I

A motorbike is seen proceeding towards the house of the publisher of

Noah Publishing Company, a renowned name in the field of publishing. A
young person is seen getting down from the motorbike.

Doorbell rang!

After sometime an old man in his late eighties, wearing blue coloured
jeans, white shirt and white cap is seen hobbling along the nearby street.

“Hello!” said the old man, as he came nearer to the house.

“Hello!” “Are you Mr.Noah?” asked the person.

“Yes” the old man replied.

“I am Jeff” uttered the young man.

As the old man started to scratch his head, this young person said

“You don’t know me, Sir.”

“Come in” old man said, while going inside.

“No Sir, I have to leave. i have something for you” Jeff said.

He handed a bag to the publisher with a number written on it. It seems as if

the number is a telephone number. Publisher is gazing at the bag with his
curious eyes as to know, what is inside the bag.

“Good bye, Sir” Jeff said while revolving the accelerator of the bike.

Publisher is still looking at Jeff’s motorbike vanishing slowly from his sight.
While opening the bag, he went inside his home, sat on the sofa set. He
took out a scruffy diary from the bag and kept the bag next to his right leg.
Carefully opened the diary. On the very first page, he came across a
heading and a name:

“BIRDS IN FIRE”

“WRITTEN BY: NOAH”

His eyes started to sprinkle water. It seems as if, he is in a numb state. He

is carried away by thoughts: may be he is in his past. After sometime, he
realized that, he was reading the diary. He slowly flipped the first page, a
story began to unwrap itself.

1
 II
He was travelling into the forests of Great Himalayas. The cool climate of
the Himalayas was providing the continuity while travelling which, he
needed the most. It seemed as if , the Himalayas doesn’t have an end. The
farthest sight of his eyes could see, was huge mountains. As he was
moving further, crossing the mountains, one after another. They were
becoming more calm but gigantic.

“Who am I?” Noah shouted

The voice echoed, touching each and every pinnacle of the mountains and
came back towards him, the same way it went away from him. He kept his
bag on a huge circular stone, which was placed between two smaller
stones. He moved slightly away from the stone and sat on a cliff, gazing at
the vegetation. After sometime, he rested his head on a flat stone and
started writing his diary. While keeping diary on the ground, he heard a
sudden noise and realized that he fell asleep while writing his diary. He
instantly went to the place from where the noise had erupted. Found his
bag and the stone absent from their positions. He noticed that, the stone
came from a height and was stationary for a temporary period of time. He
kept looking downwards for some minutes. With an unstable mind, he
started his journey again. While travelling on a narrow path, he had
forgotten about what happened in the past and started concentrating on
the path, which was becoming more narrow with every turn. Dusk showed
its face, he knew that it was going to be dark soon. He moved fast so that
his time to find shelter and sun’s time to set, could match with each other.
Looked upwards, saw stars shinning blur, because the sun had not
vanished completely.

He took out a matchbox from his pocket, lit a matchstick and looked at the
path which became so narrow that, not even a single person could walk. A
thought of resting came up in his mind. As he was about to lie-down, he
heard the sound of water gushing out of a source. Noah instantly started
proceeding towards it, carefully stepping ahead and lighting one matchstick
after another. Opened the matchbox again and found only one matchstick
left in it. In order to save the last matchstick, he kept moving slowly in
darkness, placing one foot in front of another delicately, and, ensuring that
the ground was still there. It seemed like, he was near the source of water,
as his ears could only hear was, the sound produced by water after falling
on a hard rock. He moved his foot forward and realized that his foot is in

2
water. He wanted to light the last matchstick but thought, not to waste it.
Noah lifted his left foot, placed it on the ground, started making circle on
the ground with it and sat down there, with his legs in a folded position. As
he was drinking water, his eyes got stuck at the sky, which was quite dark
but the stars were that much bright.

He moved his head towards his left, noticed stars being obstructed by an
object. Lifted his hand and touched the object. The object displaced from
its position.

With a sweet, medium pitch voice someone said

“Who is there?”

Noah became afraid, stepped two steps backwards. With his shivering
hands, he took the matchbox out of his pocket and lighted the last
matchstick. He slowly moved the matchstick towards the object. When last
matchstick, revealed the identity of object, he was dazzled. Hazel green
eyes, bulging out of a very pretty face. He was lost in the eyes. His throat
allowed him to speak only one word “WOW!”

“I said, who are you?” asked the young lady.

“My name is noah and i am a wanderer” he replied.

“Why are you staring at me?”

“Haven’t you seen a girl before?” asked the young lady.

He kept on staring at her. After sometime, he stopped staring, as he found

her to be feeling uncomfortable. The lady was wearing a saffron coloured
Indian dress, a necklace made up of beads, a ring in her lady finger,
wearing nothing in her ears, had a cute smile on her face.

“What’s your good name, young lady?” asked Noah.

“Agatha” she replied.

“What are you doing here?” he asked.

“I am a wanderer too and came here to finish my work” she told him.

They had conversation for a long period of time. During the three hours
they talked, she told him she was from Italy. She further told him about her
travelling from the past two years, around the world and she had come
here as her last spot. She also told him that, she was searching the real
truth.

“Real truth?”

“What do you mean by real truth?” he asked.

3
“I don’t know” she replied.

“Why are you travelling?” she asked while drinking water.

He narrated his story to her. In between their conversation, he realised

about his lost bag.

“Agatha, I lost my bag which contained all of my eatables as well as some

important items” he said

“Don’t worry, you can share mine for the time period” she replied

Agatha took an oil lamp out of her bag, bottle of oil and a piece of cotton.
She rolled the cotton and dipped it in the oil lamp. With the help of a lighter,
lit the lamp. He washed his hands in the flowing water under his feet.

“Why are you looking at me so strangely?” she asked and started serving
him some bread.

Both of them had their dinner. Looked at each other as if ,each one of them
had a question for the other.

“Agatha, what is your profession?” he asked, breaking the silence.

“And why did you leave your job?” he asked the second question without
waiting for an answer to the first one.

“I am a scientist and I never left my job” she replied

She told him that she wanted to connect, spirituality and science, to find
whether reality exists. When mind finds something innocent, then it usually
laughs. His mind was not different from others, so it did the same. He
laughed, which was the reason for her angry face.

“It’s not a joke” she said, with an expression of anger on her face.

