Weird Dream
In it, people from every stage of my life converged in one building – a sleek, modern, multi-story structure of glass. My middle school classmates, high school peers, and college friends were all there. Notably absent, however, were my parents and boyfriend, the ones closest to me in reality.
Everyone was scattered across various parts of the building, mingling seemingly at random. In my dream, it seemed natural that they all knew or were willing to know each other. Yet, there was an underlying sense that we were all on the brink of parting ways. The nature of this 'leaving' was ambiguous – it wasn't clear if we were departing from this world or simply embarking on divergent paths that wouldn't cross again. This feeling of imminent departure cast a pall of sadness over the dream, a sensation I still vividly recall.
A prominent figure in my dream was my middle school deskmate, as we say in Chinese. He was slightly overweight and introverted, often the target of jokes due to his physique and quiet nature. In seventh grade, he confided his fondness for me to a friend, which quickly became the subject of relentless teasing and gossip in our school's relationship-averse environment. Despite my efforts to befriend him, his reserved nature and the gossip that surrounded us stifled any chance of a genuine friendship.
In the dream, he stood before me, crying intensely, a stark contrast to his usually mild-mannered and kind demeanor. This outpouring of emotion was a sight I'd never seen in real life. As he walked away after his emotional display, I didn't stop him, and we never exchanged words.
Alone in the building, I felt lost until a former high school classmate, nicknamed 'cat' for his cat-like, inscrutable smile, approached me. Despite sharing a classroom for years, we had barely spoken. He always seemed to wear a mocking, carefree smile, even when facing punishment, which didn't endear him to me.
Another figure from my past was a girl who became an unintended adversary. Our tension was never overt but simmered beneath the surface, fueled by misunderstandings and unspoken rivalry. Seeing her in the dream, walking with a friend, I realized my animosity had faded, perhaps due to time or the realization that holding onto such feelings was futile.
As the boy and I walked around the building, we reminisced about our shared high school experiences. Passing a glass-walled room, I saw my middle school best friend and my favorite college professor, Prof. Erik, deep in conversation. They were too engrossed to notice me. Watching them, I broke down, confessing to the boy my reluctance to leave these significant figures in my life. His response was a comforting hug, devoid of his usual cynical demeanor.
Then, I awoke.
Back in reality, I realized that I hadn't truly lost touch with any of these old acquaintances – a few clicks and a WeChat message could easily reconnect us. Social media allows me to glimpse into their lives, yet it feels like I can never truly re-enter them. The internet, while seemingly bringing us closer, paradoxically keeps us from genuine interactions. In my dream, the absence of phones facilitated real conversations and meaningful eye contact, stirring memories and shared experiences.
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