Twin Flame (noun)
A twin flame is a single soul that was split in two at the beginning of eternity. When the twin souls unite it is for the completion of Oneness and usually when there is a greater mission to get out there to the world. - Sarah Prout
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INT. PH TODAY OFFICE, NIGHT
Alex T.
"Entertainment News?"
I immediately followed Pinky inside her office after our editorial meeting. Why is there a need to unearth other files? This wouldn't help his family. Alex is in a coma. That throwback feature was unnecessary. It might be stressful for Diane. There's no way this is going to be an entertainment feast. I mean, we're not helping them.
"Don't you think that Esteban's case must be positioned under News? Why did you allow Sinta to put it as an entertainment headline? We have to take this news seriously."
"Yes. But this is not big compared to our other headlines. You know that." Pinky answered while browsing her phone.
"So, you're going to make this accident a showbiz event? It's not right!"
"Alex. It's been a long day. Can we just fight tomorrow? Go home."
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It's 10 PM. My wheel has led me to the hospital. I visited Pastor Don.
Pastor Don is like a father to me. Aside from Marky, he's the closest thing to family. When I lost my mom, he adopted me and offered a place for me in our church until I reached 18. Legal age. He stood as my guardian for quite some time until I started my own life — and that's because I didn't want to burden anyone. Pride.
It's been a while since I last saw him. I felt guilty that I always broke my promise to visit him. He's been in and out of the hospital. I lost contact because of... uhm.. the world. Pastor Don has been diagnosed with cancer, but from the last update I got — he's doing well.
I knocked at the door and slowly entered his room. It's a bit late. There's this unexplainable comfort whenever I see Pastor Don. Maybe because he's like a family to me. I looked at the get well soon cards plastered on his wall. Those cards were made by kids in Sunday School. I used to write notes and submit the artworks that I did on Sunday School to Pastor Don. Even if it's that bad, he would appreciate it and say, Good job, kid!
I left him a note but before I stepped out —
"Look who's here!" I missed that voice. Pastor Don's all smile and so do I. "Pastor Don."
My mom's life changed when she met Pastor Don. He's our spiritual advisor. My mom told him everything — like it's a confession. Despite my mom's dark past, Pastor Don showed compassion. My mom would always heed Pastor Don's advice. And so here I am. But just like any 'parent,' he already knew the reason why I am here.
"How is he?" Pastor Don asked. Yes, you can ask love advice from your pastors, too.
"He's in a coma. Critical condition." I exhaled.
"And you're worried?"
I didn't answer. All I know's that I can't breathe. I am still mad at Alex. He despised me. But Pastor Don is right. I am worried. What if he dies anytime now? What would I do?
"Pray."
I never pray a lot. I say a word, but not a prayer. I thought a one-sentence pep-talk to God will do. That's how it is for me. But Pastor Don always stressed the power of prayer.
I actually did. The night before the accident, I prayed about him. I asked God to remove everything I feel for Alex. I want to let go and move on. I know it's my fault, to begin with. I fell in love first. He didn't even tell me. It's my heart's fault. And that makes our — I mean, my situation complicated. How is it even possible to fall in love with someone who despises you? I prayed that I want him out of life, but not like this.
"Is this God's way of answering my prayers? Is this His way of telling me to stop because he'd be gone, soon? Because I am really afraid, Pastor."
I cried. Pastor Don is sick but here I am sobbing in front of him as if he's not in a critical condition. My problem is nowhere near his physical condition. But a loving Pastor Don never gives up on me. He listens when I pour all my stress, anxiety, pain and frustration. He's all ears. I am not afraid to be vulnerable and weak in front of him. Because he's my person.
"Alexandra, no one wants this to happen. In a situation like this, always think — what would Jesus do? Jesus wants us to help. He wants us to manifest His love and grace. If you feel that way to him, maybe it's God's way of telling you to manifest His love — maybe not your kind of love, but God's love. Don't be too hard on yourself. The Lord assigns the right people in our lives. Instead of asking God why He allowed this to happen, maybe it's time to ask yourself, God, what do you want me to do? Is there anything you can do to help? For now, pray. And eventually, iha, you'd know what to do..."
