A dream come true

Years ago, I had the most bizarre dream ever. It was as if I were dead; I even witnessed my own funeral ceremony. Then I saw myself on a bus that brought me home. I sat by the window of the house, not being sad or shedding tears about my fate.

Now I stand before that very house, but this time it’s not a dream.

I won’t wake up to my family’s noises beside me in the hospital, where they were with me till my last breath.

It dawns on me why dogs barked at me and children seemed entranced by my presence. I finally realize what I’ve been denying this long.

Strangely, I don’t feel any sadness as I step over the dead leaves that cover the patio. I’m not sure why I’m seeing everything in retro colors as I cautiously ascend the four stairs leading to my door.

Only a short flight of stairs, and I’m already exhausted. 

But now that I know I’m dead, the world seems so peaceful.

I turn the doorknob, somehow aware that I don’t need a key, and the door creaks open. Just a quick reminder: as a living, breathing human, I would never enter a house with a door that makes such a spooky noise.

To my surprise, I’m greeted by an incredible serenity.

What silence.

What peace.

What quietness.

As I step inside the house, a magical sensation draws me to explore.

The decor is pretty simple. Nothing too major or too less. Some family photos, that I didn't know the whereabouts of in the breathing world, are now hanging on the wall. 

A simple table stands in front of the couch.

It has only one chair, my old one; the swinging chair lies beside the window and the rest is empty.

I move to the kitchen area, and find it filled with everything I had before. I wonder if this means something.

I step outside and reach the stairs to my bedroom. There are four bedrooms but I can only open one; the others remain locked no matter how hard I try.

My bedroom is similarly decorated, with just a bed, a nightstand, and my small office equipped with a desk, laptop, Mac computer, printer, and a comfortable work chair.

But there’s something new.

My books are now in paperback.

When I left, they were under review by the publishing house. Is this what I wish to see, or is it a sign that something has changed in the living world? I’m getting confused by the minute.

I return to the living room, something telling me to be there. I take one of the books with me on my way and come back downstairs, guiding my feet onto the swinging chair.

I sit down and have a perfect view of the outside world, which appears still, as if frozen in time.

I open my book and start reading a few lines until my heavy eyelids begin to droop, inviting me to sleep.

Another strange thing!

I think before dozing off.

Sitting in the chair, I look out the window with my head resting on my hand on the windowsill. Just like in my dream, I let my heavy lids close, fully aware that I won’t wake up as a breathing human again.

Knock, knock.

I awaken to the sound of a door knocking. I go to the door, turn the knob, and, with my blurry eyes, I look from bottom to top.

“It’s you,” I murmur as I feel myself lifted into the air and spun around.

“God, I’ve been waiting for this moment all my life,” he says as we hold onto each other for dear . . . death.