Ember jolted awake, mumbling to herself, "What the heck?" Her eyes fluttered open, and she found herself back in her own room. A sharp knock on the door broke the lingering haze of sleep, followed by her mother's familiar voice.
"Ember, wake up! You're getting late for college."
"Coming," she called back, a small smile tugging at her lips. Yet, as she sat up, the remnants of her dream lingered, vivid and bittersweet. 'So, it was just a dream... but it felt so real,' she thought. Her smile softened, though a faint sadness shadowed her features.
Taking a deep breath, Ember tried to steady her emotions. She climbed out of bed, quickly freshened up, and changed into her college uniform. As she descended the stairs, the aroma of breakfast greeted her, along with the sight of her mother bustling in the kitchen.
Without a word, Ember stepped forward and wrapped her arms around her mother in a sudden embrace. "I missed you," she whispered softly.
Her mom chuckled, turning to look at her. "We just saw each other last night before you slept," she teased.
Realizing how strange her words sounded, Ember stammered, "Oh, I just... I just miss you and love you."
Her mother's expression softened as she kissed Ember's forehead. "I love you too. Now, sit down and eat your breakfast before it gets cold."
As Ember ate, her thoughts began to drift. Images of Emir flooded her mind—his warm smile, the way his laughter filled the air. 'Is he okay? It was just a dream, but... I miss him,' she thought wistfully, her appetite fading.
"Ember, you're running late for college!" Her mother's voice snapped her back to reality.
She stood quickly, grabbing her bag. "Yes, yes! I'm off to the bus stop. Bye!"
"Take care," her mom called after her.
At the bus stop, Ember settled into a seat and let her thoughts wander back to Emir. Even as she arrived at college and went about her day, she couldn't shake the feeling that a part of her was still there, in the dream. 'Will I ever meet him again?' she wondered, her chest tightening with longing.
Sofia, one of her classmates, approached her with a bright smile. "Hey, Ember!"
"Hello," Ember replied, though her gaze remained distant.
"Are you okay?" Sofia asked, tilting her head in concern.
Ember forced a smile and nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine."
But throughout class, her mind kept wandering. During lunch, as she shared a table with Sofia, Ember found herself smiling faintly at the memories of moments she'd shared with Emir in the dream—his laughter, the warmth of his presence at the canteen.
"What's making you smile?" Sofia asked curiously, leaning closer.
Ember shook her head, her cheeks flushing. "It's nothing. I just... had a beautiful dream today. It brightened my mood, that's all." She stood, brushing crumbs from her skirt. "I'm done. Let's head to the library."
"Alright," Sofia said, laughing lightly. "Let's go."
The library provided a peaceful reprieve, but even there, Ember's thoughts drifted. When the day ended, she and Sofia parted ways at the bus stop, and Ember boarded the bus home.
She slipped on her headphones, letting the music drown out the world. The lyrics resonated deeply, striking a chord within her heart:
"I know that I can't find nobody else as good as you...
I need you to stay, I need you to stay, hey..."
Closing her eyes, she allowed the melody to wash over her, bringing back every detail of Emir's kind and caring nature. By the time she reached home, her chest felt heavy with unspoken emotions.
Her mother's voice greeted her as she stepped inside. "You're back. Wash up and have dinner."
"Sure," Ember replied softly.
At the dinner table, her mother's watchful gaze lingered. "You seem lost in thought today," she observed.
Her father chimed in with concern. "Did something happen at college?"
Ember shook her head, forcing another small smile. "Nothing's wrong. College is fine. I actually made a new friend today—Sofia. She's really nice."
Her parents exchanged a relieved glance. "That's great to hear," her father said with a warm smile.
After dinner, they spent some time watching TV together before her mother urged her to head to bed. Alone in her room, Ember turned off the light and lay down. Her thoughts immediately returned to the dream.
'It was such a beautiful dream. I wish I could meet him again,' she thought, a single tear slipping down her cheek. Slowly, her breathing steadied, and her mind began to drift into sleep.
A whisper stirred her consciousness. "What? What? Again..."
As Ember drifted into sleep, a familiar sensation washed over her. After a while, she found herself waking up in Emir's house once again.
A gentle, yet firm voice called out, "Wake up, Ember."
Blinking and rubbing her eyes, she tried to make sense of her surroundings. "Who's there?" she asked, her voice laced with confusion.
"It's me, Emir," came the reply.
Confusion and disbelief swirled in her mind as she sat up. 'What's happening to me?' she mused silently, trying to piece together the fragments of her reality.
A rhythmic knocking broke her thoughts. "Knock, knock," Emir teased playfully.
Opening the door, she found him standing there. His presence seemed as real as the floor beneath her feet. Without a word, she stepped aside to let him in. As he entered, she sank back onto the bed, her thoughts still racing.
"How was your sleep?" he asked, his tone gentle yet curious.
"Good," she replied, though her voice betrayed a lingering uncertainty.
