Reality Check

I was in an empty room. No windows, no doors, and just enough light to see that I was alone. The room was soundless, lifeless, and I was compelled to stand up and find a way out. I rose to my feet and walked slowly to the north, finding nothing. The hopelessness of it began to dawn on me. I felt the four walls of the room closing in, trapping me in an impossibly small square. I curled up, ready to die.

I began to regret how ill-lived my life was. I never really stepped out of my shell, always hiding and watching others rise. All the more reason to die quietly.
Just as I closed my eyes, a pair of hands grabbed me by the waist. The faint light revealed a figure of someone I knew but never recognized.

Was it really him?

The figure hoisted me onto his shoulder, my head hung on the small of his back. Slowly, the room reverted to its original form. A sea of relief and confusion washed over me as a door cracked open. Next thing I knew, he lay me down on the ground. We were out of that room. Peace.

“I am yours…”

He pushed a stray lock of hair away from my face and lifted me to him. I felt his warmth; it was as if nothing else mattered. I rested my head on his chest and he kissed my hair. I put my arms around him and right then, I knew where I belonged. With this stranger. The stranger I had come to love.

Suddenly, he released his grip from me and stood up. “I’m…so…sorry,” he said, his voice quivered. “I have to go.”

“Why?” was all I could say. How could he leave when I had just found him?

He wrapped my shaking hands in his, kissed my head and let his lips linger. His eyes were pleading as he cupped my face in his hands. I felt my cheeks wet with tears as I let go of him. “I have to go,” he repeated, and then walked away without looking back.

I broke down as I tried to make sense out of the past six minutes. Ironically, I heard strong applause from behind me. He emerged from backstage, took me gently by the hand and said, “You were great.”

Then we faced the audience as I collected myself. He took a deep bow, and I followed suit. I saw him flash one last smile at me before I found myself enveloped in darkness again.

Just a dream.

I jolt awake, both relieved that it wasn’t real and terrified that soon, he would have to let me go.

My stranger would forever be anonymous. And he’d have to kiss me goodbye before we could even say hello.