head in reply, “Because she was too eager to do it. I couldn’t stop telling her the important details that it slipped my mind.”
“And that was not an important detail?”
“Then, why didn’t you tell her yourself?”
“Don’t expect me to know everything,” Ruhien frowned.
Finally, Adimlen sat up to examine Aipreal’s unconscious body. Her breathing was steady and there was no sign of distress on her face. The wet trails on her cheeks they saw earlier had dried up. And her lips were slightly parted, which even added to her vulnerable appearance.
“So, she’s going to remain like that for a while?” Ruhien inquired.
“Don’t worry, she’s not going to die,” Adimlen reassured him. “There are people who actually do this. And they sleep for a much longer time than you could imagine.”
“But she has to wake up soon no matter what. She’s got a life here, you know?”
Ruhien had a point. Besides, who would tour him around the house if she was to remain comatose?
“Can’t we just shake her awake?” Ruhien suggested.
“I doubt it.”
“Then, what are we going to do?” he was getting impatient already. “I’m sure you have something in mind for you to look so unworried about it.”
Adimlen heaved a sigh. “Well, then, have you heard of the tale about a princess waking up from a hundred years of slumber after her prince had given her a kiss?”
Somehow, Ruhien had a vague idea where this was all leading to and narrowed his eyes at him in suspicion, “You’re joking, right?”
“Honestly, do I look like a clown to you?” Adimlen complained as he recalled being told the same thing over and over again ever since he met the two.
“You actually believed that fairy tale?” Ruhien yelled mockingly.
“You do know that faeries exist, right? In Rivka, at least,” Adimlen pointed out. “So there’s no reason for you not to believe.”
“I know, I know. But that story is just made up by Earthlings.”
“And who made the Earthlings?” Adimlen argued. “You should know that every single thing they have achieved so far is simply a derivative of the Rivkan wisdom. So, if they’ve come up with such a silly tale, that’s because they have a basis for it, even though they don’t realize it.”
“Still, how can you be so sure that it’s going to work?”
“Would it kill to try?”
Ruhien finally sighed in defeat. “It’s really useless arguing with you.”
Then, Adimlen burst out laughing. “Anyway, what are you getting so worked up for?” he teased. “I never said that you kiss her.”
Ruhien blushed guiltily.
“Well, since you don’t seem the least bit interested,” Adimlen assumed conclusively as he leaned over Aipreal’s body, “Let me do it.”
However, Ruhien had grabbed him by the collar just in time. “Not so fast.”
“Changed your mind?” Adimlen smirked, raising an eyebrow.
“Is there any other way?” Ruhien asked behind gritted teeth. “Anything but a kiss, please.”
Adimlen retreated, sporting a more serious expression this time.
“Fine, I’ll try to sleep myself and find her,” he offered as he found an empty cot on the floor. What is this mattress doing here?
“That’s exactly what I wanted to hear,” Ruhien grinned, a little relieved. “You had better bring her back soon.”
“As long as she doesn’t panic, she’ll be fine.” Adimlen reminded him as he took a seat on the mattress below. “Because if she does, it’s tantamount to having a nightmare.”
Aipreal spent a considerable amount of time brooding over the words she had been left with, albeit she was not sure if there was even something to wonder about them. She had quit her pointless pacing around and simply preferred to stand still while watching the channel of psyches in front of her.
Still, not a single brilliant idea was coming to mind.
How come I can’t think properly now?
She had to admit, she was more composed when she was still in the Backstage untangling threads. But now, she could already feel panic starting to get the better of her. And if this went on, she would be defeated for sure.
“What are they doing? Why don’t they wake me up?” she complained in frustration. I don’t want to be stuck here forever.
Then, it struck her.
Wait, does that mean that I actually want to go back?
She looked around. Here was the place where she could create her own world, filled with bliss and trouble free. But even so, knowing that she had abandoned a certain reality, a place where she truly belonged, it would definitely bother her to no end. And that’s even worse than having a déjà vu!
So going through the blonde girl’s words once again, she tried to reorganize her thoughts, hoping to be able to come up with something feasible this time.
“She said she wanted to try something new,” she mumbled to herself, repeating the girl’s words. Whatever that was, she could probably only do it in the real world.
Finally, she realized, “Could it mean that I must think of a reason to continue living?”
