"Chihiro!"

A refreshing breeze blew in from the window. The blankets seemed to be pouring down on the sides of the bed, barely covering the young woman.

"Chihiro!"

Chihiro moaned in discomfort, her back wet with sweat and her hair disheveled. She rolled out of bed and onto the floor, tangled in her covers. When she recognized who called her she ran to the shower.

"Chihiro?" After a few minutes, Chihiro ran in and out the bathroom, her body dripping wet and her clothes all spread out across the room.

"Chihiro, I'm coming up!" Mina said as she headed towards the steps. Her long black hair danced around her waist, and her dark green eyes sparked with intent. Her hips seemed to move with each step—firm and somewhat intimidating.

"Chihiro! I'm coming up now!" Mina said as her hand grabbed hold of the door knob. "I hope you're clothed!" Mina swung open the door.

All orderliness and cleanliness shot forth in rays of light from the room. The bed was made and the clothes were put away. Chihiro was packing her purse nonchalantly, her white dress pants and light green blouse making their professional remarks. She smiled in all innocence.

"What is taking so long?!" Mina complained. "We are going to be late."

"I was just getting ready. Learn some patience, Mina." Chihiro shook her head as Mina marched towards her.

"Patience my--ahh!" Mina fell on her but. "Why is the floor wet?" She said as she rubbed her sore, soaked bottom.

"I'm sorry I'm taking so long," Chihiro looked down on her bed as she finished packing her purse. A somewhat more serious air was in her eyes.

"What's wrong, Chi?" Mina said in concern, getting off the floor and trying to keep her balance. Chihiro feigned a yawn.

"I just had a rough night. I'm really tired."

"You sure? You don't look so well."

"Yeah…let's just go already before we really are late." Chihiro walked out the door. Mina puzzled over her. Chihiro had been acting weird the past couple of days and she couldn't put her finger on it.

Chihiro looked at her design for a while. After making the last touches she decided it was ready.

"Look Mina." She said as she walked into her office. "Do you think the boss will consider it?"

"Well…that's very nice. I can see you worked on it for a while. The scales on the dragon are a nice touch too. I like it. I'll show the boss and see what he says."

"Kay. Thanks Mina." Chihiro smiled as she walked back to her desk. Designing was her life. Drawing the most miniscule design for wallpapers, book covers, houses, and more was her duty. Her biggest delight was to unleash what was inside unto a simple piece of paper. She always drew her deepest emotions—things even she did not know about.

After work, Chihiro and Mina drove back home together. "So did the boss say anything?" Chihiro asked.

"No. Not yet." Mina said to her dismay. "But he said he would look at it by this weekend at least." Mina took a drink of water as she drove. "You know, you don't usually draw dragons and stuff. But lately your work has been changing. Are you going through your mid-life crisis?"

Chihiro broke into laughter. "Why would you say that? I am not even thirty! My mid-life crisis is far ahead of me."

"So then why are you sketching dragons and hot guys?" Mina smirked.

"What? I am just exploring my creativity. Why just weeks ago before I started drawing differently I had visited the old shrine by the river."

"Did you?"

"Yes I did." Chihiro said matter-of-factly. "When I went inside I saw hundreds of pieces of art on the walls. It was a pretty old shrine. It's a shame no one has renovated it. It's beautiful."

"Maybe that's because spirits haunt it." Mina chuckled.

"Anyway," Chihiro continued, "I went inside and saw a wishing idol in there. It was so beautiful I just had to go in and touch it. I did hit my head going into that one room, but it was just a scratch. Someone should really fix up the place. They could make some good money and it wouldn't even cost that much to fix it up." Chihiro looked at her hand and Mina nodded.

"So did you make a wish?" Mina asked.

"Yes I did." Chihiro smiled.

"What did you wish for?"

"I can't tell you. Then it won't come true." Chihiro laughed.

Mina shook her head and drove on. Chihiro smiled to herself but after a moment puzzled at the question Mina asked her. What did I wish for? And what did happen there exactly?