Silence

I opened my eyes to the silence in the room…. 

My eyelids felt heavy as they opened from a deep sleep. I wanted to close them again, just for a few more minutes. The day before had been so draining. Training the new girl and keeping on top of my daily tasks can be exhausting. My alarm had not gone off, so a little more shut-eye would not matter. I turned over, pulled the covers over my head, wiggled my toes in pure bliss, and found a comfortable spot on my pillow for my head. 

I opened my eyes again in what felt like a forever snooze. I did feel quite rested this time. I stretched my arms and legs out, and as a cramp arose in my leg, I softened my body again. Why that always happened when I stretched, I have no idea. I reached over to my bedside table to check the time on my phone. It felt late, but I knew I had set my alarm the night before so I could not have overslept. I looked at my watch and the screen was flashing with the snooze button. Perfect timing, I thought. But then I realized the time was 10 am!! I started work at 8.30 am. I jumped out of bed and thought about what my first move should be. It felt like I had been frozen in time standing there contemplating my situation. I was in that surreal moment when you wake up abruptly and think, Am I awake or am I dreaming? I stood there in unbelief, and it took a minute to decide what to do.  

Ring work and tell them my alarm had failed somehow. I hoped with every single being that Peter, my manager was either not in today or that he was in a good mood, which was hardly ever these days. Peter had no idea how to treat people, how did he even become a manager? When he was in a foul mood, we all stayed clear, put our heads down, and hoped he did not come our way. I tried to reassure myself by thinking I should be in his good books since I was training the new girl, but with Peter, you could never tell. I dialed work on my mobile, it seemed like forever waiting for the dial tone. But nothing came through the speaker. The phone was working and calling out but making no sound…. I noticed someone picked up and I spoke into the speaker. No one was answering me, even when I repeatedly said hello!! What was happening today? Could things get any worse? I continued to speak in the hope someone could hear me, “It is Sam. My phone is playing up, the alarm did not work and now I am struggling to make a phone call…. I am so sorry about this. I know I am late. I am getting dressed now and I will be there as soon as I can. I listened for any glimpse of a reply, but there was nothing. My phone had been playing up for weeks, it was time for a new one. I threw it on the bed and jumped into action getting ready for work. 

My mind was racing, as it always did. I was distraught this had happened. I am a loyal, hard-working employee at Club Sandwich. I take pride in everything I do, and I feel accomplished when our customers walk away with their food and beverages looking satisfied with their purchases. I enjoy making coffee, the aroma is amazing and in winter it is the best feeling to wrap your hands around a warm cup.  

As my morning unfolded, the adrenaline rush surged through my body. I had not even realized that earlier I had not heard the water running while I brushed my teeth or the kettle boiling, I had not heard anything that had happened while I was getting ready. I was on a mission to get dressed, brew a coffee, and make my way to work. The moment I walked out my front door it felt different.  

The silence was eerie. Everything looked normal. The sky was blue, and the sun was warming. But it felt like part of my world had stopped. Cars were passing by, and I heard nothing…people chatting over their fences, and I heard nothing. Mr Jenkins was mowing his lawns again and I heard nothing… I shook my head as if this would fix everything, but I still could not hear anything. I had no idea what was happening. I touched my ears just to reassure myself that my ears were still there. Of course, they were. I started to panic. I could not hear anything. I would have to see a doctor straight away or even go to the hospital. I did not want to go to the hospital, the last time I went there I had acute appendicitis, and that came with many painful memories and stitches. So, no I was not going to the hospital. I decided to continue my walk to work. When I got there, I would have to explain my strange situation and hope Peter showed some compassion and let me see a doctor. I started to cry. This had all been too much. I had no idea what was happening to me, and I was feeling very apprehensive about approaching Peter. Two more blocks to go…. too much thinking time. My pace quickened, I had to get to work as soon as I could. Even if that meant getting to work in a pool of sweat. I stepped off the pathway to cross the road and all I heard was a loud, persistent, unrelenting horn. I had not noticed the car coming around the corner, it had come out of nowhere. Obviously, someone else was in a rush…. 

I opened my eyes to the sound of my phone buzzing, so I reached over to snooze my alarm for five more minutes. As I lay in my warm bed with my eyes closed again, wiggling my toes as I did, I realized that what had just happened was only a dream. A sense of relief came over me that I was not trapped in that nightmare anymore and I was so thankful that my alarm had been set for a day at the beach. Excitedly, I jumped out of bed and got ready for my day. In no time at all I was looking in my revision mirror, sunnies on, windows down, and music loud. Oh boy, I needed this day out!