Something that I could only do in the real world…
Suddenly, she felt hot liquid well up in her eyes. But…there really is nothing.
Adimlen decided to take a nap on the cot he found beside the king-sized bed. He had inquired about it and laughed when Ruhien told him the silly reason why they had to set up two makeshift beds in the bedroom, despite the huge one that had already been provided.
“But you two are engaged,” he hooted, “So what’s there to be shy about?”
Ruhien could only sigh. How many times do I have to tell you that it isn’t like that? Definitely not!
After all, Aipreal had never shown any interest in developing their relationship into something of a higher degree. So why would he?
Besides, who would want an inscrutable girl like her? I can’t even find a single ounce of sweetness in her.
Not that he was wishing for it.
Gee, why do I even bother thinking about these things?
He sat at the foot of the bed while he watched his two mates sleep. Glancing over at Adimlen, who seemed to be fast asleep already, he could only hoped Aipreal would be found in no time.
“This is making me sleepy,” he grumbled.
But his drowsiness disappeared at once when Aipreal’s body stirred all of a sudden. Quickly, he snuck into her bedside to check up on her. From the apparent rise and fall of her chest, her breathing had definitely quickened. And when he looked at her face, he could not help but notice the tears that had started to leak from the corner of her eyes.
“She’s crying again.”
He was about to wake up Adimlen but hesitated when he realized that he might be in the middle of his search right about now.
But what the heck is going on? If she’s been found already, she wouldn’t be crying like this.
Except for the continuous rapid breathing, which sounded more like stifled sobs, no other motion could be observed from her since she stirred earlier.
With this, he dreaded his own assumption. She can’t be panicking, right?
Adimlen’s words of warning suddenly struck him like lightning. Because if she is, it’s tantamount to having a nightmare.
Damn it, Adimlen, you’ve got to find her fast!
But he could not completely count on that, especially now that she was beyond his control. And Adimlen might just find her too late.
Unless of course, he decided to do something that would simply put everything under his control.
“This had better work,” he griped as he inched his face closer to hers. I’d rather regret doing this than doing nothing at all.
And with that, he brushed his lips against hers in a gentle kiss.
Aipreal felt pathetic and she hated herself for it. What am I crying for? Do I really pity myself that much? She had to think of a reason but somehow she couldn’t come up with anything wholehearted.
Her vision had started to blur due to her tears. And she was about to reach for her eyes to wipe them clear when suddenly, gentle arms snaked around her waist as a soft voice tickled her ear.
“Will you finish the puzzle for me?”
She jolted in surprise and turned around at once, blinking away the steamy tears that had fogged her vision.
And the last thing she remembered seeing was Nathan’s content face fading away into dream world.
“Nathan!” Aipreal screamed awake, sitting up so suddenly that she bumped her forehead hard onto Ruhien’s.
“Ouch! That hurt, you know?” he complained, getting to his feet after stumbling backwards to the floor because of the impact.
She looked to her side blankly and found him caressing his forehead. “Oh, it’s just you.”
He scowled, “What do you mean it’s just me?”
Just then, a soft melody started playing in the background. They both fell silent and listened instinctively. Immediately, Ruhien recognized the music as the one he heard the other day.
“Julie,” Aipreal mumbled absently all of a sudden. Then quickly, she got out of bed and rushed downstairs barefooted. She knew all too well where the music was coming from.
Ruhien could only watch her disappear in a flash, even leaving the door to her bedroom wide open. “Julie?” he asked, confused. “And who the heck is Nathan?”
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Adimlen get up as well from his assumed place of rest, wearing a taunting smirk.
“So, you did kiss her after all,” he laughed in amusement. “That’s good, because I couldn’t sleep.”
Ruhien glared at him, blushing. “That’s what I thought.”
“Anyway, where is she going?” Adimlen asked curiously.
“That’s what I want to know.”
And with that, they dashed out of the room to run after Aipreal, while the familiar melody continued to play, leading the way.
However, there was something different about it now. Ruhien could not help but notice it as they made their way down the long corridor. Instead of being cut off at the part where he had anticipated it to stop, the music went on smoothly with no gaps, bearing a brand new tune.
Oddly enough, the new bracket of notes still sounded familiar. But he was certain he had not heard it while he was in the garden the other day, wandering.
Nevertheless, just like how it was in the garden the other day, the music eventually stopped, ending so abruptly after he had heard enough of the added tune.
