Dreamaholics

By Hamdan Salim

This is a story of people from different backgrounds, different circumstances, different beliefs, different interests, different abilities, talents, and gifts. Some had hit Rock Bottom in their lives, some were simply stuck in the daily routines that only required from them to perform averagely, just enough to have average lives, instead of performing and living up to their highest potentials. Some were a step ahead of many others, in the sense that they knew and were confident of their talents and gifts, but had to find ways of getting their talents and products recognised. Some had enjoyed massive success in their lives and were at the top of the social hierarchy, but yet were starving for extra meaning, value, and fulfilment in their lives.

Each one of them had to become a dreamaholic in order to inspire greatness and to transform their lives and achieve what they would previously consider impossible and unrealistic. By the time You have finished reading this book, You would have visited different islands within You, and would have explored the treasures hidden within.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Hamdan Salim
• Release date: Sep 19, 2018
• ISBN: 9781916493414

Book preview

Chapter 1

What do you think? Giovanni asked.

It’s the most beautiful azulejo I have ever seen. This is truly a masterpiece, my dear friend, Salazar replied with a passionate and proud voice.

Grazie signore. Do you think it would sell? Giovanni asked. Salazar answered with confidence.

Will it sell! Are you joking? This is it, amigo! This is it! We are going to have big plans for this one, Giovanni. You’ve done your part, now let me do mine. It’s late, and we are the only two left here as usual. Have a good night, and tomorrow we will have a celebration of this beautiful invention and we will start planning on how to make you famous. Giovanni couldn’t stop smiling.

Grazie Signore Salazar, grazie, he kept saying, feeling so happy and proud, his hard work, proactive attitude and creativity having just been recognized and appreciated by the owner of the biggest azulejo factory in Portugal.

The two men walked out, and the watchmen locked the door behind them.

Have a good night, Senhor Salazar, said the watchmen. A carriage was right in front of the factory with a coachman waiting for Senhor Salazar.

As the carriage started moving, he called out in a loud, enthusiastic voice, Giovanni!

Giovanni turned around as he was walking down the road that led to the main bay in Lisbon. Senhor Salazar saluted Giovanni and gave him a smile that didn’t show his teeth but expressed how pleased he was with his outstanding employee.

My Lord seems to be happy this evening, said Pinto the coachman, with the reins in his hands and a smile on his face.

I’m always happy Pinto, but tonight I’m certainly very, very happy, confirmed Senhor Salazar, as he sat back and relaxed, allowing new thoughts and ideas to breeze freely in his head while enjoying the ride back home.

***

Giovanni was quite good at cooking, but just like most single immigrants, he preferred to have his meals in restaurants rather than dining alone in an empty house. His favorite restaurant was When the Sea Kisses the Land. This restaurant was much loved by most of the sailors and merchants, who arrived in Lisbon from faraway lands, and also by all the dreamers who lived in Lisbon, dreamers who spend a lot of time wondering what the lands beyond the sea were like and who dreamt of traveling around the world. Giovanni was, without a doubt, a dreamaholic. He was very aware that dreams were his source of nutrition for his mind and soul.

At the bay, on the side of the dock, slightly higher than the sails of the ships, just above the bottom of the mountains rested When the Sea Kisses the Land. Built into the solid mountain at the back and resting on huge, long pillars of wood from the front, the restaurant appeared as if it were floating in the air. Big purple and yellow swathes of Indian silk covered the ceiling, blooming beautifully in the reflection of the candles that were on every dining table and from the lamps on the fencing that surrounded the perimeter, which was uniquely built with Chinese bamboo. This boundary was carefully designed to be safe to lean on, bent and crossed in a way that it displayed beautiful shapes, without blocking the view of the seated clients.

Singers and instrumentalists always performed at night and sometimes in the afternoons. As Giovanni enjoyed his dinner that he chose from the unusually long menu of varied dishes and drinks, the wonderful music never failed to move Giovanni’s emotions and lift his spirit. Combined with the fresh breeze that came from the Atlantic Ocean, and the view of enormous ships with different cargoes, some unloading fruits and vegetables, others clothes and gems, contributed immensely in entertaining Giovanni and at the same time provoked the germ of his ideas to breed. Although the horizon and the flat open sea were the imaginary drawing board of Giovanni’s creations, the waiters of When the Sea Kisses the Land made sure that Giovanni’s needs were always catered for. As soon as he sat in his chair, little animal bladder bags that contained different colored oil paints, a piece of cloth and a cup containing painting brushes were served to him on a silver tray. Buy his side a chair was placed facing him, and on to that a piece of linen canvas was rested. These tools were stored at the restaurant especially for Giovanni, and he would bring new colors every few months to top up the ones kept there.

