Araceli

23- A Riddle In White.

The sound of birds chirping is something amazing to wake up to when you're on vacation. And it's a luxury only felt to the fullest during a vacation. I was by no chance on vacation nor was I in a comfy hotel suite. In fact, I haven't had a vacation in the past six months since I joined Weekly Tea.

I calculated every possible situation where I could be hearing birds chirping cheerfully and the silent hiss of the slightly cold wind against my skin.

I let my eyes open to an open sky as I felt the damp grass against my fingers. I roamed my palm slowly against it, still not being able to register how I was in an open field, under a colorful sky, a diminished red hue that blended into lavender as it expanded further into the horizon. The weather wasn't hot. It was like the time of the year when winter is going toward its end but it is not quite spring yet. It's cold but wouldn't cut through your flesh and you're left craving for apricity.

I was awake, trying to adjust my thoughts to my surroundings but tired. I was so tired I couldn't move my body to wake up. Nothing around me felt real.

           "Valarie," I heard him. The same voice I heard before darkness shrouded us. Just focusing on the sound of his voice without being able to see him, I realized how good it sounded. I want to hear more as if I'm drunk or getting drunk over it.

           "Valarie, wake up," it was now clear. Closer. Far more vibrant.

And then I actually woke up. I opened my eyes like a bullet and sat upright. I was not where I thought I was. The first thing my eyes opened up to was Joshua's face. The concern in his eyes. That scared look for a fraction of a second almost filled my soul.

When I was done admiring the handsome guy in front of me, I registered where I was only to find out that I couldn't. I was not somewhere I knew.

           "Where are we?" I asked him. I was indeed in an open place. There was grass under me. But it wasn't like the place I was looking at in my dream. It was grim and dreary. Even the grass looked dull.

           "Beats me. I'm not sure where we are but you need to get a hold of yourself so we figure it out," he picked a tiny leaf from my shoulder.

           "We were in your treasure chest a while ago and I remember going blind and fainting. You're saying I just woke up here after that? Did I sleepwalk?" I ranted.

           "You always have so many questions. And, it's not a treasure chest. That is the real gemstone empire. The company is named after it." He said.

           "Does it look like I care about what it's called? This is driving me nuts," I narrowed my eyebrows. I hated how I was acting like a weak, mentally unstable woman but can I be blamed in a situation like this? Of course, I need time to adapt.

           "You seem highly relaxed," I stated. I couldn't quite understand how calm he was. It made me furious.

           "I have no idea where we are, Valarie, but I'll figure something out." He stood up wiping the dust off his thighs. I ran a hand through my hair trying to lessen its uncontrollable texture. My hair was all over the place. I think I broke my hairband in the process.

           "So, where do we go now?" I asked him. The open field didn't look that massive now that I had taken a better look. There were tall trees and mountains in the distance and I could even make out a few other details. There was a slightly metallic taste in the weather and the wind was carrying a faint, unfamiliar scent. I could feel a sting on the tip of my tongue. Under the dreary moonlight, thousands of thoughts in my mind had transformed into a tearful silence.