A Dream to Die For...
The lights were dim and slow jazz was playing in the background. A small figure clad in a stylish white suit with a white fur collar was cleaning the sleek black marble bar counter top with a rag. It was a small jazz bar that she owned - decorated in black and white, her favorite colors, and at the top of a black spiral staircase of a black tree-like building. She seemed to be concentrating, but she was lost in her own thoughts. Her face betrayed a hint of sadness and melancholy. I realized she was me. Suddenly, the door of the jazz bar burst open. V rushed in, casually clothed in a blue floral shirt and khaki bermudas, like he usually is. Except this time, I haven't seen him for years, and he has matured a lot. Gone is the cheeky, boyish grin that he used to flash at me during JC. In place of that is a sensible seriousness that had an underlying tinge of jadedness. I was stunned to see him, blanking out momentarily, going back to my shy, blushing, girlish JC self. Quickly, I recovered my composure, and in my most business-like manner, asked him what he would like to drink, ignoring the fact that he didn't look as if he was here for a drink. He leant over the bar counter, and looked as if he wanted to say something. He started, then stopped. I was curious to know what he wanted to say, but he looked so frustrated at being unable to articulate his thoughts that I didn't ask. I turned my back on him and busied myself making his drink. He started walking behind the bar counter. Then he said it.

"He asked me out to catch a movie... I couldn't believe it...my hands started trembling and my heart was pounding..."

I couldn't believe my ears. He read my diary. How did he...? What the...? I forgot whatever I was doing. Feeling the funny sensation coursing through my body towards my hands and my face. It had been so many years. Why did it surface again? I thought I got over him. Before I could figure out how to react, someone came in. It was J. She came to look for him because she suspected something was wrong when he rushed out of the house earlier on. She had slimmed down a lot, and looked skinny in a bright blue halter top and black and silver diagonally striped flair skirt. However, her looks betrayed her age. She looked haggard and worried and insecure. Sensing this, I gave V a punch on the arm, and said to her, "He was here to get drinks for your anniversary. How sweet is that?" I gave a light laugh, and turned around, attempting to prepare the "drinks" for them. V was upset by her constant nagging and suspicions about him, so he chased her home. Then he turned to me again, and this time, I could see the fire burning in his eyes. A fire of curiosity and passion. It scared me. I've never seen him like this before. He asked me, "Do you still like me?" I turned my back on him, facing the sink, not knowing what to say. If I told him I still like him, then what's going to happen to J? I cannot do this. They are married. Bearing the silence no longer, he walked over and put his arms around me. "I've liked you all these years, but I thought you hated me." , he said. My heart ached. No! No! I've never hated you. I didn't dare to be too friendly in case you think I like you. But I didn't say that. I extracted myself from his arms, put the drinks in a bag, gave it to him, and said, "Have a Happy Anniversary."


The End.


Of coz, the dream didn't end like that. It ended after he said "Do you still like me?" If I can have a wish, perhaps I wouldn't want the dream to end the way I ended it above, but I know that's the right thing to do.