***

As the carriage ascended the mount of Santo André, a strange woman suddenly stepped out into the path of the moving vehicle.

Pinto shouted, Out of the way please, but the woman stood still, refusing to step aside, forcing Pinto to pull the reins hard and stop the carriage instantly. Are you mad woman? said Pinto angrily. Were you trying to kill yourself?

No, calmly replied the woman, with a firm voice. On the contrary, I’m trying to save myself.

Save yourself! What’s that supposed to mean? Pinto asked surprised by the answer that contradicted the action.

I need Senhor Salazar to hear me if he would! the woman politely asked, with a tone that projected not only her humbleness but also her desperation.

Come closer, Senhor Salazar called, with a gentle and deep voice. The woman walked down to the door of the carriage. Looking out, Senhor Salazar saw a woman with a face that looked worried, sad and tired.

Forgive Pinto for his short temper. What’s troubling you, my dear? And how can I help? said Salazar.

"My Lord, three years ago, I heard a knock on my door at a very late hour of the night. I got out of my bed with my heart pounding in my chest, my lungs struggling to breathe, my hands shivering and my legs trembling as I walked towards the door. A knock at an unusual time often comes with bad or scary news. It must be a message about the death of my husband. That was the first thing that came into my mind, so I kept praying that I was wrong, trying to convince myself that it would be something else that had nothing to do with my husband.

"‘Who is it?’ I asked from behind the door. ‘Is this Senhor Oliveira’s wife?’ an unknown voice asked. My heart stopped for a moment when I heard my husband’s name. I had less than a second to prepare myself for the tragic news.

‘Yes,’ I replied. ‘I have a package for you, could you please open the door senhora?’ So I opened the door, and I saw a young Portuguese man who I had never met before. He said that his name was Ronaldo and that he had just come from the Philippines, where he had met a Chinese military warden who went by the name Sun Bin. Sun Bin had asked him to deliver a package secretly to the house of Oliveira Luís. Tears started flowing down her cheeks. She stopped talking for a moment, took a deep, painful breath, wiped her tears with her scarf and said: My Lord, I don’t know the limits on what I can ask of you, and I’m not aware of your personal restrictions and what you could give me, but I’m a woman who has a husband who’s rotting in the dungeons of China, a son who’s crippled and a daughter who can’t wear her sandals because they’re too small for her and can’t wear mine because they’re too big for her. The woman stopped talking and glanced to her left, her eyes meeting Pinto’s. He was looking back at her over his left shoulder, with a face that expressed shock and sympathy.

She looked back at Senhor Salazar with her teeth biting her bottom lip and her eyes saying: I need explain no further. She bowed her head and kept staring at the ground.

Senhor Salazar withdrew his head back into the carriage and sat back straight. He breathed out, smacked his left thigh three times, looked out and said: At sunrise a wagon will pick you up from this spot and will take you to your house to get your son and daughter. I will meet all of you after breakfast, have a good night.

Pinto turned to her and said, I’m sorry for being rude to you earlier. See you in the morning. She looked at him and nodded with a slight smile on her face.

***

Thank you, Pinto, said Senhor Salazar as he stepped out of the carriage. Please make sure that they are received well and that they are served a big breakfast, without having to share the dining table. They might feel shy to eat as much as they would like if there were people around them. After they have had their breakfast, take them to the library. Ask them to sit on the sofas and wait for me to arrive, said Salazar.

Yes My Lord, replied Pinto.

Goodnight, Pinto.

Goodnight, Senhor, replied Pinto as Senhor Salazar closed the door behind him.

***

My love, his wife called as she came down the stairs, when are you going to stop working so late? Flavia kept saying, ‘I won’t sleep until Papa tells me a bedtime story’.

Is she still awake? asked Senhor Salazar.

No, I had to tell her a story, and you know how bad I am at doing that.

You’re not that bad, said Salazar with a smile.

Really! his wife said sarcastically. Well, your daughter stopped me after getting so bored with my story and said: ‘Mama, would you like me to tell you a story Papa once told me?’

Ha, ha, ha… Senhor Salazar laughed so hard.

His wife laughing along said, Yes! And she started telling me a story about a snail. A snail! How on earth did you come up with a story about a snail? The poor girl fell asleep before the snail could get anywhere. Or was that the whole point?