The piece is still not finished, he thought. Then, as he had expected, it started playing again from the beginning.
“I think I’ve heard that tune before,” Adimlen suddenly spoke from behind.
This made Ruhien glance at him in surprise. “You, too?”
At that very moment, Aipreal’s voice echoed through the whole mansion as it called out the name again, ultimately bringing the music to an end.
“Julie!” Aipreal exclaimed as she barged into the main hall of the big house, where she knew her cousin could be found fooling around with the piano again.
“Aipreal,” the sightless girl’s voice was trembling in fright as she spoke. “I-I’m sorry, I was jus—”
From the bottom of the staircase, Ruhien saw Aipreal enter the main hall, the room which she had forbidden him to enter before. But now that she had left the door open, he guessed it would not hurt to sneak even just a quick look inside.
And so, he found her rushing to the side of a blonde girl sitting by the piano, whom she gathered in a tight embrace.
“Thank you so much!” Aipreal exclaimed as she hugged Julie fondly as if she had not seen her for a long time.
“Aipreal?” Julie stiffened in her seat, startled by Aipreal’s sudden change in behavior towards her. Just a few days ago ever since Nathan’s death, all she had given her was a cold shoulder, even banning her from playing the piano. She really couldn’t blame her cousin if she was holding her responsible for her boyfriend’s death. After all, no matter how she looked at it, it really was her fault.
She groped nervously for Aipreal, who was still embracing her from behind. She didn’t know what it was that had caused her cousin to do such an affectionate thing but she could definitely feel her heart leaping with joy, now that the two of them seemed to be back in good terms again. Then, she heard Aipreal speak again in her usual sister-like manner.
“Somehow, it just felt like I should thank you.”
Meanwhile, Ruhien and Adimlen had been watching them from the doorway with much interest.
“Unbelievable,” Ruhien groaned in exasperation. “Shouldn’t she be thanking me instead?”
Grinning, Adimlen took this chance to tease him one more time. “Why, what were you expecting her to say? ‘Hi, I’m back from the dead. And I thought I should see you first.’”
“Better than ‘Oh, it’s just you.’” Ruhien mumbled, rolling his eyes in sarcasm.
Julie then shifted in her seat so she was now facing Aipreal, who let go of her finally.
“I haven’t apologized properly to you yet,” she muttered ruefully.
Aipreal shook her head and knelt before her. “There’s no need for that.”
“But…”
“Actually, I think I should be the one apologizing,” Aipreal bowed her head in regret as she fumbled with Julie’s hands. “For making you suffer like this unnecessarily.”
Julie had never felt happier in her whole life. “Oh, Aipreal, I thought you’ll never speak to me again,” she exclaimed with slight cracking in her voice. Then, her face had gone grim again in sympathy. “But, I’ve been worrying. Have you… cried enough?”
Instantly, Aipreal’s lips began to tremble in heartache as she could not hold it any longer. “No, not yet…”
And with those woeful words, she finally gave in to her still unresolved agony and wailed to her heart’s content on Julie’s welcoming lap.
“Why do I get the feeling that we’re not supposed to be witnessing this?” Adimlen asked, scratching his head.
“I agree,” Ruhien sighed. “Come on, let’s head back.” And gently, he closed the huge door of the main hall to give the two girls the privacy they deserved.
Then Adimlen, intrigued by what they had seen, couldn’t help but share his own opinion.
“But with a cry like that,” he began, caressing his chin in contemplation, “There could only be one reason.”
Of course, this just had to arouse the other’s interest. “What is it?”
“She’s in love,” he went on with a smile. “But the man had already left. So now, she’s crying.”
Ruhien made a face, as if it was the most ridiculous logic he had ever heard. “That’s pathetic,” he groaned. “If he had left, then that means he didn’t love her.”
Apparently, he was too dense that he missed the whole point of the issue brought up by Adimlen. So the latter decided for a counter, which finally left Ruhien in deep thought, who found it somewhat disturbing though he was not sure why.
“But if she thinks he’s worth crying for,” Adimlen argued, “Then that means she really loved him.”
Now, that really was something for Ruhien to think about. But first, he had yet to figure out why he was even bothered by such a petty issue. Adimlen sneered, knowing that the boy still had a long way to go.
