PAST CAN’T BE LIVED AGAIN

Charu was diving alone deep into the huge natural lake. She was curious to explore the underwater world. She was amazed finding variety of vegetation and fish community. She forgot all about her companion Yuvaan. ‘The lake is haunted’, Uncle Vincent warned her but how supernatural bodies could spoil that serene water land where nature’s amazing creatures dwell! While diving deeper and deeper she didn’t realize how all of a sudden she entered a cave which was not visible from outside. 

The entrance was a cylindrical one and there was no way to turn back. She was completely exhausted. After covering a long way, she lost consciousness and fainted. When she opened her eyes, she found herself on a cosy bed of a submerged glass apartment. Without an oxygen cylinder she was able to breathe normally. Being surrounded by underwater beauty of the lake, she was amazed to see herself alive. Suspense and fear heightened when a voice was heard, ‘Welcome to your real world Sheryl. Feel at home.” 

She sprang up from the bed and shocked to see she was all alone there with no human presence. Just as the Voice suggested, she decided to see the whole apartment. She went to washroom and found it equally wonderful. The apartment had a kitchen, living room, bedroom and a swimming pool. The ceiling, floor and walls of the glass apartment displayed lively vibrant world of the waterbody. She had never seen such an extraordinary magnificent colourful house where there was an uninterrupted view of the under lake beauty. Turtles, variety of never heard and seen species of fish and whatnot. How could such a vast marine life be at the bottom of the lake! Where was she? Such underwater dwelling could never be in Kocchi lake. Was she dreaming? 

She thought when she was all alone in that apartment then how could be under vigilance of someone. There was something very mysterious hidden and she had to discover what she was. She asked loudly, ‘Where am I?’

‘You are in Sri Lanka Sheryl.’

‘What? Does that cave open up in an another country?’

‘Yes, I have been waiting for so long for this day. This is all yours. Remember, you always wished to have such a lavish house in the depth of a waterbody so that you can live your life peacefully.’

‘How do I remember? I am Charu, not Sheryl. I know I have past connection with this name but at present I have forgotten all about my previous life. I am in journey of finding missing pieces for solving my life’s mystery. Can you help me? Would you please reveal your identity?’

‘I am your well-wisher. Your life is in danger so it has become necessary to bring you a safe place.’

Where is Yuvaan?

‘He has done his task so there is no need of him anymore.’ 

‘My family and friends must be worried. I have to inform them that I am not in India but in Sri Lanka.’

You can’t do this. Don’t worry, you’re mysteriously vanished from the lake and as body will never be found, in few days people easily accept that some big fish has swallowed you.” 

Are you crazy? What shall I do here? Please send me to my city as I have so many future plans and please don’t forget I am not Sheryl now.

A loud laugh was heard which irritated her completely. It was understood someone didn’t want to continue her investigation. She had to act smart as there were hidden cameras all around. One thing was clear that the person was not her well-wisher.  

She was roaming frantically to and fro to find a way to escape. The underwater beauty no more seemed to be attractive. She was hungry so went to the kitchen and was surprised to see it was well arranged with eatables. She saw electric appliances to cook. She prepared coffee and picked some cookies. She was well prepared now to think ahead. How to message Abhay was her only concern. She checked her diving suit if her mobile was there or not. She did it in bathroom as she was sure camera would not be installed there. Before searching pockets, she prayed sincerely and eureka, her cell phone was in a working condition. 

Her happiness knew no boundaries. She was well equipped with articles that would be a great help in connecting with the outer world. She switched on her mini camera and shot the entire house. She tried but failed to locate the place from where she entered the cave. She edited her video and through social site sent it to Abhay. Together with that she also cautioned him not to inform others about her present location. She went to the living room and waited eagerly for his reply. She was thinking where could be a door to escape. It must be covered so that she could never find it. 