Ha, ha, he continued to laugh. It’s not about how slow the snail is! It’s about how important the snail ended up being, after being thought of as a useless, slow creature.

How did that happened? Vanessa asked inquisitively.

Well. Salazar proceeded with the explanation. It was because the snail greeted everyone who walked past him and asked about everyone he passed by. And also, because he was slow, he noticed a lot of things that those who moved so fast in their lives did not. As the years went by, difficult times came upon the village. No one knew what to do to better the situation. By that time the snail had become so knowledgeable, informative and wise. He climbed on a big rock and started calling everyone to gather around him. The ants, grasshoppers and the rest of the bugs of the village all rushed towards the snail, surprised by the call, for he had never called them before and never had he, in all the years that they’d known him, attempted in any way to draw attention to himself. He gave a speech that demonstrated his awareness of the social problems that needed to be rectified and the food management that needed to be organized. After his speech, the village recognized the leadership qualities that the snail had, and all had realized that, in those desperate times, they needed to unite under one good and competent leader, and no one could lead them in a wiser way than the snail, plus they all loved him, they just hadn’t known how valuable he was.

Wow, Vanessa responded, lifting her eyebrows. Such a simple story, but it comprises great lessons. Come on honey, let’s go have dinner, said Vanessa pulling her husband’s hand.

I’ll just go upstairs to see Flavia and I’ll be back immediately, said Salazar.

He ran up the stairs, excited to go and see his baby girl after a long day at work. He went straight to her bedroom, quietly opened the door, walked to her bed and stood by her head, gazing at his daughter.

He bowed and kissed her forehead and said, Thank you. Thank you God for granting and blessing me with this beautiful, precious child. Thank you.

By the dining table, Vanessa stood waiting for her husband.

Why aren’t you sitting? asked Salazar, as he walked into the dining room.

How can I sit before you, my dear? Vanessa replied with a smile. Salazar pulled out the chair beside her and gave her a kiss.

Sit down my love, he said.

Thank you, she replied.

How is your dad today? asked Salazar, as he pulled the chair beneath him.

Well, he seems to be feeling better. He ate well and didn’t complain of the pain as much as yesterday. Although the doctor, after examining him, said that the foot is swollen. It’s changing color, and it’s likely to cause problems for the heart and other organs if disinfecting it does not succeed.

Oh dear, so what is he suggesting? Salazar asked.

The doctor has given him some medication, and if no improvement is visible in a week’s time, amputation of the foot will have to take place in order to stop the infection from spreading.

Amputation! Good God. A man as active as your father, to not even be able to walk will just destroy him. Hopefully, the medication will work! Salazar responded sadly.

Yes, hopefully, it will, said Vanessa.

The food is really delicious! Did you get a new chef? Salazar asked.

No, Vanessa replied, I just asked him to allow the meat to cook for longer, but in a smaller fire, so it would be more tender, and to use more herbs to improve the taste.

Wonderful! You should visit the kitchen more often you know! said Salazar in between the big mouthfuls he was enjoying.

I would if I could. You know I love the kitchen, but by the time I get back from the factory, it’s just unfair to do anything else but spend time with the kids.

That’s true, Salazar agreed. How are the new sisters? asked Salazar.

They are really good, actually, Vanessa replied happily. Their mother had trained them to make dresses for their younger sisters, cousins and some of their neighbors.

That was wise of her, Salazar commented.

Yes it was, Vanessa confirmed. She didn’t only teach them to sew for fun, or just for the sake of saving money spent on ready-made clothes, but she actually made them aware, from a very early age, that sewing is a craft and that if a person learned and mastered it, they could make a good living from it.

So I guess all three of them are in the children’s section? asked Salazar.

Well, that’s where they would be comfortable, but for now, I’ve asked them to be in the adult’s section, long enough for them to learn how to make different adult dresses, and long enough for them to realize where their interests and potential lie. After that, each one of them can freely decide which area to focus and settle in.

Well done, honey, you did the right thing. Unless they try and experiment with different designs and sizes, they would never know where and what they could be best at. You should also encourage them to always think about new ideas and never hesitate to present them to you.

Thank you, my love. I shall definitely try to do that with them and with the rest of the staff, Vanessa replied, reassuring him that she would take the advice.

You wouldn’t believe what Giovanni invented!

Invented! What did he invent? Vanessa asked.

A very big plate, Salazar answered slowly and passionately.

A plate! What’s the big deal about a plate! Vanessa asked curiously.

