Chapter 25 : a dream…..a wish….

What the hell is happening here? I was just fine, and then suddenly my vision blurs, and I'm somewhere else entirely. I look around, and all I see is a vast expanse of grassland stretching out before me. Am I dead?

But then I see her - Frederica, looking as adorable as I remember her from 10 years ago, dressed in her traditional Lun-Bawang outfit. I feel a pang of nostalgia as I follow her, and we walk together towards a little lake that holds fond memories for me.

As we approach the lake, I see my younger self, 10 years ago, standing there. Frederica turns to me and asks, "Hey, want to dance?" Before I can respond, she pulls me towards her, and we dance together in perfect harmony, just like two birds flying together in the skies.

"I've always wanted to see the world, whether from the skies or the ground itself..." she whispers, her voice barely audible over the rustling of the wind.

I nod, unable to speak, as if my voice is trapped in my throat. We're lost in the moment, our footsteps synchronized as we dance to the rhythm of the wind.

Suddenly, Frederica's face changes, and I see Natalie's tear-stained face. "Alex, please promise me... don't leave me..." she begs, her voice cracking with emotion.

What's going on here? Why am I seeing these visions? I try to process what's happening, but before I can react, the scene shifts again.

This time, I see Sylvia, her eyes red-rimmed from crying. "Alex, don't lose hope..." she whispers, her voice barely audible.

I'm confused, torn between these different visions. Why am I seeing these people? What do they want from me?

The scene changes again, and I'm standing in front of a grave. I see a girl with red hair standing there, looking at the gravestone with a mixture of sadness and determination.

"I promise, sis... I promise... I will not rest until we get our revenge, our own true freedom. They will suffer for this..." she vows, her voice filled with conviction.

What's going on here? Why am I seeing these different scenes?

The vision changes again, and I'm in LA. I see Darrel lying on the ground, bleeding but still alive. What's happening here? Why am I seeing this?

Suddenly, I hear the clone's voice. "Tell me where the boy is..." Darrel responds, despite his injuries, "Over my dead body..." A gunshot rings out, and I look away, unable to bear the sight.

As I turn back, I see Darrel's ghostly form standing before me. "Homie, you cool?" he asks, his voice familiar and reassuring.

I nod, and he looks up at the sky. "Homie, you need to keep your head up, bruh. You're a boss, you got this. Don't let nothin' bring you down, ‘kay?"

Why is Darrel talking to me like this? I realize that I'm in a dream, trapped in a world of visions and fragmented memories.

As I look at myself, I see a dark shadowy figure staring back. Darrel's voice echoes in my mind, "Listen, G, I'm gonna let you rock with this for now, but don't think it's yours for good. When I feel like it's time to take it back, I'm gettin' it back, know what I'm sayin'? Just deal with it, little brother.”

I see myself reflected in a mirror, standing in front of a burning house, with Darrel's lifeless body behind me. My eyes are yellowish, a stark contrast to my normal self.

"You going to decide... one day... all that choice... you going to throw that away and burn everything around your path... trust me... I know..." I hear my own voice, echoing in my mind.

In front of me, it's my own self, talking to me, as if I'm trapped in a never-ending loop of self-reflection and doubt.

I try to deny the voice in my head, shouting at the top of my lungs. "Shut the fuck up... I know my own self!!" My voice echoes through the darkness, a desperate attempt to silence the doubts that plague my mind.

But the voice persists, its words cutting deep into my psyche. "Bullshit... you think you care for all of this... after this happens... trust me, look at you... they're all afraid of you... it's time to grow up... you can't be like this forever…"

I feel a surge of anger and frustration, my emotions boiling over like a volcano about to erupt. Who is this voice, and what does it know about me? I'm myself, no one can question me.

I shout again, my voice raw and emotional. "FUCK YOU!!!!!" The words hang in the air, a defiant challenge to the voice that's tormenting me.

But as the echoes fade away, I realize that I'm not in some dark, abstract realm. I'm in my own room, lying in my own bed. The familiar surroundings are a jarring contrast to the turmoil that's been brewing inside me.

As I look around, I see Sylvia sleeping next to me, her eyes dark and sunken from lack of sleep. Her face is pale, and her breathing is shallow. I feel a pang of concern and guilt, wondering what I've put her through.

