"Treasure?"
A tall, slim boy in his early twenties called out to the girl resting her head on his lap. His calm aura blended naturally with the gentle strength in his voice.
"Yes, baby?" she answered softly, lifting her head slightly until her eyes met his. "What's up?" she asked, her dark hazel eyes shimmering with a blend of comfort and excitement.
"Heh." He chuckled, brushing a few strands of her long braided hair aside so he could better admire her goddess-like allure.
"Why are you laughing all of a sudden?" she asked, puffing her cheeks into a cute pout. "You called me, I answered — so why laugh?"
"It's just… you." He stuttered a bit, trying to contain his laughter. "When we first met, you always called me 'Son.' But now…" His grin widened as his gaze landed on her flushed face.
"Now what?! Ugh, you're teasing me again, aren't you?" she said while lightly hitting his chest — more playful than aggressive, almost childishly cute.
"Aww! That hurts — not! Heh heh… you hit like a girl." He grabbed her hands as he mocked her.
"Because I am a girl, DUMMY!" she snapped, socking him harder this time.
"Ouch! Now that really hurt." He laughed and held her hand firmly. "We've really come far, you know… to actually be in love with each other." His tone shifted — serious now, deeply focused on the young lady before him.
"We weren't supposed to fall in love. In fact, when we met, you made me promise not to fall for each other." His voice softened, and a radiant smile stretched across his lips. "But now… we can't live without each other."
On hearing those words, the girl's face flushed pink as a dazzling smile lit her expression — bright enough to illuminate the entire room.
"Sometimes it's exciting… and sometimes it's scary," he added, his voice suddenly carrying a cold edge of reason.
"Scary? W-what do you mean?" she asked, curiosity rising.
"I sometimes imagine…" He hesitated. "What if we suddenly woke up and it was all a dream?"
"Hmmm… Kevin, you and your imaginations. You shou—"
"But just imagine it," he insisted gently, cutting her off. "Us meeting, getting to know each other, becoming besties, and finally falling in love. What if it's all a dream? What would be your reaction?"
She grew quiet for a moment.
"Well… actually, there are a lot of things I wish I could change. Like being a single mom… my unfinished academics…" She exhaled, voice trembling slightly. "But I guess I'll miss us. Meeting you seemed to have quelled all my regrets."
As if startled by her own honesty, she suddenly sat up straight. "Right now, the only future I want is with you." With that, she leaned closer until their lips met.
The moonlight stretched down like a spotlight, illuminating them — warmth settling over their youthful bodies as they held each other in a calm but desperate embrace.
The kiss felt endless — though only a few minutes passed — and with every second their desire to become one grew deeper.
But the young lady pulled away before it crossed the point of no return.
"…Again?" Kevin exhaled in disappointment. "You did it again. Just when we're about to get closer, you always cut it short. Why?"
"Well… I feel like if we go that far," she looked at him apologetically, "y-you won't love me the same way you do right now. And besides, you're a virgin… I feel guilty. What would people say?"
"What do you mean 'what would people say?' You care more about what others think than how I feel?" His tone sharpened.
"I didn't mean it like that. I just don't want you to look at me differently… and I don't think it's the right time yet. Plus sometimes I don't think I'm the right woman for you. I don't—"
"As a man, I know what I want in a lady," he cut in firmly, eyebrows furrowing. "And you're saying it's not the right time? Come on… we've been together for two months now. Tell me — when is it going to ever be the right time?"
"Two months isn't really that long… can't you wait a bit longer?" she asked nervously.
"Julie, this is a bit unfair, you know." He paused, letting the tension build around them. "Don't get me wrong — I'm willing to wait. But…" He sighed. "I'm a man, I get urges, and it's hard to control — especially when we live together."
"So I should leave the workers' lodge?!" she snapped, standing abruptly.
"You know that's not what I meant. Maybe you should consider—"
"Consider what?!" Julie yelled, cutting him off. "You know what? I really wish it was all a dream. I wouldn't regret anything!"
"Is that so?… well I wish it's all a dream too."
As Kevin said those words in anger, a shooting star tore through the sky with radiant glow — yet the couple, blinded by rage, didn't notice the unusual phenomenon.
"Well then, FINE!" she screamed. They now stood on the poorly lit balcony of the apartment complex. "Good night!"
"…Well, good night to you too!" he shot back, turning and walking to his room across from hers. For once — he wasn't going to apologize. Just this once, he wanted to feel justified.
"Hmph!" she huffed, throwing her chin up as if unbothered while opening her door. "Whatever!" she hissed, slamming it shut behind her.
Kevin did the same — dropping onto his bed in frustration. Yet as sleep crept toward him, one lingering thought surfaced:
(Did I go too far? Maybe… I should apologize in the morning.)
The thought faded as he drifted off.
—
Morning arrived with a nostalgic scent of home.
Birds chirped outside, and the crowing of chickens echoed through the house.
Kevin woke up staring at a strange — or rather, long-forgotten — ceiling.
(W-where am I? This isn't my room at the workers' lodge…)
"Everybody wake up! It's time for prayers!" a loud but soothing female voice called from the doorway.
"Mom?!" he blurted in confusion.
"Yes," his mother smiled. "Wake your sisters and come to the living room. Let's pray."
"Sisters?" Kevin looked around the room. Children were scattered in various sleeping positions — his sisters — but younger. Too young. They were meant to be adults with families of their own.
He rushed toward the mirror.
Staring back at him was his younger self — the child he used to be.
And then it dawned on him.
"Was it all… a dream?" he whispered.
"Am I finally… awake?"
*To be continued *