Jimmy glanced at the mirror to examine himself as he got ready to see his psychologist for the first time. He felt a little bit apprehensive, not knowing the toll this visit might take on himself or on his relationship with Temi, but wherever the road may lead to, he was ready to embark on the journey.
He refused to let the family driver take him, he picked up the car keys to the simplest SUV amongst the array of luxurious cars in the garage and set out for the encounter that may make or mar his relationship with Temi. He chose to appear ordinary and modest to the shrink, to avoid unnecessary exploitations.
Jimmy entered the psychologist's office feeling a mix of curiosity and nervousness, unsure of what to expect but hoping that the session would provide him with the answer he sought. He took a seat across from the psychologist and noticed the calming atmosphere of the room, with soft lighting and comfortable furnishings, instantly his mind was put at ease.
"Hello, Jimmy. Welcome!" Said Dr. Patel. Please, have a seat. How are you feeling today?"
"Hi, Dr. Patel. Thank you. I'm feeling a bit nervous, to be honest, but also hopeful."
"It's completely normal to feel that way. I'm here to help you feel as comfortable as possible. Can you tell me a bit about what brings you in today?"
"Well, like I mentioned on the phone, I've been having these incredibly vivid dreams lately, and they're all about this girl named Temi. It's like I have known her all my life or from a distant memory even though I've just met her in real life. And I can't shake the feeling that there's something deeper going on.
Sometimes I see us in dreams with different settings that seem very familiar as well and in ancient attires."
"That sounds intriguing. Can you tell me more about these dreams? What do you see and feel in them?" Dr Patel probed.
"Sure! In the dreams, Temi and I are always together, doing everyday things like walking in a greenfield closely or having conversations, making plans and sharing our thoughts. But it feels so real, like we've known each other for lifetimes. And then there are these flashes of memories or scenes that don't make sense, but they feel important somehow."
"I see. It sounds like these dreams are really impactful for you. Have you noticed any patterns or themes in them?"
"Well, they often leave me feeling unsettled or wondering about their meaning. And lately, I've been thinking a lot about the concept of reincarnation and whether these dreams could be connected to past lives or something like that."
"That's an interesting perspective. It's clear that these dreams are weighing heavily on your mind. I'm here to help you explore them further and uncover any insights they may hold. How does that sound to you?"
"That sounds great, Dr. Patel. I'm eager to understand what these dreams are trying to tell me and how they relate to my life." Jimmy declared with a faint smile.
"Excellent. Let's work together to delve into your dreams and explore this journey of self-discovery. You're in a safe space here, Jimmy, and I'm here to support you every step of the way."
"Thank you Dr. Patel!
There began Jimmy's sessions in trying to delve deeper into understanding his dreams and to see if the dreams may reveal an existence in a past life and if he had been deeply involved with Temi, with the psychologist using a technic he called dream analysis in other for Jimmy to recall his dreams vividly, taking note of his environment, people besides Temi, conversations, emotions, recurring patterns and systems.
In Jimmy's next dream after he commenced therapy, he found himself in a surreal landscape, a familiar terrain but unlike anything he had experienced in his waking life. Dressed in the attire of Onyema, a wrestler from a bygone era, Jimmy felt a sense of anticipation coursing through his veins as he prepared for a wrestling challenge unlike any other.
Across from him stood his opponent, a man who bore a liltle resemblance to himself. Dressed in similar attire, they faced each other in the center of a makeshift wrestling ring, surrounded by a throng of spectators eagerly awaiting the spectacle to unfold.
As the match began, Jimmy felt a surge of adrenaline, his senses heightened as he grappled with his opponent in a fierce display of strength and skill. Each move was executed with precision, the intensity of their struggle echoing through the arena.
Amidst the clamor of the crowd, Jimmy's attention was drawn to a familiar figure among the spectators. There, in the midst of the onlookers, stood Temi, her eyes alight with excitement as she cheered him on with unwavering support.
Despite the ferocity of the battle, Jimmy felt a sense of clarity wash over him, a deep knowing that this challenge was about more than just physical prowess. It was a test of resolve, a metaphorical journey of self-discovery and transformation.
As the match reached its climax, Jimmy summoned every ounce of strength within him, channeling the spirit of Onyema as he delivered a final, decisive blow to his opponent. In that moment of triumph, he felt a profound sense of connection not only to himself, but to the legacy of those who had come before him.
As the dream faded and Jimmy began to awaken, he carried with him a new found sense of purpose and determination. He quickly got out of his bed, fetched a notebook and pen which he had kept for the very purpose of scribbling down everything he had dreamt of.
He had barely put on his pyjamas when a knock sounded on his door.
"Yes!" He answered.
The butler of the house opened the door and popped his head in,
"Sir, Miss Liliana has just arrived!" He announced.
"Miss Who? What's she doing here?" Jimmy blurted out without thinking.
"Let him in!" He ordered after a minute of hesitation.
"Sir, she's in already! She's sitting in the living room right now. I had to stop her from coming upstairs to your room."
"Seriously?" Jimmy muttered again.
"Go keep her entertained, I'll be down soon!"
"Yes sir!" The butler withdrew his head and closed the door.
"What's she doing here? Isn't she supposed to be in London?" Jimmy grumbled as he headed to his bathroom.
When Jimmy was properly dressed, he called James on the phone,
"You need to come over here right now!"
He took a great deal of time in his room, buying time for James to come around because he wasn't in the mood to deal with Liliana. An hour later, he went down to see Liliana stretched out on the coach, sipping red wine and watching television.
"Jimmmmmy!!!" Liliana jumped out of the coach to hug him the moment she saw him.
"I missed you so muuuuuch!" She purred while holding on to him in a tight embrace.
Jimmy didn't hug her back and decently moved out of her grasp.
"Liliana, what a surprise! What are you doing in Nigeria when everyone is in the UK?"
"Everyone but youuuu!" She purred again, "We had an agreement that you will be in London with me this summer, why did you repudiate it?"
"It wasn't an agreement!" He went to take a seat a bit far from where she sat before, while she was still standing.
It was a suggestion that you made and "I can't remember agreeing to it outrightly!"
She walked up to his side and sat down.
"But you know I would have loved it if you came…I wanted you to come, we were going to have a great time this summer in the UK….."
"You would still have a great time with anyone if you wanted to, Sarah was excited to hook up with you…and now you are here, don't you think she'll be feeling bad?"
"Sarah understands me Jimmy, She even urged me to come home and keep you company." She puts a hand across his shoulder, "How can you be here all by yourself in this big house, hu?"
Jimmy gently removed her hand from his shoulder. "I'm not alone, the entire staff are here with me. James didn't travel either, He's on his way here as we speak.
"Really? James didn't travel?"
"Yea, I didn't!" James answered as he walked into the living room and exchanged glances with Jimmy.