Mr. Imperfectionist 2

5 - Nightmares

The following morning, I went to see mom first. I was overjoyed with tears when she gave me a long hug. Anubhav and Esha were thrilled to hear that I signed a contract with Nasch. I wanted to feel better about going back to Spain. I wanted to feel lighter and for the churning in my stomach to cease. Being close to my family was the only way I could accomplish it. Two weeks passed by. I had a flight to Barcelona the next day. To reach Sitges, we'll have to land at Barcelona airport, and just thinking about it was making my heart race.

Since I had a flight in the afternoon the following day, I made an effort to get some sleep that night. Going back to Barcelona was so close to happening. I began to have daily nightmares as a result of that anxiousness. I experienced another nightmare the night before my travel. I was imprisoned in a cell with a mouldy, green floor. The foyer was completely black, and there were no windows. I sat inside the jail wearing my golden bridal attire, that I liked a lot. I hear footsteps approaching. I begin to experience difficulty breathing and uncontrollable perspiration. My eyesight is blurry as I pant and scan the area in search of a means to escape. I've never experienced a panic attack before.

With each step my killer takes toward me, my heart begins to thud inside me. I turned around and touched my forehead against the mouldy, moist wall, trying to pretend that the killer wouldn't see me. His footsteps come to a halt behind me. I break down in fear and start calling out the name of my savior to come and save me. "Sabil... Sabil...." I murmur while I continue sobbing.

"Saanj?" came that lovely, entrancing voice. I turn around and look at his hazy face from the little light coming in from the street on his left. I notice his left emerald eye, and his perfect nose. His other side was shadowy. He was watching me expressionlessly from outside the cell.

I limp towards him while grinning despite my tears. My savior had arrived at last. As I reach closer to the bars, Sabil pulls out his gun from behind and points it at my forehead. My horrified eyes enlarge. He has changed; he doesn't love me anymore. The thought of his betrayal hurts me more than the idea of dying. A street light from outside flickers and falls on his face. He wasn't Sabil. He was someone else. He smiles devilishly at me and says, "Say hello to Sabil." Before I could say anything, he pulled the trigger.

I opened my eyes only to realize it was yet another nightmare. It felt so real that my heart was pounding. I pull my cell phone from under my pillow to check the time. It was 3:00 AM. I should probably start getting used to these nightmares. I put on all the lights in my apartment and start taking a stroll through my living area and my bedroom. I have to get a proper eight hours of sleep every night to keep my skin healthy. But it was getting hard to get a good night's sleep with these regular nightmares.

I leave my home at 11 a.m. and travel to the Mumbai Airport. Arman meets me there. Although Arman was not required for the shoot, he opted to come along to help me stay composed and of course, the Spanish women were a part of the reason. We all board the plane together as the Nasch team arrives. My seat was next to this model, Sasha. We requested her to switch seats with Arman.

"How are you feeling, Saanj?" Asks Arman.

I sip on my glass of water and say, "Had another nightmare." I tell him as I put the glass back in the tray.

Arman exhales. "That day never came, Saanj. You said one day you would tell me everything, and you haven't said a word about your experience in Spain and all these nightmares."

I put my head back against the seat. "Arman, let it go."

"Fine," I heard him mutter with distaste.

It was a quiet flight for an hour. I'd dozed off halfway through.

I could hear a muffled conversation. I open my eyes and see Arman flirting with the stewardess. I hit him on the shoulder and whisper, "Let me sleep." For the first time in weeks, it was a dreamless sleep.

The hard part was not over yet. The pilot announced we would be landing in Barcelona shortly. I felt Arman's hand on mine. He held my hand and soothed me before I even realized I was feeling anxious. He continued to delicately squeeze it while smiling softly at me. I can't recall the last time I was this relaxed and at ease around someone. Mike was my boyfriend, but he wasn't able to make me feel the same way Arman did. He was truly my best friend.