She played trick. With a friendly gesture she praised the interior of the glass house and accepted she had never thought she could reside in such a beautiful place. She asked the Voice how much time was taken by the architects to complete the apartment, how the daily supply of necessities sent, when cleaning was done there and so many other questions. She just wanted to relax the person from the thought that she couldn’t escape even in her dream. This worked well. The voice answered all her queries pleasantly as if it had got a new friend. 

Charu knew she was safe in that place as that Voice had declared it was a secured place. She went to the bathroom again and quickly checked her mobile. Abhay’s message was there. He heaved a sigh of relief finding her alive. He promised he would be at the place very soon. Charu switched off the phone and planned for her next move. She looked around to see the exit door. The walls were all titled and so it was so difficult to find the way. She acted as if she was enjoying staying there. 

Moving her hand on each wall slowly with admiration was well watched by the secret spy. The Voice was relaxed and thought to give her some personal space. He announced, ‘Sheryl! Have your dinner and go to bed. You have had a stressful. We’ll meet again tomorrow. Lights will be dimmed automatically but for your convenience manual handling of switch board is also available.’

 Charu thanked the Voice and went to kitchen to have dinner. She opened each cupboard, minutely checked the position of pipes, but door to go out was not clearly visible. 

At night she heard some noise. She wished to shout but kept quiet. After an hour complete silence reigned there. She went to the living room. It was all quiet. No signs of any disturbance. She rushed to kitchen and saw the garbage bin little messed. She tapped her feet on the near to it and surprisingly found the opening of the tunnel. She immediately sent message to Abhay her next move and entered the tunnel. She was all prepared for any danger. Within five minutes she was out of water. It was not all dark, in moon light she realized that she was in a vast ocean near to an island. She swam to the island and moved forward.

 

Without any doubt over her intention of unveiling the face of the man behind all the troubles of her life, she entered the apartment with no fear and hesitation. Surprisingly, there were no guards to stop her. It seemed as if it was all vacant. The area was all wrapped by darkness due to thick wood. She smiled at the over confidence of the owner of the island who perhaps thought no outsider could infringe the island and so had no danger from outside. Little did she know that the owner was tech expert and each and every corner was well guarded by hidden cameras. Fortunately, at that hour of night silence was only echoing. She reached a huge villa and entered the living area. She was completely awestruck to find her portraits on every wall. First time in her life she was watching her mirror image on wall but in an attire she had never in cupboard. She at once understood portraits were of Sheryl. 

A voice broke her concentration- Welcome Mom!’

“Mom! What rubbish! I am not a Mom. “

I know, but you are a replica of my mom. I am your youngest son whom you used to love most, remember?

How can I recall past life incidents? 

Mom, I have brought you here to help you to recognise your past relation. Look up. I am in front of you. 

Charu looked up and found a very attractive 25 years old prince like personality. She didn’t know how to react. She could never be his mom as she was Charu not Sheryl. She didn’t want to give him false hope that she had remembered her past life. The young man hugged her tightly and with tears in his eyes said, ‘Mom, you are with us and this is nothing like a miracle. You just promise you’ll never leave this family again.’ 

She understood his feelings and softly detached herself. He was in tears and sobbingly said, ‘Since the moment I come to know about you, I have been trying to see you here with me. Finally, we are united.’ 

She praised him for the execution of planning and for the excellent glass house. She tried her best to convince him that she was Charu, a new person with no past life memories; but at the same time was elated and excited to know that God had blessed her to be with her family of previous life. Charu explained her present life, her dreams and her goal of life. She assured him that she would always connected with Verghese family. The person had to believe that his mom was dead and past could not be lived again. 

He agreed to her and allowed her to speak to her father and Abhay. Charu stayed there a week and solved mysteries of her life. She accepted that she was meant to live two lives. A week later she emerged out from the same lake and reunited with her present family. All pieces were connected now which calmed the storms of her life. She narrated what happened to her and closed the investigation of the case to fly to New York as her current life future was awaiting her.