"Hop on!"
The door was flung opened and I nearly choke when I saw the person who sat behind the wheel.
It was Senior Hani!
"Quick!" He urged when I had not made any move yet.
He did not need to urge me further because I had already rushed into his car and put on my seatbelt. As soon as I sat inside the car, he stepped on the accelerator and the car ran straight into the gate hastily.
Slowly, I regained my sense and the fear that was clutching my heart disappeared. I looked back to the dim street, but couldn't notice the odd that caused the fear inside me just now.
Frowning my eyebrows, I straightened my back and looked ahead.
"It's still there, hiding in the dark." Senior Hani said, successfully made me turned my head to him.
"Senior, you can see it, too?" I asked in disbelief.
"Is it so strange for me to be able to see them?" His tone was as if he was unhappy with me questioning him.
Afraid that I might offend this grumpy senior, I hastily shook my head and waved my hands in rejection. "No no no, of course no."
Silence fell between us as he drove towards my dorm. I had no time to ask why he knew where I lived. I didn't want to provoke this grumpy man, so when we reached my dorm, I hastily got down and thanked him. He only grunted his response before he drove away, as I expected.
I watched the starless dark sky. It seemed like there would be another heavy rain at night. The air still smelt damp and cold from the earlier rain, yet another one was coming. As I watched the sky, I saw something moved towards me, as dark as the sky, perfectly concealing its form, but not its presence. It reminded me of what scared me back then in the campus.
Is it the same thing?
Shivering slightly, I hastily stepped into the dorm and walked fast into my own room. From the balcony, I could still see the strange shadow moved slowly in the dark, as if looking around for something. Surely it was not looking for me, right?
Before the worse came to worst, I decided to hide myself within my room.
"I'm home." I said as I closed the door behind my back.
"Oh, welcome back!"
As usual, Tom would welcome me with his excited smile plastered on his pale face. I smiled at the sight of him. The fear I felt just now dissipated without a trace.
"Did something happen?" He asked, concerned.
Many happened today, but I wouldn't tell him that. So, I shook my head and walked towards him, putting my books and my bag on my desk, before I plopped myself on my bed.
I stared at him. "Why don't you follow me out tomorrow?" I asked.
"I would love to, if I could. The thing is... I can't go anywhere beyond the house." He sighed.
"What? Why? I thought you didn't want to come because I dated Senior Rizal."
"That's right. That was my reason why I stayed at that time. And I thought I couldn't control myself from punching him if I saw him again, that's why I still didn't follow you even after you broke up with him."
He looked hesitant to continue. So, I peered through his face and urged him.
"When did it start happened?" I remembered he said he went out 'that' day.
"After... After our time together." He answered weakly. "It was like a barrier is preventing me to go out."
My mouth gaped open at his explanation. A barrier preventing him to go out? What does it mean? Did it have anything to do with how he became paler after our night together?
"Then, why didn't you tell me from the start?" I asked him in annoyance.
"I thought it was only for a while. But, unfortunately I still couldn't go out until today. I lost my chance to tell you because of my own stupidity. I'm sorry." He lowered his head in dejection.
I took a deep breath as my hand massaged my throbbing head.
Fine. I think I must have exhausted myself. I need a good warm bath and nice sleep.
And maybe some food to fill my empty stomach.
Rising to my feet, I walked to my small kitchen and began to prepare my dinner, totally ignoring him. It was as if we had never talked about it before.
After finishing my dinner, I stepped inside my bathroom and enjoyed the warm rain inside. My whole body felt relaxed and I spent my time under it to my heart content.
By the time I was ready for my sleep, I had already dressed in my comfortable pajamas. Turning off the lamp and laid on my bed, feeling warm under my blanket, I let out a soft sigh of pleasure.
"Are you --"
"No. Stop. I had many things happened to me today. I just wanted to clear my thought of everything, including your stupidity. I want sleep now. Unless you want to help me sleep, you better not say anything at all." I interrupted quickly, even without opening my eyes.
"Okay." He answered softly, but I could feel him getting closer to me. My body shamelessly responded to his approach, even when he did nothing of sort.
"I love you, Jane." His cold lips were on my forehead, kissing me gently.
"I love you, too." I replied softly.
Feeling his cold body next to me mixed with the warmth provided by my blanket made me sigh in bliss.
This is perfect, I thought. I couldn't ask for more.
Not long after, I felt into deep slumber. As usual, I had a dream about Tom. But, unlike any other of my dreams, he didn't make love to me. We only laid on a big bed, surrounded by petals of different flowers, and staring at each other. His fingers played with my hair and softly touched my cheek.
I felt so loved and cherished. My heart grew warmth and I rubbed my cheek on his rugged palm, closing my eyes in the process.
How I wish we could stay like this forever.
But, my wish got interrupted as soon as I finished wishing in my heart. A loud thunder startled me, made my eyes flew opened in surprise.
The scenery around me changed as darkness began to dominate my dream.
"What happened?" I asked, but I got no response.
Turning my head to my side, I couldn't see Tom anywhere.
He disappeared!