Love Is Second Best — Chapter 27: REALITY AND NIGHTMARES IN ONE

Hope's POV

"Darling, you looked weary. Is there something wrong?"

"No, dad." I avoided my gaze and tried to smile but I think dad's not buying it.

"Aren't you happy watching "Pile Of Dreams" with Carmella?"

"Of course I am. Sorry dad. I am just tired, I guess." I slightly pouted my lip as I sighed quietly. I am playing with my spoon and fork on my plate. We had some fried chicken, steak and mixed veggies for dinner.

"Hmm, that's why I noticed you're not in the mood to eat even if these are your favorite foods too."

"Sorry dad."

"I should try Carmella's suggestion of asking you about Pile Of Dreams." I can't help but grin. I saw my dad smiling too.

"I think Carmella's right. You really love Shrevakhuk so much. I noticed that your mood could change in seconds when it comes to him."

"I think I just love Shrevakhuk so much, his writing, the way he would express his words through short stories and poetry."

"I am proud of you, dear."

"Why dad?" I said between chuckles.

"You're a wide reader. You even excel now that we're here in the Philippines. The way you adapt to this environment is impressive. I did not expect that it would only go easy on you."

"Of course.Most of my friends are the best dad, especially Carmella and you know it."

"Yup. I am always grateful to her as a good influence to you."

"I will always do my best to make you proud dad." He smiled as he sliced a thin portion of meat and got it by the use of his fork.

"Here," I giggled as I opened my mouth to what my dad was giving me.

When we're done with our dinner, dad went with me inside my room to talk more.

"Do you need milk or cookies?"

"Daddy, please do not spoil me. I might demand all the things you're offering now, you'll be out of money for sure."

He laughed and put his hands on my hair and gently crumpled them.

"Sometimes, it is so hard for me that my baby is growing too fast now."

"Dad, I'll always be your precious Elise Hope."

He got his wallet in his pocket. He pulled the old picture of our family taken ten years ago. He handed it to me as he smiled.

"Yeah, I will always be like this adorable baby, dad. I promise."

He just showed me a weak smile as a response. He is sitting beside me on my table and I am holding the little picture of the three of us when I was really young back then.

"It's sad that it's our first and last picture as a family."

"Yeah, if only I can bring back the time, dad." I said as I gently touched the surface of the picture.

"Dad, do you have a clearer version of this picture? This picture is really faded and old already. I can't see mom's face through this one."

"I'm sorry but that's the only picture I got back then, dear."

"Oh," I looked at my father's face. He may never tell it to me directly but I can see the regret upon his eyes.

"Do you miss her, dad?"

"Yeah, so much. For me, she's the only girl I ever want to love even in the next lifetime."

"You know what, dad? I want to be married to a guy who possesses traits like you have. For me, you're a perfect daddy. I also want to have someone who will love me like how you do."

"Yes, my darling. The right man will come at the right time even without you knowing it. But first, prioritize your studies. Catch your dreams and establish your goals first."

"I will always keep that in mind, daddy."

----

"No! Please! No!" I am awakened by a hoarse cry. When I opened my eyes, I could see my mother sweating a lot. She's also moving her head from side to side and I can see tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Mom, please wake up. Can you hear me? Mom?" I shook her body for almost a minute. The sight of her crying in horror made my heart pulsating to death. She's having a nightmare, that I am sure of.

When she opened her eyes as she pants, I felt a jolt of relief all of a sudden. She sat on her bed with her feet stretching, feeling the mattress. I can see that she roamed her gaze around the room and when she saw me, rage filled the once innocent, looking pair of eyes.

"Leave," Her voice roared inside the room that made me close my eyes.

"B-But mom, are you okay now? D-Do you need some water?"

"Leave! And don't show your face to me and I hope you die, too!" Her voice is even louder than her first word that he shouted at me a while ago. She stretched her arm wide and her pointing finger pointed to the door. I nodded and turned my back on her. I noticed that tears were already flowing on my cheeks.

"...I hope you die, too!" The last words from her are crushing me so much that it hurts. No matter how I tried to conceal my feelings, I lost it at that moment. When I opened the door to my room, I walked towards my bed and dove on it, laying on my stomach as I buried my face on my pillow.

I never knew that I would fall asleep on the side of her bed. I woke up, noticing that my head is resting on my folded arms that's leaning on the side part of my bed.

Why is she wishing me to die all of a sudden? Did she really mean it? Is that how worst her dreams were that she got mad at the sight of me? Am I bringing her a real-life nightmare?

I pulled the blanket over my head as I wiped my tears. I reached out for my phone on the bedside table placed beside my bed. I checked on the messages and as usual, I got a text message from Kara, Adrian and Hope.

I opened the message of Hope and she sent me a sweet quote about friendship. I also opened Adrian's message and I am spoiled by a sweet quote that means he misses me already.

The last message I opened is from Kara.

"Bff, please check your messenger. I sent screenshots and videos there."

I wrinkled my forehead as I read the messages again. I followed what Kara said. When I opened my messenger, there were nine candid photos of Adrian wearing a basketball uniform in different sets and colors. What caught my attention is the video of three minutes.

'My goodness Kara. Whatever this is, I will really pinch you when I see you."

My jaw almost dropped when the video is Adrian playing basketball with his friends. I guess Kara is with them because she took this video on her iphone, I am sure with it.

I played the video for almost ten times that I already knew where Adrian would smile and shoot for three. I guess I already memorize every detail from the video because watching it feels so addicting.

"Girl, you never know how this video means to me." I typed on the screen and sent it to Kara. After a minute, I can see a caller alert on my screen.

"Hey. What happened?" She asked in a serious manner. As soon as I heard her voice, I cried and poured her emotions to my best friend.

"What is it, this time?" She added, after she waited for less than three minutes. I could feel her sympathy from the sound of her voice.

"Thank you so much. At least this video is making me cry, this time with tears of joy."

"You really managed to joke around after what happened to you. You're really something."

"Of course, I can't hate my mom and you know it. She's everything I have, together with grandma but she's living far away from our house."

"I can't blame you. I am happy that I get to cheer you up somehow. I thought I will only send it to you just to give you random happiness."

"Your timing is really amazing. I love it."

"Gosh, when it comes to my cousin, your mood changes so easily. I guess I will have to tell him to make you happier everyday."

"What? So you mean you're only telling him to be sweet to me and he didn't really mean it?"

"Silly girl. Ian is not like that. He's a guy with good intentions. I am the only black sheep in the family."

"Yeah. I agree. I can't even believe how I get to be friends with you." I said between chuckles.

"I hate you thirty percent. Anyway, what I am saying is true. If he likes something, he's gonna get it on his own. You don't have to tell or remind him of that."

"Oh, I see..."

"I am confident that you're the kind of girl he'd wanted to be his as he will treat you right. Just be patient and wait for it."

"Kara, I love you so much. Thank you for tonight."

"Yeah, I love you too, even if you love Adrian more than me I would understand."

"Kara!" I can't help but laugh.

"Gosh, a while ago you're crying miserably, now you're laughing like a crazy girl. We're really best friends."