Instead of heading back to Aipreal’s bedroom, the two found the smooth marble floor rather comfortable and sat by the doorway outside the main hall, waiting. As they leaned back on the thick wooden door, they could hear muffled sobs from the inside. It was obvious that Aipreal was still not done crying.
“So, how is it here?” Adimlen asked to have something to discuss while loitering.
Ruhien knew that he was referring to his life in the mansion. “It’s fine, I guess. She has a nanny she calls Nana, who seems to dislike me very much. Anyway, she’s old and the house is big so it’s really easy to avoid her.”
“You sound like a troublemaker.”
“Trust me, this boring house desperately needs one,” he replied in defense. “But I didn’t expect a third member in the household.”
“You mean that girl sitting by the piano?”
“Yeah, I’ve only seen her now.”
“And her name is Julie apparently.”
“Though I think Aipreal has mentioned her before,” Ruhien said, recalling the incident with Meona outside Aipreal’s room. “And the two of them are in a fight until now.”
“Well, it’s good to hear that they’ve reconciled already,” Adimlen nodded.
“What a bully,” Ruhien sighed, somewhat amazed. “She even fights with little girls.”
“Who’s the bully that fights with little girls?” Suddenly, they heard an angry voice from behind as Ruhien’s door flew open, causing him to stumble backwards for the second time today.
The two men looked up and found Aipreal and Julie standing by the doorway, with the older female ready to beat the crap out of Ruhien.
“You’re in the way,” Aipreal snarled at him as the ever shy Julie hid behind her in fear.
Ruhien immediately got to his feet. So did Adimlen. And even though they had a lot to ask and tell Aipreal at the moment, no one dared upon noticing the peculiarity about the feeble girl holding onto her from behind.
“Oh, she can’t see,” Ruhien mumbled thoughtlessly.
Aipreal stomped on his foot. “How crude.”
“Sorry.”
“It’s okay,” Julie had finally mustered some courage and came forward to speak, so gracefully it made the two men squirm in awe, as if wanting to hear the angelic voice again. “Aipreal, we have a guest?”
She sighed, “Yeah, two of them actually.”
“I didn’t know there’s a cute girl living in this house,” Ruhien continued to marvel. “Hi, my name’s Ruhien.”
“Julie, is it?” Adimlen then approached. “I’m Adimlen. How are you?”
“I’m fine, thank you.”
“She’s my cousin,” Aipreal further introduced. “And she’s been living here for two years now.”
“So, how old are you?” Ruhien asked the girl.
“I’m twelve.”
Then, Aipreal shot him a doubtful look. “Do you even know how old twelve years old is? You grew up in a very different place after all. I mean a year here is equivalent to one solar revolution, if you know what I mean.”
“For your information, that principle took after the R.A.S.,” Ruhien said as a matter of fact.
“R.A.S.?”
“The Rivkan Aging Scheme,” Adimlen clarified. “In short, the age ratio is one is to one wherever you go.”
“So then, how old are you two?” she inquired keenly.
“I’m nineteen,” Ruhien replied casually.
“Twenty-four,” Adimlen shared. “And you?”
“I just turned eighteen…” she began cheerfully then her voice suddenly faded into a mere murmur, “two weeks ago.”
Julie immediately noticed the sudden change in her tone as she recalled the tragedy that took place the same day Aipreal turned eighteen. So to save her cousin’s emotions, she decided to change the subject at once.
“Ruhien?” she called shyly.
“Rui’s fine,” he said kindly, though a bit surprised.
“Ah, y-yes,” she stammered nervously but still went on. “How is it different, I mean the place where you grew up?”
The three glanced at each other anxiously, though somewhat thankful that Julie could not see their reactions.
These two really are cousins. Ruhien stared at the two girls as he scratched his head. They’re so quick it’s scaring me.
As he was about to bluff his answer, Aipreal suddenly cut in.
“Well, you see, I kind of spoiled her dress,” she said as an excuse, indicating the wet blots she had caused on Julie’s skirt when she cried on her lap a while ago. “I’m taking her to her room so she can change.” She may not see them but our words sure can spill a lot beans if we’re not careful.
“No, you should stay here and keep them company instead,” Julie smiled at Aipreal. “I’ll be fine on my own.” And with that, she walked out of the main hall, groping her surroundings.
The three watched her as she made her way towards the staircase with short careful strides.
