~Kim Na Ri~
"Help me, please!" I cried out in pain, hoping for someone to come to my aid. I struggled to move, but I couldn't budge. I was trapped underneath a car.
I'm all alone. I'm trying to breathe deeply, but it's getting harder with each passing minute. I fear I might not make it out of here. The dim street lights are piercing my eyes—I can't even keep them open.
As I was about to close my eyes, I noticed a figure stirring in the darkness. Could it be someone approaching me? Will this person come to my aid? I hope so, or else... I don't know what will happen.
I waited anxiously as the person approached me, feeling relieved when they finally did. Now that someone's here, I know I'll be safe. Nothing bad will happen to me now.
The stranger stood directly above me, a silhouette against the dim light. I yearned to beg him for help, yet my gaze fixated on his striking features-the earnestness in his eyes, the kindness etched into his expression. With a gentle gesture, he extended his hand toward me. In that moment, the world seemed to swirl and blur around us, a surreal haze enveloping my senses. Instinctively, I reached out, grasping for the lifeline he offered.
Suddenly, sirens blared in my ears, jolting me awake. I glanced around and then it struck me—I was dreaming, that recurring dream once more.
I had an accident seven months ago, where I was hit by a car. Since then I have these weird dreams often. But this time, something was different. In all my previous dreams, I was always alone, trapped under a car, calling out for help to no avail. Then the alarm would ring, and I would wake up. That had been the routine for months. But now, there was someone. Someone who came to help. For the first time, I had a face to remember.
My alarm was still ringing. I lunged for the alarm clock, knowing I was late for school once more. After shutting off the noise, I hurried out of bed, took a quick shower, and dashed downstairs for breakfast. Mom and Dad were already seated at the dining table having their meal.
"There she comes," Dad remarked. "I can't remember the last time you were ready for your school on time," he continued.
"Can we not start arguing so early in the morning? She might have had a difficult night, you know," Mom replied, coming to my rescue. They're aware of the dreams I've had since the accident seven months ago. But I won't mention seeing someone this time. They'll bombard me with questions if I do. "You better hurry with breakfast if you want to catch the bus to school," Dad said casually. He despises laziness and undisciplined behavior, traits he often attributes to me. It's not like I choose to be late-I can't control my dreams now, can I?
"Don't worry, Dad. Uncle Moo Jin said he'll give me a ride to school. He doesn't have any passengers this early anyway." I replied.
Uncle Moo Jin drives a cab. He's always been there to help me out with a ride, especially since I used to tutor his son back when he was in kindergarten.
"Oh, that poor guy! How many times has he given you free rides?" Dad remarked.
"It's fine. I tutored his son for free for about five years," I responded. Dad sighed at this. He cares about me, but he's always urging me to be more responsible.
After finishing my breakfast, I texted Uncle Moo Jin to meet me near the bus stop for a ride. I grabbed my bag, said goodbye to Mom and Dad, and headed off to school.
Uncle Moo Jin was waiting for me, when I arrived at the Bus stop. I thanked him for always being on time and he scolded me for always being late.
"Uncle, I am sorry, but I promise I won't be late again. I'll take the bus next time. But for now, please start driving or I'll be late on the first day of the semester."
"You shouldn't be late then or just sort things out with that kid."
"What kid? Who do you mean, Uncle?" I pretended not to know, even though I knew exactly who he was referring to. None other than—Chae Soo, my neighbor. I used to have a crush on him and thought he felt the same, but I was completely mistaken. He's actually a jerk who can't stand being near me, and I feel the same about him—Now.
"Of course, I'm referring to your closest friend, Chae Soo," Uncle continued, his voice gentle yet probing. "I see you've been avoiding him, not even sharing the same bus. Isn't it time you two rekindled that old friendship? How much longer will you keep ignoring each other like this?"
"Firstly, he's not my best friend anymore. And It's not me, but him, who prefers things this way, and I'm not interested in chasing after him. I have my own goals to achieve, and that's where my focus will remain," I replied firmly.
"Oh! you mean to find the one who helped you on the day of your accident." Uncle answered.
"Yes exactly!"
No one knows who called 911 on the night of my accident. The person didn't give their name, just that it was a man. That's all I know at this point. My main focus now is to locate and thank the person who assisted me.
Oh! Maybe I should add one more. Finding the guy in my dream.
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As soon as I got to school, I went straight to see my best friend, Yu Mi. I had to tell her all about the dream I had last night. She's the only one I can share these things with. When I walked into my classroom, it was almost empty. The usual bustle was conspicuously absent. Puzzled, I scanned the empty desks, wondering where everyone had vanished to. Just as the thought crossed my mind, a playful thump landed on the back of my head.
"How can you be late again? Are you an idiot?", it was Yu Mi.
"Shouldn't you say Good Morning to me first?" I asked playfully.
"Oh, it's almost noon here, but it will still be morning for you. Try to be on time, okay? You should be glad our Homeroom Teacher isn't here yet and neither are the other students. That's the only reason you got lucky and no one has noticed you coming late."
"Yes, I was about to ask where is everyone?"
"Did you forget? It's basketball match today between Class A and Class B. And as you know from our Class B, Chae Soo is the captain."
"Did you really have to mention his name? Ah, never mind. In that case, I'll be rooting for Class A."
"But you are not from that class....."
I cut her off and said, "So what? I have every right to support whichever class I choose. But let's put that aside for now; I have something important to share with you."
I recounted the dream I had this morning, describing to her the stranger who had appeared—a person I'd never encountered before. I told her how he had tried to help me and how strikingly handsome he was. Each time I dreamt of something connected to that accident, I shared it with her, and today was no different.
"What do you think about this Yu Mi?" I asked her once I was done mentioning every detail of my dream.
"I don't know what to say either; this is really strange. How can you dream about someone you've never met? I think you must have seen him somewhere before. You mentioned he was really handsome, right? Maybe you saw him in a movie or a show, and it got mixed into your dream.
You know, sometimes I have really strange dreams too. Just a few days ago, I was talking to my mom about the dog that used to live next door to us, and on the same day, I saw a beautiful dress in that shop we visited last month. Do you know what I dreamed that night? I was judging a modeling show, and that dog was standing on two legs, walking in the same dress I saw earlier, doing a catwalk. Can you believe it? A dog doing a catwalk! Geez, that was so strange!" Yu Mi explained and her bizzare dream made me laugh.
"So are you saying that the guy I saw has nothing to do with the accident?"
"Well I don't know, it could be or it could not... I think you should skip it for now. Let's go and enjoy the match and cheer against Chae Soo, Ok?"
"Woah, are you saying you will support other class for me? You are such a good friend, thank you and I love you!"
"Stop it! If someone hears us, they will think we are dating."
"Okay! Let's go and watch the match now."
I'm really grateful to have a friend like Yu Mi. At least I have her. She has always been a good friend, but I used to spend most of my time with Chae Soo. Since he started distancing himself, my friendship with Yu Mi has deepened, and we've become best friends.
I would be sharing about this dream with Chae Soo as well if he wouldn't have started acting like a jerk and avoided me after that accident.