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What A Birthday
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Mr. Smith returned home, fatigued from another long day at work. After dropping his briefcase, he immediately reached for a beer, swiftly downing it within a minute. He then slumped into the sofa in the dimly lit sitting room. With one hand, he absentmindedly pointed the remote at the TV, aimlessly changing channels. In the other hand, his iPhone displayed a glaring absence of messages from family and friends, but a deluge of tasks and work-related emails.
For a while, relaxation seemed elusive, and about an hour later, he suddenly realized the significance of the day – it was his birthday. As a child, he used to receive heartfelt greetings and blessings from parents, relatives, and friends. However, since graduating, those personal messages had gradually dwindled. In their place, a relentless tide of work had taken over, leaving him feeling emotionally numb.
The smile that had once graced his face disappeared after his ex-wife moved out. If it ever surfaced, it was merely a façade he wore to maintain a positive image for his boss and colleagues. Now, he was alone, left with only impersonal notes of well-wishes from banks, security companies, and stores where he held accounts and VIP shopping cards. "They know me by my transactions," he murmured slowly, sighing in resignation.
At times, he yearned for the freedom to escape the noisy world, but the burden of providing for himself, paying off housing and car loans, and covering daily expenses kept him trapped in a relentless cycle. His spirit felt almost lifeless, and he muttered to himself that he simply wanted to rest for a while. The weight of his responsibilities pressed down on him, and he fell into a fitful sleep, dreams cascading into dreams.
"What's happening?" he questioned within the surreal dreamscape, realizing that this was unlike any dream he had ever experienced. In these vivid reveries, he encountered long-lost best friends, his ex-wife, former girlfriends, and even his loving parents. Then, as if to shatter the dreamlike serenity, he came face-to-face with his boss, who curtly informed him that his performance was subpar and that he should leave the company.
"HELP!" he exclaimed, his heart pounding with excitement and fear. Suddenly, he jolted awake, his heart racing, and realized it had all been a dream within a dream. The remainder of the night was spent wrestling with insomnia.
In the morning, Mr. Smith knew he was still very much alive. Yet, instead of celebrating his birthday, he quietly dressed himself and embarked on yet another day of work.
