Was It A Dream Or Truth?

• Caitlin Polintan, Grade 8
• Short Story
• 2018

As the frosty winter’s waft skimmed my skin, I gazed at that peculiar aged man that had suddenly appeared to be sweeping the grounds of Tokyo. I questioned, why he would sweep the streets although there was no trace of rubbish. I walked out of the apartment, willing to query him, as that identical icy breeze retraced my past steps. In disbelief, that elder had vanished, as if he was that whistling wind, evaporated into the unknown.
Whilst my thoughts activated my adrenaline, I started to walk out of this trapped, primeval life that I had existed in. At that moment Takashi had sprinted down to chase me, as he bellowed my name out,
“Sumiko, Sumiko, Sumiko!”
I revolved back, seeing him breathless, as he dashed up to me inquiring silently,
“Where are you heading, so early, the sun has not yet ascended upon Fuji-San?”
I perverse, walking towards the outside world, as he continued flying by me not desiring to renounce my side, as we directed towards the train station. My eyes were fixed on that petite cherry blossom blooming upon nemophila. Takashi expressed me to haste as the train to Shibuya was about to depart. I sat down, head against the window, looking at the snow that fell delicately around the contemporary city. As I stepped out of the train that mystical breeze passed through my hair.
I walked away to my own paradise, a place of peace, no one but me. In reality I was waiting for the light to go green as Takashi grabbed my icy hand.
“Don’t let go of my hand” whispered Takashi, as the wind blew against my ear I was not able to hear a word he said, so I nodded just for his satisfactory. As the light gradually turned green, I lifted my hand out of his, slowly, as he exclaimed his last words,
“Sumiko, don’t let go...”
A person divided me away from him, I entered my safe place, a place of rest and harmony. Although, I didn’t want to enter it just yet, I was lost in desperation of being set free from this enchanting curse. I walked through the white sand as in reality I was lying at the middle of the crossing, people rally around me, I questioned myself, was I really lost in a dream or was it the truth. Amongst the people I saw that same old man sweeping the floors, but this time he had tears falling down his pale face, as he shook his head and echoed,
“I’m your grandpa...”
I felt the same breeze swoosh against me, as I closed my eyes, and suddenly entered my safe paradise.