GONE

Arturo handed me water, he sat next to me to calm me down.

"Can you tell me what you dreamed about?" He said it softly.

I took a deep breath and then prepared myself, because even though I knew it was just a dream, there was still a part of me that felt like it was real. I can't explain it but I feel something strange.

I could see the worry on his face so I started to tell a story.

"I had a dream, there was a man standing here on the side of my bed. At first he turned his back and later he slowly faced me. He didn't come near me or do anything but his face was scary. I want to get up from lying down but I can't.” He frowned at what I said.

"Are you sure it was just my dream?" I will continue.

I can't say why I had such a dream but it's just surprising why it's only a man who is haunting me.

"Yes, Ayera. I heard you scream outside and you looked very scared. Come with me today." He hissed.

I lay down on the bed and turned my back to him, "Sleep first and we'll talk tomorrow."

"Will you sleep? What if you dream again?''

"I have to sleep, I will work on the farm tomorrow." I also want to worry that maybe I will dream again when I sleep, but I will still prioritize the important thing, there is no point in dreaming again.

"Oh, go to sleep. I'm just here and I'll watch over you."

I was reassured by what he said, he really helped me so much that I don't know how to thank him. By the grace of God, I was able to sleep well again without having bad dreams. I just woke up to a little noise outside. I got up from the bed and went to the kitchen where the noise was coming from. From the door I could see Arturo cooking breakfast. I expected him to leave and I would be alone in the house because I knew he had dressed up early to help his mother at the market. I'm also afraid that someone will see him here because it might reach his mother and she will think that i'm using his son as a slave

"I thought you had gone home," he stopped at what he was doing and looked away,

"Are you all right?" He just ignored my question.

I also ignored his question, "Why haven't you come home yet, maybe your mother is looking for you." Maybe the market needs that.

He turned his back on me and continued cooking, "Leave it to me, Ayera. Answer my question if that's okay? Did you dream again? What? Answer me."

"Yes, I'm fine. Thanks for everything, Arturo. You have helped me so much but I still don't want to go with you. I still want to live here and I will support you when you go to Manila. "

I saw his frustration before nodding. "Ayera, a few more days before I leave I hope I can change your mind."

"I know you want me to improve but I want to move forward on my own. I feel like I'm becoming a burden on you and it's also difficult. Arturo, you have your own life that you should focus more on."

I approached him and hugged him. I want to lighten his heart. "You don't have to be by my side all the time, I can handle myself. You also have dreams that need to be fulfilled for your family." I patted his shoulder then completely let go of the hug.

I'm ashamed of him, maybe that's right.

"I can't, Ayera. It is very dangerous for you.”

"I can't go with you, you're nothing to me." I said, calmly.

"Did you understand what I told you last night?"

"What? Do you like me? Arturo, I'm sorry but I only consider you as a friend. And I don't want that as time goes on I add to what you think."

He frowned again, "Don't think too much about me and let me do it to you. Okay, go ahead. I won't invite you to Manila anymore but let me move you where I live. There are many people, unlike here which is very isolated and far from other households, I know you are not safe here. What else might happen to you? Let me show my love in this way.”

I shook my head. "I will not leave this house no matter what."

"Even it risk your life?"

I was nervous about what he said, but if I prioritize fear, it won't do anything.

I couldn't say anything again, I knew his frustration. He left me a lot of food when he left. It's embarrassing and I didn't even pay attention to him, I want to chase him and apologize. But I can't do anything either. I'm just taking care to go to the farm and help with the harvest. I will also take turo with me so that he won't be left alone. And still, every time I leave the house, many people look at me. I just smiled and walked, just getting used to it. Even in the farm and paddy field, they were surprised that I was there and started to work.

"Ayera, what are you doing?" One of my parent's friends asked. "You are too beautiful and smooth for this job" he added.

I just smiled and continued working. It's a long day and it's really tiring. I'm super proud of this job because it's really hard to plant and harvest. Back pain and you need to be really strong, fortunately Arturo cooked a lot and Turo and I bring it.

It's afternoon and my colleagues are shouting because they're going home.

"Ayera, come on. It's getting late." They said,

I got up and went, it was getting late and I was a bit nervous because I would be taking a different road route. I remember again until someone approached me. Rino, "'ll bring you home, Ayera." he suggested.

"Oh, you'll be late coming home if you drop me off." When I make excuses, I don't want anyone else to bother me.

"It's like I don't know your parents, I often behave with you. Let me go, as long as tomorrow we will make sure that you will not stay the night."

I didn't do anything else, but I let them take me, "When did you get a dog Ayera?" He asked as we walked towards the house and Turo walked with us.

"Ah, this is Turo just give it to me. He helps me especially when I'm alone."

"Aren't you having trouble in your life?"

"It's been difficult, it's been difficult for a long time since my parents disappeared, but I can handle it." I smiled and he nodded. After we arrived at the house, I didn't expect to see Arturo outside again and he seemed to be waiting for me. Again he brought food.

His face was serious as he looked at my companion.

"Arturo, Rino is from here too." I went ahead of him, Rino immediately said goodbye to us.

"I'm leaving too, Ayera." Arturo said that immediately made me wonder. I just arrived but he was about to leave, he put down the food before leaving.

I was shocked so I immediately chased after him. "Are you leaving right away?"

He didn't answer and just walked away. I was disappointed but I had no right to be angry.

Things have been shocking since my parents died, chaotic.

Turo and I just went inside and I made sure to lock the door well, because I was also worried. I started eating while thinking that maybe in my sleep I will dream again. I just got ready at sunset and prayed.

Until it was midnight and I couldn't sleep, I was lying on my bed and I could feel the tiredness of my body but my mind was still troubled. All that happened, I was terrified.

I tried to close my eyes but nothing happened, that's why I got up from lying down and opened the window of my room even though I knew it wasn't safe, it was annoying because it's always been my job to look out the window and look at the sky and stars. But just because of that man I'm afraid to do what I used to do. But even so, I still want to vent.

I was just looking at my parents' plants and until I saw my beloved dog Turo outside and he was sitting next to the plants, my dog was just looking at me.

I was very surprised why he was there, I called him but he didn't move. I immediately left the room to go to the living room to see if Turo had gone out, I was very surprised to see that my pet dog was fast asleep, so I went back to the room and went straight to the window and there the dog was gone sitting quietly by the plant.

I trembled as I closed the window and locked it.

What was that?