Short Stories (English/Tagalog)

"A Dream" (ENGLISH)

Charmaine was busy cooking in her kitchen. Her two year old son was doing all possible mischief. Suddenly she heard the conversation of her husband over the phone. "hey Jerry, how are you? I am doing great! I am going to UK in April for the conference. I miss those days of our post graduation in that city. We had a great time. The pubs, the dancing bars and those exotic drinks were awesome. Are you coming?.....oh ok that's great. We can have fun one more time. Hey I want the same call- girl this time. She was true magic. Her name was Nancy, right?"

Charmaine stood still and speechless at the door. She could not believe her ears. How can her husband do that? She frivolously yelled at her husband "Mark!" she shrieked.

She woke up from a dream. It was not a dream but a nightmare. Charmaine's heart was palpitating. Mark woke up and saw Charmaine. He was perplexed at her state. "what happened Charmaine? Are you alright? Drink some water." Mark consoled her.

Charmaine saw her husband and tears filled her eyes. She hugged him and wept. "A nightmare Mark, a nightmare!".

"Relax dear, nothing has gone wrong. You, me and our child are perfectly alright!" he pointed at her son. "it is 5 o clock in the morning. I will fresh up and visit the gym." Mark went to the bathroom.

Charmaine sat still facing at the clock. "it's early morning 5 o clock. People say early morning dreams come true. No !!!!!" she shrieked again. Her heart was still palpitating. She slowly arose and went to the kitchen. She prepared hot milk and got in her morning duties.

Mark visited the gym and was back in his house. Charmaine was preparing breakfast. Suddenly she heard her husband talking over the phone. ""hey Jerry, how are you? I am doing great! I am going to UK in April for the conference. I miss those days of our post graduation in that city. We had a great time. Yes everything will go well, I even bought something for her....."

Charmaine froze at the moment. Mark was talking those same words of her dream. She didn't want to hear other sentences. But Mark didn't say any such nonsense words and he cut the phone.

"Dear I am going to UK this weekend. I have a conference to attend."

"No! you can't go!" She yelled. "hmmm, what I mean is, I get bored at home, can I join you? We can have a small trip" she asked genially.

"no, what will you do in the conference? And what about our son? You know his pranks. This time I am sorry. We friends are having a get together at the conference. I don't want to miss it. But, I promise I will take you for a trip somewhere else when I return. Ok?" Mark gulped the breakfast and left to his office.

Charmaine went to the bathroom and splashed cold water on her face. Her mind was distraught. Her imagination went for a quandary. Nancy or no Nancy? It was the question that troubled her.

When Mark retreated home in the evening, she fought and convinced to take her to where he's going. Mark had to agree and the plan was made. Charmaine was happy.

The family went to UK. The weather was great. Mark his wife and their son in his aunts place and went to the conference.

Mark retreated in the evening and told Charmaine to get ready for the banquet dinner. It was a prestigious hotel of that city. The food and arrangements were wonderful.

Neetu had dressed well for the event. The dinner was of a high profile society. Charmaine spoke with all the lady colleagues. Mark was busy with his friends and drinks.

She remembered her dream and fought with herself. Suddenly she noticed a young beautiful lady approaching her husband. The lady tapped at his back. Mark turned and smiled "hey Nancy! How are you? I didn't know you were here. You are looking gorgeous."

"Thank you Mark. I am absolutely fine." Nancy smiled.

Charmaine was speechless at the sight. Nancy! She exists! Was she the same woman? Charmaine felt the world around her going topsy-turvy.

Mark spoke with Nancy for some time. "hey I forgot to introduce you to my wife. Meet Charmaine my wife"

Nancy cheerfully hugged Charmaine. "Oh nice meeting you. I and your husband did the same post graduation. We were good friends at that time. With time we had lost contact and I was surprised to see him here. I am really happy."

Charmaine tonelessly said "oh ok". Was the dream coming true? Will her husband spend the night with Nancy? Will Mark depart from her? Will this be the cause of dissension between them? Many questions struck her like a lightning.

Late in the night Mark took Charmaine to the hotel terrace. A cool breeze swept over them. Charmaine was ready to take the last saying of her husband. She loved him too much.

Mark slowly took a small box from his pocket. He closed Charmaine's eyes and put a diamond ring on her finger and whispered "happy anniversary!"

Charmaine stood in a hypnotic trance. She couldn't believe her ears. The dream, UK conversation on the phone, and the beautiful Nancy were tantalizing her. Charmaine had forgotten her anniversary because of that stupid dream. But still she wondered why the dream partially came true?

She spoke and revealed her dream and the cause of her distress to Mark. Mark said "it was just a dream! I love you and nobody else. Nancy and me are only friends."

Charmaine hugged him with smugness and replied "happy anniversary."