DREAM - a short story

A dream can be the highest point of a life.

Ben Okri (1959 - )

Nigerian novelist, short-story writer, and poet.

The Famished Road

DREAM

Hand in hand they walked through the park; passers-by could clearly see the love they both shared as exhibited through the smile on their faces.

Fred had met Lillian at the cinemas a couple of years back, their romance blossomed and was now in it’s fifth year. Each loved the other dearly and marriage in the nearest future was neither questionable nor in doubt, as they hoped to live together as a married couple someday.

After a couple of hours spent in the park together, they decided to call it a day, but not before eating lunch at the restaurant across the street.

His heart  began pounding profusely, even as memories of the times they had shared together coursed like speed of a rushing river through his brain. This was not the way it would end, this surely was not what they bargained for, this was all but a nightmare, a dream, but he knew it was not, it all happened right before his eyes, this was real.

He woke from his reverie to a crowd of people or so it seemed, all clad in white and walking briskly from one end to another, obviously oblivious to either his presence or plight. Quickly he jerked off his seat at the reception and dashed after the nearest figure clad in white, Doctor! He said, practically screaming on the top of his voice, how is her condition? What is happening? Please tell me, is she going to be alright? The doctor kept starring at Fred dumbly, then shook his head and shuffled away quickly in the manner of a man who just had an encounter with a ghost.

They had lunch at the eatery as scheduled and were already on their way home, when with the speed of lightning it all happened. The car seemingly having developed a faulty brake, could no longer be controlled by it’s driver, kept  its course however at a break-neck speed neither heeding the traffic light glowing a bright red, nor the screams of awed passers-by, as it hit an electric pole, swerved at a right angle and with the same speed and precision pivoted around speeding down it’s original course and in the twinkle of an eye hit Lillian even before  anyone knew what was happening then as if by an act of God stopped.

Everyone ran frantically for help, help came and she was rushed to the hospital.

Then he tossed again and there she was on the bed, staring at him with that same sexy heartfelt smile and her face radiating the happiness, life and youthful ardor he had always known her for. “You are late for work honey” she said. Then he realized he had been dreaming all along. Thank you God! He screamed and hugged her intimately to himself, her warmth dissipating his fears and energizing him for the day’s work ahead.

                                                         

                                                  THE END

Life is perhaps most wisely regarded as a bad dream
between two awakenings and every day is a life in miniature.

Eugene O'Neill (1888 - 1953)