Ah, I think I’m falling again. My hair is caught in the wind as I fall forward slowly and lightly. The world seems to slow down. I take in my surroundings all at once. Curiously, the raging waves below me are not making a sound. Before the waters could swallow me whole, a strong arm encircles me from the back, tightly holding my body and holding me back. The grip is firm and sturdy so I find myself leaning into the safety of his touch.

And at this point, I’ll wake up.

It’s the same dream. I haven’t had this dream since 5 years ago. I wonder why it is coming back now. I turn to read the time on my bedside clock – 14:47. I drag my feet to the bathroom and douse my face repeatedly with water. When I look up in the mirror, a haggard face stares straight back at me. Her eyes are empty today. Outside, the cicadas are crying, their cries getting incessantly louder each passing day. I peer through the window grilles and see the low hanging sun. The blazing heat from the sun as the days slowly approach midsummer is causing my hair to stick to my face and neck. I sigh as I pull off my pyjamas and step under the shower head. The cold water trickle down my body, and I instantly feel refreshed. I stay a little while under the running wate