A dream that feels too real

The world around me shimmered, shifting between reality and something just beyond my comprehension. I was standing in the middle of a vast field, the scent of wildflowers filling the air, their colors impossibly vivid. The wind whispered through the tall grass, brushing against my skin like a familiar caress. Everything felt real—too real.

I took a deep breath, my chest rising and falling with the rhythm of nature. The sun warmed my face, and in the distance, I heard the faint sound of laughter. Turning towards the sound, I saw a figure standing near a tree, its branches swaying gently. My heart clenched. I knew that person.

It was my mother.

She had passed away years ago, but there she stood, smiling as if she had never left. My feet moved before my mind could process it, carrying me closer to her. The moment I reached her, she opened her arms, and I fell into her embrace. She smelled the same—jasmine and warm vanilla. Tears burned my eyes as I clung to her, afraid that if I let go, she would disappear like a wisp of smoke.

"You're here," I whispered, my voice trembling.

She pulled back, cupping my face gently. "Of course, I am. I never left you."

A sob choked me, but I managed a smile. "This feels so real. Am I dreaming?"

She laughed softly, the sound wrapping around me like a melody I had long forgotten. "Does it matter?"

I shook my head, unwilling to let doubt creep in. If this was a dream, I never wanted to wake up. We sat beneath the tree, talking about everything and nothing. Time became meaningless. I could hear every rustling leaf, feel the warmth of her hand on mine, and taste the saltiness of my tears.

Then, the sky darkened. A cold breeze swept through the field, carrying with it a whisper I couldn't understand. My mother's expression changed, sadness pooling in her eyes. She squeezed my hand tighter.

"It's time," she said softly.

Panic surged through me. "No! Stay with me!" I gripped her hand, but the moment I did, I felt her slipping away. The world around us wavered, colors fading like ink bleeding into water. The more I tried to hold on, the more distant she became.

"Remember, I'm always with you," she said as her form flickered like a dying flame.

"Please!" I begged, reaching for her, but my fingers passed through empty air.

A sharp gasp tore from my throat as my eyes snapped open. My heart pounded against my ribs, and my breath came in ragged bursts. The room was dark, my blankets twisted around me. I sat up, my fingers pressing against my damp cheeks. I had been crying in my sleep.

The scent of jasmine lingered in the air.

A shaky breath escaped me as I looked around, half-expecting to see her standing in the doorway. But I was alone. My hands clenched the sheets as reality crashed down on me. It had been a dream.

And yet, it felt more real than any memory I had of her.

As I lay back down, staring at the ceiling, a strange sense of peace settled over me. Maybe, just maybe, she had really been there. Maybe dreams weren’t just illusions but bridges between worlds, allowing us to reunite with those we had lost.

I closed my eyes, hoping that when I slept again, she would be waiting for me beneath that tree, her arms open and her smile warm, reminding me that love never truly fades away.

I shook my head, unwilling to let doubt creep in. If this was a dream, I never wanted to wake up. We sat beneath the tree, talking about everything and nothing. Time became meaningless. I could hear every rustling leaf, feel the warmth of her hand on mine, and taste the saltiness of my tears.

Then, the sky darkened. A cold breeze swept through the field, carrying with it a whisper I couldn't understand. My mother's expression changed, sadness pooling in her eyes. She squeezed my hand tighter.

"It's time," she said softly.

Panic surged through me. "No! Stay with me!" I gripped her hand, but the moment I did, I felt her slipping away. The world around us wavered, colors fading like ink bleeding into water. The more I tried to hold on, the more distant she became.

"Remember, I'm always with you," she said as her form flickered like a dying flame.

"Please!" I begged, reaching for her, but my fingers passed through empty air.

A sharp gasp tore from my throat as my eyes snapped open. My heart pounded against my ribs, and my breath came in ragged bursts. The room was dark, my blankets twisted around me. I sat up, my fingers pressing against my damp cheeks. I had been crying in my sleep.