I will see you in my Dreams

Ari is married. He works as management executive in the bay area until the company closes. He was then jumping from one job to another just buying time to reach his age to get full retirement benefit. He is the youngest son to an interracial marriage. He is tall and good looking. He is a biker. He owns a Hurley Davidson and enjoys the ride every weekend with fellow riders. His parents owns a farm and vineyard in California, and a tobacco plantation in the Philippines.

Hannah is a hardworking marketing executive of a clothing manufacturing company. She was divorce since late 90's, a single parent to two young married couples. She lives by herself in a 2 bedroom townhouse. Happy and contented with her life. She visits her children and spend quality time with them once every three months. She is very active with her school class reunions. Every year they go places, learned the culture, history and enjoys each other company. She doesn't mind being single, she always find joy from her family and friends. Hannah is actually shy. Her father calls her little turtle, always hiding from her shell. An obedient daughter to her parents and sister to her siblings. Hannah parents owns a small subdivision in the province. They donated a parcel of land and help build an orphanage. She is into helping the community by being a co founder of a cooperative that helps farmers to improve their livelihood.

The brief encounter of Ari and Hannah leaves a mark to their hearts that Hannah cannot explain. She always dreamt of Ari every single night since they work together. She always caught him looking at her from a distance. At first, it doesn't bother her but times goes by, she became conscious and tried so hard to ignored him.

Ari on the other hand is content on just staring at her the whole day. Sometimes, he goes to her on a lunch break at the break room to check on her lunch like ...you're ok with your lunch, that's unhealthy. I don't have time to cook, Hannah said. Do you want me to cook for you tomorrow, I can bring 2 lunches. She will shyly say, Thank you but No, thanks...I'm good. Ari is friendly, he is a friend to everyone in the office. PJ an east asian co worker is so sweet that she will cook for everyone. She is very fond of Ari, they talk and talk during break time about food, life in India and family. Sometimes, when they are engrossly talking everyone notices that Ari is looking at Hannah but talking to PJ.

One day, Ari ask Hannah to have coffee outside of office....Can I buy you a fresh brewed coffee after work.....Hannah refuses and said I have freshly brewed coffee at home, I even grind my own beans. Ari just laugh it off....why you're pushing me away, I want to be your friend. What do you want from me Ari? Hannah asked....I want your heart Hannah, your heart, Ari responded. Hannah is taken aback, retreated from her shell and did not talk to Ari until the end of their work contract.

The guys at work notices Ari and Hannah's words exchanges and laugh it off. They also notices Ari constant glances to Hannah. Makes them smile.

Every weekend, Hannah walks an hour from her place around the neighborhood, circling 3 blocks. Along that route, in the corner of 2nd st., a group of bikers are having some beers and bbq every weekend. It is Hannah's route. She feels that there are eyes looking at her when she passes that house. She decided to change route every other weekend.

The contract expires and the team said goodbyes and went on with their lives.

ARI'S MARRIAGE

Ari's marriage is in turmoil due to his constant absence. He was asked to help his brother who is ill in managing their vineyard in Gilroy sometimes, he has to fly to Philippines to oversee their tobacco plantation for months. Because of Ari's schedule, his wife filed for divorce. Devastated and heartbroken, he went from a relationship on top of another relationship. He wishes that he kept his old phone where Hannah's phone in it. He is now capable to taking her to dinner, he is free. The guys in the workplace before thought that Hannah did not entertained Ari because he is married.

During the early part of his divorce, he drove where he thinks Hannah might be doing her grocery shopping, the bank, the church and the mall. He cant find her. Broken hearted for not finding Hannah, he ask his brother in Gilroy that he would like to relocate to the Philippines and help his elder brother Yael in the plantation.

Philippines

Ari serves as the operation manager to their tobacco plantation. He is the most eligible bachelor in their circle. Woman are lining up for a date. He earned the most womanizer guy in town. He dated here and there but never seriously dated any woman.

His dreams of Hannah continues.

I wish you'll get married soon, his brother Yael said one morning. It's been years since the divorce. It's time for you to start another family of your own. Ari just smiles and said, my heart belongs to somebody else. Who? Your ex-wife? Yael yells...forget about her, she's married already. No, my big brother... her name is Hannah. I will find her and win her heart.

Where are you Hannah? I always dreamt of you every night, call me.....

Hannah works as missionary for 2 years. She was assigned to Cambodia and the Philippines. She enjoys helping people especially the underserve.

In Cambodia, she works in Rehabilitation Center for the abused children. She stayed in Svay Pak, the vicious epicenter of child sex slavery. The children are held captive and sexually abused. Determined to make a difference, she works feverishly with the victims to restore their lives, reintegration and prevention. Hannah is passionate to assist the town's process of rebuilding from inside out. Provided hope in the midst of blinding darkness.

In the Philippines she works in an orphanage. Taking care of abandoned babies, children and help in finding foster parents for them.

Time flies so fast that 2 years has passed. She went back home, studies behavioral science for a year and became a social worker for the special children.

Her dreams of Ari continues.

The reunion continues after more than a couple of years of Hannah's absence. This year we will visit Philippines, Connie said.