“Is she going to be all right?” Ruhien asked worriedly, who was flinching with every step she took.
“Don’t worry, she knows her way around the house very well,” Aipreal reassured them. “Besides, you’ll just make her feel like a burden to you if you try to help her.”
“And she can play the piano.” Adimlen added in admiration.
With this, Aipreal sighed again. “Well, I guess it can’t be helped. You’ve found out about her.”
“So you intended to keep her from us?” Ruhien narrowed his eyes at her accusingly. Then, he lowered his stance and inched his face towards hers so that he was at the same level as her puffy eyes. “You, what were you doing just now?”
Aipreal was taken aback at his sudden approach as she wondered what he could have meant. His askance sounded so demanding and his violet eyes stared at her in a very scrutinizing manner, that the pit of her stomach felt a bit fluttery.
Actually, he wanted to ask the reason for her crying but somehow, he could not word it out properly. He was so absorbed in trying to figure out the right words to say that he didn’t realize the tiny distance separating their faces right at the moment.
And when he finally did, the scene with him kissing her crossed his mind at once like a flash of light illuminating the depths of his memory.
Right away, he straightened up guiltily, failing to hide the faint blush across his face.
Ignoring his odd behavior, Aipreal stepped back into the main hall and invited them in as well. Adimlen left the door ajar in case Julie decided to join them again.
“So, we finally got away from the island,” Aipreal said, pleased with their accomplishment.
“Yeah, you were great,” Adimlen praised. “I was surprised you even got the right thread.”
“Not at all,” she laughed, a bit flattered. But I was actually kind of proud of that. I really want to keep up with them. Their world and presence keep my mind off certain things. And for that, I’m grateful.
“By the way, how did you manage to go back?” Adimlen asked.
Ruhien glared at him. “Why are you asking? Didn’t you tell me to k—?” he stopped abruptly in mid-sentence. Perhaps, some things were better left unsaid.
Aipreal watched the two in confusion. “What?”
Then, Adimlen burst out laughing. “I was bluffing, you know?”
“You’re evil,” Ruhien fumed.
“Well, was it good?”
“What on earth are you two talking about?!” Aipreal screamed in irritation, feeling a little left out. “Anyway, Adimlen, you owe me one.”
“I know, sorry,” he bowed in apology. “But really, I’m curious. How did you figure it out?”
“Let me ask this first,” she said curiously. “Why couldn’t I go back that easily like everyone else?”
Adimlen took a seat at the nearest chair and began explaining.
“Since you were not actually dreaming, you lost your inherent ability to go back. But if you went there to dream, you wouldn’t realize that you possessed this ability. You just do it.”
“What about this ability?” she inquired further.
“It’s your desire to continue living outside of Trance. People normally dream for fun. So it’s only natural that we would want to wake up again for whatever reason we have. Once this thought occurs to you, you snap out of your reverie and wake up in the real world. And all that’s left in your memory would be your dream and nothing more. Not Dreambelt, nor the people you met who were not part of your dream.”
“In your case, it was different because you did not actually dream. You still remember everything, right?”
She nodded, “Yes, even the reason why I want to continue living.”
“Yup, that’s exactly how you do it!” he gave her a thumbs-up sign. “Of course, that theory is not found in the books. It’s only taught especially to Rivels and the people in the Portal Ministry.”
“So, how did you find out about it?” Ruhien asked.
“The first time I went to visit the Backstage, I almost did not make it back simply because I did not know how,” Adimlen answered. “But then, I met a beautiful lady and she told me what to do.”
“How convenient,” the two muttered in unison, with Aipreal rolling her eyes in sarcasm.
“Hey, I’m serious!” Adimlen insisted. “She was really beautiful. She had long black hair, warm amber eyes, rosy lips, and she was dressed like a princess.”
She yawned dryly. “Maybe you were dreaming all along. You just didn’t realize it.”
“Don’t mock your elders,” he grimaced, though his eagerness to tell them about this beautiful woman never faded. “Anyway, her name was Diantha Evzenie. She said she was visiting a friend in Trance at that time. Then, she promised me that she would help me get out of Feige.”
“So, did she ever come for you?” Ruhien asked.
Adimlen lowered his gaze glumly. “No, never.”
“You got ditched,” Aipreal muttered unthinkingly.
“That’s what I thought,” he laughed. “Though, I wonder if she really was a princess.”
