When Dream Takes over

-------------

The rooftop restaurant glimmered beneath a star-painted sky, soft music humming in the background. Ameya gripped Rico's shoulders, her eyes glassy and shimmering under the dim fairy lights.

"I... I missed you, Rico... even when I wasn't... me…" she whispered.

Rico blinked, stunned, as if her words reached into a forgotten part of his memory.

But before he could reply—

Splash!

Ameya's heels stumbled over the slippery edge. She slipped and fell straight into the swimming pool.

"Ameya!" Rico yelled, jumping in without hesitation.

In seconds, he pulled her up from the water, cradling her as she coughed and sputtered. Her soaked hair clung to her face, her eyes unfocused.

Michael and Jenna came rushing in.

"Ameya!" Michael gasped, helping Rico pull her out fully. He quickly wrapped his blazer around her and carried her to a hotel room.

Inside, Ameya leaned against the bed, shivering slightly but conscious—just heavily drunk.

"I'll take care of her," Jenna said softly, guiding Michael out. Michael hesitated but nodded, glancing back one last time with worry carved into his face.

---

In another room...

Michael sat on a couch, scrolling through his phone aimlessly. His brows furrowed with frustration.

"She... really drank too much," he muttered. "She was never like this."

Rico stood by the window, lost in thought. "Do you think I should check on her again?"

"No," Rico said slowly. "She'll be fine after some rest."

But then Rico's voice dropped lower. "Michael... do you feel... something strange about Jenna?"

Michael blinked. "Huh?"

"I mean... she's been distant lately. Avoiding me.

Michael sat up straighter. "Ameya too..I thought I was overthinking that too..... Ameya... she's been so quiet. She used to be... loud, talkative, always laughing. But since the date... it's like she's someone else."

Rico looked over." Huh ?"

---

Next Morning

Ameya stirred in bed, sunlight filtering through the curtains. She blinked and found herself in a change of clothes—her soaked dress replaced.

Panicked, she sat up.

"It's okay," Jenna said, applying makeup by the mirror. "I changed your clothes."

Ameya sighed in relief. "Thank you…"

Jenna smiled gently. "Do you remember what happened last night?"

Ameya rubbed her temple. "Not everything... I had drinks... met Rico... then I fell into the pool, I think...?"

Jenna nodded. "Rico jumped in to save you."

Ameya whispered, "Rico..."

Jenna walked to her, holding a beautiful green-stoned golden ring. She slid it onto Ameya's finger. "It fits perfectly. Is this yours?"

Ameya blinked. "Y-Yes. That's my ring... "

"I don't know... When I wore it before, it felt tight..." The ring gave off a soft glow.

They stared at it in silence.

---

Thirty Minutes Later

The four stood at the hotel exit, ready to leave.

"Wait—I forgot my wallet in the room!" Michael said, turning back.

Jenna's phone rang and she walked a few steps away to answer.

Rico glanced at Ameya, his eyes lingering.

Ameya, avoiding his gaze, unlocked her phone—and froze.

A news article headline glared at her:

"Rising Idol Ameya's Suicide Attempt in Rooftop Pool?"

Her phone dropped from her hand.

Rico picked it up. Reading it, his face darkened. "This is absurd. These paparazzi—writing trash without truth!"

Ameya tried to stay calm, lips trembling. "I'm fine," she said stiffly.

"You're not," Rico said gently, handing her a bottle of water.

She drank slowly. "I'm okay, Rico... really."

"You sure?" he asked, frowning.

Ameya looked at him and smiled faintly. "I still remember your words… 'If any problem is beyond control, let it be. Time can heal everything.' You were right."

Rico's eyes widened. That was something I said… to Jenna.

He opened his mouth to speak, but Michael and Jenna returned.

And they all quietly left.

---

Two Hours Later

Back at the dorm, Ameya entered quietly.

Rico went to his home ..

Michael and Jenna stood near their agency's entrance.

"Jenna," Michael said. "Can I ask you something?"

"Hmm?"

"Take care of Ameya, please. I'm really worried. She's acting strong... but she's hurting."

Jenna nodded. "I will."

She hesitated. "You care about her a lot, huh?"

Michael blushed slightly. "Yeah…"

Jenna bit her lip. "Why? I mean… What do you like about her?"

Michael smiled. "She's cute when she's shy. I love her smile… her eyes… her hair…"

Jenna's smile faltered for a second, but she quickly masked it. So… only her outside… not me.

---

8:00 PM

"Let's go for a drink?" Jenna asked on call.

Ameya answered softly, "Sure…"

---

At Rico's Home

Rico lay on his bed, restless.

"Why did she say those words...? They were mine. I told them to Jenna. Then why does Ameya know…?" he whispered.

He thought about Ameya's strange behavior. And Jenna's avoidance.

His mind spun in confusion.

---

Thirty Minutes Later

In a quiet lounge, Ameya and Jenna sat with half-empty glasses.

Both had drunk too much.

"All men are bad," Jenna slurred.

"Why?" Ameya asked.

"They only look at a woman's outside… not the heart," Jenna pouted.

"You're right," Ameya whispered. "Some can't even recognize true love…"

Suddenly, Ameya burst into tears. "Why... do these rumors never stop…"

Jenna pulled her into a hug, her own tears falling. "We're back in our real bodies… but why can't we find peace?"

---

Near SuperNova Dorm

Their steps wobbled under the night sky. Both were drunk, giggling and stumbling.

Jenna sang, "One, two, three—JUMP!"

Ameya joined, though her heart still ached. Rico…

She sobbed silently, whispering, I wish... you could understand who I really am...

Suddenly, the streetlights dimmed.

They both froze.

One lone streetlight flickered on—and beneath it stood a man's silhouette.

"Rico?" Ameya gasped.

Rico's eyes locked on the green ring on her finger.

"Is that… your ring?"

Ameya took a deep breath. "Yes."

Rico's face hardened with realization.

"I'm sorry, Rico," she said softly. "I… I hid something from you."

Jenna stood frozen, eyes wide.

"I'm… the real Jenna. No… I mean—I'm the person you loved.

Silence.

Then suddenly —Rico stepped forward and hugged her tightly.

Ameya gasped in his arms.

"When you thought it was Jenna… it was actually me. My soul was in her body."Ameya continued

"We swapped souls… but now we're back," she whispered.

Rico stepped back slightly,

Remain Silent

Ameya lips trembled, tears falling. "Didn't you fell for..my appearance...i mean...Jenna …"

Rico raised a hand, gently touching her lips with a single finger.

"Did you think… I fell for your appearance?" he whispered. "No, Ameya… I fell for you. The one who made my heart race even when I didn't know why. The one who made me smile when everything else felt empty."

Then—he leaned in and kissed her.

A deep, emotional, soul-sealing kiss.

Ameya melted into him, tears falling.

Jenna, watching from the side, smiled through tears… then quickly covered her eyes—but still peeked.

As the streetlight flickered above them, one truth now shone brighter:

Love was never about who they looked like—it was about who they truly were inside.

[To be continued…]