I only have 2 weeks vacation, Hannah said. That's enough for R and R. I know this place up north. A friend sent me an invite that I could bring friends to spend time in a place where we can harvest fresh vegetables, fruits and do some hiking. Menchie said....for a change maybe we can do that for a week, fresh air and fresh foods makes me smile and life in the province. Okay, we spend 5 days there, some days in Bora and Manila to complete our 2 weeks vacation.

We start in Bora for a nice swim, beaches and food. It was relaxing place to start. Seafood is great, people are friendly, shops have exquisite displays of beach wearable clothings and jewelries. Sunbathing is perfect here, Yolly quipps. Everyone enjoyed the care free ambiance, friendly people, magical place...

I would like to meet someone here to love and trust again, Yolly is shouting to the sea.

Everyone are laughing ...

I wish you will meet someone before we end our vacation my friend, Hannah said.

Thank you Hannah.

They felt that it was a very short one but they have to go to the next destination.

Tarlac....here we come! I intend to enjoy every minute of this vacation, Susan said.

From the airport, the traffic is so disappointing that we spend hours and hours from Manila to Tarlac.

I am so hungry, Gie complains...how far is our cottage?

An hour more, Chito answered.

Hey, there's a hotel, maybe there's a restaurant inside...Connie excitedly ask the driver to get to the parking lot so we can get it and look for a restaurant.

All of us alighted and go inside the hotel looking for a place to eat.....we enter a restaurant with a few people inside. There are three guys standing and eyes at the door. They must have some food inside...let's go Susan leading us to the entrance door.

As we enter one by one, Hannah being the last one to get to the door....one of the three guys standing walk hurriedly to the group. All eyes to him almost running to Hannah........is that you Hannah? Is it really YOU? The two guys and the rest of the Hannah's friend are shock to see a guy moving toward Hannah and embracing her so tight. Hannah is so surprise herself to see Ari running to her. He gave her a bone crushing hug.

I found you at last. Hannah still speechless.

Everyone is all surprised and shock to see what just had happened before their eyes.

What are you doing here in Tarlac? Hannah asks Ari....I live here now, he said.

I looked for you 5 years ago, I search everywhere, the mall, grocery stores, coffee shops, church, the neighborhood, the banks....I tried to find you.

All are speechless. Shock and just staring.

At last, Minel said....no introduction Hannah, we are waiting here.

Blushing.....Yes, of course. Ari...I would like to introduce my travel buddies, Menchie, Connie, Susan, Susie, Minel, Gie, Rico, Chito, Yolly, Erline, Erning, Zaldy, Roger, and Woody. I met Ari 5 years ago from work. Then, it's Ari's turn to introduce his friends Sam and Jack.

Can we order food, we are starving. Traffic is so bad that we end up driving 10 hours to reach our destination and we realize we did not buy groceries yet.

Ari talks to the manager and the waiter's give out the menu so we can order a meal. The manager opens a private dining room so we can eat in private.

Ari took Hannah's hand and told the group, can I snatch her for a moment. I need to talk to her. Connie jokingly said.....yes, of course, I think you have a lot to talk about. Sam and Jack joined the group while Ari and Hannah sit at a table near the window where the full moon is shining through.

Hey guys...is this Ari the guy in Hannah's dream? Your guess is as good as mine, Yolly said. It's been close to 5 years since that dream started and Hannah mentioned that the dream continues. So, finally, this guy is real, a human, tall and cute though.... Menchie said. Now that you mentioned it, gives me creeps. I wonder, is this destiny? Gie unknowingly talking loudly that she forgot that Sam and Jack are listening. They looked at each other and thought for a second: destiny indeed.

How are you, Hannah? Where have you been from all these years? How are the kids?

Hannah still processing what just happened answers......Life is good, I traveled for 2 years completing missionary work in Cambodia, and the Philippines. I love my work, it fulfills me.

I am so confused Ari...why are you looking for me?

I miss you, I have a lot of things to say to you. The time we work together is the best time of my life. I cannot explain it but since then, I have been dreaming about you every night for years. My wife divorces me 5 years ago ........ I was so distant from her, so cold, and preferred to be with my friends. I help my brother to manage our vineyards in Gilroy and sometimes I help my other brother here in Tarlac. My wife cannot stand it, she files for divorce and she's married now. I cannot explain the dream, all I can tell you that since that time we worked together, you owned my heart. The dream continues until now.

Hannah is speechless, the dream.....he dreamt of me too!

Is this some kind of a joke....reincarnation or the gods are playing with us...

Before Hannah can utter a word.....the food server came and announced that the group is waiting for them at the other side of the restaurant.

I know you're starving, let's join them.

As they enter the private dining room, they were greeted with a toast.....To Ari and Hannah.....here to heart!

Here here....cheers...salute...

Ari can't believe that finally, he found Hannah.

Hannah is still processing. Am I a turtle again, very slow and hiding from my shell?

While having dinner.

Woody: Where's the nearest grocery store, we need to buy foodstuff for tomorrow otherwise we are going to starve again.

Sam: It's 2 blocks from here...where are you guys staying? It's a lake house inside a resort, 5 bedrooms with a patio for the bbq party. We will cook our own food, I am assuming that there are cookware and utensils in the cupboard. We love to experience provincial life this time. We will hike and visit farms.

Hannah notices that Ari is on the phone giving instructions to the person on the other end.