The 'Kiss' In My Dream

Mr. Josh said from behind.

Bella.

His voice was so sudden.

That I turned around in shock.

How do you like this painting?

I was confused.

My breath got stuck.

How is this even possible?

Mr. Josh, how could there be a painting like this

before I even came here?

That girl in the red suit.

Exactly like me.

Nose, eyes, hair. Everything.

My hands started shaking.

The wall was cold.

But I was sweating.

My heart was beating so loud.

I could hear it.

Mr. Josh said, nothing is impossible.

He came closer to me.

His scent.

Deep. Old. Intoxicating.

But questions were rising in Bella’s heart.

Like a storm.

I couldn’t take it anymore.

I asked, Mr. Josh who are you?

You do things.

That no ordinary person can do.

You come in the dark.

You come to save me everywhere.

My voice was shaking.

There were tears in my eyes.

He stayed silent.

Just looked at me.

Then softly said, you’ll know when the time comes.

I smiled.

But inside I was breaking.

When will that time come?

Mr. Josh just smiled.

There was pain in that smile.

A secret.

Then he said, it’s getting late.

You should go home now.

It’s very late.

Take my number.

If you have any problem, call me.

I took out my phone.

My hands were shaking so bad.

I typed the number wrong twice.

He took my hand and corrected it.

His fingers were warm.

Like electricity.

I came home.

It was 2 at night.

The room was silent.

Only the sound of my breathing.

I opened the gift.

A small velvet box.

Inside was a ring.

But I’d never seen a ring like this.

Silver like.

With a red stone in the middle.

Light was moving inside the stone.

Like a heart beating.

And the strangest thing.

It fit my finger perfectly.

Not tight. Not loose.

Once again he surprised me.

How did he know my ring size?

Did he know me before?

I called Anna.

At 2 in the morning.

Anna picked up angrily.

Then went silent hearing my voice.

I told her everything.

The painting. The ring. The number.

Anna said, Bella are you crazy?

Say thank you at least.

You have his number now.

I laughed.

Oh my god I forgot.

I said goodbye to Anna.

And immediately texted Mr. Josh.

My fingers were shaking.

Thank you for everything.

Reply came in 5 seconds.

Just one emoji.

A happy one.

Nothing else.

I fell asleep holding the phone to my chest.

Between dream and reality.

Suddenly I heard.

The doorbell rang.

Loud. Continuous.

I got up scared.

My heart sank.

Who could it be at this hour?

I opened the door and froze.

Mr. Josh was standing there.

Black coat. Wet hair.

Eyes red.

I stood there shaking.

Mr. Josh what are you doing here?

It’s 4 in the morning.

The weather is bad too.

He didn’t say anything.

He just looked at me.

Then took one step forward.

And grabbed me.

My shoulders. My waist.

My jaw.

And kissed me.

Deep. Hard. Desperate.

Like he’d been thirsty for years.

Like I was his last breath.

My mind went blank.

My body gave out.

The moment he kissed me.

My eyes flew open.

I sat up gasping.

The room was dark.

No bell had rung.

No one was outside.

Mr. Josh... that was just a dream.

What is happening to me?

I looked at the ring.

It was still on my finger.

Glowing.

Red light.

Like it was alive.

And I whispered, now you’re

coming into my dreams too?

Are you going to drive me

completely crazy?

I lay down again.

But sleep didn’t come.

Only the ring kept glowing.

And his kiss kept replaying.

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