Memory of a Dream

Memory of a Dream

by Supriya Kar

“And then?”

“And then, I left.”

“Didn’t he call you?”

“Yes, he did, but he’s on guard.”

* * *

That day, I had a splitting headache and felt a walk among the fields was what I needed. I chanced upon him. He greeted me.

“Would you like to go on a walk?” I suggested matter-of-factly.
“Well, sure.”
We went out first to the ground in front of the university and then to the outskirts; the sun was dipping.
“Do you come here often?” asked he.
“I do. To breathe in the fresh air. Helps my nerves.”

 * * *

“He’s one who believed in that ancient axiom—love happened only once in a lifetime.”

“He was in love before?”

“Yeah, some sort of puppy love.”

“What?”

“Oh, or what do you call it, calf-love or lollypop love.”

“Please.”

“Seriously.”

“Who was she?”

“Must be some silly girl. I don’t know. Priyanka. That’s her name. She married sometime back. How could she lose him?”

“You’re jealous of her?”

“Are you mad? Come on. Why on earth would I be jealous of a girl I have never met?”

“You might be. You could not erase her memory.”

“Our mind is a black board, isn’t it? Sometimes, you can be so silly.”

“You’re the smart girl around; everybody else has to be silly.”

“Sorry. Actually, how could she lose him?”

“Really? How could you lose him?”

“How could I? I had sent him an email…”

“Saying…”

“Some stuff.”

“Well, then?”

“I called him one day. He didn’t want to talk. He wanted to be left alone. He’s a loner.”

“Did he ever say so?”

“I thought he merely said it theatrically, but may be…he was put in a boarding school. To become an achiever.”

“So?”

“I don’t know. I just muttered how living in a boarding school was worse than living in a perpetual hell. He was silent. A stifling, familiar feeling of uneasiness rose within me. I could hardly do anything. In the evening, I lay almost dead in pain—I was sure he was grieving…”

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Supriya Kar
Supriya Kar is an editor and translator from Odisha, India. She edits the online journal Indian Literature Today, which brings Indian literature in English Translation.  Her recent publication includes (as a co-editor) Spark of Light, Short stories by Women writers from Odisha (Athabasca University Press, Canada).

4 thoughts on “Memory of a Dream

    1. I am one with Mr. Augburstein. I love absurd story. Being a loner I love the story on love. Dawing with supriya ‘s dream. Kudos

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