“I know” he replied , while smiling and raising his eyebrows.

“Sorry, I have to sleep now” she said, as if she was tempted to be rude.

Saying goodnight, she took a dirty red coloured blanket out of her bag,
spread it on the ground and slept on it. After some minutes, she blew out
the lamp. He wanted to continue the conversation. But thought, she might
be tired and said goodnight.

Night was as dark, as the meaning of darkness itself. He wanted to sleep.

But she had become the reason of his insomniac state.

“It can’t be true” he said to himself

4
He looked at Agatha. But she was sleeping. A lot of time had already
passed and he was in his thoughts. For the first time, he had experienced
a feeling of connection with a stranger. After sometime, he sat in meditative
posture and meditated for two hours. When he opened his eyes.

“You haven’t slept yet?” said Agatha, while turning her face towards his
side.

“No” he replied

“I guess you are a human being.” she said, smiling at him.

He grinned and replied “I am.”

“Noah, if you don’t mind.” “May I ask you something?” said Agatha

“Yes, be free to ask” he replied

“Why are you like this?” she asked, blinking her eyes.

“What do you mean by like this?” he asked

“Most of the times, you are silent, laugh when the other person is serious,
stare at me and moreover you don’t sleep.” she said

“Oh, your ego got hurt?” he replied, laughing again.

“I don’t need to answer you. But let me tell you, I laughed earlier, because
you told that you want to combine science and spirituality, in order to find
the reality.” he replied

“Then? What was wrong in that?” she said

“Because reality does not exist.” he replied with a sudden look at her.

“What the hell are you talking about?” said Agatha

“You’ll not understand.” replied Noah in a low voice.

“Then explain me. I have a lot of time.” she said

“Normal humans would not understand.” he replied

“Look who was talking about ego, who himself thinks that, his level of
understanding is more than others.” she replied

After hearing this, Noah started thinking, what Agatha just said was
absolutely right. How could he think that, he is the only person who knows
and understands. After thinking for a while, he came to know the words

5
which he just said, were also a part of his ego. This ego, was the ego of
understanding. He unwillingly started sharing his thoughts.

“What is reality, as per your mind?” he asked

“Our perception through our senses, is the reality. As, I am able to see you,
hear you, touch you, smell you. So, it means, you are real.” she replied

He smiled again at such an innocent level of understanding. The

innocence in her, was the reason of his attraction towards her.

“What we perceive is not the reality, but how we perceive, is the reality.”
“Close your eyes.” he said

As she closed her eyes, he stood up and went away from her.

“What do you perceive right now?” he asked

“Nothing” she replied

“Exactly. What closed eyes are perceiving, is the reality for the closed
eyes.” he said

“Now, open your eyes and see what happens to your perception” he said

She slowly opened her eyes. But he was not there.

“Where have you gone?” Agatha asked, while looking here and there.

“Behind you!” he replied, while sitting behind her.

“The reality which was earlier in front of you, is now behind you.” he said

“I have not understood.” she replied

He explained her, the reality which a person perceives, is the pseudo-

reality. The concept of reality is just an illusion , because reality keeps on
changing with the passage of time. It is always an individual’s perception,
which tends to create the reality. Otherwise there is nothing as such.

III
She was dazzled and was thinking, whatever he said was absolutely right.
Her purpose in life was to learn, and, after two years of wandering
throughout the world, she had learned to find a true teacher. She knew,
she was there with the sole purpose of learning. Her inner voice told her
that he was the perfect person, from whom she could learn. But she knew,

6
the next morning he was going to leave. Her inner voice also told her about
the knowledge, which she could gain from him. The knowledge with a
different point of view regarding, every information that, she had garnered
throughout her life. She was thinking, whether she would be able to
convince him or not.

The person about whom, she had no respect at all. The same person had
gained respect, in her mind within the time period of four hours.

“Hello!” “Are you there or lost somewhere?” asked Noah, breaking the
momentum of her thoughts.

“Do you carry a watch?” she asked

“No, I don’t need it because, I have ample amount of time.” said Noah, and
both started laughing.

She wanted him to be with her, at any cost. Being a girl, she knew each
and every tactic, to handle a man. She tried her first tactic ,which was of
“reasoning”.

“I found you, staring at me all the time.” “Why so?” she asked

“I’ll tell you, when the time is ripe.” he replied

She wanted to ask him, whether she could accompany him in his journey
or not. But the fear of hearing ‘No’, was prohibiting her to ask. After finding
the first tactic to be unsuccessful, she tried her second tactic, which was
associated with “necessity”.

“Noah, you don’t have enough means to survive in Himalayas.” “I would

not mind, in travelling together, till you get a place to survive.” she said

She was sure that it’ll work , as she had enough food for both of them.

“Thanks a lot!” “I know how to manage” he replied

Both of them didn’t realize: the night had already passed. The rays of Sun,
showed the beauty of the place. Lush green vegetation, was accompanied
by a baby waterfall. Behind the waterfall, but far away, was a huge peak
covered with snow.

“I never saw such a beautiful view.” she uttered

“It’s really beautiful.” he replied back

Both of her tactics had failed. Now, she tried her third tactic, which was
“seduction”.

“Do you want to take bath?” she asked him.

7
“No” he replied

She went near the waterfall, removed her attire and dived into the plunge
pool. Her wet body was covered by her undergarments. While splashing
water on her shoulders, she looked at him. As if, was inciting him to join.
He felt shy, but he knew, that he never saw such a beauty. Her hair falling
on her mounds, along with, her thin cotton undies being tightened by water.
He noticed erection in his lower portion.

“Come and take bath.” “Let’s see what’s behind the face, which is full of
dirt.” she said, while caressing her hair.

“I am fine.” replied Noah

“Please, pass on a cloth to wipe” she said

“I don’t have.” he replied

“In my bag” she said, while pointing at her bag.

He pulled out a piece of cloth from the bag and went towards her. While
handing over the cloth, his hand touched her belly. Though it was
unintentional, but he noticed, a sensation in his whole body. This
sensation, took the shape of desire. In order to control it, he left the place
for a walk.

He observed that, his rules, regulations, gentleness, and even his identity
faded away within seconds. While promenading through the woods, the
gentle being inside him, was seen being overshadowed by a pervert one.
Suddenly, he realized, the state of instability of his mind. Stopped walking,
sat down cross legged, in a meditative posture and closed his eyes.

