A Nightmare

"Fetch me some water Hasiya" ordered my grandmother. I would never listen to my grandmother's words as i used to think that she pretends as if she wasn't able to do her works on her own and she too won't make it as a big issue. So in a playful way i replied her that "I am busy in making invitations". I also said her that " Better you fetch the water on your own". She remained quiet and after few minutes She told me the quote of james baldwin "Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them". I didn't respond her as I was thinking about my birthday celebration as the next day was my birthday. I was very curious about my birthday. I secretly warned my grandmother that not to open her mouth unnecessarily in my tomorrow's birthday celebration because she always speak for a very long time with the one who visits my home, No matter who they are. Whether she knew them or not she will have a long conversation with them. Then at eight i went to bed with more expectations. On my fifteenth birthday, I woke up earlier at five in the morning to get fitted up with my new clothes and to have a long and a great day. I was very eager to receive different amazing gifts. After a shower i went to wear my glittering long blue frock but it didn't fit me. When i looked me in the mirror i was shocked on seeing my reflection. I couldn't believe my eyes that i turned into an old woman. My cheeks were wrinkled and my shoulders and my back were little bent. My eyes were filled with tears. I cried for a long time. I didn't know what to do next. So i ran up to my parents to tell what had happened. They didn't believe me but instead they suspected me that i would have kidnapped their daughter. They rang to the police. Inorder to escape from the cops i left my home.

‌Being an old woman i couldn't walk for a long time. Earlier i was fast like a hare but now i became slow as a turtle. I felt very tired and i got a pain in both my legs and my back pained badly. I was hungry too. There was a restaurant a few metres away from the place where i stood. So i rushed towards the shop to get some food. I hoped as i was an old woman they would provide me some food at free of cost. When i requested the working there to provide me food they ill-treated me and sent me away. I realised that this is how my grandmother would have been and i was also sorry for my behaviour towards her. I was helpless. The day was awful and i was embarrassed on seeing them and i felt that humanity had drained over years. Then i became tired so i decided to get some food from the red house which was located just behind the restaurant. There i was mocked by the teenagers. I was hopeless that no one would believe me if i explain them about what had happened to me and as a result i had become a shelterless wanderer, with no money and with no food.

Later i became extremely tired and the sun was at the centre of the sky. So i sat under a neem tree for shelter. I was quite happy that humans had left over atleast few trees. Many passed me and even noticed me but none bothered or cared me. I was sad that in this fast moving world no one values and considers the old people and they don't respect too. I was famished. My tongue became very dry. Finally i fainted as i couldn't bear the hotness of the scorching sun. After few minutes a lady of forty one splashed a glass full of water in my face. When I opened my eyes i saw my mom standing aside me holding my beautiful blue frock in her hands. For a moment i was unable to recognise where I am. Within a minute i realised that it was all a nightmare. Inorder to chonform once i ran to look me in the mirror i looked pretty as a young girl with strong straight shoulders and with soft chubby cheeks. I was very happy and filled with joy. But i didn't want to forget the lesson of my nightmare.

So inorder to make this birthday more special and meaningful I wished to celebrate it in an old age home. I requested my parents to take me to an old age home. They happily took me the old people's home which was five kilometres north from where i live. We all joyfully celebrated my fifteenth birthday in a peaceful and a fine way. I shared my sweet memories with them with few sweets. At that moment i felt the true happiness when i saw the happiness filled in their eyes. I accept the great Leo Tolstoy's hundred percent " True life is lived when tiny changes occur". And i also donated my savings to the old age home. They blessed me that i would reach great heights and live happily forever. I thought that their blessings would be the greatest gifts. I decided to spare my time with them whenever possible. My parents felt proud to see me matured. My parents also said me that blessings of the elders is a beautiful emotion. This birthday became one of my unforgettable day. I enjoyed my day more than what i expected. From then on i started helping my beloved grandmother and i respected her more than i respected before. She wondered what was the reason for my sudden changes. I didn't reveal anyone that my dream was my eyeopener. Atimes even very little happenings make greater changes. I really wonder that even a dream could mould us.