What happened here? How did I end up in my bed, and what's been going on while I was... wherever I was? The questions swirl in my mind, but I have no answers. All I know is that I need to get to the bottom of this, to understand what's happening to me and how to stop it.

I glance at the clock on my nightstand, and my eyes widen as I see that it's 12:00 AM, midnight. But what's really bothering me is that I'm half-naked, and I have no idea why. I try to sit up, but a gentle hand on my arm stops me. It's Sylvia, and she's holding onto me like she's afraid I'll disappear if she lets go.

As she opens her eyes, I try to lighten the mood with a weak smile. "Uhh... hi..." But instead of smiling back, Sylvia buries her face in my chest, her arms wrapping around me like a vice.

"Hey, I'm okay now..." I try to reassure her, but she just mumbles into my chest. "Shut up, dumbass... how am I supposed to explain to Nat if she finds out you went out cold..."

I'm starting to get curious. "Uh... how long have I been asleep?" I ask, trying to piece together what's happened.

Sylvia's voice is muffled against my chest. "It's been three days... when Mother and Father called the doctor, they said you had some sort of coma... and…"

I gently tilt her head up, my eyes locking onto hers. "Yeah?" I prompt, my voice soft.

"Everyone's worried about you," she says, her voice barely above a whisper.

I nod, feeling a pang of guilt. "Well, it's late right now... better I just continue to sleep, right?”

Sylvia's face lights up with an angelic smile. "I'm just really glad you woke up right now..."

I'm starting to feel a little weird, though. I have no idea what happened in my bed over the past three days, and the not knowing is eating away at me.

As Sylvia explains that Mariam, Amin, Siti, and Priscilla have been taking turns looking after me, I feel a growing sense of unease. I don't know what to make of this, or what might have happened while I was unconscious.

Sylvia snuggles closer to me, her body warm against mine. "Now I feel really sleepy..." she murmurs.

I nod, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. "Yeah, better go to sleep then…"

The next morning, Sylvia's still fast asleep, so I gently lay her down on the bed and slip out of the room. As I make my way upstairs, I notice that some noise around must be breakfast.

But it's not the atmosphere that's got my attention - it's the memories of my dream. They're vivid and clear, like a movie playing in my mind. I can see every detail, every face, every moment. And I'm starting to wonder... what does it all mean?

"Slyvia? Come on, let me look after Alex... !!!" My mom's voice echoes down the stairs, her tone laced with worry and concern.

As I emerge from the hallway, I see her standing at the bottom of the stairs, her eyes wide with shock. I glance at the clock on the wall, and it reads 6:00 AM. The early morning light streaming through the windows casts a warm glow over the scene, but Mom's expression is anything but warm.

She rushes towards me, her arms open wide. "YA ALLAH, ALEX!!!!" she exclaims, her voice trembling with emotion. I can see the fear and relief etched on her face, and I feel a pang of guilt for worrying her.

Dad follows close behind, his face etched with concern. The commotion starts to escalate as Priscilla, Siti, and Uncle Usman appear out of nowhere, their faces filled with worry and curiosity.

"Uh... morning?" I try to greet them, but Mom's reaction is swift and decisive. She knocks my head gently but firmly. "You stupid!!! How could you let yourself get like that!!!”

Tears well up in her eyes as she hugs me tightly, her body shaking with sobs. I can feel her warmth and love envelop me, and I wrap my arms around her, holding her close.

The scene quickly becomes chaotic as Hana and Sam join in, hugging me tightly. The room is filled with the sound of their tears and worried chatter. Uncle Habeeb and his wife, along with Hakeeb, arrive on the scene, their faces filled with relief.

"Alhamdullilah!!!" Uncle Habeeb exclaims, his voice filled with gratitude. He joins the group hug, his arms wrapping around me and Mom.

The moment is intense, filled with emotion and love. I feel like I'm being suffocated by all the hugs and tears, but at the same time, it's a reminder of how much I mean to these people.

Priscilla rushes towards me, her eyes brimming with tears. "Geez, mate! About time you finally woke up! We've all been freaking out about you, ya know?" she says, her voice cracking as she tries to hug me.

I can feel her warmth and concern as she wraps her arms around me. I'm touched by her emotional reaction, and I hug her back, trying to reassure her that I'm okay.

Meanwhile, Dad looks like he's been through a rollercoaster of emotions. "I'm sorry, son..." he says, his voice shaking as he sheds tears. I can see the lines on his face, the worry and concern etched deep into his features. It's a far cry from the stern, authoritative figure I remember from my childhood.

