Epicenter

2. Fateful Imperfections

Don't we all wish for everything around us to be just perfect? The perfect love, the perfect friendships, the perfect livelihood and a picture perfect life. However that is not possible all the time. You may think that you have everything you ever wanted was with you and you are living a dream but just in second, without you ever really noticing it dies out. Something similar happens to these five people. Who now, are completely oblivious to what was approaching. When all their perfect lives will be shattered by some turns of life, which you may call fate. And which will be so significant for them in the coming future.

*

"Scarlet," a soothing voice called out. "Wake up."

A man dressed in a suit stood at one end. The environment consisted of a horde of trees which almost touched the heavens above. Light if any, penetrated very little. And in front of Scarlet's eyes was a rush of darkness. But she could very clearly make out the outline of a man at a distance. He extended his arms forward. Calling to Scarlet. Scarlet could not move. She stood their frozen, captivated by the happenings.

"Wake up," the voice called out again. "Save the people, save the people," the voice repeated, a little louder every time. 

Scarlet stood unyielding. She could not move. The voice grew a bit obvious with every approaching word.

"Save the people," the voice whispered into her ears.

Her eyes opened. With her sweat covered face, Scarlet lay awake in her bed. She was relieved to be back where she belonged. Switching on the lamp she got up. Dean who was sleeping beside her was woken by the sudden light. He turned in his place.

"Hey baby, is everything alright?" he said. He could see Scarlet being scared. "Did you have one of those nightmares again?" he said sitting beside her.

"This was more than a nightmare Dean," she replied. "It just seemed so real this time. Like he was trying to speak to me. Trying to convey a message or something."

"Ska it's okay now. Don't be afraid. You are with me," he said taking her into his arms.

"You don't get it Dean. It just doesn't feel right," she said excessively agitated.

"Hey Ska look at me, your father is not with us right now. It was just a nightmare. Don't worry, I am with you."

"Yea? Don't you think that is definitely not the case nowadays?" Scarlet replied irritated.

"Ska you know I have had a lot of responsibilities after I was promoted," he said in defense. "I had a lot of work."

"I know you did Dean," she said. "But what about us? Do you remember the last time we just sat to talk?"

"I have been busy," he snapped. "I mean with all the financial duties on me-"

"Wait what do you mean by all the financial duties on you? What, now you think I don't earn enough?"

"That is not what I meant Ska," he said.

"Sure you did."

"Look can we have this talk in the morning? You are clearly not in the right state of mind right now."

"There is nothing to talk about Dean," Scarlet replied agitated and turned her back on Dean.

"Honey, don't do this please," Dean said.

Scarlet remained silent. "Yes. That is real mature Ska. What is with you? Every time we fall in a place like this you conveniently don't want to talk about it," Dean said, irately.

"What do we talk about? How you are so successful and how your girlfriend is just a small time journalist, who can't even-"

"I never said that," Dean cut in.