The Sweetest Dreams

Memories

Five days have passed since Bryan's visit to Selena's actual home twice. Today is Saturday, school usually finishes early, which is around 9 or 10 a.m. Because there is no learning material other than moral education, sometimes all students are also closed on Saturdays or weekends.

All students were gathered in a hall that could hold hundreds of people to receive a free lecture from a scholar summoned from outside the school.

The name of the scholar was Mr. Jonathan. He was about 40 years old, S3 educated, good at talking, and very motivating for students.

His disciples were eager to listen, ask, or exchange opinions with him. He can even joke while bringing his material today, which is "The Benefit of Diligent Life and Helping Others."

"Father Jonathan, why should we help others, especially if we ourselves are deficient? Isn't that so hard and impossible to do?" ask a student, stand up and raise your hand.

"Good question. What's your name, son?" said.

"My name is Ian, sir." replied the boy.

"good. Ian, you sit down first. I will answer you."

The boy sat down, immediately pulled by a friend sitting next to him.

"The main reason we have to help others is to be at peace with ourselves and be able to evaluate our quality of life" Jonathan replied.

All the disciples were silent for a moment, then started to wonder.

"What do you mean, sir?" ask Ian.

"Everyone has their own problems. However, if everyone decided to put it first or not even care about the difficulties of others, then this world would become chaotic and inhuman. Imagine, if there is a disaster, say a flood or earthquake. If everyone is not moved to help or contribute to the victims, what is their fate? Surely the family or the authorities will help them as much as possible, but have you ever thought about the hardships they experienced more deeply and moved to donate?"

The disciples fell silent while contemplating the words of Father Jonathan.

"That's true too, sir. To be honest, my family is not so capable. My mother was very sick, so my father had to work hard to pay for her treatment. However, my mother never complained or demanded to be cured. In fact, he could have died of his illness.. Therefore, both of my parents are still willing to help others. I can't accept this. I just want my family to be safe and not lacking." Ian said with a sad face.

"Oh, I'm sorry for you, Ian. However, if you do not allow you to express your opinion, you will not discuss it and listen to your vent" said Mr. Jonathan patiently and concerned.

"Please, Sir. I'll listen to your opinion." replied Ian, contrary to the expectations of his friends.

"Dan, I don't blame your opinion. According to him, it is the freedom of each person. Be it father, mother, or yourself. Each person in your family can remind each other for the common good, but you cannot determine what has been their struggle and decision. Father did not say so because you were young, but because of our souls. We are all different in nature, reason, maturity, and habits. It is one of them because of life experience."

Ian remained silent.

"How's Ian? Has your explanation answered your question?" ask Mr. Jonathan.

"Yes, Sir. My mind is more open now. Thank you, sir." said Ian politely and respectfully.

"Together, Ian" said Mr. Jonathan with a smile.

At that time, I don't know why Bryan sitting next to Selena looked so grim.

"Bryan?" call Selena.

"Hm? What's up, Selena?" he answered, turning his head towards the girl.

"Mmm. that's okay. I just feel like you're a little moody from earlier. What's the problem?" ask Selena softly.

"Ah, it's nothing, really. You don't have to worry, Selena." Bryan smiled at Selena.

However, in Selena's eyes Bryan's smile again seemed forced.

"Are you really okay, Bryan?" ask Selena again, to be sure.

Bryan nodded.

"Do you have something you can't say, Bryan?" selena asked suddenly, as she could not bear to see Bryan's sad expression.

"Selena.."

"Tell me, Bryan. If you don't want to say it now and in this place, I'll be waiting for you."

Bryan remained silent.

"I care about you, I care a lot, because I love you, Bryan" Selena said earnestly.

"Well, I'll tell you about it after school" Bryan said at last, not wanting his girlfriend to constantly worry about him.

They listened to material shared with Mr. Jonathan for about 4 hours, then together walked out of the hall after the lecture.

Selena follows Bryan to the exit of the school building, holding hands with her boyfriend.

"Selena, we just talk somewhere else" Bryan said, as if he didn't want to be heard by others around the school.

"All right." replied Selena.

They boarded the Bryan family car and were escorted by the driver to a cafe.

They got out of the car and entered the cafe. As soon as they sat down and finished ordering food and drinks, Selena began to say; "Bryan, if I think about it, there are still many things I don't know about you."

"really?" Bryan smiled kindly, yet not as excited as he usually did.

"Therefore, from now on I want to know you more deeply, so that I can help and comfort you when you have a burden or struggle" Selena said with pleading eyes.

"Selena, I'm glad you care so much about me. But I don't think it's time for me to tell you. I promise, I'll tell you when the time comes." Bryan replied.

Bryan's words made Selena distrustful and dislike him. He said; "Not yet? Do you have a secret you kept from me?"

"Selena."

"I always tell you about myself. Don't you trust me, Bryan?" selena said, with a slightly high tone of voice in disappointment.

"It's not so, Selena. I-i-"

"You don't want me to know about your life? Is it because I'm not comparable to you?" selena said, emotionally.

"...." - ".Bryan did not answer.

