I left home at 5:00 AM today. It was my 30th day trying to relive a healthy routine. I drove to the same running track. Ran the same 4 miles. The only thing I didn’t do was update it on social media. I didn’t want to today. Maybe I didn’t like it anymore. Why would anybody want to know anything about my stupid daily routine? The places I visit or the people I meet. I must admit. While I was uploading them regularly I quite enjoyed to see people liking and commenting on my posts.

I got back into my car and headed straight to a nutritional drink place. Carrot smoothie was my usual order. I finished it in one gulp. I sat in my car and switched on the radio. Heard my favourite radio host greet the listeners. As usual, she started by playing a legendary Pink Floyd number. She followed it up with an Audio Slave song as I drove back.

As I drove closer to my home, I realised that the front door of my house was white and not red. Why was it different today? I wondered. Was I at someone else’s place? Or did someone change it while I was gone? Who could do such a thing?

Still wondering, I opened the door and stepped in. I was shocked to see ‘Ma’ standing there. Plating my breakfast as she would always do. She was wearing that red Saree I really liked on her. I couldn’t believe what I saw. We lost her over 15 years ago. Tears rolled down my eyes and I couldn’t say a word. I didn’t want to wait another minute and wanted to give her the tightest hug. I ran to her. That was when my alarm went on. 7:00 AM, it said.

Why do I forget to turn off the alarm on weekends? I sulked and got up. Before it got too sunny, I made it to the running track. I had to clear my head from all the nostalgia that the dream had brought on me. Today, I could do 5 miles with ease without realising it. I took a photo as proof and uploaded it on Instagram.

Then, made my way to the nutritional drink station. I had my regular carrot juice and finished it in one gulp. I took a photo with my juice glass too and uploaded on social media.

As I drove closer to my home, I realised that the front door of my house was white and not red. Again? I was shook. It all started to get blurry. All of a sudden, I couldn’t be sure where I was. It is a Sunday morning, so I must have gone for a run I thought. How was the carrot smoothie tasting today? I struggled to remember. I could’ve ordered a bitter gourd juice and wouldn’t have known the difference. Where is my attention? Should I check my phone? Or social media? I must have uploaded something.

My clothes. I was in my running clothes. I must have gone for the run. No doubt. There is no other explanation why I am standing here next to the car, all sweaty in my workout clothes. Oh damn it, let me confirm this on the phone. Why can’t I just remember any of it happening?

I picked up the phone and looked at the it. The alarm was about to ring anytime now. I pulled the blanket over my head or was it just me pushing the car door shut? It’s all too blurred to tell.