LUCAS

Darkness… Now, I live in a constant state of pain and misery.

My world which was filled with vibrant color has turned into endless darkness.

I don’t recognize where am I. I don’t know when did it become like this. Now I'm drifting in the middle of a dark abyss, still hoping that somebody can rescue me. My body felt light like I am carried by a wave that I can’t see. Maybe I’m dead and this is the afterlife, maybe my hunch was true, maybe this is an alien abduction I was unable to move but my mind is active as it will ever be.

Drifting through the darkness, a tiny speckle of light shined through, I look at it directly. For a while, I struggle through the unforeseen wave aiming to reach the light I saw. Looking through where I am, the light as far as I can see. I don’t know how far but I want to look at it directly, maybe there are the answers I sought out.

***

ALEXA

It has been 3 weeks since Lucas came to the hospital. You can see how his condition worsen. He’s close to skin and bones, the doctor said that there is a big chance that after he wakes up, he could become a cripple. Even though we broke up, I took my time coming to see him every day. I am hoping that he would wake up in his endless dream. I thought that my only compensation was to see him wake up and be together with him. I promised myself that when he wakes up, I would like to be his girlfriend once more.

***

LUCAS

It took a lot of time in reaching the light. As the light approaches, I realized that the wave that was keeping me afloat was no ordinary water. It consists of hands, and all of the water was made of the human-ish figure, like the one I saw at the grocery store which started it all.

Now for the first time, I come close to the light. As I reached towards the light, the hands tugged me away from the light. I panicked and struggled with all my might. But the hands want to drag me down from the bottom. It feels like someone was pulling your legs down the ocean where there is no land or anything near to hold on to. As a final struggle, I kicked the hands which were pulling me and tackled everything that was blocking my way, then as the light was closing on me, I reached out my hand high enough to reach a bit of the light. After that, a big flash of light enveloped everything.

***

ALEXA

I was on my way to the hospital when Lucas’ mother called.

“Alexa, are you going to the hospital? Please hurry, something is going on with Lucas.”

It was a good thing that I was almost at the hospital when I answered the call.

I quickly went to the private room where Lucas was staying. Upon arriving, I saw many nurses and doctors making too much commotion. I squeezed my way in, and I saw Lucas’ move wildly in his bed. I looked over to where his mother was and she was crying and panicking. I went to his side regardless of what the doctor’s protocol during a medical emergency and held his hand. I can feel his strength even though his arms are thin. His grip tightened as he wriggled his body wildly then all of a sudden a deafening scream echoed through the room.

***

LUCAS

After the blinding flash of light, I woke up in an unfamiliar surrounding. I scanned the room and found out that it is full of people but they are all looking at me. I freaked out at realizing that everyone was staring at me. After that realization, I was holding something in my left hand. I let go of that then someone spoke beside me.

“Welcome back, Lucas…”

I was surprised to see Alexa here and crying by my side. I wonder what happened?

“Lucas, my son…” My mother approached and gave me a big hug.

Before I reacted to all of them, my throat suddenly became dry.

“Can I have some water please…” I said.

After drinking the water, I felt sudden fatigue that wrapped my whole body. I felt like I ran a thousand miles without stopping and as seeing their faces, my parents and Alexa, I felt relieved.

***

ALEXA

After a sudden need for water, Lucas went back to sleep. We all panicked when he went to sleep. I try to wake him up immediately, but the doctor stopped me.

“Let the patient rest. I think this is his rest in a while.”

I looked at Lucas’ parents and they both agreed with the doctor.

“Think of it like this, after seeing your face he felt relieved so now that his mind is relaxed his mechanism acted and let him sleep peacefully. I’ll examine him after he has woken up.” the doctor said then left the room.

The nurses left with the doctor and the room was left empty and it became quiet all of a sudden. I looked at Lucas’ sleeping face and see how peaceful he was. Upon seeing him like that I also felt relieved.

“I guess we can catch up after you wake up…” I whispered.

***

My life is starting to come back to normal. After that incident, I have a hard time standing and walking. I have to undergo, physical rehab to be able to walk again. During those 6 months of rehab, Alexa was always by my side. I know I was too late to realize how important Alexa to me but I now know my priorities.

As soon as I started to walk, bit by bit, I fixed everything that was wrong with my life. I quit my day job and came back home to the countryside. My mother was happy to hear that I was coming back to our home. Even though it wasn't in my plan to come back, I knew that I owe them that much. Alexa also understands my decision even though we won't see each other that much.

Upon completing the 6 months of rehab, I asked Alexa once again. This time, I asked her out with a wedding in mind. I know I haven't proven myself to her but I promised that after I sorted out everything then we would plan the wedding.

***

"Alexa, come sit here..." I said as I tapped the picnic blanket.

Alexa would come once a week to the countryside to meet me. She likes the ambiance here since after the incident that was the first time I brought her to my home.

"Wait a minute I'm setting the food so that we can eat," Alexa replied.

"Put that down for a moment..." I said pulling her towards me.

"Look..." I pointed towards the horizon.

Alexa gasped and let out a silent comment. "Wow..."

“It’s beautiful isn’t it?” I said as Alexa was focused on the slow descent of the sun.

“Yes…” She said then leans on my right shoulder.

“You do love sunsets, Lucas. At least there are still things that didn’t change.”

I looked at her, my face closer than ever to hers.

“You forgot something that never changed…” I whispered to her ear.

Alexa moved her face away.

“Okay what is it that I forgot?” she sarcastically replied.

I looked at her with a serious face, that I want to make her think that what I'm going to say is true.

“My feelings for you… How I love you, that I’m sure didn’t change.” Lucas said.

Alexa smiled and didn't say a word after that. We stared at the sunset until the sky became dark. Having her here by my side, I know that I can handle everything that the future will hold. I know I was stupid to realize what's her worth, and it was lame of me, that of all the things, a dream made me realize what was important. Overcoming that incident made me a better version of myself and know I can make Alexa and those important to me happy.