'A woman on a bus today carried her Pekinese dog inside her handbag. It had a red bow on its head that matched her sweater.’
***
Finding myself incidentally on this bus, why? Have no idea!
It's taking me in a different route than my usual one. Just when I am about to disembark, heard a voice whispering:
'it's not a coincidence..look for the sign post! '
In an instant, felt a pull on my sleeve. Looked .. It's a tiny head of a dog ,
' hi there, little fella...what a nice looking dog with a red bow..you have! ' complementing the woman holding a signature handbag with the dog.
***
How come I didn't notice the woman with the red sweater as I sat next to her?
' she's Chachi..do you like Pekinese?' The woman spoke to me.
Took a while to recollect..
' that face..that voice..have I seen it before?.where..where ? '
' Do you like Pekinese?' she is asking..
Eyeing that little face with beginning eyes, replied :
' my dog died two days ago'
' sorry for you, it's sad to loose love ones '
I nodded.
' I am taking Chachi to a playground she likes, come along ..'
' okey..'
'Next bus stop we are out. Short walking distance is the playground '
***
Here we are. Chatchi is free to play.
Walking to a bench, noticed how frail the woman is. Her matching long skirt looks old but elegant, with braided silvery hair crowning her head. Her perfume so ethereal! Her shoes, looks like riding boots.
***
' this woman...the perfume..the looks..the voice !!!' 'Am I in a dream? '
' do you like to have Chachi?' The woman asked.
Struck by the question, silence took over me!
' I'll tell you a secret, I was taking chatchi to be put to sleep '
' killing her..you mean ! why?' Angrily..
' till we met in the bus..I could see she likes you. I am passing away soon, and its hard to think of her grieving for me, '
Silence
' are you with me? Do you hear me? '
Her voice! Something about it..the accent!
Now I remember. It's the dream I had the night after my Wendy died.
'Fragments of a dream like a puzzle ...is that it?' I whispered to myself.
****
