SOMNIUM

The mud around was wet. I checked the walls in a hope that I could find a way out. I could feel something warm between my fingers. The warmth gave me comfort in the cold weather. Suddenly, the earth started trembling. The wet mud began to fall down, the leaves started to wither and I felt like being sucked into the grave. The next thing that I remember is that I’m submerged in cold water. I swam up and emerged out of the water and it was a sea with moon, stars and clouds in the sky. I looked around and there was a beach. I swam towards the beach. The beach of the dead. I named it so, as it looked dead and completely empty. It seemed like an island. I started wondering and I found a gate in the distance. I started walking to the gate. Suddenly I heard weird sounds. The sound grew closer. Just then a werewolf was staring at me and it was between me and the gate. Where does this werewolf come from ? I ran for my life. Suddenly it stopped and disappeared. When I looked around it is where I began, because there was this gate. I walked to the gate and knocked at the gate with both my hands. The gate opened and I entered a whole new bright world, it was like a morning during the spring. As I strolled along the streets I realized it was a huge city sprawling with activity in the middle ages. All the people were beautiful, serene and wore beautiful clothes. Looking at them I realized that I was in rags. I felt a rumble in my stomach and a hunger pang. I asked the people for some food. They stared at me because they didn't understand me. I strolled to find an eatery. As I was strolling worried about hunger and thirst the sweet scent of food wafted in the air caught my nose. I followed the trail of scent and arrived at an inn. I entered the inn and the first thing that I observed was this beautiful lady at the counter and her sunshine smile. I felt I was invited to have my meal. I walked to her with excitement and a slightly confused, because I was in rags and penniless. It was my hunger that drove me to her. I reached the counter, the chair was tall. Someone lifted me and placed me on the seat. She asked me what would I like to eat ? I was parched and she noticed. She went to the kitchen and on her way back there was a steaming hot cup of tea. She placed it before me and it smelt of jasmine. She said it was jasmine tea. I took a sip and it tasted heavenly. I finished the tea and I was warm again. By the time i finished the tea there was dessert. I tasted it. It was bitter as well as sweet. I enquired  what it was. She said Tiramisu. I laughed a hearty laughter and she laughed along with me. Suddenly I realised that I have never been this happy. I asked for her name and she replied Summer. Then she asked for a moment and I was left alone. I observed the people around me and everyone was merry. I looked around and it struck me that it was an art gallery and the music was soothing and it made me feel I belonged here. I returned back to my seat and the counter was filled with food of my dreams. I digged into them like a starving beggar given a royal feast. I didn't finish anything as I was eager and excited to try out the wide assortment of dishes. By the time I was done with the last dish my belly was full and I couldn't eat anymore. Then she asked me how was the feast. I answered that it was a feast of my wildest dreams.

She asked me how did I end up at the Inn. As I explained my adventure I felt drowsy and I was yawning. She came to me and took hold of my hand and we walked hand in hand to a beautiful room at the back of the Inn. She tucked me in and the bed was feather soft. The blanket was of a floral pattern of orchids. Then she sat beside me on the bed and sang a lullaby with that sunshine smile. I fell asleep watching that sunshine smile and listening to that sweet melodious voice. When I woke up I was back in my bunk in the dormitory of the orphanage. It was all a dream.

Since that beautiful dream about that beautiful lady with sunshine smile, I wish I had her as my mom. Whenever I get angry, helpless, sad or lonely I think of Summer and her sunshine smile.