Am I Dreaming!?✔(only sample)

7.New Place!

Netra's PoV

It was a long long long journey from Punjab to Tamil Nadu! We reached Chennai yesterday night. Our train from Chennai to Namakkal started soon after we refreshed ourselves.

Ok! Puliancholai! Here I come! We got down at the Namakkal railway station and took bus to Kolli hills. The destination was like a bus hub! But in a small scale. There were many mini buses that address different names. This place was full of people. I saw many conductors call for people by telling the name of their bus's destination.

"Wow! I like this place! It's so lively!" I told Anand.

"Haha you have not seen anything yet!" he said.

"This is foothill of Kolli malai! There are many villages around the foothill and up above the hill. These mini buses will take you to the villages. Now we have to find our destination buses." he said.

We walked alongside the curb and I started trying to read the boards on the buses.

"Anna(brother)! Where is Puliancholai bus?" he asked a conductor nearby.

"Second last on the 3rd aisle!" he said.

"Thanks Anna!" he said to the conductor and we started walking to the spot.

Puliancholai! I boarded! Anand helped me a lot. He helped me find the right bus and also with my luggages! I know to read and write Tamil. But still, I needed help!

"Alright Netra! You have my number. call me if you need any help. Don't hesitate!" he said from the window of my seat in the bus.

"Sure Anand! Thank you so much for your help! I would have struggled a bit if not for you!" I delivered my heart felt thanks to him.

"Don't mention it! See you soon Netra!" he walked alongside as the bus moved. I saw all the other buses were so crowded! But this bus had only 4 people including me.

"Sure! See you Anand!" we parted ways as he has to go Mullukurichi, his village !

It was a 40minutes travel uphill. I really love this hills. The fresh breeze is so refreshing. It is cold! The place the bus stopped, there is nothing around except for the small bus stop! This place looks deserted except for a little mud-road that trails inwards.

Everyone got down! I wonder where is the village? The bus turned to the opposite direction to get down! Empty? Ok! That is strange!

"Are you Netra?" the man that came in the bus with me asked. He must be around 30years! He is very muscular and well built. He had a little boy with him. Must be his son. The girl that came along just disappeared. Wow! So fast! How did he know me?

"Um... Yes! How did you know my name?" I asked him.

"This is a small village with only 1000 people! We all know who comes in and goes out!" he said.

"Oh right! But where is the village? I could not see a house or a sign for a life here. Where is the other girl that got down with us?"

"Haha! That girl's name is Mathi! She must be in the village by now. We have to walk in! Some 2 miles!" he said.

WHAT? 2MILES? WITH THE LUGGAGE? GOSH!

"There is no transportation to your village? " I asked him exhausted. I have been travelling for 3days straight. No proper food, No proper cleanliness! I am tired as hell.

"No ma! We all walk!"

"Even old people?" I asked in astonishment! I still wonder where might she have gone in a few minutes. As far as I can see, I see no sign of her.

"Haha everyone walks!"

"Impressive! Why did the bus leave without passengers? What if someone has to go down now?" I asked him walking with him in the mud road.

"Hmmm... What if I say we walk down hill? " he asked me with a smile. Wait! What? He is not kidding. He is telling the truth.

What are these people? How can they walk the distance, a bus took 40minutes to reach?

"Ok! I think I need a vehicle! Do you people have vehicles in your village?" I am desperate to use a ride to the village now. The luggage are killing my shoulders and back.

"Yes, we do! Not everyone though!" he said.

"Uff! Good then! Can you call someone with a vehicle to give us a ride?" I asked changing the bag to my other shoulder.

"Give the bags to me Netra! I will bring them for you."

"Oh No! Thank you! But I like to do my works myself."

"That is good. But you can always use some help when in trouble!" he took my bags. I kept my shoulder bag with me.

"Adhi has a jeep that can give us a ride. All others have only two wheelers. I cannot call Adhi for such helps!" he said.

"Oh! But why?"

"Let's just say he is a high rank man who does not drive for others!" he said.

Some egoistic, hard-headed man that Adhi must be! Anyways I don't need his help! If a little boy can walk without scrunching his face, then I can too!

"Hi little man! You wont talk?" I asked the little boy. He just looks at me.

"I am Netra! What is your name?" I asked him.

"My name is Anbu!" he said shy!

Awe he is so cute.

"Hi Anbu! Are you going to school? Which class are you in?"

"So you really are a teacher?" he asked me and started crying.

"Oh no! What happened?" I asked panicked .

"Haha dont panic Netra! He does not like school! He is in Kg!" the man answered.

"Oh! Sorry I didn't know your name!"

"Kannan!" he said.

"Ok! Don't cry Anbu! I am a teacher. But I will be your friend! You will love my class!" I talked to him.

"No school is boring. My brother said, if we don't study well, teachers will beat us!"

"Awe! I promise, I never beat kids. I love kids. I will tell you beautiful stories! I will play with you! Ok, let's do this! You come to my class on monday! If You dont like me or my class, you can stay home. I won't compel you to stay in class."

"Promise?" he showed his pinky finger. How cute!

"pinky promise! " I gave him my word.

"Ufff! How long still to your village?" I asked Kannan exhausted. It feels like the destination is nowhere. I felt all dehydrated.

"We are almost there! 10more minutes!" he said. I honestly think he is trying to encourage me to walk. My Paati has done this to me.

I am amazed by how Anbu keeps up the pace with us. He never whine or asked his dad to pick him up. He is one good boy with good stamina!

"Aaahhh!" I felt a sharp pain shoot from my heart and extend to my brain. I knelt down on the mud road.

"Netra! Netra! Are you alright? Netra! Can you hear me?" Kannan's voice just faded away.

I woke up in a bed. I touched my heart and head! No more pain! Gosh what was that? Did I have a heart attack? God! At this age? I was dark in the room. Where am I? I put out my hand for the side table and found a night lamp! I am frozen! I am in my room! In my room in my home in Khilchi in Punjab!

Was it all a dream? Am I dreaming? How can a dream be so real? I remember every detail. I met Anand! I met Kannan! I met little Anbu! I saw kolli hills! I walked on the mud roads. I remember every dialog in the dream! How can a dream be so crystal clear? My body pains like it needs rest from all the travel! I put my legs down and started walking to the door! Did I just time-travelled? Was it the future? What day is today? I think my train is tomorrow!