DREAM'S WARN

CHAPTER 1

Few people believe that dreams warn and I am one who firmly believes in this. After reading this, you will perhaps agree with me.

In the month of May, in 2011, my hubby planned a trip to Bhavnagar, accepting our Guruji's ( singing teacher's) invitation. Though I was not too willing, because Zoish, my new-born granddaughter was just a little over two months and too young to be taken out. After many arguments and counter arguments we finally agreed. I took two days casual leave along with Saturday, Sunday and we were on our way.

The journey was comfortable with Frehan and Zoish on our laps, our two bundles of joy, cuddled in our arms. We took one hault, had some " garma-garam chai n pakodas" and reached Bhavnagar by eleven. Sir's family was very loving and caring and made us feel absolutely at home. After unwinding, having a sumptuous meal and resting for a while, we went sightseeing. The Palace there, was an attraction. The Shiv temple was also very beautiful, which would partly submerge under water during a high tide. It was quite a walk so we didn't go up all the way. We visited their market, shopped a few items too.
At night, after chatting, playing "Antakshari", we retired for the night, as next day we were going to Alangh, the city of ship breaking.

Next early morning we were on our way to Alangh, after an early breakfast. The drive was pleasant. At Alangh, it was a sight to see huge ships sliced into two, looking like a huge huge cake, sliced into two. After being explained about it all, we went to a place from where we could see the city of Surat, with binoculars of course ! We reached Bhavnagar early evening and did our " farsaan" shopping, as we were to leave Bhavnagar next morning for Lothal.

As we were having breakfast, I thought about the dream I had, and said, "I dreamt of Mehru Mumma and Mamaji, (my husband Vispi's Mum n Maternal Uncle); they were in another house and called out to me, asking me if they could come over and stay with me. I said of course yes, but what makes you ask such a thing; you always stay with us, whenever you visit us". On hearing this, Vispi immediately said, "I too dreamt of Kyamasbhai and Kekibhai " ( both were our close friends and neighbours, one from Ahmedabad and the other from Valsad) this was strange, as Vispi did not even think about them. He just said, they were with me. Shezrin, our daughter said, " I had a nightmare too, but want to forget about it totally, so no more discussion on this topic. This was actually getting pretty weird because none of us often dream, nor did we often see our dear departed ones in our dreams. Though ADM little uncomfortable, we did not think or ponder about it any more and left for Lothal.

Lothal is part of the Indus Valley civilization. We saw the excavation site, the artifacts obtained n attentively heard the explanation given by an officer. We bought some books and proceeded to Ahmedabad. It was pretty late hence we picked up food on our way. After dinner we were all resting, Vispi, as usual went to sit on our swing, which is on our balcony.

He came back, holding his head and said he hurt his head as the swing broke and he fell down. The wound seemed superficial, so I did the dressing and asked him if he was hurt elsewhere. He said, he was fine and went to bed after some time. Next morning he was fine; so as usual, I left for work.

Everything seemed normal but after three days he called out to our daughter. He said, "Shezrin", and could say no more. She quickly called me, to inform. In a jiffy we reached the hospital. An array of tests and he was admitted with a haematoma spreading over the frontal area of the cerebrum. The situation was serious, perhaps demanding surgery. It was that night that Shez told me of her night mare. She felt two hands strangling her neck. My youngest brother flew in from Bombay, he said, when he was having his shower, he just felt something was really wrong with Vispi. Too many things and people forewarned us. I was now petrified! What would the consequences be? Vispi also realized that both our close friends who appeared in his dream had passed away with cerebral problems. The entire family prayed fervently for his quick recovery. The doctor told us he was trying to shrink the haematoma with medication but if not successful, an operation would be necessary.
To our good luck and with God's blessings and blessings from our departed dear ones he recovered completely with the medication.

But we were absolutely baffled about those dreams; about how our dear departed ones came to warn us, to tell me, they were with us through out the crisis. This was not just once, or for the first time; I have had several instances where dreams warn me.

CHAPTER 2

1.... These are many different instances where dreams foretold or indicated something was about the happen.

Those days, I was just 27 years old, when one night, I dreamt that I was looking at myself in a mirror and saw my face half eaten up. It was really scary and made me most uncomfortable. I got up, prayed and narrated this to Jer Mummy, who prayed and even offered sandal wood at our Agiyari. Soon after, I had jaundice and almost went into a hepatic coma. I was declared critical, my family was called; I took almost six months to recover.
Perhaps I was destined to die and prayers and good wishes gave me a new life or extended my life; I owe a very big thanks to our late Dr. Sooryakant Shah and his wife Madhuri (Masi), who did their all to save me and succeeded in doing so.

