A Dream(sapna madbhavi) A Dream
BY: Sapna

Neetu was busy making pav bhaji in her kitchen. Her two year old son was doing all possible mischief. Suddenly she heard the conversation of her husband over the phone. “hey Vinod, how are you? I am doing great! I am visiting Mangalore in April for the conference. I miss those days of our post graduation in that city. We had a great time. The pubs, the dancing bars and those exotic drinks were awesome. Are you coming?.....oh ok that’s great. We can have fun one more time. Hey I want the same call- girl this time. She was true magic. Her name was Nancy, right?”

Neetu stood still and solemn at the door. She could not believe her ears. How can her husband do that? She frivolously yelled at her husband “Govind!!”... she shrieked and coughed.

She woke up from a dream. It was not a dream but a nightmare. Neetu was perspiring and her heart was palpitating. Govind woke up and saw Neetu. He was perplexed at her state. “what happened Neetu? Are you alright? Drink some water.” Govind consoled her.

Neetu saw Govind and tears filled her eyes. She hugged him and wept. “A nightmare Govind, a nightmare!”.

“Relax dear, nothing has gone wrong. You, me and our child are perfectly alright!” he pointed at her son. “it is 5 o clock in the morning. I will fresh up and visit the gym.” Govind went to the bathroom.

Neetu sat still facing at the clock. “it's early morning 5 o clock. People say early morning dreams come true. No !!!!!” she shrieked again. Her heart was still palpitating. She slowly arose and went to the kitchen. She prepared hot milk and got involved in her morning duties.

Govind visited the gym and was back in his house. Neetu was preparing breakfast. Suddenly she heard her husband talking over the phone. ““hey Vinod, how are you? I am doing great! I am visiting Mangalore in April for the conference. I miss those days of our post graduation in that city. We had a great time.”

Neetu froze at the moment. Govind was talking those same words of her dream. She didn’t want to hear other sentences. But Govind didn’t utter any such nonsense words and he cut the phone.

“hey Neetu I am going to Mangalore this weekend. I have a conference to attend.”

“No! you can’t go!” She yelled initially. “hmnn, what I mean is, I get bored at home, can I join you? We can have a small trip” she asked genially.

“no Neetu, what will you do in the conference? And what about our son? You know his pranks. This time I am sorry. We friends are having a get together at the conference. I don’t want to miss it. But, I promise I will take you for a trip somewhere else when I return. Ok?” Govind gulped the breakfast and left to his office.

Neetu went to the bathroom and splashed cold water on her face. Her mind was distraught. Her imagination went for a quandary. Nancy or no Nancy? It was the question that troubled her the most.

When Govind retreated home in the evening, she fought and convinced to take him to Mangalore. Govind had to agree and the plan was made. Neetu was happy.

Govind and family visited Mangalore city. The weather was hot and humid. Govind left Neetu and their son in his aunts place and went to the conference.

Govind retreated in the evening and told Neetu to get ready for the banquet dinner. It was a prestigious hotel of that city. The food and arrangements were wonderful.

Neetu had dressed well for the event. The dinner was of a high profile society. Neetu spoke with all the lady colleagues. Govind was busy with his friends and drinks.

Neetu remembered her dream and fought with herself. Suddenly she noticed a young beautiful lady approaching her husband. The lady tapped at his back. Govind turned and smiled “hey Nancy! How are you? I didn’t know you were here. You are looking gorgeous.”

“Thank you Govind. I am absolutely fine.” Nancy smiled.

Neetu was awestruck at the sight. Nancy! She exists! Was she the same woman? Neetu felt the world around her going tipsy-turvy.

Govind spoke with Nancy for some time. “hey I forgot to introduce you to my wife. Meet Neetu my wife”

Nancy cheerfully hugged Neetu. “Oh nice meeting you Neetu. I and your husband did the same post graduation. We were good friends at that time. With time we had lost contact and I was surprised to see him here. I am really happy.”

Neetu tonelessly said “oh ok”. Was the dream coming true? Will her husband spend the night with Nancy? Will Govind depart from her? Will this be the cause of dissension between them? Many questions struck her like a lightning.

Late in the night Govind took Neetu to the hotel terrace. A cool breeze swept over them. Neetu was ready to take the last saying of her husband. She loved him too much.

Govind slowly took a small box from his pocket. He closed Neetu's eyes and put a diamond ring on her finger and whispered “happy anniversary!”

Neetu stood in a hypnotic trance. She couldn’t believe her ears. The dream, the Mangalore city, the conversation on the phone, and the beautiful Nancy were tantalizing her. Neetu had forgotten her anniversary because of that stupid dream. But still she wondered why the dream partially came true?

Neetu spoke and revealed her dream and the cause of her distress to Govind. Govind guffawed and said “it was just a dream! I love you Neetu and nobody else. Nancy and me are only friends.”

Neetu hugged govind with smugness and replied “happy anniversary.”

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