His eyes searched hers. "What's wrong?" he probed further.
Ember avoided his gaze, murmuring, "Nothing."
But Emir wasn't one to be easily deterred. "I know something's bothering you. Tell me," he urged, his voice soft but insistent.
Taking a deep breath, she finally met his eyes. "Did you believe me when I told you?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.
"Of course, I believe you," he assured her, his sincerity shining through. Then, tilting his head in concern, he added, "Did you have a dream about your parents?"
Her response was a mix of affirmation and uncertainty. "Yes... and no."
Reaching for her hand, Emir gave it a gentle squeeze. "Just tell me what happened," he said softly.
She hesitated for a moment before continuing. "I fell asleep here, and when I woke up, I was at my house."
His brow furrowed in confusion. "What?"
"Exactly!" she exclaimed, throwing her hands up. "I'm shocked. I don't understand what's happening. Can you pinch me? I need to know if this is real or just another dream."
Without hesitation, Emir pinched her hand. She winced. "Ouch!"
"Again!" she demanded, desperate for clarity. But before she could process the sensation, everything blurred, and she found herself waking up in her own room. its already midnight .
"Oh my God!" she whispered, clutching her chest.
Her thoughts raced. 'It was just a dream. My thoughts about him before sleeping must've triggered this.'
A mix of happiness and sadness swirled within her. After pondering for a while, she fell asleep again.
And again...
Emir's voice resounded. "What happened, Ember?"
She groaned, clutching her head. "Ah, it hurts."
Concern flashed across his face. "Are you okay?"
She nodded faintly, though the dizziness lingered. "Yes," she replied, massaging her temples. Then, she corrected him, "It's not my hand you pinched; it's my head."
Startled, Emir scratched his head in confusion. "I'm sorry if I pinched too hard."
Ember chuckled softly, shaking her head. "No, it's not that. You pinched my hand"
Still concerned, he handed her a glass of water. "Here, drink this. It'll help."
She took a few sips, breathing deeply until she felt steadier. Then, looking at him intently, she asked, "Emir, do you believe me? When you pinched me, I returned to my room. And now... I'm back here again, asleep."
Before Emir could respond, Nanny's voice called from outside the room. "Emir, have your breakfast. You're getting late for college."
He replied quickly, "I'm not going today."
Nanny sighed. "Alright, but make sure to eat breakfast."
"I'll eat later," he muttered before turning his attention back to Ember. His expression was conflicted as he confessed, "I don't understand what's happening."
"I'm just as puzzled," she admitted, her voice soft.
He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "What you're saying is very strange."
She offered a weak smile. "I think I might be dreaming."
He frowned. "How can you say that? It's daytime here, and nighttime in your city. That doesn't make sense," he snapped, his irritation evident.
She hesitated before replying. "I think you might be my imagination. I was so lonely back then, and maybe I imagined you..."
Before she could finish her sentence, Emir closed the gap between them, pulling her closer. His lips met hers in a sudden, unexpected kiss.
Time seemed to stop as her heart raced.
As their lips parted, Ember felt her breath hitch, her mind swirling with confusion and disbelief.
"It's just a short kiss," Emir murmured, his voice low and steady.
Their faces were now mere inches apart. She could hear his breathing, feel the warmth of it against her skin. His gaze locked onto hers as he added, "See? I am real." Without waiting for her response, he leaned in and kissed her again.
The sudden intimacy jolted Ember out of her daze. She instinctively pushed against his chest, but his strength made it impossible to move him. Her breaths grew shallow, panic setting in. Sensing her distress, Emir pulled back immediately, his expression filled with regret.
"Sorry," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.
Ember pushed him again, harder this time, managing to create some distance between them. Her voice trembled with anger and confusion. "What are you doing?"
Her chest rose and fell as she tried to steady her breathing.
"Huff... Huff..."
Emir ran a hand through his hair, guilt shadowing his features. "I'm sorry," he said again, his voice sincere. In his mind, he chastised himself. 'I lost control.'
In an effort to explain himself, he gently took her hand and placed it over his chest. "Do you think I'm not real?" he asked softly, his tone tinged with vulnerability.
Ember froze at the sudden gesture, her heartbeat racing in tandem with his. She could feel the steady rhythm beneath her palm, as real as the room around them. Her lips parted, but no words came out.
He leaned closer, searching her face for an answer. "You think I'm not real?" he repeated, his voice now a mere whisper.
Their eyes locked, and for a moment, the world seemed to fade away. Ember finally shook her head, her voice trembling as she replied, "No… You are real."
The spell was broken by a sudden voice from the doorway.
"What are you doing?" The nanny's sharp tone pierced through the air, and Ember's heart sank.
Her eyes darted toward the door, where the nanny stood with a frown etched on her face. Ember's mind raced. 'Did she see everything?'
Emir straightened immediately, his expression calm but guarded. "Nothing. " he replied smoothly, stepping away from the bed.