I try to lighten the mood by flexing my muscles. "I'm good, Dad... look," I say, trying to convince them that I'm fit and healthy. But Dad just smiles weakly, his eyes still red from crying.

Just then, Sylvia opens the door with a bright smile on her face. "You got all of us worried about it..." she says, her voice soft and gentle.

Mom chimes in, her voice laced with worry. "I did say to Mr. Hawk because he was looking for you... and I explained to him about you..." I feel a surge of panic - did Natalie find out about this?

But Mom reassures me, "He didn't mention it to Natalie about this." She quickly makes a phone call, her voice shaking as she talks to Mr. Hawk. "Yeah... he wakes up... alhamdulliah... thanks Mr. Hawk for your support…"

She hands the phone to me, and I take a deep breath before answering. "Hey, Mr. Hawk…"

"Hey, kid!! Thank goodness you're back!! Anyway, Natalie misses you... well, at least you're good, son..." Mr. Hawk's voice is warm and reassuring, and I feel a pang of guilt for worrying him.

As my family continues to chat and catch up, I take a moment to pull Mr. Hawk aside mentally. "Hey, I need to tell you something," I say, my voice low. "I had this dream... it felt so real.”

Mr. Hawk's tone turns serious. "This is serious... but I'm glad you had that picture of the three of you... that is important... because I believe that the three of you are your light... that darkness thing just keeps me posted, remember once you go down this path, there are always challenges ahead of you…"

I nod, even though he can't see me. I know that Mr. Hawk is trying to prepare me for what's to come, and I appreciate his guidance. But a part of me wonders - what exactly am I getting myself into?

I take a deep breath and explain the situation to Mr. Hawk, recounting every detail of my journey that led me to this point. Mr. Hawk listens intently, his expression a mixture of concern and understanding.

"Yeah... kinda rough on ya, but I know Cheveyo," he says, using the Native American name he gave me. His voice is warm and reassuring, like a gentle breeze on a summer day.

"You will prevail, because that title of yours will guide people around... be strong, warrior son. I know this," he says, his words infused with a sense of confidence and conviction. I feel a surge of determination and strength, like a spark of electricity running through my veins.

"Thanks," I reply, my voice filled with gratitude. Mr. Hawk's words have a way of making me feel like I can overcome any obstacle.

"Hey, Alex... want to talk to Nat?" Mr. Hawk asks, a hint of a smile in his voice.

"Yeah," I reply, my heart skipping a beat at the mention of Natalie's name.

Mr. Hawk hands the phone to Natalie, and I hear her soft voice on the other end. "Hey, Cheveyo," she says, her tone gentle and affectionate.

I smile, feeling a sense of warmth and connection. "Hey, Shannay," I reply, using the nickname I have for her. My voice is filled with emotion, and I can sense the connection between us, like a thread of love and understanding that binds us together.

I listen to Natalie's voice on the phone, her concern evident in her tone. "Hey, I heard you got sick... you're okay?”

I smile, trying to reassure her. "Yeah, just a bit tired from the basketball match," I reply, downplaying the situation.

Natalie's voice is playful, but with a hint of seriousness. "I've got eyes on you," she says, making me wonder what she might know or suspect. I feel a shiver run down my spine, hoping she doesn't know about the recent incident.

I try to lighten the mood. "Well, love ya, Shannay," I say, using the nickname I have for her.

Natalie's response is immediate. "You betcha... love ya... send regards to Aunt Mas for me, will ya? I heard your dad has changed for the better - that's a good thing.”

I nod, even though she can't see me. "Yeah... he did," I reply, feeling a sense of gratitude towards my dad's transformation.

Natalie's teasing tone makes me chuckle. "If he can change, might as well you need to be better than…"

I play along, grinning. "Got it, ma’am."

"Dumbass," she giggles, her laughter infectious.

My face heats up as she continues. "I'm not going to lose, and making sure I'm your number one choice and no one else got it…"

I feel a surge of happiness and affection towards her. "Yeah... I know," I reply, my voice barely above a whisper.

Just as things were getting intense between Mariam and me, Natalie was still on the phone with me, and suddenly Mariam interrupted. "Hey!!! Don't you worry about this bulldog here, he ain't going down with just a cold!!!" Mariam said, her voice loud and boisterous.

