"Dreams are yours and nightmares are mine" ~ Fiction

Disclaimer: This is a fiction. All characters and incidents are fictitious , if any resemblance to living or dead is purely co-incidence.

It was a warm summer sunday morning. Air absolutely pure, weather perfectly pleasant. Laila's breakfast scream was well-known in the neighbourhood. A fitness freak Debashish was winding up his abs and weights routine when he heard his wife go top on her voice "Debo, your daily dose of protein is up on the table. If you are done with your toning, head to the dining please."

He replied completely irked "Sssshhhh!! Can't you keep it low Laila? Payal is resting and so are our neighbours. I'm coming in a bit. Hang on".

Payal shut her ears using the pillow on her side. It was her first day of vacation after the final exam of class VII , that meant long hours of sleeping. Laila did not care of any, she continued with her routine. 8 am, the table was dressed with a beautiful lilac setting that Laila bought in Belgium a year ago when Debashish had taken her along for a casual business trip. The antique silver spoons from Kolkata laid on the table, made it more than perfect. Laila had turned a full time home maker after she had Payal.

Laila brewed a citrus based lemon tea for herself, added a sugar cube that cut the sourness just as required. Sitting by the window that opened to a lush green garden, holding her favourite ceramic cup which had chinese inscription on it that read - "Happy and I", hot lemon tea coupled with french toast made the perfect breakfast combo on a warm sunday morning. She was munching on a bite while Debashish walked in.

As he gulped the milk shake in a single go, Laila was curious to know if he was rushing to office despite it being a holiday. She had never seen him polish off the drink so quick on a holiday. Without any hesitation she popped up "Debo , you going to work today?"

He nodded a No. She sighed of relief as there had been a movie plan already in place for that noon. And later in the day they were supposed to visit the famous circus that had halted in the town for a month or two.

She raised the next question "Debo we are going to the Prabhakar theaters this noon. Aren't we?"  Before Debashish could respond to that, she continued "Payal was all excited yesterday that we were visiting the Famous circus that she longed to go from years." Debashish did not utter a word. Laila was more excited of the plan than his daughter Payal, thought he. Payal was up and completely awake when she heard her mother citing of Circus.She raced to the dining hall, hugged her mom and screamed in her usual tone "Good morning mom, Good morning Papa".

Debashish was lost in a world of thoughts only to be brought back into the discussion by a pat on his back by his sweet little daughter. His voice slurred and in a weak tone said "Excuse me , I'm not feeling okay. Seems like I have a temperature.I'd better rest."

"Dad, I am sure you are joking. I know you are playing with my anger. I am going to be ready in an hour. Off I go" said Payal before she left the room.

Laila did notice a kind of tension build up on Debo's face and she approached him to inquire on the matter. He broke out even before she could question him. All his dreams of a secured future was shattered he cried. She tried to control till his sobs ceased. Later he explained how he had been fired from his organization for no wrong of his, how he had begged his boss to keep him in working terms until he found a suitable job, how his rude and stingy boss turned down his request. He cried iterating that all this while he had been thinking of the EMI's and loans that were to be fuelled in month on month, how his daughter need to get best of education and how he would keep his home running till he gets a job. He did not want to let his daughter down but his emotional side tore up in front of his beloved wife.
She empathatically said "Debo, What is life with no trouble on you plate. If not this job you'd find something better. Do not loose your heart to something that wasn't meant for you. Now stop worrying about a disaster and think of a happy evening with our darling daughter. Go have a wash and be ready in a while. Lets drop the movie but head directly to BharatiNagar."

"BharathiNagar ?? Why?? " - Puzzled Debo asked.

Laila with a wink said "I am taking a day off from my kitchen duties. I've heard a new punjabi restaurant is flaunting with a few varities of delicacies from the north. So we will go there for a brunch. Now don't waste time dear".

"But about my job, aren't you afraid of our future? Are you not angry for hiding facts all this while?" Suprised Debo questioned.

"Debo, we have all the time to discuss about it, tomorrow. Now you go" . she forced him into the bath.

Laila drove to "Mazedaars" a decent looking dhabha styled restuarant in BharatiNagar. Excited Payal ordered Makhaani Dal and Makki ki Roti from the favorites list on the card. Laila knew Debo's love for Tandoori Roti dabbed with Desi ghee combo-ed with Saag. She ordered stuff that sufficed the stomach filling for two. Debo looked dis-interested , his composure told tales of haunted thoughts. Circus was the only word on Payal's mind. Naturally, she was curious as she had never been to a circus before and looked forward to seeing a show that evening. While in the states on a vacation with her parents last summer she had seen an acrobat show on the strip of Vegas that lasted only for about 5 minutes. She was fascinated by the beautifully dressed ladies on the trapeze swinging from one end to another. Often she dreamt of dressing like one and flying high mid air. Payal was wondering how thrilling today's act would be and that is when Laila patted on her shoulders welcoming her back to the current world.

Debo did not enjoy the lunch as he would otherwise. He felt dejected, torn up, down in the dumps. Laila tried all resorts to bring the cheer in him. She passed a few jokes which turned pale. She spoke of the best days they had during the first year of marriage. He did not respond. Payal was too busy to notice the silence that had struck her dad.

After the stuffing Laila , Debo and Payal reached the venue of Circus. Laila had booked 3 front seats in advance and there they sit waiting for the show to begin. A clown walked in with a mike bigger than his size and his actions got the entire hall into a roar of laughter and applause. The show began with a thundering bike act followed by the magician doing some wonders with the cards and hat. It was time to bring those caged animals on the show. Debo looked at the animals walking in with their ring master one after the other. In his mind he was equating the ring master to be his discourteous, impolite, scurrilous boss and those pity animals to the kind, amicable,respectful and obliging himself. With more of stunts and acrobatics from the animals and the trained acrobats, it was time to leave. Payal was delighted and electrified.

Laila drove back through Maraat Complex in the south of Chiranthpet to avoid traffic enroute. While she parked the car in garage Debo found a mail in the letter-box. He reached his hand to the mail and was confound as he saw his name on the addressee. The envelope had the logo of his dream company "LD Software Ltd." etched on it.

Opening the letter as he scrolled through the lines, he could not believe what he read. Debo jumped in joy, eyes filled with tears. Laila locked the car and called Payal to close the garage door behind her. Laila approached the main gate where she saw Debo elated and gleeful. They say when the lid comes off after a long period of repression, people may be grateful and elated. So was the case here. He passed the letter to her and cried "Laila, our lives are back on track. I've got my dream job. No worries here on."

Laila congratulated and hugged him. It was a big moment, atmosphere turned fervent and peppy. Debo did not get into speculation of how he got this offer. Though this seemed more of a Sherlock Holmes unsolved mystery, he was rather more happy that he had got a job. On the other hand Laila was full of content. She wanted to talk up this matter with Debo the next day but the letter reached prior to the talks which made her glad.


Laila had noticed the change in Debo's behaviour from the day of his dismissal. She had seen him sitting on an old wrecked bench that stood below the tree in the Kaveri park. She was going on her ususal evening stroll and that is when she saw him in a state of disappointment. Laila did not want to probe into the topic and enahance his worries until he felt it was right to disclose. She behaved normal and Luck was on her side when she met a long forgotten friend of hers in a super-market the other day. Piyush was exstatic to meet the Rose girl of college. Laila's stunning beauty, her poise got her all the attention in college. Piyush and Gayathri were her best friends.After a short exchange of the by-gones she invited him to come home with his best friend and wife Gayathri. Piyush was one among the majority share holders of  "LD Software Ltd."  I need not pen the rest.

"Our sense of space is crucial to our understanding of the world around us."