Cupid Fish

*I awoke in a warm darkness. I saw flames right in front of my face. I leapt back startled. I looked around nervous. I saw fire all around me. I was in a ring of fire! At first, I was in a panic. Then, I realized it was a small ring of fire. But why was it here? And what did it symbolize?

I tried to step out of the fiery ring. But when I stepped close, I was always forced back to the center. Clearly, something or someone wanted me to stay inside this flaming ring. But for what purpose? And for how long?*

I awoke in a cold sweat. I have had this dream for five nights in a row. It started after I made that useless little wish. What did it all mean? Was it premonition or fantasy?

I went to Thomas Crow groggy. My head felt disconnected from my body. Sounds were all distant to me. My eyes were watering badly. I couldn’t focus. I thought I heard someone call me. I didn’t react. I was comfortably numb. Turns out, someone was calling me. “NOIZ!!!” a woman yelled. Strange. She sounds like Anna. It was Anna. “Noiz!” she yelled again. I didn’t react. Finally, Anna pinched me. Even that didn’t work. For the first ten seconds. When she started to leave, I screamed out. I guess I was really loud. Because everyone was staring at me. Anna looked like a rabbit. I looked around in a daze. The imagines were hazy. Anna approached me slowly. “Are… you okay?” she asked. I shook my head a bit. Then, I woke up back to my senses. “Are you okay?” Anna asked again. I eyed her blankly. “Yes. I’m good.” I replied. Anna wasn’t convinced. She just grabbed my arm and took me to the lounge.

Anna served me cups of hot green tea to balance my vertigo. I slowly recovered. My vision became clear. Anna stared at me in loving concern. “What happened to you?” she asked. I kept silent for a moment. “I don’t know, actually.” I answered at last. Anna kept silent. I have this condition where my head disconnects from my body, causing me to zone out. Fear not! It rarely happens. My last one was when I was seventeen. I don’t know what causes it or how to cure it.

Anna offered me more green tea. I held my hand up. “Please no more,” I cut in. “I’ll float away.” Anna kept silent and put the pot down. She waited for me to recover. “Noiz,” she spoke at last. “I have a favor to ask of you.” I didn’t look up. I didn’t even reply. I heard Anna breathe in hard. She was forcing herself to go on. “I have a crush on someone.” she went on. I didn’t ask. I sensed her as a nervous soul. Breathe easy girl. This isn’t like you. Come on, you can do it.

Anna breathed in again. “I like Shawn!” she confessed. I jerked my head up at that. “What?!?” I exclaimed. Anna smiled lamb-like. “I know it sounds strange,” she went on. “But he is charming, kind, and British. I’m in love with him.” I couldn’t believe my ears! Shawn, charming? “But, his teeth…” I began. “Who cares about his teeth?!?” Anna spoke over me. “Anyway, I need your help.” “How?!?” I managed to ask. Anna touched my hands. She looked me straight in the eye. “I need you to help me woo him so I could date him.” the woman said boldly. I thought I would choke. Anna and Shawn? I couldn’t fit that in my head. I didn’t want to! The whole idea makes me shudder.

“Noiz,” Anna spoke again. “You feeling okay?” I swam back quickly. “Uh… yeah.” I said quickly. “So will you help me?” she asked. I froze. What could I say? “Are you sure?” I asked. “Please?” she begged. Anna looked at me with innocent little baby eyes. She’s just like Aden, only worse. I tried to look away. In the end I said, “What do you want me to do?” Anna was perky. “How do I woo him?” she asked. I lightly pushed her away. “Just ask him out naturally and be yourself.” I said. “You don’t need to pull any tricks, you’re Anna Price!” My curvy American friend looked like a firecracker bursting in the sky of love. “Arigata Noiz!” she exclaimed. “To.” I corrected. “Arigato.” *Sweat drop*

I made it to my office. Damon was waiting for me there. He looked concerned. “Yes Damon?” I asked. The man kept his serious face. “Your condition this morning worried me.” he said. I just brushed it off lightly. “It’s nothing!” I said boldly. “It rarely even happens!” Damon not convinced. “Noiz,” he said. “I think you should go home for the day.” “But…” I began to protect. Damon held his hand up to silence me. “I don’t want you to have anymore problems.” he said. “Just go home. See you tomorrow!” Then he turned me around, shoved me out, and slammed the door. I stood there confused. “Well then.” I said. Then I left.