INT. DREAM ARENA, NIGHT
Alex E.
Alex drummed his fingers on the table. It's almost midnight and his lifeline is nowhere in sight. MD turned on the R screen again following Alexandra's body signal that she's about to sleep. He signaled his assistant to proceed on the ground floor to get Alexa.
"Ready. Your lifeline is arriving."
Behind Alex's tough-guy facade is a hopeful heart. For his mom. For his dad. He's willing to set aside his differences with Alexa just to make this work; just to wake up.
He fixed his clothes — a casual black coat, white undershirt, and black shoes. MD looked at him — like why are you fixing yourself?
Then he realized. Yeah, right, why am I conscious?
-
It's the same 'us' when we dream. It's just that possibilities are endless when we dream. Heading to the Dream Arena, it's no surprise to meet the same Alexandra who doesn't easily get fooled. She didn't want to go up with a stranger who didn't want to speak. Usher kept on pointing up and pressing the elevator button but a strong-willed Alexa stayed in the lobby. Usher waited for her patiently.
"Who are you? Why would I go with you?"
Usher kept on pointing his finger up and signing "number 4" using his small fingers.
"No!!!"
The girl shouted.
This is just a dream. This is just a dream. Alexa talked to herself. Lord, wake me up, please!
She held his cross necklace — a gift from her mom like she usually does in pressing times like this. Something to hold to keep her calm.
Then, the lights went off. Clearly, MD reviewed Alexa's profile. She's afraid of the dark and so this is like a move to help his poor help.
Usher entered the elevator, chin-up. He's sure that he'd get Alexa this time. Finally, she entered the elevator. Terrified.
Ting. 4th floor.
"HEYYYY!!! Youu!!! Where are you going?! Don't leave me here!!"
Alexa's dominant voice echoed from the elevator to MD's office. Alex looked down in embarrassment! In a snap, Alexa went from being hysterical to a fascinated wanderer. Her eyes sparkled and traveled around the aesthetic of the cove. Slowly, her head panned from right to left, scanning the beauty of the entire arena, until she saw a good-looking guy in front of him. It's MD. He looked dreamy, she thought.
At corner left, a guy sporting a puffy hair was standing behind the colorful button panel. It's Alex. He turned around and finally, darted his eyes on his lifeline Alexa.
Alexa held his breath. She stepped back, shocked to see who's in front of him. Right, I really am dreaming. She thought. So, she immediately snapped out of it. Alex, on the other hand, never changed. It's the same cold treatment. He averted his eyes. MD positioned in between the two, like a cupid, looking at his one true pair.
Ehem. MD cleared his throat.
"This is just a dream," Alexandra whispered.
"Huh? Stop murmuring." Alex looked away, irritated.
"Yes. You're right, Ms. Tapang. This is just a dream. Welcome to the Dream Arena!"
Dream Arena? Alexa looked confused. Pretty much the same as her namesake.
"So it's true that the last person you thought of before you sleep will be the person in your dreams, huh." MD slightly teased Alexa to lighten the mood.
"Huh???!!" She rolled her eyes and answered. "Nnnnoooo. Him? Pffft. Hello!!! It's just that...his article was the last one I've read before I slept.. and everyone has been talking about it.. so..."
"Yes. People won't stop talking about it especially if you're planning to do an entertainment feast about me and my family. Entertainment Section Headline, huh." Alex butt in.
"How did you know? Oh my goodness, this is really weird. I can't wait to wake up!" Alexandra shook her head.
MD stepped in.
"Well, Ms. Tapang.."
"Wait, how do you know me?"
"I'll explain that later... but even if you wake up, you'll go back here."
