Bedtime Stories
Dreams...one of those things that fuel a man's life forward. The one thing that lets you challenge the reality around you, pushing you beyond the limits bestowed upon you. Dreams, as sweet a gift as they appear, can also be a reason for...sleepless nights...like the one I had.
Once my eyelids shut down for the night, the portal for my soul to wander into the other universe opened up. I flew, did a backflip once...twice...thrice and I was being sucked into this black hole. BANG! Like a writer placing his characters in a scene, there I was, in a coffee shop. Appeared as if I was their only customer for the day. I couldn't see anyone else, not even the staff but I could hear some noises from the kitchen as I assume they must be busy working on my order (hope I placed the right one).
The door opens up and this young boy enters the shop and glances across the tables. His eyes lock with mine and walk toward me with a smile. He pulls a chair and sits alongside me and points at someone in the kitchen to order something. Then we gaze at each other for a moment and he is still smiling at me, his eyes so deep and his face so vibrant. I involuntarily smile back at him with no clue why, maybe it is his charm. But I don't care. I am enjoying the company of this stranger.
The boy starts to talk about how his days are going and what he is planning in mind for his future. He talks so much that you feel you're reading into someone's diary. You could feel the confidence of the boy in every breath he takes and the words he sing, it is almost as if you have become a fan of him and you're cheering for him. You really want him to chase his dreams and reach his goals. The mere thought of it fills your heart with a warm feeling and you want to hug it out to share all that warmth. But then, out of nowhere, I paused for a second and realized that I have heard these somewhere. It is then that I noticed it. The boy was none other than my younger self!
I tried to get up and move closer to him just to let him know that he needs to rethink his strategy for his future. I wanted to warn him of the people he may meet and some of his dreams may not be what they appear to be. I wanted to save him from the pain his coming years had in store for him...I wanted him to be...Okay. There were a million things I wanted to tell him but my hands were trembling and my lungs were struggling to catch a breath. The boy held my palm with his charming smile still on his face and he looked at me, his eyes growing deeper and deeper. He said to me, "I know you know what happens next and you want to tell me what it is."
He continued, "I know tomorrow may not be what I had in mind. But don't you think if I evaded that tomorrow through you, I will be denying myself a chance to live my life". I wanted to throw caution to the wind and tell him everything but I knew he was right. What fun would life be if we knew the answers already? I got up and hugged him, my younger self and he both burst into laughter. Our coffee came and we both enjoyed our sip...and then I opened my eyes.
Laying in my bed, I told myself...I am doing fine. Even if I am not doing okay, it is totally alright. There is still something better on the horizon. I just know it.