Natalie's voice came through the phone, sharp as a knife. "Babe!! You asshole!!!! I'm having a chat with my boyfriend here!!”

But before Natalie could say more, Slyvia suddenly appeared, her eyes blazing with a possessive intensity. "Boyfriend…." she repeated, her voice low and husky. I knew that look, that tone - Slyvia had feelings for me, and she wasn't about to let anyone else have me.

I tried to play it cool, but it was too late with Natalie instantly responded "Ah…Slyvia my junior…..so I haven't forgotten that deal…." I said, trying to deflect the situation. But Slyvia was having none of it.

"Oo don't you worry because at least you should focus on your study while I'm looking after him, and make sure that you forget him…" Slyvia said, her voice dripping with venom. I face-palmed myself, wondering why this was escalating into a catfight.

Natalie's voice came through the phone again, still arguing with Slyvia. "Ah….maybe you need to improve your brain power at least rather than chasing someone's guy you know…"

Just as things were getting out of hand, Priscilla chimed in. "Good on ya, girl! I see you're having a yarn with my fella. Got nothing better to do than have a natter, eh?" she said, her voice playful but with a hint of sarcasm.

Siti, who had been quiet until now, suddenly spoke up. "Ai…..don't have already with me? darling…" she said, her voice sultry and seductive.

I felt like I was trapped in a war zone, with all these girls fighting over me. Natalie's voice came through the phone again, firm and possessive. "Uh huh….so now I have competition…eh…..very well…..Alex is my man and no one else I mean no one else having him and I mean it…!!”

Just when I thought things couldn't get any crazier, Mr. Hawk chimed in from somewhere in the background. "Geez son…I thought usually the guys are killing each other for a girl but this is the opposite.." he said, his voice amused and entertained.

I threw my hands up in the air, wondering how things had gotten so out of hand. "Don't treat me like some kind of a competition trophy..!!" I exclaimed, feeling like a prize being fought over. Slyvia's eyes locked onto mine, and I knew I was in trouble.

Mariam's voice was laced with venom as she replied to Natalie. "Hey!!! Aren't you a bit slow in the head!!!! I warn ya that Alex is going to be taken by someone!!" What the hell was she trying to prove? The tension was palpable, and I could feel the air thickening with anticipation.

Natalie's response was immediate. "First Mika now this….eh….hahh….YOU ALL GOING TO GET IT!!!!, AND I MEAN IT…..CHEVEYO IS MINE!!!!! MINE!!!" This was the first time I'd heard this level of possessiveness from Natalie, and I had to admit, it was both thrilling and terrifying. Shit, this was getting out of hand. I could hear Mr. Hawk's laughter in the background, and I knew he was enjoying the show.

Mariam's response was laced with sarcasm. "Kukuku….oh ya….Mika….yep another girl and this time Alex is really going to have a short life after this…" Mariam's words were like a spark to gasoline, igniting a fire that would be hard to put out.

Slyvia's eyes narrowed. "Mika….? You mean the new artist…." Her gaze was piercing, and I knew I was in trouble. "Hey, she is just a friend, got it!!" I tried to reason with her, but I knew it was a losing battle.

Siti, meanwhile, was holding her breasts like they were toys, her seductive gaze locked onto Amin. "Now an artist am I not enough right here?" she purred, her voice husky and inviting. Amin's eyes were glued to her, and he looked like he was about to drool.

Before anyone could react, Mariam delivered a roundhouse kick to Amin's face, sending him crashing to the ground. "Death to big boobs!!!" she exclaimed, her voice triumphant.

Mariam suddenly held her breasts and said to Natalie, "Nat!! Babes here that chasing your boyfriend here is bigger than us you know!!" What the hell was she doing? That was like adding fuel to the fire.

The phone line went silent for a moment, and then something dropped and crashed on the other end. This was getting scary. "Nat, well let me stop here for now…." I said, trying to defuse the situation.

But Natalie and Slyvia were having none of it. "Don't!!!" they said in unison, their voices firm and determined.

Mariam's voice was like a spark to the powder keg. "Death to big boobs!!!" Just shut it, Mariam. I was the one who was going to die here.

The aura surrounding me was getting worse by the second. Hana tried to kick me, but I dodged it. Unfortunately, her punch to the gut was too much for me, and I went down to my knees. Damn, that was a mean punch.

