1 Surreal Dream
Standing among millions of fans below a beautiful crescent moon, Gerard was having the best of his life. Tonight was his 23rd concert following his successful music career, not only music but also his acting career was blossoming at an unprecedented rate. All of his movies and cameos have gained wonderful feedback and reviews. He was having the best night of his life, nothing could take it back.
Well... That is until he woke up from his stupidly absurd dream.
Who would believe that? Gerard Smith was only 19 years old, he couldn't do so much even if he wanted to. Others might be able to but he surely can't, that's what all his acquaintances knew him for, just an average kind of man.
He's now living in an old and somewhat livable room in the downtown part of the city. Gerard was feeling a little hungry after waking up, so he decided to stand and get some food.
He opened the refrigerator to see nothing.
Well, there is something but you wouldn't call it food, let's leave it as something grotesque for the mouth to instinctively close itself.
"Another foodless night I suppose." This leaves Gerard with contempt.
It has been a while since he graduated high school and feeling proud of himself, followed his 'friend' which abandoned him to his state as of now.
He left his family saying he was going to make thousands of dollars if not millions. Of course, his family was not delighted, Gerard was on his way to study medicine. Such a waste of opportunity, with his family helping him towards a more stable and clear goal.
Gerard could only regret it, He could have come back to his parents but his pride wouldn't let him. Such humiliation was not something he could carry. Betrayal from his friend, His regret towards his family, and his disappointment with himself. Gerard was just done, even if others will take it lightly, he was just not tough enough it seems.
He went outside his apartment, it was snowing and quite heavy apparently. The celebration of the descent of the God of Light is nearing with the special day just two days from now.
The city streets are full of ornamentals and lighting, everybody was busy.
He began walking and soon thereafter also began contemplating once again. During this period, he would usually be at his paternal grandmother's house with his family and the rest of his paternal relatives.
Now, he was alone. Shivering on the cold winter night, he doesn't even know where he's supposed to be headed. Gerard just wanted to pass the time, to forget his hunger.
Gerard let out a faint smile, "Maybe what I'm feeling is not hunger for food but rather hunger towards belongingness and love." He figured that it might be a rather stupid thought, that you can't describe longingness for hunger.
The sad thing is, longingness is also a form of hunger but not through the stomach but the heart itself. The soul to be more precise.
He continued walking, he did not know for how many minutes but it was quite far. The busy streets of the downtown have finally quieted down. He was now in the dark part of the city, with faulty street lights and as quiet as it could be. He did not care for it either way.
After a couple of minutes of walking under the gazing full moon partnered with snowy air, she stumbled over an old woman on his path walk.
"Excuse me." Gerard pardoned his way, he was still lost in his thought but he was still mindful of his actions.
Before he got too far away, the old lady called for him. "Hey grandson, would you like me to tell you a story?"
Gerard didn't want to go back but something inside him stopped him from his track. He was just able to mildly get it, it was his hunger once again that was attacking him. With the old lady calling Gerard her grandson, a memory filled his head.
It was the eve of the descent of the God of Light. They had simple yet festive food at the dining table. The house was filled with relatives, all laughing and smiling. He missed them, it has been a year since he was led astray. If not for having a job at a convenience store, he wouldn't be able to sleep in an apartment.
His salary is critically just enough for his apartment, and Gerard could only eat once a day.
"Come on grandson, I'll tell you a story from my youth. You'll surely love it, and then you can tell my great-grandkids about it too." The old woman chuckled as she invited Gerard to come to her.
Gerard could only go back. It's not like a family was waiting for him at his apartment. The least he could do now is to give someone a family who will lend them their ears.
Gerard sat down beside the old lady and greeted her with a warming smile.
"So what was the fascinating story you wanted to tell me, Lola?"
"It was a fascinating story of my youth! That day, I surely remember that day" the old lady giggled.
"I had a dream that day you know? It was a very peculiar one. I met someone, I forgot who he was, maybe my future husband at that time. Anyway, he asked me to join him for a movie. It was about a man who achieved everything the world has to offer but he couldn't handle it."
"After the movie, he asked what would I have done. I forgot what I said though, but that's not the most interesting part. He gifted me a ring, he was my future husband." The old lady giggled again.
"Grandfather must be special, he invaded your dream." Gerard let out a hearty laugh.
"He was, when I woke up I was wearing the ring he got for me!"
Gerard felt sorry for the old lady, he figured the old lady has dementia or some other illness related to the brain. He kept his thoughts to himself and still heartily listened to her.
They were still laughing but all of a sudden the conversation turned serious.
"Sigh~ My husband has already departed this world, now I know that my time in this world is near. I want someone to continue their life with us in their memories. I know you're not my grandson, we never had any children so how did we end up with a grandson?"
Gerard kept his silence and didn't utter a word.
"But if we ever had a grandson, we would've wished it was someone like you. Going along with the tales of this old woman, you must be very kind. Your parents must be very proud of you."
"They WERE proud, I don't know about now. You're wrong though, I'm the most unfilial child in the world, you can't describe it as kindness." Gerard's eyes teared up a little.
"Lad, we humans are not perfect as the God of Light. The resolve to make matters right is far greater than running away without a thought. You talking to me here is proof of that resolve."
Seeing that Gerard was still keeping his silence the old lady said, "Here, I'll give you this ring. Take it as a sign of your resolve and live your life to the fullest."
Gerard took the ring and looked at it. He thought of how can something so small carry so much weight into it.
"Are you sure, you're giving this to me?"
"Of course, why would I give it to you if I'm not sure? That's the memento of my husband, I don't take it lightly you know." The old lady answered with a hearty laugh
"Thanks." That was the only thing he could give to the old lady, he didn't know what to say. He was at loss for words, He only laid his head on the shoulder of the old lady.
"I have one question for you lad."
"What is it?"
"If you have everything in the world, after that what would you do?"
"That's a rather easy question Lola, I would give the world something equivalent to it. Be it my work, product, or even myself. I would never get all the things in the world without the world so that's it. Pretty boring isn't it, I wouldn't give them my spot though" Gerard laughed.
"I glad I picked you lad." The old lady whispered to herself.
"Did you say something, Lola?"
"Nothing."
After their communication, a few minutes after even with the cold snowy weather, Gerard slept like it was the greatest night he have ever had in a year. The ring on his middle finger.
[ A dice has been rolled ]
[ The God of Light with its privilege has granted you a system ]
[ Installing System of Everything ]
[ Random Reward Initiating ]
[ System of Everything, Hail, has rewarded you with a max level of Knowledge of the Stock Market ]
[ The God of Light wishes you farewell and may your path end to your delight ]
