ASLEEP YET AWAKE

collar business

Now it has been an hour since I am standing in front of my closet scanning the clothes I have, unsuccessfully trying to pull out something to wear today.

After an hour's consideration I took out a leather jacket and jeans.

After showering I dressed myself real quick since I was going to have a long day today. I took out my lovely boots. I bought them from my savings last year. They were the one thing I so badly wanted to have but since they were so expensive I only managed to buy them in the end of season sale. Sadly it was summer soon after I bought them so I couldn't wear them much.

I was going to leave Ame with Anna for a day since I couldn't take her to the movie with mom. I grabbed my bag and placed my cell phone in the front pocket of my jeans. I fished Ame's basket from under the bed and gently placed her inside wrapping her in a blanket.

I was sure Anna will love to take care of her. She likes her too much. She will be glad to get a company for a day. She was the kind of a person who adjusted to things easily. Plus I don't really blame her for falling for Ame. She was a bit too cute too resist.

I told mom that I would be back soon as I opened the front door. Since I was running late already I took a cab. Deciding which clothes to wear is certainly a tome consuming task. I sat in the cab with Ame in my lap.

Just as I expected Anna was glad to get Ame for a day.

"Sure I would love to. How could I say no?" She said when I asked her if she could take care of Ame for a day.

"Thankyou very much Anna". I said gratefuly.

"By the way where are you going girl?" She asked me.

"Oh! You see my mom is going on some official day so to make up for her absence on my birthday she says that we should celebrate today". I told her.

"When is your birthday?" She asked me.

"Day after tomorrow but mom is probably going to leave tonight". I replied.

"Wow! That's great. Happy birthday in advance". She chirped. "What are the plans?" She asked

I thanked her again. "Just going for an evening show. Nothing much". I told her.

"Sounds good". Anna beamed at me.

"I will  pick up Ame tomorrow morning. You just need to feed her before you sleep. I hope that would be no problem". I said.

"Absolutely not. I will take good care of her. Don't worry". She assured me.

After chatting with her for some time I entered Jenny's chamber.

"You didn't bring Ame with you today?" She asked as soon as I sat down.

"No. She is with Anna. I am going to leave her with Anna for a day because I am going to spend the day with mom". I told her.

"That's great". She smiled at me. "Sometimes a change is good".

"Yeah. It's been a while since I had gone out with mom". I said

"I hope you will enjoy". She said.

"Tell me did you have any strange dream tomorrow?" Shw asked.

I pondered over last night dreams. I could not decide from where to start telling her. "I had this strange dream where Ray and Mia were being perfectly nice and all but I did not let it blow my mind. I told them that they were not real and just an illusion. I did not stay in the dream for too long. I withdrew soon after. The rest of the night was dreamless". I told her.

"Lara you are really progressing you know. The fact that you are resisting your dreams proves that you are just a few steps away from ending them forever". She told me in a serious tone.

"I try to resist them but I don't understand why do they even come in the first place?" I asked her with furrowed eyebrows.

"It's because in your subconscious you have not completely accepted the reality. When you sleep the past resurfaces and you tend to find relief in happy dreams which in the end bring you back to initial stage just like a round trip". She informed me.

I nodded my head trying to absorb everything she has just told me. She really sorts things out completely and makes them easy to grasp but away from her my mind is a complete mess.

"I am sure you can make it through. No matter how fragile you might feel I know yoi are strong". She gave me a gentle smile.

"Thankyou so much Jenny for everything you do". I told her with true feelings.

Her smile grew sympathetic as she looked at me. "You know I am here for you. Now I think you must leave. Your mom must be waiting". She told me.

"Yes. I am getting late". I said as I stood up.

"See you tomorrow at the same time". She said after me.

I smiled and told her that I will be here.

I met Ame one last time. I chucked her under the chin and told her that I will come soon. It was the first time that she will stay away from me. I felt bad but I had none other option.

I decided to directly reach the multiplex since I was already late. I called mom that I will meet her there. It was within walking distance so I decided to cover the short distance on foot.

As I walked on the street I constantly felt like something was missing. It was not even an hour yet and I was already missing Ame.

My attention was caught by the wide range of sunglasses diaplayed in the window of a shop. I contemplated whether to go in or not. I looked at the watch on my hand. I had half an hour before the show starts. If I could go in and be out in fifteen minutes than I could very well manage to reach for the show on time.

I walked through the front door and was greeted by the shop lady. I went straight to the window where sunglasses were displaced. I took out 3 pairs and then began the process of choosing one. I am never succesful in a thing like this. I am a hell lot confused when it comes to me to choose the best. Since I didn't had much time to spare I decided to make the process quicker. I arranged them in a row on the hanger and sang the counting till ten. My finger stopped at the bottom one and so wuthout another thought I picjed it up and rushed to the counter to pay for it.

On the way my gaze fell on the little counter in the corner. It had a picture of an animated cat. I could not stop myself as my feet carried me towards it. It was a rotating machine which contained various shelves lined with catty items. On the one side  were tins of cat food and on the other side were marchandise. Beautiful little things sparkled and gleamed. There was this specific cat collar that immideately caught my attention. It was black in colour and it was in the shape of a real shirt collar. It's edges were lined little silver diamonds and in the centre was a big mettalic bow studed with silver diamonds. I decided to buy it then and there even though it was a bit expensive and was going to effect my pocket.

I removed it from it's holder and carried to the billing counter.

The old lady at the counter looked at me approvingly. She had a slight Assian accent I guess.
"Ah! You have a cat I suppose". She asked me.

"Yes. A little white and black soldier she is". I told her.

"Very nice. This would look good on her". She commented as she handed the packet with items to me.

I thanked her rushed out of the door. I had twelve minutes before the show starts. I hurried down the road and turned left. I was almost there.

I stood in front of my destination and looked at the watch. Phew! Just on time I thought in my mind.

Yeah missy just wait and watch you gonna get a lecture from mom once she sees you. My mind told me. I rolled my eyes. But it was true mom must be waiting for me and she is probably boiling with anger at my carelessness right now.

I sighed to myself and prayed for luck as I walked inside.