ALLISHA'S POV
People screaming.
People running.
People were stunned with fright.
People fighting.
People crying.
Gasp of breaths. Heavy breaths.
Weary and confused.
What is happening?
"Come on wake up! Prepare for your school," my mom shouted from the other room.
Startled as always, I opened my eyes. Good thing, it was just a dream. A very bad dream. My so-called, surreal nightmare again.
Quickly, I got up and prepared some breakfast. My father used to do this but I have to be used to it now since I was trained to.
" My duty as the only girl child," I whispered sleepily while stretching both my arms up then finished preparing our lunch boxes.
I glanced over the clock and it was just time for my bath. My body was still aching. The feeling of tiredness enveloped me early in the morning.
I felt dreadful. I didn't usually have dreams, but when I did, they always ended up being very tiring events.
Tragedies!
Seldom, I got to see a series of usual happenings in my dreams, but I couldn't remember until it actually happened. But anyway, school time!
I missed that crazy girl. Time to go!
"Good morning beautiful!" one of my usual buddies greeted.
I smiled back to him and found myself sitting next to this crazy creature grinning wickedly at me.
She was one of the reasons why I loved the idea of school. Everything away from home was my reason. I could temporarily escape from my agonizing reality even for some hours to spare.
"Rayz!" the girl next to me squealed, threatening me with a hug.
"Think twice about the hug," I stopped her and she immediately hit me in the arm.
The guy greeted me a while ago, naughtily touched me by the shoulder before climbing up to the top of the jeepney.
This jeepney was our vehicle service since last year.
" Stop it Thunder," I answered slyly. But with a smile.
Thunder's group of friends, as usual, started strumming the guitar and sang along like they were the only people existing. Never worried what other people would say.
I hoped life could always be this way. Simple. Free.
I put on my earphones and pretended to listen to some music, but the truth was, I was enjoying their stories with my eyes closed and happily feeling the morning breeze while the jeepney tracked its way to school.
The day went by so fast with only introductions done. I enjoyed the last hours of my escape before going back home again.
The bell rang fifteen minutes ago for the last class dismissal of the day but I was left standing at the front of our room. Trees swayed by the cold air breeze of the dusking surrounding, I watched as three girls passed by happily chatting about their day while from the left side, the janitor swept the fallen dry leaves. The color of the sky played some spectacular show of lights in my eyes.
As others would find this usual and amazing, I was shocked. I couldn't get a hold of what was actually happening. Barely moved from my spot, my mouth uttered words out of nowhere. " I saw this. It happened already!"
Every second of the moment. It was not that this was a new thing, but why does it keep on happening? And it was getting frequent.
" I knew it. Daydreaming again! Come on, it's half past five. Service won't be waiting."
" Yes, coming!"
My beautiful best friend swayed her way while listening to music. She was the prettiest girl I have known. Carefree, brave, loving, and crazy. She smiles as if there was nothing in this world that would make her depressed. She was one of my sources of strength.
Not to mention, she was the only girl among the eight siblings. She was tough. She may be the youngest but she acted as if she was the oldest among her brothers. Maybe we did go along well being the only girl child.
Silly!
" Autumn, wait up!" I shouted.
" Faster, or we'll lose our seat," she shouted then fled without even thinking she was wearing a skirt.
Our way home was as lively as ever. Thunder and his group strummed their hearts out. Filled with laughter, my heart is happy.
" Bye Rayz, see you tomorrow!" Autumn beamed as I jumped down from the service vehicle.
The smile immediately faded away from my lips knowing that once again, I was going home.
I reached the part where I usually stood and stayed for a while to breathe. On the same spot, every time on my way home, I would stare at our house from a distance and would look sideways to where the chapel was built and pray for morning to come fast.
My father was teaching me to prepare for dinner. Cook, set the dining table, then clean after and wash dishes. I love having time with my father in the kitchen especially his jokes and his endless stories.
Later that night after dinner, the four of them enjoyed a good talk on the veranda and prepared for bed. I love listening to four of them talk and laugh while I finish cleaning up the kitchen. Their smiles complete me. I couldn't help but giggle.
It was past midnight when I finished studying. I spent a couple of minutes before drifting to sleep.
But it didn't take long before I woke up gasping for air and looked at the clock on the desk to see that I was just asleep for an hour. I was heaving while the rain started pouring outside. With an instinct, I pulled out my diary under the left side of my bed and started to scribble words.
' Dear Papa,
God, thank you for this day. Thank you for taking good care of us. My parents, brothers, friends, relatives, teachers, and all the people in the world. Thank you for keeping us safe always.
I have been dreaming of something about a war this past few nights. In my dream, I was fighting demons and what's worst was that, it was---you know, the devils of the devils. The creatures were horrifying. People were screaming and frightened. What was also crazy, demons were actually inside the church. Demons could enter the church and scare people. They were collecting bibles and the last bible I am fighting for is mine. The scenario shifted at our house where I fought to death just to save that last bible. I couldn't remember what the bible looked like, it is blue though.
I am with someone too but I couldn't recall it clearly.
I am afraid Papa. What is happening? I have dreamt about it when I was in grade school. Why dream of it again?"
What if the world is coming to an end? What should I do?
AHm. It is raining again Papa. Please help my mom. Please make it stop. She is afraid of the rain.
Your daughter, Alli. '