Startled awake from a terrifying dream, I blinked my eyes open, struggling to adjust to the light that had rudely invaded my vision. My eyes squinted from the sudden brightness, but I forced them open and looked around.I was sure I had turned off the light before going to bed. So who turned it on? The light was coming from the side of the window."Did it get bright this quickly? Gosh, nights seem to be getting shorter."Scrunching up my face as I thought about the sudden daylight, I resumed my observations of the room. There wasn’t anything particularly unusual to see. But somehow, staring at my own room brought a strange satisfaction.My room, my bed, my study table, my books, my wardrobe… My phone was on the bedside table. The table was on the right side of my bed. My eyes instinctively focused on the right side of the bed. I noticed the door leading outside, my bathroom, and the laundry bag. But wait... everything had been pulled out and scattered around."Oh, Lord! If Mom sees this, I'll be sent to sleep in the church yard... Ah, maybe I should get up and clean this up. Let me check the time on my phone first."I spotted the phone on the bedside table, and just as I reached out to grab it, I noticed something else… something I hadn’t mentioned yet. What was that? My eyes, filled with curiosity, scanned the right side of the bed.I looked once. Then twice. I didn’t need a third look... I was already screaming for dear life!There, in front of me, was a terrifying figure. It was unclear whether it had eyes or a nose, but it definitely had a mouth, a long tongue, and sharp claws. I froze in place, barely able to move. Whatever it was, it just sat there, staring at me.I decided to lie still, hoping it would go away on its own. After a few moments, I cautiously opened my eyes again. Oh no, it had crept closer!This time, I couldn’t keep quiet. I mustered all my strength to scream... but no sound came out. It was like something had gripped my throat, choking off any noise. I couldn’t breathe… I wanted to run, but my arms and legs wouldn’t move. I felt chained to the bed, completely immobilized.As I struggled to move, the thing drew closer and closer.It’s over. This is the end!The closer the dark figure came, the more I felt my very life force drain away. I was trapped, terrified, unable to do anything.Suddenly, the dark figure leaped onto my chest, straddling me. From its mouth dripped a thick liquid, landing on my face.I cried out in despair, pleading for my life.With a howl, the monster raised one clawed hand to strike. I squeezed my eyes shut, screaming for help.“Please, Lord, save me from this cursed demon!”“AHHHHHHHHHH!!”With a final scream, I bolted upright. But… where was I? It was pitch dark. I heard something creak open. Panicking, I shrank into a corner.Suddenly, the room flooded with light. I squinted against the brightness, but I could hear footsteps drawing closer. I felt utterly helpless, unable to breathe. Suddenly, a hand touched my shoulder...No! Not again! I won’t survive this time! I kept my eyes shut, too terrified to look. If I opened them, I might die... Fear gripped me, paralyzing my body.“Grrrrrr...”The hand on my shoulder shook me, the voice growling something incomprehensible.I won’t open my eyes, even if it kills me!, I thought desperately.But then something splashed onto my face. Startled, I opened my eyes.Something was running down my face… Blood!“No! No! Blood!” I wailed.My screams filled the room again, convinced that the monster had returned to kill me.But when I dared to look ahead, the dark figure was now... changing clothes? It had put on a churidar.But it still had those sharp teeth and long tongue…“Aah! Mom!!”“What’s wrong with you? Why are you screaming?”Wait… that’s Mom’s voice… but is it really her? Is she the monster or is the monster her?Once more, something splashed on my face, but this time it wasn’t blood. I didn’t move.But then, the hand on my shoulder shook me hard, followed by a stern voice…I opened my eyes, dazed and shaken. This time, the dark figure was even scarier… but also familiar. I blinked, focusing.It was Mom.Relief washed over me like a warm wave, but a tiny part of me still wondered… Is it really her, or has the monster taken her form?“Mom, not Dad… 24 hours on your phone… babbling nonsense in your sleep. You need to cut back on the games…”I realized, with some relief, that this was indeed my mother. Her scolding confirmed it. But… had I been dreaming this whole time? It was hard to believe. I had almost lost my life… My poor heart!Suddenly, I glanced at my hands and body, checking for blood. But there was nothing. It had all been just a dream. When I looked back at Mom, she was rolling her eyes at me.“What’s this, huh? Why is the bed wet?”That question startled me. Blood? I looked down at the bed. It wasn’t blood; there was just a lot of wetness around my waist... and on my shorts.I just glanced at Mom, embarrassed, unsure of what to do.“Get up and wash those sheets. When the sun comes out, take the mattress outside to dry. You’re grown up, but you still act like a kid.”She muttered something under her breath as she left the room.“Oh… the shame…”Feeling pity for myself, I quickly jumped out of bed. I couldn’t bear to lie there any longer. I checked my phone, and it was 7:30 AM. Oh no, time had flown by! How was I going to get ready in time? Oh Lord…Then everything happened in a rush—brushing my teeth, showering, changing clothes. I hurried downstairs to the hall.From the hall, I could hear the TV. When I peeked in, everyone was sitting in front of it.“Hey… is today a holiday for everyone?”Whatever… I should grab something to eat and get going. I turned toward the kitchen, where Mom was busy, muttering something to herself.“Mom, just give me something light for lunch. It’s late. I’ll miss the bus if I don’t hurry.” I said as I hopped onto the kitchen counter.Mom was busy making chapatis, not even turning to look at me. I was starting to get a little annoyed.“Are you going to give me something to eat, or should I just leave without it?”Her reply was a sharp glare. I decided to behave.“I’ll get up early tomorrow and help you, okay? But now I have to eat quickly and go. It’s late, you know.”Mom glanced at me, then turned to Dad in the hall.“Look at your daughter. She’s gone crazy playing on her phone. If you want, take her with you; otherwise, I might lose my temper.”I couldn’t quite understand what she meant. Am I the crazy one, or are they?I’ve told her a hundred times not to nap in the afternoon. But who listens? She sleeps and then starts spouting nonsense in her sleep.I could hear Mom muttering something, but it wasn’t clear. But I knew better than to ask for clarification. I might get a pot thrown at me… which wouldn’t be good for my health.For now, I decided to head over to Dad.But just as I reached the kitchen door, Mom called out.“Well, at least you bathed and came down clean. Take what I made, eat it, and then go back to bed. You won’t have to shower or get ready in the morning.”I didn’t need much time to figure out what Mom meant. The laughter from the hall confirmed everything.Utterly humiliated, I sulked to the porch and sat down. The moonlight was nice.Should I laugh or cry?Whatever. I couldn’t sit there for long. Feeling like a wilted leaf, I ran back inside. I can’t let them keep teasing me!
End