“What was that inside me?” he said to himself.

“You have not come for all this.” his mind told him.

He stabilized himself, through a lot of questions and answers. After

meditating for two hours, went again towards the distraction. When he
came back, saw her in an unstable state.

“Where were you?” asked Agatha, with wrinkles on her forehead.

“Went for a walk.” he replied

“You should have told me.” she said

He kept silent, because earlier there was nobody in his life to ask such a
question. Expressions of fear and anger were clearly visible on her face.

8
She gave him eight almonds to eat. He gobbled up them all, at once. He
knew those almonds were his breakfast.

After having breakfast, he felt sleepy, so he told her that he want to sleep.
She told him, she is not feeling sleepy and she won’t mind if he sleeps.
She offered her blanket to him. In the languor of sleep, he closed his eyes.

IV

She looked at him, but he was still in the state of dreams. Three of her
tactics, had already failed. She was losing hope, and had only couple of
hours. He was a different person. She went for a walk, thinking about her
last tactic. While walking , her foot loosened the grip and she fell down.
She felt pain in her foot, followed by blood dripping out. She looked at her
foot, and found a thorn stuck inside her foot. She tried plucking it out. But it
was a thin, long thorn and it had penetrated deep in her foot. She started
walking back, thinking it to be not that important. She reached, and saw
him rubbing his eyes. As she wanted to say something , he interrupted her.

“Your foot is wounded!” said Noah, with the feeling of empathy.

She told him, she fell down while walking and a thorn punctured her foot.

“Let me have a look.” he said, holding her foot.

Noah tried to pluck it out, with the help of his nails. But was un-successful.
Then, he used his teeth and this time he plucked it out of her foot. She
cried in pain.

“It can be poisonous.” he said, looking at the wound, which had turned
blue.

“Do you have an ointment?” he asked

“No, I don’t have.” she replied

“We need to find someone.” he said

“Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.” she replied

9
As, she was going to say further, something clicked in her mind. And that
was what he had just said, finding someone together.

Unintentionally, she learned a new tactic, which was associated with

“emotion”. Her physical pain, was overshadowed by her mental happiness.
She got, what she wanted. She was happy, was blushing while answering
to his questions. She wanted to gain as much wisdom, as she could. Noah
was the means, which could be used to accomplish her goal. She was
listening to him, but her mind was somewhere else. When she came back
out of her thoughts, heard Noah saying

“You did a lot for me. Now, it’s my responsibility to help you.”

She knew, when to deny and when to accept. At last she accepted, after
denying for three times and said

“I don’t want to be a liability on you.”

Agatha used these words, because she knew that words affect more than
actions. She knew, these words would come in his mind. May be not now,
but after some days. Noah, was not able to find out the reason for his
happiness. May be, even he wanted to be in the company of this innocent
being. He was an experienced man. An experienced man always learn
while committing mistakes. He knew he made a mistake. For the first time,
he had felt happy after committing a mistake.

“Do you suffer from somniloquy?” she asked

“What does that mean?” he asked her.

“Speaking while asleep.” she replied

Noah knew, he had slept thinking about her. It’s only in your dreams that,
you give freedom to yourself. He was unaware about the freedom, which
his mind gave him, in his dreams. But, he was sure that, the freedom given
to him by his dreams, was related to her. This was the reason, for asking a
question to her

“What have you heard?” he asked

“Nothing” she replied

“Get ready!” “We are already late and there is a lot to cover.” she said,
while putting her clothes in her bag.

He washed his face, she took her bag. Now, both the shadows were being
seen travelling together. They were creating their own path. Sometimes,
stepping on the moist fallen leaves, sometimes climbing huge blocks of
rock and sometimes stepping on the frozen lakes. They were continuous in

10
their journey, halting only at night or when the rain God provided hindrance
in their way.

With the passage of time, the perspective of both the souls through
closeness, had become same. Even the minute facial expressions and
habits of both of them, had become same. While travelling, he taught her,
whatever he learned throughout his life. The bond between both of them
became so strong that, it was difficult to be broken. The only thing which
stood between them, was his shyness.

Four months had already passed , they were travelling through the top
edges of the Himalayas. The vegetation was replaced by snow. They had
become habitual to whatever food, nature provided them with. Their
appetite for delicious fruits which were available in the lower tracts of
Himalayas, had now changed to eating leaves and roots. The four
directions in which their eyes could perceive, were completely covered by
thick blanket of snow.

Their bodies had turned slim, but were full of strength. They had reached
the region of the Himalayas, where the storm was the most dominant
phenomenon. The trees, which had earlier provided them food, were
absent in this region. They had been trekking for almost three days, in
search of shelter and food. The speed of their steps, was slowed down by
the prevailing winds in that region. These winds were blowing in their
opposite direction as if, wanted them to return back. But they were not
willing to step back. Manoeuvring in the opposite direction of these winds,
they reached a place which was situated on the cliff of a steep mountain.
As they stepped further, saw a cave. Slowly moving ahead, both of them
went inside the cave. There was a huge rectangular rock inside the cave,
along with two medium sized rocks. It was a natural cave, which are
common in Himalayas. This type of cave is usually formed, by strong winds
grinding the huge rocks for years. The outer side of the cave was covered
with snow. But from inside, it was comparatively warm. Both of them,
dropped the small sticks on the ground, which they had gathered on their
way. They knew that, the cave was going to be their shelter for some days.

11
 V

It was a cloudy night, their clothes were wet. Agatha lit the sticks. She was
shivering due to cold weather. Noah was sitting on the rock, watching her
igniting the bundle of sticks.

“I am feeling cold and even my clothes are wet.” said Agatha, while
shivering.

Saying this, she started to unwrap herself. Mostly, he used to ensure that,
she changes in his absence. So, he started moving out of the cave.

“Where are you going?” she asked

“Outside” he replied

“You don’t have to go, as there is already snowfall out of the cave.” she
said, while holding his hand.

He again sat, where he was sitting earlier. He knew, the external self of
Agatha was going to un-stabilize his inner- self, as happened with him last
time. While changing her clothes, she was talking with him. Noah’s whole
concentration, was concentrated on his control. After removing her wet
attire, she sat nearby the bonfire along with him. Up till now, everything
was in order. When her foot loosed control and it got rubbed against his
leg. His control, which was locked up by his concentration, became free.
He looked at her, but found her still in the rhythm of speech.

