Hours passed by. He had almost dozed off but his excitement kept jolting him awake, or maybe it was just stress…
After talking to his mom over the phone for the fourth time that day, he picked up his phone to call her yet again when he finally heard the announcement, “Flight QF103 from Denver to Canberra has now begun boarding.” He sprang out of his uncomfortable metal seat and was first in line, ready with his passport and boarding pass, tapping his foot restlessly.
Brian was a nonentity, a nobody. He wasn’t connected to anyone in his family except his mother and had only a handful of friends back home. He was on his way to Australia for the first time in his life. Brian had received a very prestigious internship at a law firm, which he thought would bring him one step closer to his dream. He needed a new beginning, a fresh start, a clean slate…
It was precisely 2:16 a.m. when Brian regretted opting for the window seat. He was forced to wake up both the people sitting beside him because in hindsight, sitting for 4 hours at the gate near the airport which caused him to have to use the tiniest and most uncomfortable restroom now, was not a good idea. After making it through that awkward situation, he managed to fall asleep, only to be awakened by the sound of the plane finally landing on the runway.
It was around 10 o’clock, but it was too bright outside, and way too sunny. Brian immediately slammed his window shut loudly, almost breaking it. Putting on a pair of sunglasses, he exited the aircraft receiving odd stares from fellow passengers around him but he didn’t care, he never did. He had always been a secure man, doing what he wished without worrying about being criticised.
First day on the job, Brian enjoyed the sights and sceneries of the capital city of Australia but was anxious. He knew it was time to get serious even though his mom had told him to just enjoy and make friends, the same thing she has been saying since he went for his first sleepover camp. Brian was a smart kid who had worked really hard to become who he was. It wasn’t easy though, and although he came from a wealthy family, he never relied on their money.“How you doin’, mate?”, a tall man with an extremely thick Australian accent said, breaking his train of thought. “Your first day here? I’m Alex, your new project partner!” he said excitedly. Brian smiled and made small talk with him. Although it was only for a few minutes before Alex had to leave, Brian felt oddly empty and alone once his new colleague left. Brian had felt like this from the moment he said goodbye to his mother to leave for the airport. Brian did not like this feeling, he did not want to be separated from the things and the people he loved.
His first day in Australia, which had been surprisingly pleasant except for the fact that he had spoken to no one and no one had spoken to him, was coming to an end, so he decided to call one of his friends. The phone must have rung seventeen times before Annie, one of his oldest friends, picked up. “WHO IS THIS?”she yelled, making it clear that she had just woken up and was clueless. Brian smiled and thought to himself, “Typical Annie…”
Annie and Brian spent some time catching up and soon discussed how Brian felt at work that day. Annie said bluntly, “You seem lonely..Just get a dog or something.”
After a night of coffee and contemplation, Brian went straight to the pet adoption centre the next morning. He immediately connected with a fluffy yellow golden retriever. Perhaps it was love at first sight, or maybe just desperation… Mario and Brian soon became inseparable, apart from when Brian went to work. Everyday while he sat at his office desk, all Brian could think about was Mario, worrying about whether he was safe or if had eaten enough. All he wanted to do was go home because only being with Mario made him happy.
One Sunday, Brian decided to explore the local beach but Mario didn’t seem to share his enthusiasm. Mario resisted going in the water and hated the fact that the sand on the beach was going in his ears so they started heading back home. Brian strolled ahead lost in thought, forgetting that Mario wasn’t on a leash.
He almost reached his blue Hyundai before he noticed that Mario was nowhere to be seen. He sprinted back to the beach in a panicked frenzy. He scanned the water and checked behind the rocks. He had looked everywhere but still no sight of his beloved dog. Suddenly Brian noticed faint paw prints leading towards a small jungle near the beach: the one thing Brian dreaded. Brian despised wildlife.
Hours passed as the sun dipped below the horizon. Brian was lost in the dense jungle, desperately searching for Mario. He couldn't give up, not when his beloved dog was out there somewhere. The thought of being without Mario for so long gnawed at him – no belly rubs, no comforting presence. Exhausted and hungry, Brian found a makeshift hammock and settled in, his mind replaying memories of Mario as he drifted off to sleep.
"WOOF WOOF!! WOOF WOOF!!" The sudden barking jolted Brian awake, causing him to tumble from the hammock onto the muddy ground. Without bothering to dust himself off, he sprinted towards the sound. As he approached, a human voice cut through the air, "I am testing him. It's about time he learns to live without me."
Confused and slightly frightened, Brian crept closer. The voice seemed to be coming from behind two unusually tall palm trees with an out-of-place formation of bushes between them. Taking a deep breath, he leaped through the foliage.
What he saw made his heart skip a beat. There was Mario, surrounded by a menagerie of animals, all seemingly engaged in conversation. The same voice from earlier sighed, "Well, this was not supposed to happen."
Brian's world tilted on its axis as he realised the voice belonged to Mario – his dog could talk! Sweat dripped down his face, his muddy clothes growing even filthier as he struggled to comprehend the scene before him. "AAAHHHHH!!" he screamed, promptly fainting.
When Brian came to, the sun was peeking over the horizon. He found himself surrounded by all manner of pets, each one speaking as clearly as Mario had. Still reeling, Brian listened as Mario explained about the SSP - Secret Society of Pets, and their mission to help owners struggling with physical and mental issues.
"Mental issues? But I don't have any problems," Brian protested, confusion evident in his voice.
A heavy silence fell before Mario replied softly, "You suffer from Separation Anxiety."
The words hit Brian like a ton of bricks, forcing him to confront a truth he'd long ignored. As he grappled with this revelation, the scene began to fade. The parakeet behind him disappeared, the dogs' barks grew louder, and suddenly...
Brian's eyes snapped open. He was back on the hammock, Mario by his side, enthusiastically licking his face. Checking his phone, he saw it was only 8 pm. Mario had a dead squirrel in his mouth – apparently, he'd just been on a chase.
"It was just a dream..." Brian murmured, relief washing over him.
"Yes, but now you are awake," said Mario.
Brian froze, his heart racing once more. Perhaps this adventure was more than just a dream after all. As he gazed into Mario's knowing eyes, Brian realised that sometimes, the most profound truths come to us in the most unexpected ways.
Comentarios