The nanny narrowed her eyes. "Come and eat breakfast," she instructed curtly before turning on her heel and walking away.
As soon as the door closed behind her, Emir turned back to Ember. "Go and freshen up, then come down for breakfast," he said gently.
Ember avoided his gaze, her voice barely audible as she hummed, "Hm."
Watching him leave the room, she exhaled deeply. As soon as he disappeared down the hallway, she moved quickly to shut the door behind him. Turning to face the mirror, she caught sight of her flushed reflection.
Her fingers lightly touched her lips as the memory of the kiss flooded her mind. Her cheeks burned brighter, and she whispered to herself, "Did it really happen? He kissed me... Oh my my!"
Shaking her head, she muttered, "Let me pinch myself." But she stopped mid-action, her thoughts tumbling over one another. "No, I need to… I'm so happy but also so confused."
Her voice softened as she admitted, "It was my first kiss... and it was so sudden. I need to stop thinking about this." Resolute, she grabbed her things and headed to freshen up.
Emir's Perspective:
As Emir stepped out of the room and into his bathroom, a wave of emotions crashed over him. He gripped the edges of the sink, his breathing uneven. The kiss replayed in his mind like a vivid dream, and he couldn't shake the lingering warmth of her lips.
"What's wrong with me?" he muttered, staring at his reflection. His brows furrowed as he splashed cold water onto his face, hoping it would clear his head.
But the image of Ember, her wide eyes and trembling voice, refused to leave him. He ran a hand through his hair, his frustration evident. "Why do I feel this way about her?" he asked the man in the mirror.
He sighed deeply, his thoughts spiraling. "There are so many girls around me—beautiful, confident girls who barely faze me. But Ember… she's different. She makes me feel things I can't explain."
Leaning against the sink, he let the weight of his emotions sink in. "I can't control myself when it comes to her," he admitted aloud, his voice trembling with raw honesty.
AT THE DINNING TABLE
Nanny's warm smile lit up the room as she placed the breakfast on the table. "See, I've made your favorite breakfast," she said with pride.
Emir looked up at her, gratitude evident in his tone. "Thanks, Nana."
Curiosity twinkled in her eyes as she glanced toward the staircase. "Who is she?" she asked casually.
Without hesitation, Emir replied, "She's my friend," while picking up his chopsticks.
Nanny tilted her head, a teasing smile playing on her lips. "I thought you didn't have a girlfriend. Except…"
Before she could finish, Emir cut her off, his tone firm but light. "She is not my girlfriend."
At that moment, Ember appeared at the top of the staircase, catching the tail end of their conversation. The words echoed in her mind, and though she didn't understand why, an unfamiliar ache bloomed in her chest.
Nanny raised her hands in mock surrender. "Oh, I see. I only said 'girl' and 'friend,' not girlfriend," she clarified with a smirk.
Emir chuckled softly and pleaded, "Nana, stop teasing me. Let me eat, okay?"
She relented with a grin. "Okay, go ahead and eat."
Noticing Ember standing hesitantly on the staircase, Emir motioned toward the seat beside him. "Come, sit next to me," he said warmly.
Ember nodded, her voice soft as she replied, "Okay." She descended the stairs and quietly took the seat he had indicated.
Nanny turned her attention to Ember, her curiosity piqued. "So, what is your name?"
Just as Ember opened her mouth to reply, Emir interjected with a smile. "Her name is Ember."
Nanny raised an eyebrow, her expression playful. "Why are you answering for her? I was asking her, not you."
Ember laughed lightly, her voice carrying warmth. "It's alright. My name is Ember. I'm from India."
Nanny's eyes widened with intrigue. "You came here from such a distance! When did you arrive? And how did you get here?"
Caught off guard, Ember glanced briefly at Emir, unsure how to answer. Emir stepped in smoothly. "She loves traveling, so she came here to explore."
Ember nodded, grateful for his quick thinking. "Yes, that's right."
Nanny wasn't done with her questions. "Where did you meet him?"
Ember hesitated for a split second, her thoughts scrambling. "I… I met him in the garden," she blurted out.
Nanny's brows knitted together in surprise. "What?"
Sensing the need to elaborate, Emir quickly clarified. "Actually, she's my online friend from India. She came here to surprise me. She arrived at my house yesterday, and we coincidentally crossed paths in my garden. Since she's here, I invited her to stay at my place, and she agreed." His warm smile seemed to ease any lingering doubt.
Nanny chuckled, her skepticism melting away. "Ah, so that's what she meant. But why do you keep answering for her?"
Before Emir could respond, Ember interjected with a shy smile. "He's right, Nana."
Nanny shook her head with mock exasperation. "Alright, enough chatter. Let's finish our breakfast."
Emir nodded, agreeing. "Okay, Nana."
The trio settled into their meal, the air filled with lighthearted conversation. Midway through breakfast, the sound of a phone ringing interrupted the moment.
Emir set down his chopsticks and picked up his phone. "Hello?"