I will see you in my Dreams

Chapter 3. Reunited

Everyone is surprised and shocked to see what just happened before their eyes.

“What are you doing here in Tarlac?!”, Hannah asks Ari. “I live here now”, he said.

Ari explained, “I looked for you for years. I searched everywhere, the mall, grocery stores, coffee shops, church, the neighborhood, the banks….I tried to find you.”

All the people nearby are speechless—shocked and just staring.

At last, after some time, Hannah’s friend Minel said, “….no introduction Hannah? We are waiting here.”

Blushing, she stammered, “Yes, of course. Ari…I would like to introduce my travel buddies, Chie, Coney, Susan, Nel, Gie, Icon, Chit, Ley, Estoy, and Ody. I met Ari many years ago from work. “

Then, its Ari's turn to introduce his friends Sam and Jack.

Nel complains, “Can we order food? We are starving. Traffic is so bad that we end up driving for hours to reach our destination, and we realize we did not buy groceries yet.”

Ari talks to the manager and the waiters give out the menu to order a meal. The manager opens a private dining room so they can all eat in private.

Ari took Hannah's hand and told the group, “Can I snatch her for a moment. I need to talk to her.” Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

Coney said jokingly, “Yes, of course, I think you have a lot to talk about”. Sam and Jack joined the group, while Ari and Hannah sit at a table near the window, with the full moon shining.

Coney said, “Hey guys…is this Ari, the guy in Hannah's dream?”

“ Your guess is as good as mine”, Ley said. “It's been close to 5 years since that dream started, and Hannah mentioned that the dreams continues.”

“So, finally, this guy is real, human, tall and cute though….”, Chie said.

“Now that you mentioned it, it gives me the creeps. I wonder, is this destiny?” Gie said, unknowingly talking loudly, forgetting that Sam and Jack are listening. They looked at each other and thought for a second: destiny indeed.

By the moonlit table, Ari asked, “How are you Hannah? Where have you been from all these years? How are the kids?”

Hannah is still processing what just happened, and then answers, “Life is good, I traveled for 2 years completing missionary work in Cambodia, and the Philippines. I love my work, and it fulfills me.”

“I am so confused, Ari…why are you looking for me?”

He said, “I miss you; I have a lot of things to say to you. The time we worked together was the best time of my life. I cannot explain it, but I have been dreaming about you every night for years since then. He paused for a minute then continued, “My wife divorced me 5 years ago….I was so distant from her, so cold, and preferred to be with my friends. Later I helped my brother manage our vineyards in Gilroy and sometimes I helped my brother here in Tarlac. My wife couldn’t stand it, she filed for divorce and she married her childhood boyfriend from Ireland. I cannot explain the dream of you, all I can tell you is that you owned my heart since that time we worked together. Do you believe me? The dreams continue until this day.”

Hannah is speechless, she thought to herself, The dream....he dreamt of me too! Is this some kind of a joke….reincarnation? Or the gods are playing with us…

Before Hannah can utter a word, the food server came and announced that the group is waiting for them on the other side of the restaurant.

Ari said graciously, “I know you're starving; let's join them.”

As they enter the private dining room, they were greeted with a toast from everyone, ”To Ari and Hannah…..here’s to the heart!”

Everyone boomed, “Here here!….cheers!…salute…”

Ari can't believe that finally, he found Hannah. His face is beaming with excitement.

Hannah is still processing. Am I a turtle again, very slow and hiding from my shell?

During dinner:

Ody asked, “Where's the nearest grocery store, we need to buy foodstuff for tomorrow otherwise we are going to starve again”.

Sam answered, “It's 2 blocks from here…where are you guys staying?”

Gie answers, “It's a lake house inside a resort, 5 bedrooms with a patio for the BBQ party. We will cook our own food, I am assuming that there is cookware and utensils in the cupboard. We love to experience the provincial life this time. We will hike and visit farms.”

Hannah notices that Ari is on the phone giving instructions to the person on the other end.