Chapter [X]: Between Sleep and Wakefulness

lie in her bed before sleeping, allowing her mind to drift far away into what is known as "daydreaming."On a rainy night like any other, Sarab found herself in a strange world. The trees were vividly colored like candy—vibrant shades of red, yellow, and purple. The ground was made of long, lush green meadows blanketed by flowers of every imaginable kind. The sky was an immaculate, crystal blue, purer than anything she had ever seen. Even the animals were winged; there, a lion and a deer walked peacefully side by side. Everything was breathtaking! Sarab stood there, utterly spellbound by the sheer beauty of the place, her heart overflowing with happiness despite her astonishment.She began to wander through the flowers until she caught sight of someone. It was the shadowy silhouette of a small child, whose features remained blurred and indistinct. She followed as the child ran, eventually finding herself standing before a small, cozy café. Hesitant at first, she stepped inside, only to be stunned by what awaited her. Her entire family was there—her parents, her relatives, and even her friends! They all chimed in unison:"Happy birthday, Sarab! Wishing you many happy returns!"Laughter echoed through the room. Yes... it was a celebration for her 25th birthday. Speechless and overwhelmed by what was happening, tears welled up in her eyes as she said:"Is this really a party for my birthday? I thought you all had forgotten it! Thank you so much, I love you all."And so, they all enjoyed their time together, especially Sarab, who had secretly wished for a moment like this for a very long time.(The alarm blared)... The clock struck 7:00 AM. Sarab woke up to its harsh sound, only to find herself back in her bed, inside her bleak, dark bedroom. Yes, it had all been a dream—a beautiful dream she desperately wished would never end."So... I was just dreaming," she muttered to herself. "Of course. That was to be expected. It is impossible for anything to actually change... but I wished with all my heart that it were real."She spoke the words as a warm tear slipped down her cheek. Sighing heavily with disappointment, she got up to prepare herself for another miserable day, just like any other.Sarab was a twenty-five-year-old woman working at a software programming company. She grew up in a family that completely lacked warmth—the true warmth of a home. Her parents divorced when she was only thirteen, leaving her caught in the crossfire of their endless conflicts. As everyone knows, innocent children are always the sole victims of divorce. Because she grew up in a conservative society, she endured a great deal of bullying during her school years. She entered university without a single friend, and graduated just as lonely. Now, she lived entirely by herself with her small black cat, who was the only creature that truly understood her. Sometimes, one can find more comfort in animals than in humans, and that was precisely her reality. She found no escape from this bitter world except through her dreams; even though she knew they were mere illusions, they provided the only warmth she had ever known.After getting ready, she stepped out of her house, whispering to herself with deep bitterness:"Why do I even bother going to work? Why do I have to keep living? Why doesn't a car just run me over so I can fall into a coma, and wake up to find everything changed?"She murmured those words while crossing the street with agonizing slowness, as though she were actively inviting death.Suddenly! The sharp blare of a car horn echoed, accompanied by a blinding flash of headlights. Everyone started running in a panic!"What happened? Who is that? Are they okay? Who could it be? Call an ambulance, quickly!"Distant voices shouted through the chaos: "Step back! What's going on over there?" Sarab stood frozen in shock as she looked back and witnessed the scene... It was.......(To be continued)