It was a pleasant day and the sun was shining brightly. The birds chirped in the gentle breeze and the trees seemed to be singing melodious songs

I stood outside a vintage shop full of old things. As I stepped in, the door creaked and particles of dust fell on me. The shop was owned by an old man who was dressed in grey tattered shirt and pants. He had wrinkles on his face and his hands trembled as he moved things around in his shop.

There were spider webs and dust on the ceiling. Lying around were many antiques. The old man looked up at me as I entered.

“Greetings to you, my girl!” he said. “I have a lot of things from auctions. Whatever you like to choose, I will give it you for the most reasonable price.”

I replied in affirmative. “Yes, sure sir.”

Meanwhile I gazed around the shop and suddenly my eyes were caught by a beautiful sparkly box. I asked the old man if he could show me what was inside it. The man told me to sit down on the plump sofa while he took out a key and opened the box.

The box contained the most beautiful pair of shoes in the world, ruby red with pure white stripes and a seal on top, which indeed looked royal and glamorous. He told me to wear them and I was delighted.

I wore the shoes and closed my eyes, thinking about the best place where I could be. I twirled around like a Barbie doll three times on my toes. I found myself in a place that I longed to be in since I was a child.

It was my childhood house in Paris that I missed bitterly. The room was dark and musty. There was hospital equipment attached to the bed and a doll rested on the side table. I started to walk towards the bed sobbing, deeply immersed in my memories. It was the place where my mum had spent the last four years of her life. Her oxygen mask was still lying there. She was a heart patient suffering from asthma and paralysis.

I could remember those days vividly when I used to sit beside her on that tiny pink chair, holding her hand and crying softly. I could hear her soft voice and see those cherry lips saying, “My girl, don’t ever think that you are lesser than anyone. You are the best you can be. Believe in yourself and you will find your way. Even if your mum is not with you today, she resides right here in this beautiful heart.”

I was so glad to see her that I hugged her tightly and said, “Mum I love you, please come with me.”

Tears filled my eyes and blurred my vision, and when it cleared again, I saw a blue eerie glow of light flickering across the sky. It looked like a light of hope. I opened my eyes again and found myself sitting on the sofa with the old man standing beside me.

His frowning face curved into a faint smile as he said, “The world of dreams is full of joy, and experiencing those makes you feel happy and refreshed.

I am glad you returned to your own world again, but most people don’t do that and remain trapped in their faint memories forever.”

Published in Dawn, Young World, December 21st, 2019