A Series of Absurd Events

My brother knocked on my bedroom door two times and I woke up right away. Because my car wasn’t working that morning, he had to be my driver for that day. First, he had to drive me to work and after work I was supposed to be at my friend’s wedding. I couldn’t get a day off from work to be there earlier and I was disappointed.

On the way to work, I brought my book out and started revising for my exam. I was very nervous. Exams usually got the better of me and it was my first one in five years. But I didn’t even remember what test I had, or why I had a test in the first place. It was weird and didn’t make much sense but I didn’t question it. 

We got closer to school, and I was not ready at all. I didn’t even know what I was revising because I hadn’t studied anything. My mind was also busy with the party and I hadn’t decided what I was going to wear.

I said goodbye to my brother and entered the building. One of my friends pulled me aside and told me to skip whatever we had. I told her, “But I can’t! My whole life depends on this interview.”

“Be adventurous for once and get ready for the party.”

We headed out and the streets looked different. They were smaller and there were shops on both sides. Weird, but okay. I kept on walking and my friend announced that she had bought a car. She was a new driver so the whole ride was pretty messed up and I couldn’t recognize anything. What was this street? What were these shops? Why had I never seen this part of the city before? And which route had we taken to end up here?

She stopped the car and the sun was setting. I got out of the car and started walking into an alley. I opened one of the doors with the key I had in the jacket I wasn’t wearing minutes ago. I went inside and my housemates (also college friends) were preparing dinner. I asked if I could help them. They told me that everything was ready and I could change and come to eat. 

I went to my room and there was a small child crying. I asked her, “Sweetie, why are you crying?”

“Mom, I’m happy you’re here.” She ran to me and gave me a big hug.

“Tell me what happened.” I told my daughter.

“My cat ran out of the house and I don’t know where he went.”

I went out the same way I had come in. The kitchen was clean and the garden needed some cleaning. Being a stay-at-home mom hasn’t been easy but I’m getting used to it.

I went outside and without knocking on the door, I entered my neighbors’ house. “There you are.” I said to my son’s pet dog. I picked him up and brought him back to our apartment. 

The earth beneath started moving and the next thing I saw was buildings falling apart. What an earthquake. I ran as fast as I could. My heartbeat was increasing rapidly. I was so scared of ending up in a hole. Still running without looking behind, I tripped over something and then fell down. I screamed but no voice left my throat.

I opened my eyes in a big field of flowers. They smelled really nice. I was wearing a white dress. My fiancé, who was a few feet ahead of me, came back and took my hands to help me stand up. I was so in love with him and his presence filled the air with joy. Life was perfect. He smiled at me and I forgot about the fall and was beaming. 

We started walking and then I heard some familiar music far away filled the air. The sound became louder and louder until my hand reached some rectangular device and hit the Snooze button.

My alarm went off again and brought me out of dreamland. Little by little I regained my senses and it was the beginning of a new day.

Special thanks to Damien Concordel for helping with editing and ideas for the title.