I live in the future you dream about part two

A sequel to my first short story

Young Aiden wakes up in a serene environment with a sunny view, Old Aiden is standing two metres away with a cigarette in hand. “How are you feeling, Aiden?” The old asks the young, the young says with an angry tone, “I feel like I’m not talented or smart enough to be in my class, everyone in my class is talented or a genius, I’m not like James or Adam. They are geniuses but not me.”

Old Aiden takes a puff from his cigarette and says “Had a bad day in school? I know you don’t have talent, you’re not a genius either but what you have is the gift of perseverance, when you find your passion, you will find your true self.” Young Aiden looks down and starts tearing up for a while then suddenly, the environment changes to Young Aiden’s room.

Old Aiden sits on the bed while Young Aiden sits on the chair. They both take in the solitude of the room: the dust in the air, the smell of the cherry wood furniture, and the smoke floating in the air from Old Aiden’s cigarette, which is lit but not giving off any smell. “Let me ask you one thing: Who’s the most influential person in your life?” Old Aiden asks.

Young Aiden shouted without thinking, “My father!!”, “Your father? The one that drinks, smokes and gambles? The one who was never there for you?” Old Aiden mocks, “He was never there but I love him, I remember when he bought me my favourite food with extra meat and I coincidentally won a bronze medal in my school’s sports festival that day, He was the best.” Young Aiden says, “You sound like you don’t like father, why?”

“When you grow up, you will understand” Old Aiden rises his cigarette to his mouth, Young Aiden slaps the cigarette out of the old one’s hand, “Stop talking to me like I’m a child! Tell me! Why do you not like father!?” Old Aiden looks up at Young Aiden with piercing eyes, “You really want to know?” Old Aiden says with a sharp tone, “Yes!” Young Aiden shouted back. 

The pair starts quarrelling then suddenly Old Aiden yells “Because he’ll never accept you!!” Young Aiden looks blankly at Old Aiden, “You’ll never be enough in his eyes!!! It’s an uphill battle, you’ll never win.” Silence cuts through the air of the room while the two stares at each other.

“I’m sorry but it’s true, you’ll never be enough for him.” Old Aiden apologies, “Is that why you smoke?” Young Aiden asks. “You know when you get older, you’ll see that your parents aren’t heroes. They’re just like you, with flaws and under the scrutiny of the people around them.” Old Aiden explains.

Young Aiden begins to wake up in the real world and starts to fade away, “I’ll see you around soon, Aiden” Old Aiden says while giving a playful saluting.