It was one of those days when the trees laden with white, droopy flowers gave off such a sweet fragrance that it almost turned sickening when you walked into it. I was standing in the middle of such a feeling, when my phone rang. 

I hate when that happens. It hacks into a feeling just as it is engulfing you and leaves you exposed and disoriented, a bit. Nothing to it, but answer the call, I figure. 

"We are the world calling," says a voice at the other end of the line. "We wish to inform you that you have been extremely insensitive with your last conversation and we would like to mete you out with a suitable punishment at a time and venue decided by us."

This has got to be a joke, I think. "I don't have time for this nonsense," I say before cutting the call. 

By this time, twilight has descended all around me and the fragrance has all but faded. I rush on to finish the chores I had set out to do. 

Nothing makes sense. I have to stop by at a grocer's to tick off the first item on my to-do list: Buy veggies. A poster awaits me at the entrance: Till your punishment is meted out to you, SM, please do not enter. What on earth?

I try to call out to the person at the counter. I know her very well as I have been visiting for years now. But, I cannot. I try to say something, and the words won't come out. 

And then I wake up. 

How predictable, you are tempted to think, dear reader. But there is no waking up from this nightmare. It is my reality. And it is yours too for the number of days you will set aside to enter this world, where there is no difference between dream and reality.