The Dream

Part I

It’s the same sunny morning. I am heading towards office with an Ice tea and a newspaper in hand. I stop by the signal near the Mystical garden for the signal to turn green exactly at 7:05 AM. People rushing towards their work, kids boarding school bus, the lady on the other side of road selling burgers and the pleasant breeze of summer. Oh here it goes green. I need to rush, so many things to do today. I cross the road and reach the Parks building, it’s just two minutes from here, my office. Then suddenly I hear it. It’s the same. The same laugh.  But why can’t I see whose it is. Why my heart is so restless?? Why I am looking for this person so desperately?? Do I know this person?? Is it an enemy or a friend or someone I know? Why can’t I see, from where is it coming? Is it from the building or anyone from the street passing by or from the nearby garden? Why again I can only hear it? Why can’t I see who is it? Why it’s making me so restless? What has it to do with me?? So many questions all unanswered. And then suddenly someone puts his hands on my shoulder. And I wake up. Startled and drenched in sweat. I wipe my face and look at the clock its 5:30 AM. Taking deep breaths, I can still feel my heart pounding. I put on the lights and go to washroom to wash up my face. The splash of water on my face make me feel good and also realise that it was a dream. The same dream.

I am Katherine Browns. And this is my dream.

It’s kind of weird. From last 2 years I get this same dream every day. Does it make any sense? Just a normal day, a normal laugh but it turns my day upside down. Why can’t I remember who the person is? And why can’t I just let it go? The dream doesn’t even make a sense.  But it still pesters me. Gosh what the hell. For this dream I had several psychiatric sessions but it’s still not fading away nor giving me an answer. Well that won’t stop my daily life. Me, Katherine Browns, Public Defender Katherine Browns. Today is my first day as public defender. My dad Brook Brown was also a Public Defender. I wanted to be an artist but ended up with law after my father left. He passed away in an accident but I know it was a…………….. murder. To get my father justice and to be a lawyer like him I joined law school. Dad I won’t let you down. I would catch the bloody murderer and throw him behind the bars. But this dream gets me a little off track. No clue no reason no explanation. Whatever need to move on, gosh it’s already 6. After so many days I would finally enter that building as a Public Defender. I have been working as a private lawyer in the same building for Grason Law Firm but finally I would be a Public Defender. I rushed to dress up. Took a bowl of cereal, galloped two spoons and drank milk from the milk pack. Took the overcoat lying on sofa, grabbed by purse and slipped into the shoes. Closed the lights and locked the door. With a sigh of relief I headed towards the office.

In the excitement I almost forgot about the dream. I reached the office building by 7.55 AM. Crap 5 min to reach 7^th floor. I rushed in, “Oh no, stop the lift”, I shouted seeing the lift was about to close and ran towards it. Lift door opened but I was in such a speed that I couldn’t stop myself. Yikes here I go. I crashed in the lift over a man. “Sorry sorry sorry, are you hurt?” I asked him while getting up. “No No No I am Ok, are you fine?’’ He replied. I turned towards him, He was an average looking man all well dressed with big spects, probably in his late twenties. Couldn’t it be somebody more handsome, I thought to myself. “Nah I am fine”. He asked me in a courteous manner which floor. I casually said 7^th. “Are you one of the new Public Defenders” He asked. “Yes, Why?” I replied. “Hi, I am Attorney Park, Steve Park. I am the second Public Defender appointed”. I stared at him for a minute and thought whether the recruiters were drunk while selecting a candidate like him without even realising that he has put forth his hands in greetings. “Miss, Miss, Miss….” “Yes”, I replied. “Oh”, I noticed and shook hands with him ”Browns, Attorney Katherine Browns”. Just on time lift opened and we were standing in front of the Legal Office. The long awaited destination.

....to be continued