Saying “I am feeling cold.” she hugged him tightly.

Now, her warm body had touched his cold body, which, in turn emanated a
spark inside him. The air coming out of her nostrils was more violent, than
the wind blowing outside the cave. It gave birth to the fire inside him, which
produced more heat than the physical fire. He instantly twitched away her
arms and stood up at once.

“What happened?” she asked

“I want to sleep.” he replied

“Without dinner?” she asked again

“I am not hungry.” he replied

Neither he was hungry for the food nor for anything else. She gazed up at
him. Her innocent eyes spoke the truth, which was in her heart. He started
moving towards the rectangular rock, so that he could sleep. He wanted to
go back to her, but something inside him, stopped him to do so. She sat for

12
two hours near the bonfire, and after half an hour, laid on the same
rectangular rock along with him. She was shivering with cold. Her blanket
was with him like her heart. He was on the rock, with his back towards her.

She didn’t come to know, how and when she dozed off. While asleep, she
was under the same blanket. She came to her senses when, she felt a
hand on her back. Finding herself in his arms, she got herself out the
blanket and turned around.

It was midnight. Uproar of the thunder trembled her, and, she was in his
arms again. He cuddled her close. Now, how could she defy nature’s own
decision. She looked in his eyes, and the person which was inside him,
went into her eyes. She noticed, his face coming slowly towards her face.
She could not understand why, her face did the same.

When the lips of both, touched each other, quivering of both the bodies,
stopped automatically. Her fragrance titillated him. His chest felt something
getting connected with it. He was not a fool, so he wanted to make use of
it, which he did. His hands felt the warmth between her lower limbs. She
observed, her belly being touched by something hard.

Burnt timber was still red hot, it provided the required heat, which both of
them needed at the felicitous moment. Both the bee and flower were at
their work. Slowly, with the passage of time, slow breathing was replaced
by panting and moaning. Both the souls did soul making, till the last red hot
coal glowed, in the cave and inside them.

13
 VI

With the first rays of Sun, the bird came to know that, he has been
entrapped in the cage of love.

“Good Morning!” said Agatha, while kissing him.

Agatha and Noah noticed, the morning to be different for both of them. The
only thing which, last night took away from them was their shyness.

He went out of the cave, sat in a meditative posture. He wanted his real
aim to be exposed. He meditated for good two hours. After meditation, he
opened his eyes and found her standing in front of him. She still looked
very pretty. From the very first day, Noah wanted to love himself using her
heart. The game which their souls had played last night, was visible on
their bodies too.

Agatha’s eyes were telling the truth which, was hidden in one of the
corners of her heart. She had already merged her soul into his soul. From
last night onwards, she had started calling herself by his name. She had
submitted herself to him. Love became the first lesson which, her new
teacher had taught her. Her lips were eagerly waiting to strike a
conversation with him.

“I never came to know that you meditate for too long.” she said

“There are certain other things about me, which you don’t know.” “Don’t
concentrate yourself in understanding me. Otherwise, ‘You’ will become
‘Me’.” “It’s better to understand your own self.” he replied

“What do you mean by that?” asked Agatha, while giving a weird look.

“It means, I don’t want you, to change your own real self. Instead of
concentrating on me, you should explore yourself.” he replied

“In whatever thing, you’ll concentrate, you will become that. If you add
water in your hand, it becomes your hand. If you add water in a bottle, it
becomes bottle. Our mind is more pure and transparent than water. So, be
careful.” he said

She started thinking, everyone knows about this very simple fact. But, few
apply it in their lives.

“But, how to explore myself?” she asked

14
“There are a lot of ways. Among them is meditation. Meditation can be
used as a means to explore your own real self.” he replied

After having a lovely conversation on meditation, they looked up in the sky.

The weather had become fine again. She started to grab whatever,
belongings of the bag were out of it. He was sitting still on the ground,
watching her.

“Can we proceed further?” said Agatha, while dragging her feet forward.

After moving thirty-forty steps. She noticed that, the sound of her
companion’s feet was missing. She turned around, and found him still
sitting on the ground.

“Come on!” “We are already late.” she said

“I don’t want to go further.” he replied

She put her bag down, came towards him, to ensure that her ears heard,
what he actually said. But, Agatha’s eyes knew, her ears heard the right
words.

“You don’t want to go further? But why?” she asked both the questions, in
one breath.

“Because, I found the place which, I was searching for.” he replied

“What?” she asked again

“I don’t want to give justifications. I love this place and I want to stay here.
That’s it.” he replied

He looked at her, she was a little bit unstable. She wanted his company.
She wanted to remind him about her wounded foot, but thought why to.
She never told him, she had pain in her foot.

“What would you eat?” she asked

He told her that, from the past thousands of years, Himalayan yogis had
been surviving. They had been consuming the leaves and fruits of ‘Anaska
tree’. They used to, find or create shelter near this tree and they stayed
there, till they attained liberation.

“Have you found Anaska tree?” she asked

“There” he replied, pointing at the tree behind her.

Noah looked at her, found her full of disappointment. She tried to convince
him, but he stood firm on his decision. Even the snow partridge sitting
silently on the topmost branch of the tree noticed, she had tried her best.
15
At last, she decided to continue the journey alone. She went towards her
bag, picked it up. He was looking at her, as if telling her not to leave him
alone. As she started moving away from his world of love, something inside
prohibited her to do so. She turned around and went inside the cave, kept
her bag on the rock and started weeping. He rushed into the cave, found
her shedding tears.

He knew about himself, since his love was an emotion and was not
subjected to the control of his will. He wanted to gain her love, therefore
thought that, her love should not come with the scope of duty. But he
realized, her tears being the proof of her love, with him.

She came to him and he clasped her hand. In return, she tightly hugged
him.

“I love you.” said Agatha, while kissing him.

Now, his ears heard what his body experienced last night. He wanted their
love to be immortal. He wanted their love, to be a seventh dimensional
love. A love which is calm and serene, where all peace surpasses all
peace. He knew, what was required in order to gain that.

“Agatha, how long would our love last?” he asked

“Forever” she replied, giving him an astonishing look.