She leaned forward in curiosity. “What do you mean really?”
Adimlen faced her with an indicating finger. “Because when you dream, your appearance changes. For the better, that is. Why, didn’t you notice?”
“Well, I didn’t particularly look at myself,” she muttered thoughtfully, glancing at the ceiling. “You should’ve told me earlier.”
Ruhien coughed, “Only ugly people would say that, you know?”
“No one asked for your opinion.”
“I do believe this is a free country.”
But she just ignored him for her mind was currently occupied with other thoughts. Come to think of it, she was a very pretty girl. She recalled an image of the girl she met in Trance. And the boy, too. Then, she giggled unconsciously as the idea of two youngsters meeting in dream land occurred to her.
Ruhien noticed her self-induced amusement. “What could you be imagining now, I wonder?”
“None of your business,” she replied snootily. Then, she turned to Adimlen for another question. “What do you mean visiting a friend?”
“I guess she’s friends with a Trancean so she came to visit,” he answered.
“Trancean?”
“The people of Trance.”
“People… you mean like citizens?”
“Yeah, they reside in Trance. And unlike us, they don’t have a physical body sleeping elsewhere. So they remain in Trance forever. If they feel like it, some will even join you in your dream.”
With this, Aipreal’s eyes sparkled. “Amazing!”
“So, have you met the man of your dreams?” Adimlen asked jokingly.
She nodded without thinking, as her mind was still in the clouds, utterly astounded by the wonders slowly unfolding before her.
“What?!” The two men almost fell from their seats as they were not expecting such a direct answer. Moreover, Ruhien was not anticipating an affirmative reply at all.
“But I don’t get it,” Aipreal scratched her head, completely ignoring their reaction. “You say that Spiridions enter through the First Gate but they just seem to pop out of nowhere right on the Gate. When I crossed it, I was actually expecting a long line outside. Then the Backstage seemed like a totally different place when in fact, Trance was just on the other side. And where are the other worlds? I didn’t see any planet or an island or something. I mean, how is the physical orientation of these worlds, including Earth, if they are all interconnected like that?”
She ranted all her curiosity, rendering the two speechless.
Finally, she heaved exhaustedly. “My view of the Greater Universe has been totally messed up.”
Then, Adimlen came up to her to give some consolation. “Let it be. You’ll go crazy if you try to understand everything,” he mouthed casually. “The best way to get the picture is to simply accept everything out there and live, believing that someone great is working behind it. After all, your existence is the sole end product of this ingenuity. And we were not created to figure out how we came to be.”
She pondered for a while, taking his words into consideration. He was right. There was no point in trying to get the whole picture at this time. She kind of liked the feeling of amazement and surprise she had experienced these past few days. And she knew there’s definitely more to come.
“By the way, may I use the portal?” Adimlen suddenly asked. “I have to find a new place to live as soon as possible.”
Then, Aipreal smiled brightly as an idea came to mind.
“You can stay here if you want,” she offered kindly. “You still have more than a dozen of rooms to choose from.”
“Hey, no fair!” Ruhien cried out instantly in protest. “How come when it was me, you gave me a hard time convincing you?” he sulked at her injustice.
“God made him my friend. Don’t argue with God,” she retorted.
“And me?”
“Right. Who are you?”
“That’s not funny.”
“It’s not a joke.”
“Okay, that’s enough,” Adimlen pulled them apart before it could get worse. “If you’re pretending to be a couple, at least act like one.” Then he said to Aipreal, “Are you sure I can live here? I mean, your fiancé seems to be against it. And I really don’t want to get in the way.”
“No, Adimlen, it’s perfectly fine,” Ruhien clarified. “In fact, I think it’s better if we have more people around. As you may have noticed already, my life here is like a vacuum cleaner. It sucks.”
Of course, Aipreal wouldn’t simply let him get away with that. “I’m impressed that you even know what a vacuum cleaner is,” she laughed. “Aren’t we getting overly familiar with my planet?”
“Let me say this again. Everything on this planet, you owe it to us Rivkans.”
“Right, remind me to make a TV ad on that,” she responded rather coolly. “But it’s not like I owe you particularly so don’t be too full of yourself. In fact, in our case, it’s the other way around.”
Finally, Adimlen heaved a sigh in resolve. “I think I’ll just stay and watch over these two.”
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