Challenge 11: Spending a Day

46. If you had a day to spend as you wish, how would you use your time? (Carleton College)

The winter sun would peek through the gaps of my curtains, bouncing off the bare walls of my room and creeping beneath my eyelids. I would lie awake for sometime, thinking about the things that I would be doing. A smile would play on my lips, and despite the cold atmosphere, I would jump right out of bed and get ready for a calm, yet exciting day. Without waking anyone up, I would sneak out of the dorm and take a long stroll outside. I would walk along Lover’s Lane, playing with the pebbles at my feet and absorbing the greenness of my surroundings. I would walk through Ridge Wood field and start making my way up to New Road. I would catch a local bus going somewhere, anywhere. I would let it take me to where it wants to go. I would enjoy the view of the beautiful hills and the endless, paved roads in front of me. I would let the light wind brush my cheeks and play with my hair. I would close my eyes and fall asleep for a while.

When I am awake again, I would look outside the window and see the overgrown trees of a beautiful forest. I would ask the driver to drop me there, without asking for the name of the place. He would give me a confused expression while I pay for the trip. I would step out of the bus and wait by the side of the road till the bus would take a turn and disappear from sight. I would sigh and start walking along the road. Then I would notice a trail leading off to the side and follow that trail. I would walk through the forest, observing the flowers dancing by the path, listening to the flow of the stream somewhere close by, taking in the fragrance of the soil, tasting the sweetness of the air, and feeling the calmness provided by the nature around me. I would find the clear stream in the midst of the forest. I would lie on the ground, enjoying the softness of the grass beneath me. I would listen to the river and the gushing of the wind. I would not speak a word. Then, I would get up and make my way back to the road.

I would start panicking. I would dig into my pockets and find my cell phone. I would check for signal. As I see no signal on the phone, my heart would skip a few beats. My eyes would become wide and alarmed. I would sit by the road and start crying. I would wait till somebody reports me missing and they would come looking for me. I would wipe away my tears and chuckle to myself at my absurdity.