He took her towards the Anaska tree, in order to show the usefulness of
this tree. He started plucking the leaves out of its branches. Agatha was
curiously watching him. After sometime, when she had learned the work,
she also started helping him out.

“Pluck the young ones!” he said, as she was plucking the old dry leaves.

Both of them stopped their work, as they had plucked handful of leaves,
which were enough for them. Noah started the fire with the sticks, which,
he had gathered from the ground near the Anaska tree. He started to heat,
each and every leaf and told her to give him a bowl from her bag. After
heating for some minutes, a jelly type of substance started dripping out of
the leaves. It was a greenish brown jelly. He carefully collected it in the
bowl and offered her to drink.

She just had a sip but threw it out of her mouth.

“What happened?” he asked

“It’s not good.” she replied

“But it is healthy enough.” he said, while giggling.

16
He took a sip. He knew how to make a choosy kid, to eat the food which is
not of kid’s choice. Though it tasted bad, but he managed to drink half of it.
He gave the rest of it to Agatha. After having two to three sips, she
became habitual to it and drank it. Within an hour both felt a tremendous
amount of energy inside both of them. The energy was induced in them, by
this jelly type of substance.

The cave was yellowish-red, due to the luminance of the fire. A peaceful
breeze entered the cave. Noah and Agatha were sitting on a rock together.
She was sitting in his lap, her head was on his shoulders. They were
silently watching the dance of fire. Now, the peaceful breeze had been
replaced by the storm, blowing outside the cave. Air was entering the cave,
producing a popping sound, while coming in contact with the fire. Fire was
dancing left and right, up and down, when its musician ‘air’, was coming in
contact with it.

While watching the play between fire and air, she dozed off with her head
lying on his shoulders. He lifted her up, laid her on the rectangular rock and
covered her body with the blanket. Saying “Good night” in her ears, he sat
on the same place, where he was sitting earlier.

“I made a mistake or she made a mistake?”

This was the question, which he asked himself. While solving this simple
but yet complex question, he went into a deep meditation. He was about to
solve the question when, he felt as if someone whispered in his ears. He
slowly opened his eyes, but found no one. As his mind told him, there was
nothing, he closed his eyes again. Within few minutes, he heard the same
voice.

Noah stood up instantly, started following the source of the sound. This led
him out of the cave. Due to strong cold winds, his body started shivering.
There was a rhythm in the voice. As if somebody wanted to talk to him. He
was walking in the dark, searching for the source. But, was not able to find
it. At last, he started proceeding back towards the cave. He came near the
tree, and, found that the sound had actually stopped at once. As he turned
around, started walking towards the cave. He found someone whispering
again. But this time, he could hear, what the voice was saying.

He again turned his head towards the Anaska tree. But this time, his body
started trembling due to some other reason. The reason being fear. He
came to know, there was something behind the tree, which was
whispering. He slowly started stepping towards the backside of the tree.

VII

17
Noah, was now standing, at the tree’s backside. He could not find anything
there. As he looked up in the sky, found his quivering body being covered
in goosebumps , the hair on his arms standing up. Up in the sky, was a
black colored figure, whose edges had tremendous amount of light. This
figure was static, it was not speaking. But, then also, he could hear the
whispering of the figure. The figure was at a distance from him, hanging in
the sky, as if a picture is hung on the wall. Fear was clearly visible on his
face. He moved his steps backwards, he was shocked to find that, the
figure remained at the same distance from him.

“Don’t be afraid.” Figure whispered.

After ensuring , the figure was not going to harm him ,and, in order to
know, what it was. He started walking towards it. He was shocked to find,
how much he moved towards it. It remained at the same distance from
him.

“You.............” whispered the figure.

When he heard what the figure just whispered, he ran towards the cave.
He was scared, his face had turned pale due to fear. He laid down on the
rock, adjusted himself in the same blanket and hugged her tightly.

“What happened?” asked Agatha, while rubbing her eyes.

“Nothing!” he replied.

Her body was warm. She noticed him, shivering and breathing quite fast.

“What’s the matter with your face?” she asked, while looking at him.

“What?” he asked her.

“It has turned pale.” she replied

“Pa.........le” he asked, while stuttering

She knew he was scared. So, she started to fondle his hair.

“Tell me, what happened?” she asked again, while leaning over him.

Now, her eyes were in his eyes. He wanted to share it with her but, thinking
that she might get scared, he decided not to tell her.

“Agatha!” said Noah

“Yes” she replied

“Do you know, how can love last forever?” he asked, while turning away
her attention.

18
“How?” she asked, while playing with his eyes.

“Through freedom.” he replied, while caressing her ears.

“Through freedom?” she asked again.

He knew it could be his last night with her. He was feeling helpless at the
moment. He wanted to share his problem with her. But thinking that the
problem usually escalates on being discussed, he decided not to discuss it.
At the same time, he wanted to get permission from her.

“Love itself needs freedom. It’s not that, I’ll leave or you’ll leave me.
Neither, love wants your submission, nor mine. Rather, it wants
cooperation. Love is a bond, which strengthens, when both the entities
cooperate with each other.” he replied.

Agatha’s eyes were still in his eyes. His words titillated her inner love. Her
lips got wet, when they softly kissed his lips. In no time, her upper lip was
in between his lips. The gesture of love making, was itself soul making.
And within seconds, cave was covered with the air of love. Even the night
had understood the meaning of love through them.

He wanted her not to be away from his sight. But the black morning
showed its face. She was asleep. The words of the black figure, started to
haunt him. He kissed her forehead and moved out of the cave. He plucked
seventy to eighty Anaska leaves and tied them in a cloth. As he started to
step ahead, heard her voice.

“Where are you going?” asked Agatha,while yawning.

She was standing at the entrance of the cave.

“I’ll certainly come back.” he replied

“Certainly come back?” she asked

Saying “Yes”, he started walking away from her. She wanted to ask further.
But, last night’s conversation came in front of her eyes. So, she gave him
freedom. She came out of the cave, and, saw him vanishing out of her
sight. Agatha knew, he was not going to return soon. She stepped forward
to get the last glimpse of him. But he had already vanished away from her
sight. After sometime, she came back inside the cave and sat on her bed,
thinking why and where he went.

On the other side, he was walking as fast as he could. His mind was
occupied thinking, how to cover the distance more fast. In order to shorten
the distance, he was travelling on the most difficult path, sometimes
climbing straight mountains and sometimes walking on the delicate frozen
water. He knew, he had only twelve days left to retain his happiness.

