Prompt: Dream Inception is real and through it, it’s not hard to find your soulmate. The actual hard part is finding them again when you wake up.
When I was 18, every night for a whole week, I had the most amazing dream. It started with me on a bus with no set destination or stop-off point.
The bus pulled up to a stop, and the driver turned to me, agitated. "Will you get off already."
"Yeah." I said, fumbling with my bag as I rushed for the exit.
No sooner had I left the bus than a sudden downpour drenched me.
"Seriously?!" I called out to the sky, only to hear an echo to my right.
I turned to see a young man staring at me. He bore the same annoyed yet startled look on his face. We shared a chuckle and ran for the shelter of the building's canopy. We shook the water from our hair and brushed aggressively at the droplets on our clothes.
Minutes ticked by as we stood in silence, watching the rain blanket the streets. The continuous pouring forced us to stand closer together at the centre of the canopy to avoid the spraying and splashing on the sides.
"It's really coming down."
"Yeah. I'm definitely late for work now." I mused.
Work? Why did I say that? I have a job?
"I'm Richard, by the way."
"Kayla," I said, shaking his outstretched hand.
His hand swallowed mine. But it was soft and warm, like a sheet fresh from basking in the sun.
The dream skipped through our time together. First, we were friends, meeting for lunch or coffee several times a week before he asked me out. We then zoomed through our dating period.
One minute, we were having dinner at a restaurant when he proposed; the next, we were moving in with each other; and then we were married. No wedding. I completely missed a wedding memory. What bride would skip her wedding!
Our first night together was a dream as well as a physical one. I woke up with my pyjama shirt dishevelled the same way Richard had left it. Worse, the bed next to me was warm, like he'd just gotten up. That morning left me feeling empty and afraid.
Was Richard really here? I didn't want him to leave me again.
Our dream went on with our family life until we'd spent twelve years together. Then one day, while we lay in bed talking, an announcement echoed all over the world.
The dream is ending. Please make your way to the exits.
The world around us disappeared. The memories of our time together stayed; all other memories and feelings faded. There were other couples around us, headed towards a giant door. We followed them, walking as slowly as we could with our hands interlocked. We told each other our real names, ages, and where we lived.
He hugged me and held my head over his heart. "I'm going off to study tomorrow. Once I'm finished, I'll come find you. 3 years, 5 at the most. Wait for me."
I nodded. "I can wait. I've got enough memories to keep me company."
That was 10 years ago. I've just about given up on Richard. I hadn't dated anyone since that week. I'm almost 30; I don't know how much longer I should wait.
I buried Richard and started dating again. Eventually, I hooked up with an old college buddy. He wasn't Richard, but he was genuine. After dating for 4 years, we got engaged.
One afternoon, my parents and I were expecting my fiance to come over. A car pulled into the driveway. The driver tapped the horn a few times. Dad stepped out and returned with a man. They stood in the foyer, talking. Mom approached them, intrigued by what the man had to say. I didn't care.
I looked at the man in the foyer as he fumbled with his bag, trying to remove a binder. My gut turned, and my heart thundered so fast in my chest that it skipped a beat every few cycles. I got up from the couch, my mouth agape in disbelief.
"You're late."
He looked up at me, confused, then turned to my parents. The three of them exchanged bewildered looks before turning back to me.
I shook my head, tears welling up. "You're too late!"
His face hardened. He dropped his bag and walked up to me. He didn't hesitate to pull me into a hug. Large, warm hands wrapped around my waist, holding me against his rigid body as he pressed his lips against mine.
I remember these lips and this taste. His smell. Richard. No, this was another stupid dream.
I had pushed back my wedding twice already. And for what? A dream about an illusionary man I fantasise about?
Those first dreams left me with enough physical evidence to believe that the man in them was real. I know Richard's lips. His kisses are like a leisurely stroll on a cool afternoon, with the warmth of an orange sunset over the sea. This wasn't Richard.
"Sorry," he whispered.
I stood still, refusing to continue engaging the dream.
"You're not dreaming. I'm here."
Of course you are. You've been 'here' six times in the last year.
"I missed you, Kayla."
I hate these dreams! He never was real.
"My love."
I tapped his back gently. He eased his hold, and I took a good look at him. His salt and pepper look was very handsome, especially with his full beard. He had the widest, most satisfied smile on his face; he looked like a child in a candy store. I've had enough; this will hurt me more than it'll hurt you.
I slapped him. The sound drew hushed whispers from my parents, and I could still feel the echo in my ears. He was dumbfounded but didn't let me go.
Ow. I looked down at my hand. It was red, and I also wasn't waking up. Pleasure, joy, and fear are all I've ever experienced in my dreams. Pain never. Any indication of pain always woke me up. I looked back at him, shocked.
"I guess I deserved that, being 20 years late."
"Kayla, what's going on?"
I peered over his shoulder to see my parents looking at us, concern etched into the confused lines on their faces. I grabbed Richard's arm and pulled him towards them.
"Mom, dad, this is Richard, my..." I looked at him quizzically.
What was he to me? I couldn't say boyfriend. And I definitely couldn't claim he was my fiance.
"Husband." He filled in. "In a way, we've been married for 20 years." He brought my hand to his lips and kissed my knuckles. "I'm here to renew our vows and hold a proper ceremony."
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