As night descended, Kai rose from his bed and settled by the door, peering out into the darkness. Each star, a tiny speck of light in the vast night sky, seemed to hold a secret waiting to be uncovered.
As he continued to gaze at the stars, a sense of tranquility washed over Kai. The weight of his questions and uncertainties dissolved, replaced by a calming peace that enveloped his mind. Exhaustion crept in, and his eyelids grew heavy as a wave of drowsiness overtook him.
In his slumber, Kai found himself in a scorching desert under the blazing sun. Lost and disoriented, he trudged through the endless sands, each step a struggle against the oppressive heat. Beads of sweat formed on his brow as he pressed forward.
Amid the desolation, a haunting cry pierced the silence, filled with anguish and desperation that echoed through the emptiness. The voice called out to him, stirring a sense of recognition deep within his soul.
"Mom!" Kai's voice rang out as he sprinted toward the sound. His heart pounded with a mix of fear and relief as he recognized the familiar cry. With each desperate step, the cries grew louder, carrying the weight of unspoken regrets and longing.
As he approached, Kai saw a figure in the distance, shrouded in sorrow. It was his mother, tears streaming down her cheeks as she reached out to him in despair. Her pleas for him to stay filled the air, tugging at his heart with a mixture of emotions.
Racing forward, Kai finally reached his mother and enfolded her in a tight embrace, as if to shield her from the pain. The weight of their shared grief hung heavy in the air, and their bond grew stronger with each passing moment.
But as he held onto her, his mother began to fade, her form dissipating like mist in the wind. Panic gripped Kai as he clung to her vanishing presence. Tears streamed down his face as he refused to let her slip away.
"My son, I couldn't give you a happy life, no matter how much I wished I could. But you are the greatest gift I've ever had, happy birthday." His mother's fleeting words lingered in the air as her form dissolved, leaving behind a void that weighed heavily on Kai's heart.
He awoke with tears in his eyes, overwhelmed by the emotions of the dream. He gazed out the window, where the morning sky painted a canvas of blue and white clouds. The scene was a stark contrast to the desert of his dream.
"Happy belated birthday to me," Kai murmured softly, a hint of melancholy in his voice.
A gentle breeze fluttered through the door, carrying the sweet scent of flowers. A single blossom, tender and delicate, gently descended and landed softly on Kai's lap. It felt like a tender touch from his mother, a gentle reminder of her love and presence.
Holding the flower close to his heart, Kai felt a surge of gratitude and determination. He wiped away his tears, ready to face whatever lay ahead.