19
The area was so secluded that, he could only hear, was the sound
produced by his own feet. He had been travelling alone throughout the day.
His body wanted some rest, but his feet were pushing his body towards its
destination. He was travelling continuously for so many days.

Five days had already passed away. Every day, she used to stand outside
the cave, looking at the woods from where he had vanished. One dark
night, she was standing near the Anaska tree to satisfy her hunger. She sat
on the roots of the tree, thinking deeply. She stood up at once and started
strolling near the tree.

“Where, he might be?” she asked to herself

But the answer which, her mind gave was as clear as the question asked
by it.

On the other hand, he was very tired, was on the brink of falling on ground.
But it seemed as if, his feet fully understood the problem. He had been
surviving on the leaves, which he had collected from the tree. The energy,
which these leaves were providing him, was enough for him to continue his
journey. The continuity in his journey had actually made him a machine.
But even a machine needs rest. May be, Noah had covered such a long
distance, due to his concentration on his goal. This concentration was
provided to him through years of meditation, which he did in the past. He
knew the fact that, our mind achieves the target ,before our body actually
starts acting to achieve it. So, his mind was telling him that, the place is not
too far away.

One day, while climbing up a huge rock. He was on the verge of falling, but
at last he managed to climb it.

“What would I do, if it comes true?” he asked himself

But his body gave the answer to his question, as it started moving faster.
Though his legs had swollen up, but still he was continuous in his journey.

On the eighth day, Noah stumbled and fell on the ground. After falling, he
had fainted and became unconscious. He was in a dream state, where he
was the master of his will. There in his dream, he created a lot of things
and even destroyed many among them. In that dream, he saw his home.
His home was empty. But all of a sudden, it became complete when he
saw Agatha in it. The white coloured hut, with birds chirping on one of the
branches of a pine tree near the hut. Sun was shining brightly behind the
tree. Sun’s rays were penetrating through the pine tree’s branches. Both
the hands of Agatha and Noah were in each other’s grip. It was one of his
beautiful imagination. He felt that he was the happiest man.

When he came into his senses, felt pain in his head. He opened his eyes.
His eyes took some microseconds to give his mind a clear view about the

20
environment around him. He touched his head with his forefinger, found his
hand full of blood. He cleaned his wound, by tearing a piece of cloth from
his shirt. Suddenly, he realised, he was travelling in search of something.
As he was about to leave the place, he moved his head backwards. His
mind told his feet to stop and they followed their master’s instructions. He
saw multicoloured lights. His mind told him that, he had already reached
his destination. He never saw such lights throughout his life. These were
seven coloured lights. Each colour merging into one and another, and,
lights were whirling quite fast. After their mergence, they were forming an
infinite straight line, up in the endless sky. The pattern of lights was in
sequence from base to top, red-orange-yellow-green-blue-indigo-violet.
The violet coloured light was the brightest among the seven, and, was the
last one in the pattern, touching the zenith.

He had never seen such a beautiful thing in his entire life. He went towards
the lights and stretched out his hand towards the lights, in order to know
what it was. His hand was in the lights. He felt freshness throughout his
body. His body was being energised by these whirling energies .Noah
noticed something soft being placed on his palm. As his hand was inside
the colourful lights, he was not able to see clearly. When he moved his
hand out of the lights, found multicoloured petals sparkling on his palm.
The seven colours of the lights were present in each petal. He tied those
petals on his shoulder with a cloth. He wanted to stay there, but heard
someone whispering in his ears.

“You don’t have time.”

After getting what he needed, he started running back to the same place,
from where he had come. He knew that, he was not going to return to this
place again, he stopped for a while, looked back. Something was attracting
him. But this attraction was not greater than the one waiting for him. So, he
started running again. He realised, nine days had already passed, and,
only three days were left for the catastrophe to occur. He wanted to stop
that from happening at any cost. Sun went to its home, which had been
replaced by moon and stars. Noah noticed, petals were shinning more
brightly in the darkness. With the light being emitted from the petals, he
was now able to see the path clearly. It seemed as if, he was carrying stars
on his shoulder.

Looking at the petals, Noah started thinking about the lights.

“What were those?” he asked himself.

But, didn’t get any answer because, the other part of his mind was worried
about something else. Twelve days had already passed away, he was still
on the same cowpath which he had created, on his journey towards the
lights. Only a feeling of hope was left in his mind, other things had already
been diluted. He was travelling continuously.

21
 VIII

At last after sixteen days, he had returned back to his home.

“Agatha!” he shouted while entering into the cave.

To hear her voice, his ears had awaited for a long period of time. The place
which earlier used to be full of love, now looked like a haunted place.
Crickets were chirping, Owl was hooting. But, he was searching her.

“Agatha!” he shouted again.

He went outside the cave, but she was even not there. A thought arose in
his mind: may be she had gone to accomplish her goal. He looked at the
tree, went behind it, with the expectation of meeting the black figure again.
The black figure was his last hope, which could help him. But, he found no
one there.

Being disappointed, he came back inside the cave and sat on the rock.
Took a deep breath and started looking here and there. Thunder, followed
by lightning took the whole cave into its arms. With the flash of lightning,
his eyes saw something lying behind the rectangular rock. He instantly
rushed towards the rock. She was there on the ground, but was
unconscious.

Noah called her name many times. But, his ears were not able to get reply
from her side. His heart which was earlier breathing slow, now gained its
frequency. He started thinking, what could be the reason of Agatha’s
faintness. He noticed her whole body had turned blue. The whisper of the
black figure started flashing in his mind.

“You have only twelve days left to save your love. If you want to save her,
then go and find the lights up in the mountains. The lights give birth to the
petals of life. But, keep one thing in your mind, these petals does not work
for the dead”

He instantly untied the petals. Opened her mouth and placed them in it.
But they did not work. He acted upon each and every suggestion, given to
him by his mind. He sprinkled water on her face. He knew that, the poison
had already reached, in each and every part of her body. His mind started
thinking, he had a lot of time, but he wasted it. He was suffering from guilt.

22
Everything inside him got locked up, and, he went into a numb state. For
the first time, he realised the pain of losing. Everything, about which, he
dreamt had been broken like a mirror. A mirror which could not be fixed
again. The mirror through which, he used to see himself was lying in front
of his eyes. She was forever lost in his heart, his heart in turn was lost
forever, with the loss of her life.

