DREAMS: One where I was a gangster

I don’t know how to explain this, but I have these wild dreams. If I were to share them with you, I’m sure you’d agree—they’re absolutely crazy! Here it goes:

I work for a Tamil clan leader who wields immense power across the southern Tamil Nadu region. He strikes fear into the hearts of local gangs. His political connections and unyielding nature inspire dread even in the most hardened criminals. Standing at 6 feet tall, with dark skin and a thick mustache, let’s call him ‘Annachi.’ His illicit activities include smuggling, goondaism, and various drug-related ventures. However, there’s one unwavering rule he adheres to: he never harms women for any reason. Amongst the local thugs, the orders are crystal clear—do whatever it takes to make money, but lay a finger on a woman in the name of business, and Annachi will ensure their demise. There exist certain gangs that harbor discontent with Annachi’s rule. Their potential for profit lies in kidnapping young women and exporting them to other countries. However, ever since Annachi assumed power, these gangs have weakened. Yet, one particular gang has mustered the audacity to abduct ten women—two of whom are underage girls. This alarming news reaches Annachi’s attention, and that’s when I became involved in the case.

Typically, I am supposed to remain confined to the office, overseeing Annachi’s lawful activities and legitimate business. His trust in me stems from our familial bond, my unwavering loyalty, and my desire for reading extensively. In the past, I foolishly engaged in gang fights, but it was Annachi who revealed my latent potential and redirected me toward education. Since then, I’ve steered clear of violence. Unlike the strong members of our family, I lack physical prowess; my strength lies in my intellect and my ability to decipher people. By extracting hidden truths from their speech, I’ve successfully identified trustworthy individuals for our organization. That’s precisely why Annachi sought my assistance in identifying the culprits. There’s a gang under Annachi’s wing that has been secretly kidnapping women and children for the past five years. Predicting the movements of an enemy is relatively straightforward, but understanding and spotting the backstabbers—those who may have earned our trust over many years—is an entirely different challenge. They are the most dangerous villains in human relationships. Annachi asked me to accompany him to various gatherings, maintaining an appearance of casual visits. My task? To use my sharp eyes and ears to detect any anomalies. I won’t lie—I was scared out of my wits. I told myself that I’d be safe as long as Annachi was there to protect me.

I had shortlisted candidates connected to importing and exporting from the Tuticorn port. We visited one outfit after another, and each one was involved in either smuggling or exporting valuable items—electronics, minerals, drugs, art, or even immigrants. They all treated Annachi with great respect and were visibly anxious about sudden inspections. Secretly, though, they pursued their own illicit activities without seeking permission from the boss. After all, if they didn’t engage in such activities, they couldn’t truly be considered criminals. As far as my investigation revealed, none of them were linked to the kidnappings. Only two candidates remained on our shortlist of twelve. Our next destination: a cocaine smuggling gang. This operation was run by a notorious gangster—I’ll call him “Bhai.” Despite his unassuming appearance—short and seemingly nonthreatening—he had personally taken more than fifty lives. Annachi had once shattered Bhai’s ego, and since then, Bhai sought permission for every move he made. His organization appeared squeaky clean; I couldn’t spot a single anomaly in their space.

The front of their building housed a parotta and dosa shop, conveniently adjacent to a tasmac. If we ventured down the alley, we’d find a lodge and a bar. The real revelation came through a secret door leading underground—a hidden chamber where cocaine was getting packaged and stored. There, Bhai sat at his table, patiently awaiting Annachi’s arrival. Strangely, despite our unexpected intrusion, Bhai exhibited an eerie calmness. What truly unsettled me, however, was the absence of fear or surprise among his associates. Their emotional responses felt off—too confident, as if they harbored no secrets. I excused myself from the meeting table and started exploring the space. One of the workers offered me to taste the cocaine and I did so out of curiosity. It instantly got me high. (Note: Don’t ask me how I know what cocaine high feels like. I don’t. I am dreaming.)

Tripping yet fully aware, I left the underground chamber. No one questioned my actions, nor did anyone follow me. Still, an unsettling feeling was troubling me—I sensed I was being monitored. Navigating my way through the lodge, I inspected both the bar and the surrounding area. The ongoing renovation work had turned the verandas into a chaotic scene: paint cans, plywood, cement bags, and construction equipment tossed about near the restroom. After using the toilet, I noticed something peculiar behind the building—an empty plot of land littered with debris from a demolished structure. Yet, there was nothing observable amidst the rubble. I returned to meet Annachi. They informed me he was at the parotta shop, dining alongside Bhai. Intrigued, I joined them; after all, that shop was renowned for serving the best parottas in town. Despite my efforts, I found no concrete evidence. Perhaps Bhai was innocent, after all. My curiosity led me to the kitchen—I wanted to study its layout. We had plans to start our own parotta stall, and I aimed to avoid the mistakes others had made. Bhai graciously allowed me to inspect everything. The kitchen, freshly painted and renovated, gleamed with cleanliness. They proudly shared that the renovation had occurred recently. As I chatted with the chef about salna preparation, a faint cough reached my ears through the newly painted walls. I noticed the chef’s sudden perspiration and shock. Curiously, I went ahead and touched the wall—it felt flimsy. That’s when it all came together. Demolished rubble, plywood wall, and new paint. Case solved! They were hiding the girls behind the fake kitchen walls. Before I could inform my people, the chef sprinted out of the kitchen, exclaiming, “Bhai! They’ve discovered it!”.

Chaos erupted. The air crackled with tension as people lunged at us, driven by their desperate need to protect their lives. The fear of annihilation no longer restrained them; they knew they were already marked for death. Annachi fought back with ferocity. Two men closed in on me, swinging their sharp knives. Instinct kicked in—I flung scalding oil from a nearby pot, narrowly escaping the kitchen. It became an all-out war between our group and the culprits. I didn’t attack willingly, but I had to defend myself. Thanks to Annachi and our comrades, I escaped with only faint scratches and sprains. Yet, there were moments when I could have died. I don’t know how I managed to survive—I was fueled by sheer energy. By the end, I wanted to take matters into my own hands and eliminate them all. Fear, anxiety, and excitement shook me. Annachi eventually calmed me down and showed me the girls I had helped save. He advised me to take a vacation before returning to the office. While I was glad to assist, I wondered if I ever wanted to be in such a perilous position again. The young 15-year-old girl looked at me and bowed—a silent gesture of gratitude.

And….. that’s when I woke up! Bonkers, right? Do you also have such dreams? If you do, how do you manage to differentiate dream from reality? Let me know if you have a strategy.