"...Yes it is one strong thing! Just look at it's arms, large hands, it can carry anything you want. Can cut down trees, pick your cotton, whatever you wish. Come on folks, get your slaves."
"How much for the little one?"
"I'll take that one out later! But don't overlook the larger version. Come on folks, selling it today only!"
What the hell is going on and who are these people? Oh no they don't, slavery does NOT exist in my land!
"Who the hell are you?" I shouted. "Move out the way!" I tried pushing pass the the crowd of people blocking my view.
"We have a new bidder everyone. The lady in the centre!" The auctioneer bellowed across the crowd.
I made my way to the centre, elbowing everyone in the process. Then there was complete silence.
"I am not here to buy him," I seethed through my teeth and emphasise the last word clearly, "I'm here to know what is going on!"
"Why ma'am, we're selling off these things," the auctioneer sneered back.
I looked around and saw that I was the only lady standing there. Dressed up, head to toe in white, I noticed that I'm wearing a 18th century outfit. Mud running around the rim of the dress.
A man dressed in a black suit and black hat walked towards me. "Madam, are you sure you're in the right place?" He whispered.
I pulled my elbow away from him. "This is MY land. Get out of here! There will be NO selling slaves on my land! They are people, NOT numbers. You will NOT dehumanise these human beings in front of me!" I shouted clearly and confidently.
Whispers started breaking out. I catch snippets of the chatter, "crazy" "lonely" "lost" "a woman here?"
"Did you all NOT hear me?" I bellowed.
"You're British, of course you'll think like that. Bloody abolitionist." A man shouted.
"Yeah, you stick to your 1833 Slavery Abolition Act!" Another shouted.
"Hold on, you all sound American." I couldn't help but smirk. "I guess you haven't had your Civil War yet?"
Wait, this is MY land. What are these people doing here?
Droplets of water began to pour down. Although my face and hands were now wet, my clothes, gloves and shoes weren't. I looked up to make sure it was rain.
"You were saying?" I asked as I looked back down.
Ok so where have all the people gone?
I tried to shade my eyes in order to see clearer but rain refused to budge.
A hand suddenly popped up in front of me, holding a Ribena carton.
This can't be happening. I closed my eyes tight and felt the rain stop. Slowly peeking through my lashes, I noticed a lot of trees. Nice, fresh green trees. I could smell the perfume of flowers. Sweet white roses spread across the ground. I turned to my left to see the same hand and carton.
Please don't be Adam, please don't be Adam.
"Oh but it is me and I'm really liking your new land," he grinned at me. Such a cute smile. Cute enough to take any girl's heart.
"What are you doing here? And I don't just mean in my dreams." I asked. My face was plastered with suspicion.
"Later Sof, drink your Ribena for now." His blue eyes pierced into mine. Or is it grey?
We sat down on the smooth grass with the drink in my hand. Slowly I placed my head on his lap.
"That's it Sof. Just close your eyes and wake up."
"Don't I need to open my eyes to wake up?" I whispered back at him.
"No Sof. No." He lightly shook me. Ever so lightly.
I slowly close my eyes and heard him whisper softly...
"Wake up Sof. Wake up, come on wake up."
"She's awake Mr Jakes...yes I'll give it to her now."
"Ouch!" I moan, once again.
"Sof pick up the phone. Your granddad's on the line." April gave me another light push.
I jumped up, eyes wide open and snatched the phone off her hand and pressed down in speaker.
"Yes granddad? I'm here. Is something wrong with you? Is something wrong with Grandma? Is it serious? The house, the car? Anything?" I said without taking a breath.
"Relax Inna! No nothing's wrong with us. But please learn to breathe, if not properly, at least a little," he replied back.
"Oh ok," I chuckled lightly. That was embarrassing. I also realised that I had been gripping the phone a bit too tightly.
"Loosen your grip on the phone too."
I rolled my eyes. "Alright, fine, loosened. now tell me." I watched April walk out the room shaking her head.
"Grandma next door has died. Her son-in-law just came by informing us. Funeral's within a week and I know you'd want to come down. She was more than a neighbour, you know that more than us." There was no sound of enthusiasm, just sadness in his voice.
"Yes sure I'll come down," I replied slowly.
"Inna, come sooner please. We haven't seen you in 3 months. The death of her has just put a lot of things into perspective."
"Of course I'll come sooner. I'll drive down tomorrow, if not tomorrow, then the following day. I promise." With that, I hung up. I tried to take the news in, which was proving to be extremely difficult. It's one feeling to hear about the death of people on TV, but a completely different feeling when you physically know the person.
"What happened? Is everyone alright? Do you need a lift?" April asked with a worried look. I knew my emotions were appearing.
"It's fine April. My neighbour just passed away. Now they're worried that their time will come soon so they want to see me." I replied.
"Hmm, ok. You need a lift and I'm guessing you're going to stay there for a few days?"
"I'll most probably will. And no, I don't need a ride. There's such things called public transport remember? So don't worry about me." I started walking to my bedroom.
"I know Sof, but I don't like you going alone in the dark. What if you have a seizure? I can't risk it." I couldn't help but laugh at her concern.
"Madam, I take medication. Stop getting worried unnecessarily! I'll see if someone from work can drop me."
"Look Sof, I'll try getting a few days off."
"No. Your job is to work, save lives, make money and the buy me a house. That's our deal."
With a smile and showing hands in surrender mode, April gave in.
"Anyways, I had the weirdest dream. but I'll tell you all about it later."
"Something to do with Ribena? Because that's what you were muttering."
Yeah and Slavery and Adam and roses. I shook my head and walk into my bedroom.
_____________________
I sincerely hope you could see in to my head! I tried my best!
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Fatima!
YOU ARE READING
My Land of Dreams
Fantasy"She started saying that she had these dreams that she's in a land of her own. I remember one that involved her being a soldier in the Second World War, and she pointed out that it doesn't make sense because how can a female be a soldier at the fron...