The last light of his life had been extinguished. The bird which used to live
inside his heart flew away, leaving the cage empty. His whole body became
pale. For the first time, he felt a craving in his mind, which his physical
body could not give. This craving was Agatha. This craving was so intense
that, it wanted to enter into her body and in turn become her soul. He
laughed, touched her, smelled her, saw her. His perception wanted her to
perceive back. But he found, her perception being absent in the way as
she was absent.

He was on the verge of madness. All of a sudden, someone whispered in

his ears.

“Accept and absorb it. It is the law of nature.” Whispered the black figure

“Accept what?” Noah’s eyes asked the black figure.

“Pain!” whispered the figure.

“Do not provide hindrance to the pain, let it cover you. Pain is the
storehouse of understanding and learning. You’ll learn from it.” Whispered
the figure

He wanted the black figure to reveal its identity. But, it suddenly vanished
away from his sight. Disappointed Noah, sat close to Agatha’s dead body,
kissed her forehead and closed her opened eyes with his hand. He knew
the way of acceptance, was itself in absorbing the pain. He wanted to
utilize even the minute particle of this pain. He closed his eyes and went
into a deep meditation along with his silence. Her body was in his lap. Day
and night, rain and storm, were experienced through his closed eyes.
Many days had passed and he was still in deep meditation.

With the passage of time, in a stormy night, his mind started recognising
the vibrations which were going on throughout his body. He came to know
that human beings are composed of vibrations. These vibrations were
spiralling throughout his body. He felt a beam of red light covering his mind.
After sometime, this beam of red light settled itself at the base of his spine,
and started vibrating at its full intensity.

After some days, an orange beam of light did the same and it settled itself
at his lower abdomen. With the entry of this beam in his body, a feeling of
connection and ability of acceptance was generated inside his mind. Some

23
days later, a beam of yellow light settled itself in his stomach area. With the
entry of this beam, he felt self confidence and self esteem inside his mind.

Many days passed on and nothing happened after that. But, his mind was
patient to know how far it can go. After some days, another beam of green
light settled itself in his chest area. A feeling of love and compassion was
generated in him through this beam. Within three days, another beam of
blue light began spiralling in his throat, and it settled itself there. He wanted
to stop his meditation in order to know about these beams. But he was
afraid of losing, what he was being given. After some days, a beam of
Indigo colour started spiralling between his eyebrows and it settled itself
there. With the entry of this colour, ability to focus and expansion was
experienced by his mind.

His body had turned weak and his soul was on the verge of leaving his
physical body. But, he was experiencing and learning a lot through this
new gift. The body of Agatha had turned into skeleton. His mind was
noticing the cluster of bones on his lap.

After some days, the last beam of light entered into his body and after
spiralling for some hours, settled at the top of his head. It was purplish
white beam, which gave him the ability to be fully connected spiritually. He
felt that, he had travelled in other dimensions. His past was replaced by his
present. A feeling of satisfaction was generated inside him. The lights
merged with one another. He understood what was up in the mountains.
Those lights were the ultimate consciousness, which worked only if, all the
seven lights were in one line. He understood that, vibration is the source of
every energy in this universe, and even the source of a soul. He realised,
someone else was behind his perception. He was in this world, with the
sole purpose of completing someone else’s task. Before knowing who it
was, he went into the state of ‘Samadhi’, which is the state of stillness of
mind. After some days, he felt freedom from everything, he slowly opened
his eyes and saw red coloured flowers blossoming everywhere around
him. He knew, he had been enlightened and got liberation. He saw the
skeleton of Agatha in his lap, he touched the skull of Agatha and said:

“I promise you Agatha that, whatever I got. You’ll get it too.” he said to
himself.

As he said those words, someone whispered in his ears:

“You made a mistake. You’ll suffer because of this mistake. You have to
rectify your mistake before getting liberation.” Whispered the black figure.

***

This was the last page of the diary. Publisher’s eyes are full of tears.
Someone is standing outside the door and knocking.

24
“Grandfather, are you there?” knocking the door

That’s his grand-daughter. A cute angel who is in her late twenties.

“Why are you crying?” said the grand-daughter

She removed his glasses, wiped his glasses with her handkerchief, while
sitting next to him. But the answer was complex to her simple question. His
throat allowed him to say, “Nothing!”. The Publisher wanted to be alone. He
lifted himself out of the sofa, with the help of his stick and went towards his
bedroom. She is still sitting on the sofa. He closed the door of his bedroom,
locked it, placed the diary on the table and placed the bag next to the diary.
After switching the lights off, he is lying in his bed right now. There are
some unusual things going on in his mind. So, he switched the side lamp
on. He picked up the bag from the table and is dialling the number of Jeff.
After three-four rings, Jeff picked up the phone.

“Hello!” said the Publisher with a distorted voice.

“Hello!” replied Jeff

“I read the whole diary and I want to meet you.” said the Publisher

Jeff looked at the wall clock. Hour’s hand is at twelve, while the minute’s
hand is at four.

Jeff paused for a minute and said:

“Ok!” “I am coming.”

Both put their telephone receivers on their original positions.

As the Publisher went towards his drawing room and was sitting on the
sofa.

“Door bell rang”

He told his grand-daughter to go into her room and sleep. She went to her
bedroom. He picked up his stick, stood up and started limping towards the
main door of the house.

The Publisher opened the door and found Jeff, waiting outside.

“Come in” said the publisher, while walking towards the drawing room.

He closed the door of the room. Both sat on the sofa. Jeff, looked around
and saw a lot of pictures hung on the wall, which he is recognising.

“What would you like to have?” asked the Publisher, while lighting up his
cigar.

25
“Nothing, Sir” Jeff replied, looking at the cigar.

Cigar is having golden rings around its top. It seems to be a Cuban cigar.

“I am intrigued to know, what happened after the last chapter.” Publisher

said, while puffing hard at his cigar.

“Even, I am intrigued to know about you, Sir.” replied Jeff

“You already know about me.” said the Publisher

“I want to know the part, which is not in the diary.” replied Jeff

“I’ll certainly tell you.” “But I want to know about you and how you got this
diary?” Publisher said

“It’s a long story and it’ll take time.” said Jeff

“Don’t worry, I have plenty of time.” replied the Publisher

Jeff started recognising the words, just said by the Publisher. Even, he
read the diary and these words were used in it twice. Jeff started narrating
his story.

