DREAM LOVE

Waking her up is a dream about Marcelo bringing back their past many summer years ago. When they both passed their board examinations in Nursing. where both of them were on top of the list , graduates from the College of Nursing at University of the East. Manila, Philippines. In her dream Sophie met Marcelo when she is with friends at the hospital cafeteria.. She is a single lady and her friends were asking why she has not been married yet. Her answer , she has no interest to get marry. "I enjoy my work at the hospital serving our patients. I don;'t know when I am going to have a boyfriend. I have to take care of my family especially my little brother who needs my support." Out of nowhere Marcelo appeared and told her to bring her home. Arriving at Marcelo's place he introduced her to his parents who welcomed her. They were happy while eating their supper of native food composed of chicken adobo, pork sinigang and pansit bihon. Their fruit dessert is banana lakatan , the smell of sweet ripe carabao mangoes. After supper Sophie asks Marcelo if they can go out side at their patio to talk together. Their garden patio is full of blooming flowers being summertime. The climbing jasmine full of fragrant star shaped white flowers. The same with the ilang-ilang tree spread its sweet smell swaying and blown by the wind. The night is getting deeper and Sophie looked at herself . what will she wear when going to bed? They entered inside and Marcelo is leading her to their room. Here at the entrance of the door Sophie has waken up. Do the dead souls come to visit their loved ones? Sophie bows her head to say a little prayer for Marcelo who have been dead for thirty years. Why did he come to visit? Wherever Marcelo is , Sophie's heart is touched. They parted ways leaving the Philippines to work in the U.S. at one of the Nursing Homes at the State of New Jersey. When they worked at the hospital Marcelo used to go and visit her at home. Meeting her parents sheepishly talking about his humble beginnings from a big family, his parents being farmers. Her parents especially her mother is quite indifferent. Her mother who is active in the community being a municipal councilor. Marcelo discontinued his visits to Sophie until she heard Marcelo has gotten married to Corina. They have three children while Sophie didn't attend to her love life spending her time and effort at work at the Nursing Home. She is able to sponsor her younger brother Justin to work with her in New Jersey. his job as an X-ray technician. Sophie and Justin didn't have any plan to get married. They are both satisfied to earn a living for themselves. with all the patients to serve Sophie is engrossed to her work. The same way to Justin. They visited places to break the monotony of their full time jobs. Sightseeing national parks and tourists spots. One place they travelled to, is the State of California by long driving crossing the Golden Gate in San Francisco. Driving around to see downtown San Francisco and walking along the the Fisherman's Wharf . While dining at one of the restaurants Sophie met a gentleman ,his name is Edison who by coincidence works at the Nursing Home in New Jersey where she is working. They agreed to go back altogether to have a companion on the road. This way they could look after each other. Edison has been working at the Nursing Home ahead of Sophie. Edison is living by himself. Like Sophie his family is in the Philippines. Edison took his Nursing course at a large university than Sophie. He migrated to the United States after graduation when he received a grant to pursue his advanced studies in Nursing practicing as one of the Chiefs of the Nursing Department. Their meeting paved the way to know each other who are ready to find someone to become their life partner in life and eventually raise a family. Edison begins to show interest to Sophie asking her if they can go out sometime on a weekend. With her innate attitude of being aloof to men she refuses Edison's offer telling him she has to fix something at home. In her mind she still remembers Marcelo whom she refused many times when he asked her if they can go out to watch a movie or go to the park within the city. Raise by strict rules within the church she follows the rules about marriage. A man can't marry a woman if he isn't ready. Remembering Marcelo, Sophie doesn't know if he know it, having a big family. Sophie thought this is what Marcelo have to think about. She is more comfortable to leave and work in another country. There's no way she could be in a stable family situation . She knows her mother will not agree if she falls in love with Marcelo. Here is Edison whom she doesn't know his family background. One day Edison's mother and father arrived for a visit. She learned Edison is their only son. Edison invited her to his place to meet his parents. The food is great. She is able to eat the food she missed prepared by Edison's mother. They exchanged pleasantries. Edison's parents have their big farms planted with bananas, mangoes and pineapples. In Sophie's mind they would be a good match with Edison the kind of a man her parents are dreaming for her. Edison's parents seem to like her, inviting to have dinner with them every weekends. Edison and Sophie became closer with all the advances Edison showed to her. He picks her up at home using his car while his brother Justin used theirs. Still Sophie doesn't give in to have a boyfriend. In her mind she fears what a man would do to her. As aGod fearing believer she must have to be sure what Edison really plans in his life. If they're going to raise a family how,many children would they have? And, when are they going to settle? Sophie didn't know Edison's parents have discussed this matter with him before they went home to the Philippines. Then one day Edison asked if they can go to a restaurant for dinner. He told Sophie he has something to give her. He brought out a small box out of his pocket and opened it to show the diamond ring and propose to Sophie to marry him. She is in mix emotions what is going on in front of her, a feeling of joy and excitement , in her heart, here's a man who is real. In her thoughts she must be sure to have agreed. Walking at the park they talk about their plans for the future. Eventually Sophie allowed herself to do her part when they agreed to get marry. The marriage ceremony took place at their church one summer day attended by their close friends and Justin. They decided to live together to minimize their expenses. Years has passed as if time has been blown by the wind. Sophie planned to visit their home country. This time their two children are grown up. They deserve a breaktime from work. Their vacation has lasted for two summer months. They have visited their favorite landmarks in the City of Manila and the popular beautiful tourist spot the underground river in Palawan. The white beaches captured their hearts and count these beautiful places to fill their memories. Sophie received an invitation to attend the thirtieth anniversary of the the hospital she had worked many years ago. After the special occasion has ended she is approached by Corina the wife of Marcelo. She led Sophie to Marcelo's hospital room where Marcelo is confined. Looking at him Marcelo is quiet. He tried to avoid their eyes to meet, not to see each other. It is a very brief meeting. The doctor is coming in to check him up. That night Sophie still remembers Marcelo when they are working together. Her memories about him has not been erased. The love and care has a place at the bottom of her heart., no doubt the feeling is there, no words were said between them during that brief moment. It maybe hard for him to see Sophie too. Edison and Sophie extended their vacation for another month to give themselves more time to rest. At a beautiful Caribbean resort before going back to work. One night Sophie's mother called. She broke the news Marcelo has died. He fatally fell on the floor when his head was hit hard. He has not been revived causing his death. She told her Mom to send him a wreath of white flowers at his funeral. How long has he been dead when he came to visit Sophie? In his afterlife why did he come to Sophie's dream? It is a dream of love no longer coming true, remaining with Sophie's memory one summer night.GP