Suddenly I was in the future, standing in the same place from where I left to the past. The river soar very thin and polluted, flowed beside me. In the distance I could see the main road, a busy road it was. Car horns blew. A chill breeze was blowing. Then I heard the bark of a dog. I recognized it. It was Bruno. He was standing on the opposite side of the road. Not only him but also my father was standing there. He had taken Bruno for a walk. They were staring straight in my direction. I ran towards them yelling
“Dad, it’s me, Oliver.” But he didn’t seem to listen. He turned and went into the alley. I ran faster. Without even looking if any vehicles were coming in my direction I crossed the road. At that time a car came straight at me. The driver didn’t even make an effort to turn the car. Before I could move the car hit me but nothing happened. The car went straight through me. Then I realized that no one in this dream can see me or hear me. In general I don’t exist here. Then I crossed the road and entered into the alley. It was good to be near home. I saw the shopkeeper to whom I had gone and asked if he had seen Bruno. I wished I’d never let Bruno outside. Then I went to my home. The door was not locked. I opened it and went in without anyone noticing. I do like this if I had gone to play with my friends without telling to my mom. My father had just arrived from the walk. He unleashed Bruno. He went straight to the kitchen and my father went to the hall.
“I’m home, honey.”
“Yeah, I know. Bruno scared me.” my mom gave an answer. Father gave a stifled laugh and started reading the paper.
“I wish Oliver is safe, hon” he said
“Don’t worry about him. He’ll be enjoying his trip and he has friends to look after him.”
“Exactly where has he gone?”
“He said they’ll be visiting the National Space Centre and then there’s a town named Syston nearby. That place is a very good place for camping. There are lakes and many more places to visit. Then he’ll return to our home safe and sound. You worry about him a lot.” I stood by the door and was listening to all of this. My mom took the phone and ringed someone. After a while someone picked up the call and said
“Hello. Nielson here.” my mom put the phone in speaker so that my dad could hear.
“Hello, Nielson. I’m Oliver’s mom. Can I talk to Oliver?” my mom wanted to talk to me. But how? How was Nielson going to manage this situation? To my great shock he asked
“Oliver? He’s not here.”
“What?! What do you mean he’s not here?” both mom and dad said in unison. With the nervousness in my parent’s voice, Nielson came to his senses and he said
“I meant that he’s not in my room, aunty. He’s in another room in another floor. He gave his mobile to me because there was a free charger point in my room. Right now I can’t go to his room. Sorry aunty. I’ll tell him to call you later.” Somehow he managed.
“Ok Nielson. Tell him to call me later.”
“I can send you some pics, if you want?”
“Okay, send them and don’t forget to tell him that we called.”
“I will, aunty. Bye” he said and hung up the call. Now there was a little sadness in my mom’s face. Dad sensed it and said
“Hey honey, you told me not to worry and now you are worrying. I bet you that he’ll be thinking about us. Just five more days and he’ll be back.” The notification sound came.
“See the photo has arrived. Take a look.” I went closer and watched it. I recognized the photo. Nielson had sent a photo that we had taken in our school tour like we were standing by a small lake. I hadn’t shown that photo to mom. Nielson was brilliant. There was little smile on my parent’s face and the dream dissolved. Someone shook me so hard that I thought an earthquake had come. Then I focused by rubbing my eyes. They were full of tears, maybe by the dream. I saw Eva standing near my cot. She said
“It’s time, Oliver. Wake up, fast. We have to go.” The war was about to start.