Well, it’s not just the size of the plate that’s unique; it’s the astounding painting on it.

Can you describe it to me? Vanessa asked with interest and excitement.

A blue sky with a few clouds in the middle of the plate. A forest with different types, sizes, and shades of trees, all hanging from the top of the plate, upside down, with the trunks at the top and the branches at the bottom pointing downwards. A lion and lionesses, mules, deer, horses, cows, sheep, rabbits and birds, all falling from the forest with their legs up, their puzzled, scared faces, and shocked, wide eyes looking up at their sweet home, and their backs simultaneously splashing into the sea, one after the other. Whales, sharks, dolphins, octopuses, shrimps and different sizes and colors of fish, all rising up from the ocean, passing through the clouds and up into the forest.

Salazar stopped talking and a quiet moment followed before Vanessa said, Wow, I’m just trying to imagine the picture and I’m getting goosebumps just doing that. This guy can really imagine the unimaginable, ha!

I don’t think that this young man has any idea of how talented he is! Salazar commented.

Well, what are you going to do with his talent and with him? Vanessa asked.

I’m yet to find out, but I’ll certainly give him and the talent that he’s been blessed with a lot of my time, money, and thoughts, replied Salazar. I knew that boy was a genius from the moment I met him in Italy. I saw no other artist in the whole of Venice who imagined and worked the way Giovanni created. If he painted anything, it would always have an unusual idea within it, and if he made a cup or jar, it would have an unusual shape to it. I got to see some of his brilliant work when I visited I Miracoli Azulejo Fabbrica [The Azulejo Miracles Factory]. There were others in that factory that had nice pieces of art but Giovanni’s were outstanding. On the following day of my visit to the factory, I went to see the National Library of St Mark’s, where I was blown away by the amazing collection of extremely valuable and rare books. When I left the library, I walked towards the Patriarchal Cathedral Basilica of Saint Mark [St Mark’s Basilica] and, to my surprise, right in front of the building, I saw Giovanni sitting on the ground with a square, flat wooden board with a sheet laid on it. He was painting the Horses of Saint Mark.

What are the Horses of Saint Mark? asked Vanessa.

"They are a set of bronze statues of four horses, originally part of a monument depicting a quadriga, a four-horse carriage used for chariot racing. He painted the horses just the way they were but he added a rider in the chariot, an unusual rider, a glorious-looking lion standing on two legs and holding the reins with the other two!

"‘Buon pomeriggio [Good afternoon],’ I said standing over Giovanni’s head. He looked up and was surprised to see me. ‘Buon pomeriggio Signore Salazar,’ he replied instantly as he stood up holding one brush in his right hand. ‘When did lions start riding horses, Giovanni?’ I asked him, gazing down at the painting. Giovanni just smiled and said: ‘They never did Signore Salazar, in the real world that is, but in my world, animals are free to be and do whatever pleases them.’ I immediately replied, ‘That’s a wondrous world you have there. It would be a pity if you didn’t share some of the wonders of that world with people.’ He was quick with his response to me. ‘I would love to share as much as possible with people from everywhere.’

"I went on, ‘Well, you are already doing that, Giovanni. Your paintings, each one of them, did not fail to capture my imagination, forcing my thoughts to travel to new places. I’m pretty sure that they have the same effect on others. You just need to produce more and distribute more to foreign countries.’

"He explained, ‘Signore Salazar, I really love what I do, but I love to have my freedom while I’m doing it, which I’m not getting enough of here.’ I needed to understand more, so asked, ‘How come! You work in The Azulejo Miracles Factory, where all the miraculous pieces of art are born.’

His reason soon became clear to me as he informed me, ‘The management keeps interfering with my creations, always asking me to follow the trend and produce what people are comfortable with and what they demand. If you were able to give me that freedom, and allow me to simply follow my instincts, than I assure you that my creativity would not disappoint you, signore!’"

He is lucky to have an employer like you, dear, and you are lucky to have such a talented artist in your team, Vanessa commented.

Oh, by the way, honey, there was this woman that I met on my way home. She is going through tough times, and I think that we should be able to provide her with the most suitable help for her and her family.

Are you thinking of employing her? Vanessa asked, predicting her husband’s intentions.

Well, if I gave her enough money to buy food that would last for a month, she might end up being in the same situation next month, but on the other hand, if she had a job with a steady monthly income, she could organize and plan her life better, couldn’t she?

Absolutely, Vanessa agreed. But what would you like her to do? Vanessa asked curiously.

