The New me

Though it's late, my parents still weren't home. Only our servants were here giving me those looks asking 'Who are you with? Didn't you go for a walk?'. I just strode past them.

I returned to my room happily. After I took a bath and changed my clothes, I opened the paper bag and put it on my bed. I sat on the bed facing the box as I intently watched it. Nothing happened. I opened it and it was the same as what my friend gifted to me: empty.

I lie down and think of how can I use it or if it can really help me. Time passed and I can't think of a way. I opened my phone and tried searching; the web just kept giving me the time machine as result. It's good if they have made it but there were only theories and studies written.

'Think. What did I do to end this way? Is it magic?'

Then I sat down and began following the mantra I just found to counter black magic. They said that the stronger the Faith, Will-power and Emotion attached with the Mantra, the better it is. I repeated it three times then opened my eyes. It did not change anything in my surroundings but it helped me calm my mind.

Then I saw a shadow ran past me. She was running though a forest as she anxiously keeps hiding behind the big trees. There was a deathly silence around her. The forest was a little dark so I can't see much but the girl continued to run despite all that. Something's dripping from her as her hand hold on to an item then something rang as she turned around.

I was woken up by my alarm.

It seems that I've fallen asleep after last night. It was weird. I had the same dream and like last time I can feel the beating of my heart. It was pounding hard. I put one hand around my chest as I think of what my dream portrays. I sat in my bed and furrowed my brows in deep thought. Just what is this?

Unbeknownst to me, our maid had been calling me out during my sleep and since I won't wake up but kept grunting on my sleep, she dashed out of the room and called for my mother who was still preparing to go out for work.

"—ling?"

"—arling?"

"Iris, darling?"

A hand grabbed my arm and I jolted awake. I looked up and saw my mother looking worried. Her pretty face looked pinched as she asked me "Are you alright?"

It took me some time before my mind registered what was happening. Mother was here to check on me. I looked around my room and found some maids lining at the corner.

"I'm okay mom; it's only a dream."I smiled in assurance. I don't even know if it's bad since all she does is run.

Mother still had her brows close as she asked again, "Are you really okay? Tell mother the truth."

"I'm fine." I said in much convincing tone and held her hand reassuringly. She look like she was about to say something but then shook her head and sighed then I heard her tell me "Then rest for a while. Try to forget the bad things. Do not dwell on them. You don't need to go to work if your body does not permit."

I answered 'yes' but insisted on going to work. It was just a dream. I am not sick to the point of skipping work. She then gave me a kiss on my forehead before going out but not before asking the maids to report to her if something like this happens the second time.

I went to work without much difficulty. That dream was soon forgotten and I was faced with reality. Because of the recent events, our projects had been sent to the main office to be handled by a different team. Though they told us that it was because there's a change of plan and deadline was also moved in closer, it must have been my parent's decision to make me feel at ease for the next coming days.

Only one project remained for us to work on and I focused all my energy in finishing what we have. Just because we were left with only one does not mean it was easy to fulfill my obligations.

The people around me once again had their own assumptions on what was happening.

"To rob off the projects under our noses, does that mean we aren't good enough?"

"That's not it. I heard that they have a better chief there."

"If you say it like that then it's understandable. What can a mere daughter who is only reliant on her parents actually do? It's best to give them to someone more capable."

"That's good and all but I wish she won't drag us down with her. To be kept in the same team and as her junior officer it's embarrassing."

"You said it. I can only hold my head high when introducing my workplace but not the team I was assigned."

People are indeed fickle. When the media kept praising me, they did the same but now that the news doesn't mention me, they've forgotten. Should I slap them with bank notes or plain money?

I picked up my phone and read Luke and Liam's messages.

From Liam: "Yesterday did that guy bully you? Just tell me and I'll take care of him. Luke is doing okay but he'd been a little on the edge and I wonder if you're the same. Talk and hang out. It's best to clear your minds about the matter."

'What matter? Is it the thing with Lily? I've long since gotten over. Let your brother handle his emotions himself'

From Luke: "How are you? Sorry if I did not send you messages for the past days. I'm a bit occupied with school. See you next time?"

The problem with Lily was 70 percent related to Luke. Why should I endure all this? My parents need me. I went home steeling my heart in resolution that I must go back.

So now I'm faced again with the box in front of me. I wholeheartedly wish that smoke would come out and take me away or if I open it, vortex comes and engulf me then I'll open my eyes and see that I'm back to my 31 year old life.

"Abracadabra?" I tried chanting.

"Oh heaven's please let me go." This time I was praying hard. In front of me, candles were lit circling the box.

"Saffron!" I yelled the name of my friend who gave me the same box with a matching make shift wand made of rolled paper but still, nothing happened.

I kneeled and kowtowed then meditated. I laughed bitterly on what I was doing. I look like a fool inside my room.