"Here? What about it? I am just dreaming, right?" Then she attacked Alex. "And how did you know about our meeting? What are you? A ghost?!! Are you ghosting around???!!"
"Ghost? So there.. you want me dead?!!"
"Ssshhh. Enough!!! ENOUGH!!" The first time that MD shouted...
"Can you just cut it out for a bit?"
"....you are in each other's dreams, and you'll be in it for the next 40 days. But this is not just an ordinary dream. This is Dream Arena — a mission field in your dreams where the council gives second chances to people who are fighting for their lives in the real world."
"Mission? Dream Arena? And what does it have to do with me?"
"This mission involves the dying soul — like Alex, who's in a coma --- and a lifeline — someone who can help the dying soul achieve the mission given by the Dream Council. Of course, since a dying soul is in a coma, the lifeline is the only person who can actively accomplish it in the real world. In this case, Ms. Tapang, you're Alex's lifeline. So, his life lies in your hands."
"I.DON'T.GET.IT."
"It's simple as this — you meet each other while both of you are asleep. In your dreams, that's the only time you'll have to strategize your plan. As soon as the lifeline wakes up, it's up to YOU to execute!"
"This is ridiculous!!!"
"See? I told you?!" Alex shouted.
"I don't believe you. Not only do I find it unfair that I'll do all the work, but it's also just that…. WHY ME?"
"See, we have the same question." Alex threw those words sarcastically.
Alexandra rolled her eyes.
"Until when?"
"Christmas Day," MD replied.
"And if I failed to do it?"
"Then I'll die!" Alex shouted.
Alexandra shot him a look. Since when did she become a lifesaver?
"What's the mission?"
"The mission is to solve the murder case of Alex's Dad — Dave Esteban. The two of you have to find the culprit"
Master D flashed the photos of Dave Esteban on the screen. Uncomfortable and awkward, Alexa touched her necklace again — like it's her source of strength. In her head, she's not sure if everything she's dreaming of is true. For her, this is just a dream. This, too, shall pass.
There's this silent communication and some sort of unspoken connection between Alex and Alex. Both of them know that this mission would reopen their family's past. But then again, they have no choice unless Alexa declined the post.
"Look. Sir. I mean, Master. MD. Whatever. I feel like I am just hallucinating. I may be tired of all the things that are happening. You know.. work and stuff. I can't handle this now... like pffttt... I think, I just really need to sleep this off, right?"
"You don't believe me, do you?"
Alexandra's choking. It's like a choppy A-AH-AH. Alex sighed heavily. I knew it.
"Come on! 40 days? Are you serious? This isn't true. Yeah.. you know what they say- in your dreams... I totally get that now!! I mean, your timeline alone is not realistic, dude. Who gets to solve a cold case in 40 days??"
"Okay. That's it. Then I'll just die."
"Alex, don't pressure her. Take it easy. She probably needs more time to take it all in."
The pressure was high in the room. This scenario was not new to MD. He's been dealing with a lot of lifelines since his Dream Arena duty. Alexandra sat down at the coach near the control panel. She looked down and covered her face, feeling confused.
Ding. It's 5:50 AM. Five more minutes until Alexandra's wake-up time.
"I understand you're still doubtful. To prove to you that this mission is real, I am leaving this with you."
MD handed over a black watch to Alexandra. Its design is made out of rubber, with a rectangular glass screen in the middle. The screen will only light up in green as soon as the mission starts. The remaining days of Alex will also be flashed.
Alexandra wore the black watch. And suddenly, a black watch is already on Alex's wrist. These watches serve as a connection between your reality and the Dream Arena. It's your world and our world.
"That's your official mission watches. These watches will only be activated as soon as the project starts. When you wake up and you're still wearing this black watch, it means that whatever happened here at the Dream Arena is real."
Alexandra touched her watch and rubbed it, checking if it's real."... One last thing, Ms. Tapang. Whatever happens here, stays here. Do not tell anyone. This is a secret mission."
As soon as her alarm rang, she faded out.
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