2...There was an entrance exam for a job vacancy where I stood first; but was kept as a standby as two candidates from the organisation from different departments would be given an opportunity first. This disappointed me terribly; even after performing well, I wouldn't get this post. One afternoon, when I was dosing, taking an afternoon siesta, I felt my Maternal Grandma, who had passed away seven years ago, gently stroking my head, which was very soothing. It made me feel much better. In a day or two, I got a call and was offered the job. It was as if she was telling me, don't worry, all will be well.


Yet another incidence......

3... My paternal Aunt was suffering from cancer and was in hospital, after surgery. After I finished duty, I went to the hospital, to keep her company. After chatting, she said, she was tired and wished to rest. After comforting her, I laid down on a longe-chair, closing my eyes too. Again, the same soothing hand comforted me. It was afternoon and I wasn't really sleeping, I wondered what she wanted to convey. That very night, I received a call from home, that my Mum passed away. That means Granny tried to console me before it actually happened, perhaps tried telling me that she is with me. I was shocked beyond words; I just couldn't digest this! Aren't these facts stranger than fiction???

On another occasion, we were near Innsbruck, Austria, where we were put up in a huge property. It was late evening when we checked in, as we were going up to our room, I felt eerie. I couldn't explain the feeling though; but felt really uneasy. When I asked my hubby, he said you are tired and exhausted, let's have a quick dinner and retire early, as we have to leave early morning tomorrow. I always say my kusti prayers before going to bed, so I did that and went off to bed.

Next morning, we were waiting at the breakfast table for another couple, as we always did, through out the trip. After waiting for a while, we tried calling them. When they came, we were appalled to see their state. Whilst eating, they narrated their frightful, harrowing experience they had at night. They saw frightful ghostly mages dancing in their room. It was scary and they were very disturbed. We told them to say a particular powerful prayer to ward off evil, have their breakfast and board the bus. That whole day they were very upset, but normalized towards the end of the day. That eerie feeling, that foreboding feeling, was a warning and my prayers were the protective shield.

Many times, someone or something just reminds you, I cannot explain how and why. This was ADM dream. My Grandma, (my Dad's Mum) had a dream that her mother-in-law has come to pick her up. It was late evening, just before dinner, so she says, "Mumma, let's eat, then we will
go". To that her Mother-in-law says no there is no time for dinner, the tonga (horse carriage) is waiting for us. My Grandma shared this with my aunts and requested the elder one, to call my Dad from Bombay, urgently. My Aunt told him, Mum wants to see you as soon as possible. So, in spite of his extremely busy schedule he left for Surat. Grandma was extremely happy and said she was surely glad to see him. After 2 or 3 days when Dad asked her, if he could return, she said stay for a day or two longer. For Dad, Grandma's wish was a command. On the very next day, in the evening, he had gone to the temple, on his way back, he carried a few tender coconuts. My Grandma passed away that evening, before Dad could give her coconut water. It was late evening, before dinner. So you see, dreams do warn.

My Aunt had seen Grandma in her dream, just one night before my uncle passed away. She held my Aunt's shoulder, as if supporting her.

My Aunt's very close friend, was very intuitive and I do remember at least three instances about my Grandma appearing in her dreams.
The first was when she was on board the ship with her husband; She somehow knew that my Grandma had passed away, before this news was given to her.

On another occasion, she saw my Grandma at the door and said, " Tehmina Aunty, please come in" ; to which my Grandma replied today is Behrman Roj, my Keki's birthday, so I have to be there ". This friend did not know about my Dad's Roj birthday so she verified it with my Aunt and when confirmed, she mentioned about her dream.

Yet again, we have a tradition to offer a set of entire clothes on the birthday of the deceased. The Ervad saheb,( priest ) prays with this offering, which is a routine. Now it so happened that my Maternal Grandfather had just passed away, and both my Aunts were very busy with the rites that had to be performed. It totally slipped out of their mind, to send the set of clothes across to the Ervad saheb. Again Aunt's friend saw Grandma in her dream, this time on her blouse and petticoat, sans the sari. My Grandma was telling, "please tell Banu to give me my Sari". Knowing her intuitive powers, Bepsy Aunty told my Aunt about her dream. On hearing this she immediately remembered that she had forgotten to give the set of clothes. This in my opinion proves two things.... that the departed try to communicate with the living and that our prayers do reach them.

About prayers I do reconfirm, as, many times, even if I have missed out praying (I pray a Satum prayer) for some dear departed, I somehow get a reminder. Sometimes I think it is the subconscious mind; but this reminder comes suddenly as a dream or a thought.

For now, I have shared a lot, I will share some other instances in part three. However I would love that my readers share their opinions with me. I will look forward to this.

Armin Dutia Motashaw