April 2018
I'm a lucid dreamer. There are times when I slip in and out of consciousness and the difference between dream state and reality blur.
Businesswear thread around me. Dark clothes accented with colour move with purpose. Eyes wide and neck craned, the endless towers are distinguished by the shimmering windows and blinking lights. I'm mesmerised.
Time skips
We're in a bright restaurant and my father sits opposite me expectantly. The brewing thought materialises, I lock eyes with him and say with a childish certainty "One day, I'll work here."
He smiles.
Beeeeeeeeeeep
Jolting awake I lift my head from my forearms and reach for the phone in my pocket. With the angry 7-minute timer off, I breathe a sigh of relief. "I'm sure it was on vibrate?" Standing, I leave the cubical and stare at the dark circles in the mirror. A splash of cold water does the trick. "Come on Raj, get a grip."
It's 01:26.
At this time, the 38th floor is empty save Kaz and I. Walking over to one of the windows characteristically barred by stainless steel shutters, I steal a few seconds to look below. The streets are mostly empty but a few cars pass their way through the financial district. Looking up, the brooding black clouds layer on layer form a perpetual darkness. The Abyss.
Shaking myself out of the trance, I join Kaz back at the desk. "Last little bit" I say. "Last little bit". He squeezes a tired smile. "Sure."