Where Had I Been Going?

I looked into the mirror but was surprised to see no reflection. Where was my reflection? All I could see was an old man. I turned slightly and caught sight of the dog leash in my hand. I stared at it. Why was I holding a leash?

I turned back to the mirror. Still an old man I took off my glasses and wiped them clean. Then, just as I lowered them, I noticed a dog leash lying near my feet. “Tommy!” I called out. Where was Tommy? And why wasn’t he wearing his leash?

I stepped forward to look for him and heard a crunch. I looked down. A pair of crushed reading glasses lay on the ground. Clutching the leash, I walked into the backyard to find Tommy. Whose backyard was this? What was I doing here? Why was it cemented? Why did it look like a driveway? Where was the backyard?

Ah. There was my car. As I reached into my pocket for the keys, I realized I was still holding the leash. A dirty, old leash. Why was I holding this? I dropped it on the ground. As I walked toward my car, I kept glancing back at the dog leash.

Where had I seen it before? “Ah! Tommy!” I called, louder this time. Where was Tommy? What if he was lost? How would I find him? I rushed back and picked the leash up off the ground. He must be in the backyard.

The front door was locked. When had I left the house? And why didn’t I have my house keys? Thankfully, I always kept a spare set in the plant pot beside the front door. I plunged my hand into the soil. I pulled out the car keys. Why had I put my car keys in the plant pot?

I had to pick up Tommy from the dog groomer. I glanced at my watch. It was 3p.m. I was late. I was supposed to pick him up at 3. I got into the car and drove off quickly.

Where had the groomer gone? I must’ve taken a wrong turn. I would need to turn on my GPS. I pulled over to the side of the road. Where was my phone? I must have left it at home. Again. Now what do I do? Well, it must be close by. Let me get down and maybe I will see a familiar landmark.

Ah! There's cafe Flurry’s straight ahead. Ah! There’s Café Flurry’s—straight ahead. I start walking, quickening my pace. Just past the alley, I turn left toward the entrance. But… this isn’t Café Flurry’s. It’s Chemist Warehouse. I stopped. I could’ve sworn it was right here. How did it change? Where’s the café? I’m supposed to meet Leena there. I’m running late. What will she think?

I look around Chemist Warehouse and try to see if I can locate Cafe Flurry's. I should call Leena and tell her I'm late. She might refuse to meet me after this. I search my pockets for my phone but can't find it. Where did I keep the phone? Suddenly my eyes fell on Tommy waiting patiently for me outside Chemist Warehouse. I don’t remember tying him up there. Did the groomer bring him here because I was late? He wags his tail and licks my face as I untie him. " Yes Tommy, let’s go home" I say and try to remember where I parked my car.

I walk around with Tommy, looking for my car. I’m sure I parked it here somewhere! Here’s Café Flurry’s. I look at my watch. I’m really late. I hope Leena hasn’t already left. I don’t want to make a bad first impression. Why did I bring Tommy with me? Now he’ll have to wait for me outside and will start to whine if I don’t hurry back, I think to myself as I tie him up outside the café.

I sit down at a table and pick up a menu. Good that they serve breakfast all day. I’ve been craving some café-style scrambled eggs and toast. A waitress comes to take my order, and I order my eggs, toast, and coffee. There’s a comfortable buzz around me. I pick up a newspaper to read while I wait for my food. My eyes fall on the date. This can’t be right.

They’ve got the year wrong. It’s 2015—not 2025.It must be a typo. I hope other people pick up on it too.I set the newspaper back down and walk out of the café. I set the newspaper back down and walk out of the café.

As I’m about to step outside, a waitress says, “Sir, your order’s ready.”

“Order?” I blink. “I didn’t order anything.”

“But sir, you did. Just a few minutes ago.”

“No, I didn’t,” I say, and walk out of the café angrily.

I came here to meet Leena, but she’s gone because I was late. As I walk off, I hear a dog whine. It looks like my Tommy... but my Tommy is black, and this one has two white ears. Now, where did I park my car? I finally spot it. I search my pockets for the car keys but can’t find any. Where are my keys? How could I lose them? I’ll have to call roadside assistance. Now where’s my phone? I can’t lose both. I must have left it at the café. I’ll have to go back.

I see Leena at a distance. Leena!” I call out. She doesn’t respond, just hurries away. I’m sure she’s mad that I kept her waiting. I run after her. As she walks down the deserted lane, I try to catch up with her. I have to stop to catch my breath. I call out to her, but she doesn’t respond, and she only quickens her pace. I run after her again, but when I reach the end of the lane, she’s gone. Where did she go? Why didn’t she respond? Was she really that mad that I kept her waiting? Well, I’ll call her and see. I search my pocket for my phone. I must have left it at home.

Well… not much I can do now. I’d better go home. Where did I park? I look around, but nothing looks familiar. Which way did I come? What was I doing here? The lane is completely deserted. I walk around, trying to spot something familiar. No, nothing at all.

I run to the far end of the lane, only to find cars whizzing by. Where am I? I search my pockets for my phone. I can’t find my phone. It takes a few seconds to realise I’m completely and utterly lost.