Coping With Hypnosomnia

 

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Juan blinked twice as the vivid images flickered before his eyes.  The images would appear like 3d visions dancing as they played out before his sight. When these hallucinations, as he called them, began he was confused he thought somehow he had meddled with the  drug ecstasy again. He had dropped off consuming the substances some three years ago and rehabilitation had helped pry him off it's destructive fingers. He somehow suspected he had accidentally chugged down a drink laced with the substance. It was later confirmed by tests his system was clear of them. After examination the doctors had told him his condition was a very unique one. One who had it would possess the ability to witness dreams in his subconsciousness while still awake. And while the dreams passed before his inward sight his outward sight would still be fully functional. The doctors called his condition Hypnosomnia. 

For three days after return from hospital, Juan felt his head was about to split. It felt as though a drummer with massive hands was drumming unceasingly on his skull, and he also felt drowsy. Dry mouth, tongue and throat and inability to have a proper sleep for a stretch of a week. Sometimes it wouldn't be clear whether he was awake or asleep for the dreams continued to line themselves up in his consciousness. Several times he had to shake himself violently to determine he was awake and not asleep. His life was tangled in a mighty mess, and he felt really sorry for himself.  The drugs prescribed at the hospital wasn't doing too much good. His uncle, Pete, a US congressman had to have him flown out to India for further diagnosis of the situation. Uncle Pete had always been three for him since the demise of his parents in a fatal auto crash last two Christmases. He was the only survivor of the accident, his parents perished on the spot. When he woke up at the hospital bed some four hours later, his eyes and face had been completely wetted with miserable tears and he remained inconsolable for weeks. 

"No uncle. The diagnosis provided nothing new about my condition."

 Juan was clasping the phone's receiver a little too tightly as he spoke to his Uncle. The call had coincided with his breakfast that morning. He had been fiddling with the blue-white packets of drugs when the jingly sound of the telephone broke into his troubled thoughts. 

"Nothing at all?" 

the husky voice of his uncle came from the other end. 

"No, nothing. But the drugs they prescribed has been helpful in curbing the headaches and drowsiness." 

He could hear his uncle sigh. He spoke again after the passing of a minute or so. 

"Well, don't put your mind too much to that. We will succeed in our search for a cure, I believe that. Have you been able to catch some snooze ever since?" 

"Yes, uncle."

 Juan could hear Janet's voice in the background and those of their kids. Janet was the wife of his uncle, Pete. She had been great friends with his own mother when she was still alive. 

"But they are just brief, restless spells of sleep. Though still sometimes I still can't say if I'm awake or asleep." 

"Don't let that bother you for now. We will find a cure together, whatever it takes. Just know that we are always here for you. Remember to take good care of yourself. God bless and goodbye." 

"Goodbye uncle Pete." Juan replied wearily. "Extend my greetings to your family."

and he hung up. 

 

---

 

Juan was at the bar of a popular restaurant having a nice cold glass of Virgin Piña Colada. The chilly pleasantness went down his throat easing him of all the tension. He had gone there to cool his head and get his thoughts in order. His high-school mate, Jeffrey had suggested to him to get a job despite his condition, so he could be able to support himself and not completely rely on others. Jeffrey also suggested he finish his university education later. Juan had dropped out following the accident, and also resigned from his workplace. For months the visions combined with the tiredness and drowsiness had prevented him from engaging in any meaningful activity. He knew Jeffrey's idea was not workable. The dreams rarely allowed him to concentrate on anything he was doing. He shrugged as the weight of depression threatened to sink him to the depths. Well, he had to accept his fate, maybe he would have to be dependent on people his entire life. 

He noticed one day his visions or dreams were subsiding. At first the dreams had been meaningless. But now he was beginning to make some sense out of them. He decided to start journaling the little collection of dreams. He soon discovered that the mass of writings he had inscribed on paper were in fact ideas. Scientific ideas. He told a friend of his late father who was a professor and he suggested the ideas be published in a science journal. They did and Juan received very positive feedback. He continued to publish and soon he was receiving scholarship offers to come take courses in mathematics and physics. Some of his ideas had made new incredible contributions to both fields. 6 years later he had to attend an award giving ceremony where he was awarded the most prestigious award in the world of science. During his speech he had let some tears crawl down his cheeks, and they were tears of gratitude. The audience applauded him passionately during his speech. 

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His life was now completely devoted to academics. Some of his recent ideas had solved the Hodge Conjecture, a mathematics problem that had proven difficult to many mathematicians for decades.  But it's answer came to Juan in one of his visions and he penned it down and sent it out for publication. Soon the news went crazy with his discoveries which had taken down one of the toughest mathematical problems and had also helped in the invention of the world's most intelligent AI computer. It also revolutionised the field of robotics and optics. 

The tabloids called it 'The greatest discovery ever made by mankind'. Juan later progressed in his academics and had a professorship conferred on him by the University of Chicago. He had finally found a life in a medical condition that almost destroyed his life. Maybe it was to be his only consolation for the loss of his dear parents years ago. He was thankful he survived the accident and was sure his parents were looking down with pride and fulfilment on him wherever they were. 

Thanks for reading.