Tanya collapsed onto the couch, her head spinning as she tried to process the events of the night before. The dim light of the morning filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow over her disheveled form. Her mind was still foggy, but one thing was clear—she had made a huge mistake.
"Okay, Tanya. Breathe. Focus," she muttered to herself, wiping her hand over her face. The memory of last night hit her like a freight train. She had been in the pub with Maya, celebrating the end of a long week, and a few too many drinks later, everything had gotten... blurry.
She grabbed her phone and sent a quick text to Maya: Need to talk. Call me ASAP.
As if on cue, the phone rang. Maya's voice came through loud and clear, full of concern. "Tanya? What's going on? You sound like you've been hit by a truck."
Tanya groaned, sinking further into the couch. "Maya… I don't even know where to start. Something happened last night... something insane."
Maya's voice perked up, excitement lacing her words. "You're freaking me out, girl. What happened?"
Tanya hesitated, then let out a long breath. "I saw him. Dev. The guy from my dreams."
Maya gasped. "Wait, you mean the guy from dreams... Dev? In real life?"
Tanya nodded, her thoughts spiraling. "Yeah, Maya."
Her voice wavered, as the memory came rushing back. "I was drunk, Maya. Way too drunk. "
Maya stayed silent, waiting for her to continue.
"And then..." Tanya's voice faltered. "Then we ended up leaving the pub together. I was a mess, but he didn't seem to mind. He was... gentle. So calm. He didn't judge me for being tipsy or anything."
She paused, the next part still making her cheeks flush with embarrassment. "When I woke up this morning, I was in his bed, Maya. Not just in the same room—in his bed."
Maya was speechless for a moment. "Wait, what? You... you woke up in his bed? Like, fully... there? And... what happened? Did you—?"
"No, no, nothing like that!" Tanya interrupted quickly, her hands coming up to her face in a mix of shame and confusion. "I didn't remember anything happening... but when I woke up, I was in his shirt, tangled in the sheets. He wasn't there, but I could still smell his scent—woodsy and clean. Like he'd been right next to me all night."
Maya's voice softened, almost in awe. "Tanya, that's... intense. Are you sure this wasn't some kind of crazy dream or something? Like, he's been in your dreams before, right?"
Tanya paused, staring at the empty space in front of her. "I don't know, Maya. It felt real, like... too real. And when I looked at his side of the bed, there was this—this feeling. Like he'd been waiting for me to wake up. "
Tanya could feel her chest tightening as she remembered the note. "I don't even know what to think anymore, Maya. Was this real? Or was I just imagining it because of the alcohol?"
Maya was silent for a beat, and then, in her usual bold voice, she said, "Girl, you're in some deep mystery now. Dev... whoever he is, he's not just in your dreams anymore. He's in your reality. And I think this is just the beginning."
Tanya let out a shaky breath. "I just don't know if I'm ready for whatever this is, Maya. It feels like there's a storm coming, and I'm right in the middle of it."
Maya let out a soft chuckle. "Well, buckle up, Tanya. This ride is just getting started. And I'm right here with you—whatever happens next."