GREPS

"Selena." Bryan clasped Selena's hand.

"Let go" Selena said with a grim face.

Bryan sighed softly, then pulled Selena's hand until the girl fell on her lap.

"What-what are you doing?!" selena said, with a blushing face and looking a little angry.

"Celena. I'm doing all this for the sake of our relationship" Bryan said softly, all of a sudden.

Selena felt confused, she tried to get out of Bryan's lap because she was a little nervous to see others. However, Bryan strengthened the circular embrace of one of his arms on Selena's waist, so that the girl could not move in the slightest.

"Our-relationship? What's wrong with that?" selena said stuttered, as Bryan looked more pushy than usual.

"I don't want to break up with you, baby."

DEG

"A-what did you say? T-of course we won't break up.." Selena said getting nervous, as Bryan brought his face closer to the girl's blushing face.

Bryan laughed softly, then said; "Selena, you are so sweet. Therefore, I won't let anyone take you away from me."

Selena's face was getting flushed, her heart was pounding. Moreover, with a sitting position like this in a public place!

"Bryan. let me go. I'm ashamed, please." she said with a face down and very red.

"Haha. All right." Bryan finally let go of Selena from his teasing embrace.

"You're this..!" Selena grumbling.

Bryan laughed again, then said; "Because you are so adamant, I will tell you."

Selena's face instantly brightened and her eyes suddenly sparkled. He waited and said; "Tell me. I'm ready."

Bryan smiled at Selena's behavior trying to cover up her nervousness.

Was this something that had been shackling Bryan all along? he couldn't wait to hear the man's story.

"When I was a kid.. My mother once said to me.." Bryan said with a serious face, but his voice was very calm and a little mysterious.

Selena responds with a nod of her head.

"Bryan, you should always follow the advice of your parents. Otherwise, Mama would have left Bryan." said Bryan, mimicking his mother.

Selena was surprised to hear that. He just looked towards Bryan with a soft and grieving expression.

"I who was still in the SD bench certainly did not understand the meaning of the words. I just smiled, thinking my mom was just joking.. However, I was wrong." said Bryan, his face looked hurt.

Selena immediately approached and hugged Bryan, then said softly; "Bryan. I shouldn't have provoked you.."

"It's okay, Selena. After I think about it again, your words were indeed true. You need to know about me and my family." Bryan replied, he gently touched Selena's hand that was holding her shoulder.

"Bryan. I.."

"It's okay, Selena. Really." said Bryan convincingly.

"Alright." replied Selena.

Bryan continued; "My mother was always patient and gave in to my Papa. So did I, my brother, and almost everyone who was nearby. He is really dictatorial and tough on his will. With his position and high education, he felt himself so great and always right. He always humbled my Mama with his cynical and cruel words, so my Mama was depressed. However, my mother really never showed her feelings to us. It made my Papa become arbitrary and made him submit blindly. It was not uncommon for me to see my Mama scolded her harshly, even in front of a crowd. I hate to see him cursing and flattering my Mama so heartlessly, that when I sit on the Junior High School bench, I start fighting my Papa.."

"Bryan's.." Selena stroked Bryan's hair with one of her hands, and her other hand still gently hugged the man.

"In my last year in Junior High, my mother was very ill when it was the weekend of the final exams. I would love to treat, or at least visit her in the hospital. However, my father was furious and beat me up, because he wanted me to learn.."

"Oh, no.. Bryan's.." Selena hugged Bryan tighter, and pressed her cheek against Bryan's soft, dark-brown hair.

"Finally, I couldn't look at my mother. As a child, I can't fight my parents.. Everyone will use me if I do not obey my Father. Till.. My mother passed away without seeing me and Joseph for the last time.. Joseph can forget it now, but not with me... I never forget it, even if I don't.." Bryan was very sad.

"Bryan. hiks*.. " Selena crying.

"Selena. why are you crying?" bryan said softly, he also stood up and looked at Selena's bowed face.

"Bryan. huhu.. hiks*.you.. Sorry. forgive me.." Selena cried sobbing, making Bryan unable to hold her.

"Selena, baby, you're innocent. I just want to be open to you. Don't cry."

"Bryan's.." Selena hugged Bryan, after Bryan let go of the hug and kissed her forehead.

"Selena." Bryan hugged her again, tighter.

Meanwhile..

"Ckckk. Young people today. Pleasure in public places is common, right?" said a middle-aged woman.

"Haha. Wasn't it when we were young, too?" reply to a grandmother patiently.

"But Ma, they must still be school students. Judging from their uniforms, they seemed to be attending school around here" the woman replied to her mother.

"Once, let it go. Without you getting hot, some other people here are also observing them from earlier. Maybe you're jealous." joked the grandmother.

"Ah, Mama!" said the woman, smiling.

"That's how the two men fell in love. I hope you understand and respect your husband more" said the grandmother, reprimanding her daughter.

"Good, fine. I'll give up more. Like a kind and patient Mama to the late Papa."

After finishing their meal, Bryan invites Selena to leave the place for a date all day. They are very happy to have each other at any time.