Bucket List

Chapter 4 Alliah's Dream

Having been in her bed for almost a week, Alliah finds boredom. She can't even sleep lying face down on her bed, which has been her favorite position to sleep in since she was just a little child.

Sometimes she also forgot that she had a long surgical wound on the abdomen every time she stretched her arms on top of her head when she woke up. When the pain occurs, that's the time she realized that she had a long cut that made her cry.

"I'm pretty bored," she sighed. She got her mobile phone and explored different games until she discovered some digital novels on different platforms. She started reading some stories and it made her change her mood. She enjoys reading different love stories. She remembered when she was a teenager before, she loved to read pocketbooks and even rented from some of their neighbors.

She almost consumed her time reading ebooks from her phone. She only stopped when her eyes were almost watery and tired.

"Hi Mommy, how are you," her 7-year-old son, Joshua, approached her and gave her an apple.

Alliah was so touched by the thoughtfulness of her only son.

"Thank you, Joshua. I'm good. I'm just reading an ebook. How about you? How are your studies? Sorry, Mommy can't help you with your homework lately," she messed her son's hair and kissed him.

"It's okay Mommy. Uncle Lodi is helping me with my studies," he said politely. Uncle Lodi is her brother-in-law, the husband of her sister Apple. They also have two kids, Jerome and Zyre. They also treat Alliah's son, Joshua, as their son as well, and Alliah is very grateful to them, especially since she was almost bedridden and still recuperating.

"You have to thank them always, Joshua, okay," she reminded her son to be grateful as well to his Uncle Lodi and Aunt Apple.

"Yes, Mommy," Joshua hugged his mother and lay beside her. He played on his iPad while Alliah continued reading.

Alliah was so engrossed with the story she was reading and she was not aware that she was almost sobbing already.

"Mommy, why are you crying?" Joshua asked her when he heard her silently sobbing and tears flowing down her face.

Alliah wiped off her tears and said, "I was just touched by the story I am reading right now son," sobs Alliah.

"Mommy, don't be too sensitive about what you read. I think you just remember Daddy with the character, right?" Joshua directly asked her.

"Of course not," Alliah defends. "The male protagonist here is responsible while your father was not. Oops, I'm sorry son haha," Alliah almost forgot that she was talking with her son.

"I know Mommy and I understand you. I love you," Joshua knew that his mother was just hiding her pain from him. Even though he was only 7 years old, he already had mature thinking and could easily comprehend the adults' conversation.

"Come on, let's sleep already Joshua," Alliah kissed her son's chubby cheeks and asked him to be by her side.

"No Mommy. You are not yet healed. Your wound might open when I sleep beside you without a pillow between us," Joshua told his mother, then put a pillow between them. As much as Joshua wanted to hug his mother when they slept together, he understood that he might harm his mother and he didn't want that to happen. So, even just a little child, he wanted to protect and take care of his mother.

"Thank you, Joshua. I love you so much," Alliah knew that her son is sacrificing for her. She knew that he really missed her but was contented now with the new situation they were in. It will take a long time before she can fully recover and hug her son so tightly when they sleep together. She doesn't even know if they can still do that in the future as she will be having a long recovery period.

Soon the mother and son started to fall asleep.

Alliah doesn't even know why she was back in her high school days when she was busy with her studies. She immediately looked for a mirror and was shocked upon seeing her face.

"Hey, why is it I look young?" she asked herself and started to look at her hands and then look at the mirror once again.

"Is it real? Am I back to my high school days again?" she was still wondering while checking her school uniform. She checked her school bag and, yes, she was back to her younger self.

Her classmates approached her and asked her, "Alliah, what took you so long? You were just about to pick our books from the library and yet you're just looking at yourself in the mirror," Elaine laughed at her.

Alliah looked at her classmates and they were as young as she was right now.

"What's happening?" she even pinched herself.

"Alright, let me help you," Tina pinched her arms, making Alliah yell in pain.

"Ouch! What are you doing?" she yelled at Tina.

Tina and Elaine laughed," You looked like you were dreaming, we might get late. Mr. Tanael was already in our classroom. Hurry!" Elaine told Tina and Alliah.

Alliah, who was still wondering what was happening to her, started to walk with them back to their classroom.

It was as though she had come back from her past.

When they finished their class, Alliah was left inside their classroom and still thinking about what was happening.

"Hey, Alliah, let's go. I'll send you home," Jam, who was about 18 years old, then came in front of her and talked to her.

"Hah, you're here as well," Alliah smiled when she saw him. "It's been so long since we last met," she said, making Jam's eyebrows frown.

"What are you talking about? I've just sent you this morning and now I'm fetching you," Jam wondered why Alliah seemed to be at a loss.

"You mean we always see each other? I think I saw you 30 years ago," Alliah touched Jam's face as she was still wondering if he was Jam and why is it he looks young too.

Jam held her hand that touched his face and he kissed it, making Alliah almost jump out her surprise.

"Why did you do that?" she asked him.

"Alliah, what's wrong with you? I am your boyfriend and you are my girlfriend," Jam put his arm on her shoulder and started to walk with her while smiling. He loves his girlfriend.

"What!" Alliah can't believe it.

"Mommy! Mommy wake up!" Joshua shook his mother while asking her to wake up.

"Haah!"Alliah gasped for air when she woke up.

"It's just a dream. But why does it look real," she asked herself.

"Why is it Jam was there as my boyfriend then? I haven't had any relationships since I was a teenager," she kept on asking herself.

Why did she dream of Jam?

Hmmmn.