ASLEEP YET AWAKE

reliving revelations

I stepped out of the lift as it reached first floor. I went to the reception to enquire about my appointment with jenny. I saw the same girl behind the counter. She was playing solitaire on the computer.

I tapped on the counter. To my amazement she jumped from her chair and almost knocked down the computer.

"Oh! I am sorry. I think I scared you". I apologised immideately.

"You terrified me". She yelled breathing heavily.

Then she slowly sat down back on her chair and placed her face on her hands. I reached to her and said,"Are you fine?"

She looked up and started laughing. My initial reaction was that this girl is crazy. She is the one who mom should nag about going to the psychiatrist and see the coincidence she worked for a psychiatrist.

"That was amusing". She finally spoke between supressed giggles.

I began laughing too. It's true that laughter is infectious and this girl was infecting me way too soon.

"I didn't mean to scare you". I apologised again.

"It's fine. By the way I am anna". She extended a hand towards me and smiled at me sweetly.

I took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "Lara". I replied. For the first time I noticed that she was actually beautiful. She did not look the kind of girl to work behind a counter. She was more of a outgoing kind of girl.

"I know right. You are having an appointment about half an hour later. You are early". She informed me.

"Yeah since I had nothing better to do at home". I told her.

"If I would have a chance. I would spend the whole day at home just lazying around the television with a big tub of butterscotch icecream". She declared.

"Seems like fun". I winked at her.

"You know it is so boring sitting behind a desk. It irritates the shit out of me. Sorry. Don't mind my language". She said.

"Yes. I get it. By the way you look more of the outgoing kind". I told  her.

"Keen eyes you have got. But the thing is you need money to splurge and I get paid fairly well here. Plus I don't have much work to do". She told me.

"That explains it". I responded.

"Have you been to the new cafe down the road? I heard they serve delicious cakes". She asked.

"No. I haven't been out for a while". I replied.

"Oh. Maybe we could catch up some time. You know I would love to go to that cafe". She told me.

I laughed a little. She was a chatty little thing. No wonder she worked as a receptionist. She was definately engaging and her hazel eyes did rest of the magic. You could stare at her pretty face for hours without a conflict in your mind. "Sure". I finally replied.

A lady came out of the door and asked for the next visitor. Anna looked at me and I immideately grabbed my bag and rushed towards the door. I looked back at her and mouthed the words "see you".

I entered inside jenny's chamber. Like the last time she was drowned in a file.

I walked to the chair and seated myself.

"Hello Jenny". I greeted her with a little smile.

"Good to see you again Lara. How are you doin'?" She enquired.

"Fine. Thankyou". I replied.

She shut the file and placed it on the pile with other files. She removed her glasses from her nose and put them aside.