Well, I haven’t decided yet. I’m waiting for her and her kids to come in the morning, and after they get to know us and us to know them, we can offer her whatever we feel is suitable and they can think about it and decide.

Wonderful, I’m looking forward to meeting them, Vanessa said with a smile. She carried on, saying, Come on, honey, we’ve both had a long day. Let’s try and get some sleep.

Chapter 2

Mamãe, Mamãe look, look the carriage is coming, said Linda, jumping with excitement, looking at a carriage coming down the hill as the sun was rising, reflecting its golden light on her pretty, young face.

It’s not the same carriage that Senhor Salazar usually rides in but it could be one of his! Let’s wait and see if it stops, said Liliana, with no doubt in her heart that Senhor Salazar, being the gentleman that he was, would ever fail to keep a promise.

Bom dia [Good morning], the coachman hollered as he stopped the carriage. Please, hop on, he said.

Obrigado senhor [Thank you sir], said Liliana and her daughter as they climbed into the convertible carriage.

De nada [You’re welcome]. Please guide me to your house, so we can get your son, senhora, said the coachman.

I can show you the way senhor, I know the way, said Linda with excitement.

Tudo bem [All right], said the coachman. But if we get lost, I’ll never let you ride with me again.

I won’t get us lost, I promise. I do know the way, senhor.

If we get to your house without getting lost, I’ll let you ride next to me on our way back.

Really? Oh obrigado, senhor. Obrigado.

It’s her first time in a carriage, said Liliana with a smile.

We all had a first time, senhora, and the feeling is priceless isn’t it.

Yes, it’s overwhelming and unforgettable.

Turn right after that small tree, Linda instructed with confidence, then keep going straight until you see a tomb at the side of the road. Turn left as soon as you pass the grave.

Is that your brother under the cherry tree? How did he get there!

Yes it is. He sits on the ground with his legs straight, and he pushes himself backward with his arms.

So you love cherries, eh! asked the coachman.

Who doesn’t! replied Rafael.

I guess you’re right, son, who doesn’t? Come on then, let’s get going. And bring some with you, we’ll enjoy having them on the way. Here is a small basket, put some in it.

I’ll help him gather some, said Linda, jumping off the carriage.

What’s your name, senhor? asked Rafael.

Serpa, replied the coachman.

Senhor Serpa, I’m heavier than I look. Please allow my mother to help you carry me.

I’ve carried grown men for a mile once upon a time. Come on, son, hold on to my neck, said Serpa. Now you little one, you make sure you behave and don’t disturb the horses when you’re sitting at the front.

I won’t disturb them, I promise, senhor, said Linda, as she picked the last few fallen cherries from the ground.

As the carriage ascended and was almost at the top of the hill [Colina de Santo André], approaching the grand gate of the Senhor Salazar residence, the magnificent mansion stood high behind the walls, enveloped by huge high trees. Liliana, Rafael, and Linda all had their breath taken away, and their eyes widened as they gazed upon the glamorous, miraculously built building.

It’s beautiful, Mamãe, isn’t it! said Linda, as the carriage entered the gate.

Yes, my baby, it surely is very beautiful. Gardeners with loppers, some with machetes and scythes, were scattered around the garden, trimming the trees and cutting the grass. Young women watered the beautiful flowers, picked the dried, fallen leaves and cleaned the fountains.

Wow, look at all those carriages! said Rafael, extremely surprised at seeing a row of carriages of different sizes and designs. Serpa drove the carriage around the house, passing by the stables, which had horses – brown, black, and white – and a few ponies. Some were being bathed; others were having their hoofs attended to.

Bom dia, said Pinto as he stood tall at the back door steps with a big smile on his face. Bem-vindo [Welcome], he said greeting them.

Obrigado, Senhor Pinto, Liliana replied, smiling back at him.

You remembered my name! Pinto commented sarcastically.

Last night, Senhor Pinto, was not so long ago for me to forget someone who almost ran me down. Pinto laughed hysterically.

Please senhora, forgive me for what happened and allow me to ask you politely, what’s your good name, senhora?

Liliana.

Liliana! Such a tender name for a tough woman. Though, I can sense the delicacy and exquisiteness of the lily flower beneath the hardness of your character. Liliana pressed her lips hard together, in fear of showing her teeth, trying not to smile but uncontrollably blushing, just like a teenage girl who’s just been handed a flower by the boy whom she secretly admires. Liliana looked away from Pinto’s eyes.

Pinto, not giving her the time to feel uncomfortable, and turning to the boy who Serpa carried on his back,