The voice sounded as if it were in the room. She woke with a start and looked about in the dark frantically, reached for the lamp and missed and knocked her clock over. She cursed, hit the switch and scanned her room. Nothing. It must have been a dream, one of those that seem so real that you wake. It made her feel better to think so, she rubbed tired eyes and hit the switch again to sink back into her slumber.
"Malesha Maria Delvecio don't you dare refuse to listen!"
This time she shot up. That wasn't normal, even her mum didn't use that name in that way unless she was super pissed. Her heart was beating fast in her chest, alarmed and alert she scanned the room again. Nothing. There was nobody there. "Hello?" she replied tentatively. Her mouth was dry and she was sweating. She'd probably freak if somebody answered her. She put the light on and thought about this logically. Still nothing.
She figured maybe she'd left her phone on, but she hadn't. Then she checked the TV in her room, but as remote a possibility as that might be she was at a loss where this voice was coming from. Malesha was a practical, common sense sort of girl, she got up and started to check her room in case someone had left an electrical device. Doubtful, but like a walkie talkie or a radio, anything to explain the disturbance. This time she swore she'd heard it loud and clear, enough to wake her. But having drawn a blank she went back to bed. Feeling very creeped out she left the lights on just in case.
The ring on her finger glowed faintly. It was new, she'd bought it in a second hand shop as she liked the pink stone setting. It was old and looked it, well battered and dull but it had cleaned up real nice. She hadn't realised just how old it was, nor what it could do. She was about to find out in her dream state.
"Malesha, it's Nana, how are you my dear?
Malesha stirred and turned still asleep. She smiled. She hadn't thought of her Nana in ages. It was nice to hear her voice again, but it was blank in her dream, nothing to see. But she heard the voice loud and clear, and felt her grandmother's warm presence. There was the faintest smell of roses. Her Nana had loved her garden and grew pink and red roses of all sorts and sizes. It took away her anxiety.
"Hi Nana," she said into the ether, going along with it. "Are you ok?"
There was a sweet peel of merry laughter in response. Then came the reply.
"I am Malesha, but I've come to tell you something important. We've been watching, listening to what you've been saying. I'm worried for you."
"Why Nana
"You've been losing faith in yourself child. You're a Delvecio, and that means you're strong. I know they've knocked your confidence, I know you've had it bad recently and I know you're hurting inside."
."Yeah," came the weak reply to her Nana's observation. Malesha was facing bullies at school and on the net, she felt more alone than ever. Worst of all she was doubting herself. It was a gradual decline in her confidence until she barely recognised herself anymore.
"Child, listen to your Nana. You ARE beautiful inside and out. Don't let those mean spirits make you change. I wanted to come tell you how proud I am of you. We all think you are doing great in life. Keep trying and stay strong."
"Nana....is it really you?
"I gave you a card filled with rose petals once huni, do you recall? Of course it's me, but I'm figuring this is a once only deal getting through to you. I wanted to say don't do it. Don't let them win. You're so precious to us, and you are loved. I know what you have planned. Please my love, don't. Things will get better, have faith they will. Believe me, and know we are all thinking of you every day."
"Nana?" There was a long silence. She called out several times into the void but the scent of the roses had started to fade. She woke with tears in her eyes. It had been a very intense and life-like dream. Her Nana had always been very close to her, and it felt like her despite it was in her sleep state. She was shaken. The ring still glowed faintly. It was ready to move on now having served it's purpose. One last communication between the living and the dead. One last message to be heeded or not.
And Malesha lay there quietly, a sense of peace enveloping her like a comfort blanket or a hug. Her Nana believed, and if she could do so then so too could she. She put away the pills by the bed out in readiness for what she had planned. She got out her journal where she wrote her innermost heartache and scribbled down:
I believe too Nana. I'm sorry I doubted. I will get better, things will improve. Thank you for lending me your strength. I just needed to hear someone understands and loves me. I love you too.
