the Dream

I'v had this dream more than once. The dream of a the forest.
It often begins at the part where I walk barefoot past dark tall trees, so completely hiding sunlight, that it is impossible to say what time of the day it was. I know I have been walking for a while, from the wet mud around my feet.
I push away the deep dark curtain of creepers to reveal a deep green pond barely visible in the twilight sky. The water is still, as still as the air is to let the random noises of the wild cut through the silence.

I cautiously make my way down the to the edge of the pond and see my reflection as a shadow. My hair is done up in a bun....

After this it gets blurry or the dream changes course to a completely different setting.

This part of the dream is significant.
When I am awake, on the bus, on my way to office, as I push away worrying thoughts about my future.
I think about this dream and try to re-create the scene in my head and it immediately calms me and soothes me.

It is my happy place.

I either wake up, with the sound of Sandhya moving about as soon as she's up or when the first whistle goes off from the pressure cooker.

I creak my eyes open a bit to see sunlight streaming in through the crack in the curtain.
5 more minutes. I try and stay still in my comfortable position savouring the final minutes of sleep.

Its another day. I will be pushing myself up in some time.

A word of prayer needs to be uttered. Milk needs to be boiled.
Soon I will be rushing out of the door, quickly grabbing the first pair of earrings, hoping against hope that I will not miss the bus.

When I finally get into the bus, I put on a fake smile for the few familiar faces, settle into a far corner seat, all to myself.

And go to my happy place...