Hana's voice was like a declaration of war. "BIG BROTHER BELONGS TO BIG SIS NAT!!! NO ONE ELSE IS HAVING HIM!!!!! FULL STOP!!!" She was dead serious, and I knew I was in trouble.

On the phone, Mr. Hawk was trying to calm Natalie down. "Nat…calm down….they mean no harm there okay…" But Natalie was beyond reason. "This bitches is going to get it!!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with anger and determination. Oh shit, this was going to be bad.

I glared at Mariam, my eyes blazing with annoyance. But instead of backing down, she did the most infuriating thing - she struck a cute anime pose at me, her hands clasped together and her head tilted to one side. "Oops….kukuku" she said, her voice dripping with mischief. I felt my blood pressure rising, and I wondered if I'd survive this day without losing my mind.

As I stood there, frozen in frustration, Mariam's pose seemed to defuse the tension. But I knew it was only temporary. My life was getting closer to finding me a grave for myself, and I wasn't sure if I'd make it out alive.

Just then, Mom's voice cut through the chaos. "Alright kids, it's time to go to school, you know….it's already morning…" The sudden interruption was like a bucket of cold water, shocking Mariam and the others into action. They scattered like cockroaches, leaving only Slyvia and me, and Natalie's voice still coming through the phone.

Natalie's sarcastic tone was like a knife to my already frayed nerves. "Uh huh….looks like you all need to go to school, kids…" Slyvia shot back, her voice laced with amusement. "Well, aren't you supposed to be in bed?" The verbal sparring match was on, and I was the hapless spectator.

Natalie's response was unpredictable, as always. "Huah!! Yep, a good word jousting is just another day for me….." I raised an eyebrow, wondering what she was up to now.

But before I could react, Natalie launched into a conversation with Slyvia that left me bewildered. "Anyway….since we both had a deal, look after Alex for me…..make sure those bitches aren't getting more on my babe there…" What deal? What was going on? I felt like I was trapped in some kind of bizarre game, and I didn't know the rules.

Slyvia's response only added to my confusion. "I do agree because……" And then, in perfect sync, they both declared, "He is dumbass!!" I felt a chill run down my spine as they spoke in unison, their voices like a deadly duo. Jeez, this was getting scary.

Natalie's voice came through the phone again, her tone suddenly sweet and gentle. "Gotta rest, goodnight Sil….glad having this kind of chat….kinda stress me out with this work…" Slyvia replied, her voice equally soft. "Yep, I know that feeling…" And then they both giggled, their laughter like a cold breeze on a winter night.

Natalie hung up, and Slyvia turned to me, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Well, then come on, we need to get ready for school!!" She pushed me towards my room, ordering me to get changed. I stumbled forward, my mind reeling with questions. What just happened? What kind of game were Natalie and Slyvia playing? And why did I feel like I was the pawn in their twisted game?

I stepped out of my bedroom, feeling a mix of trepidation and determination. Slyvia was waiting for me at the door, a bright smile on her face. "Breakfast is ready," she said, her voice like music to my ears. But as I approached her, she stretched her arms upwards, arching her back in a way that made my heart skip a beat. "Well, another day for all of us…." she said, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

I felt a flush rise to my cheeks as I realized she was being deliberately provocative. What the hell was I thinking?! I tried to shake off the feeling, focusing on the day ahead. "Uh….that is what I'm worried about…another day in school with this kind of commotions," I said, trying to sound nonchalant.

As we headed to the dining area, I was surprised to see my friends gathered around the table, waiting for me. Mariam, Amin, and the others were all chatting and laughing, their faces filled with warmth and camaraderie. It was a surreal moment, given that I'd just been in a coma and was still getting used to being back in the land of the living.

But as I looked around the table, I felt a sense of gratitude and appreciation. These were my friends, the people who had stood by me through thick and thin. And as I sat down to join them, I knew that I was exactly where I belonged.

At least I knew that damn shadow was wrong, I thought to myself. This was my reality, surrounded by people who cared about me, who would fight for me. And as we dug into breakfast, the warmth and laughter filling the air, I felt a sense of peace wash over me. This was what mattered, not the drama and intrigue that lay ahead, but the simple moments of joy and connection that made life worth living.

As we ate, Slyvia caught my eye, her gaze sparkling with amusement. I felt a flutter in my chest, and I knew that this day was going to be interesting. Little did I know just how interesting it would get.