I was just down the hall when someone grabbed me from behind and dragged me into a room like a dog with a rag doll meeting its doom. I tried to battle free but they won out. I finally broke free and turned around. I saw Boyd Ross before me. He was a decent writer. The guy tries to write comedy but his jokes fall flat! His characters were good though. I’ll give him that.

“What Boyd?” I asked. He was hesitant at first. The guy was trembling nervously. “Well go on,” I said. “I won’t kill you.” Boyd didn’t relax. “I want to ask you something.” he forced himself to say. “What is it?” I asked. Boyd drew in a deep breath. “I need love advice.” he said. “On what?” I asked. Boyd fidgeted a bit. “How to woo a woman.” he answered. I became curious. “Which type of woman is she?” I asked. Boyd became sick. He mumbled something inchoate. I strained to hear him. “Who?” I asked. He repeated it softly. “I can’t help you if you don’t tell me who the lucky lady is.” I advised. “KT HILL!!!” the poor guy yelled out. I was into a new realm of shock. KT? That Scottish heart attack. “Why?” I asked. Boyd blushed. “She’s just different.” he answered. I just smiled lightly. “Just be yourself and she’ll probably give you a try.” I advised. “Really?” Boyd asked. I nodded in confidence. The guy began to feel better. “Thanks Noiz!” he exclaimed. Then he hugged me wildly. “Okay, that’s too much!” I yelped.

I finally made it home. I suddenly felt too tired to do anything. I just collapsed onto my futon couch. Ah, sweet haven! This is so soft! I fell asleep instantly.

*A warm darkness woke me up again. I saw that same ring of fire. I tried to leave again but in vain. I became annoyed. “Okay, what is this?” I thought. “The fire of love.” someone answered. I turned in a flash. A woman stood before me. She was an elegant female. Her kimono was purple and gold. Her nails were long and red. Her lips were plump and cocoa. She had diamonds in her long black hair. I was not deceived. Demons could be beautiful creatures. I kept on my guard.

The woman just smiled. “Now, now.” she said. “I have no malice for you.” I still didn’t trust her. “Very well then, I’ll just cut to the chase.” she said. “I am Jiao, Ronahon’s sexpot.” “And?” I asked. Jiao lightly shook her head. “You are standing in the fire of love.” she went on. I was lost now. “Say what?” I asked. “My child,” the she-devil cooed lightly. “The fire of love forms a ring around the soon-to-be-beloved. As love grows and progresses, the ring becomes stronger. If the loves dies, then the ring will go out.” Okay, this was blown out of sense. Me with anyone? Impossible! But…

“Who would be my lover?” I asked. Jiao smiled.  “The right one will be with you in the ring.” she answered. That didn’t help me. “And how will I know who the right one is?” I asked. That got her! I have trapped her. “You’ll know by instinct.” Jiao replied. I stood silent. She had beat me.*

I awoke at late evening. I slept that long? Damn! I got up off the couch and went upstairs. I went to my guestroom to change into my white and navy blue yukata. While I changed, I saw the light on my answering machine blinking. Curious, I pushed the button. “You have two new messages.” it said.

First Message:

Hey Noiz, it’s me, Anna. Your advice worked. Shawn and I have a date this Saturday/ Thank you Noiz! You’re the greatest! *Beep*

Next Message:

Hey Noiz, it’s Boyd. KT likes me too! I invited her to the Music Center and she agreed. Oh, how could I ever thank you? *Beep*

I couldn’t help but smile. At least I did some good today. Hope both relationships work out. Soon, I myself would get the same thing!

I Fell Into a Burning Ring of Fire