“Wait for a moment.” Publisher said

Publisher slowly lifted himself out of the sofa. He opened the door, went
towards his grand-daughter’s room and after that, towards his son’s room.
Both were asleep. He came back to the drawing room and sat again next
to Jeff.

“I am ready.” said the Publisher

Jeff started narrating his story. The Publisher lighted up another cigar and
started listening to Jeff with full curiosity.

26
PART TWO

27
 I

It all started with a social networking website. Jeff randomly sent a friend
request to a girl named Anamika, along with a message. After some days,
a reply came from Anamika’s side.

“Do, I know you?” asked anamika

“Yes, I am Jeff from your old school.” Jeff replied

[The Publisher started thinking. As if, he had heard that name earlier.]

Coincidently, there was a boy named Jeff, in her school with whom, she
was not in touch from a long time.

With the passage of time, they started chatting for hours. She used to
remind him about the old school days. But, he knew that his school
memories were different from her. Because he never attended her school.
After some days, both of them had become very good friends. In order to
exchange their souls, exchanging the phone numbers was necessary. Both
of them exchanged their phone numbers. Both started talking on phone.
She was from Sanglon, a city in southern India. This city was a port city
and a newly developed I/T hub. He wanted to tell her the truth about his
real identity. He thought, he’ll tell her after some time.

Ten days later, he told the truth that, he was not the same Jeff. Even said:

“It’s your wish, whether you want to continue talking or not.” said Jeff

She switched her phone off and he did not call her. Because he knew, it
was his fault.

After two days, her number started to blink on his cell phone’s screen. He
wanted to pick up the phone, but thought not to pick this time. The very
next day, she again called him, and, this time he picked the phone up.

“Hello!” he said

28
“I don’t talk to strangers.” she replied

But the time was the proof that, none of them was a stranger anymore.
She had ignored everything, which had happened between both of them in
the past. The process of knowing each other started, took almost one year,
to discuss each and every atom of their lives-past, present and future, with
each other.

Both of them became each other’s present. Soon, both felt that, from this
present, a line should be drawn towards their future. Both decided to travel
together on this line, holding each other.

Jeff was pursuing graduation at that time. As she was two years elder than
him, so she was already working in a hospital. Although staying quite far
away from each other, they used to talk on phone most of their day and
night.

The attachment within three years, took the shape of love. Both started
expelling each other’s dissimilarities. With the passage of time, became
like-minded individuals. Both invested a lot of time in improving
themselves, to gain perfection in their relationship.

After four years, he graduated from his University. One day, she told him:

“My parents would not agree for our relationship.” said Anamika

“Why?” asked Jeff

“Because we have not spent time together and moreover you don’t work.”
she replied

So, after graduation, his life undertook a major change, which was going to
change his and her life. He discussed everything with his parents and even
told them about Anamika. Sanglon was in those days, a major IT-hub. As
he was a Computer Engineer, so convincing his parents was not a
daunting task. Anamika’s family had settled in this city a decade ago. After
some days, his parents agreed.

On a bright summer day, Jeff left his home for Sanglon. Though, it was
very difficult for him and his family, as he never stayed out of his
hometown. Parting away from the family, made him understand, the value
of his parents and their attachment with him. He looked at his mother, her
eyes were wet, as if telling him to stay. He told his mother that, he’ll be
back soon.

He reached the railway station along with his luggage. Boarded a train to
Sanglon. He was travelling for the first time, continuously for fourty-eight
hours. He was unable to get the ticket, as the summer time is the peak
season for travellers. It is the period when all the schools and colleges

29
declare vacation period for their students. But he managed to get a sleeper
class ticket, his name was in the waiting list. He wanted to leave that day
only. So, he was least concerned of getting a seat. It was an extreme hot
weather, and travelling in that heat, without an air-conditioner was quite
hard. He kept his luggage beneath someone else’s seat. Family sitting on
that seat was very nice with him. They adjusted him and gave him a place
to sit.

He looked out of the window and noticed the trees moving in the backward
direction. Soon, he realised the trees were stable, but it was the train which
had already started its journey.

[“Why have you paused?” asked the Publisher

“Go on.”

“What happened after that?” asked the Publisher

Jeff’s eyes are wet. He again started narrating the story.]

Jeff wanted to go back to his parents and at the same wanted to go to

Sanglon. Her arms were waiting for him. He was in his thoughts, when
someone touched him, and asked the reason of tears in his eyes. The
person was the head of the family. While having a conversation with the
family, he managed to balance his emotion.

Sun started to disappear and its place was taken by the moon, which was
clearly visible from the window of the train. The train was passing through
the darkness, passing through tunnels and bridges. The only lights which
were outside the train, were of moon and stars up in the sky. He kept on
looking outside the train. The air coming inside the train was floating his
hair in front of his eyes. After sometime, he opened his bag and ate the
food prepared by his mother. After eating his food, he fell asleep, as he
was tired.

His dreams travelled much faster than the speed of the train. In the
morning, God of light started falling on his face. Shortly, he came out of his
dreams. Looked around, saw kids playing with each other. Kids reminded
him about his childhood, which used to be free from every responsibility.
But some chains are there in which a person really want to be tied with. His
relationship with Anamika was that sort of chain. Phone vibrating in his
pocket, brought him back to the present moment.

“Hello” said Jeff

“Where are you?” “I have been trying your phone from the past one day.”
Anamika asked

30
He wanted to give her a surprise, so he said:

“I came to attend one of my relative’s marriage.”

Before he could speak more, she instantly asked:

“Are you in a train?” she asked, while hearing the noise made by rumbling
of wheels of a train.

“I’ll talk to you later.” replied Jeff and he switched his phone off.

The stations were passing by, the only sound which he could hear, was the
chugging of train. He peeped out of the window, gazing with a feeling of
inquisitiveness, at the places which the train was covering. His eyes saw
mountains, lakes, forests and desert areas. He was enjoying everything,
which was coming in between him and Anamika. Sometimes, watching
from inside is entirely different from, watching from outside. He
remembered, in his childhood he used to watch trains, by standing close to
the railway track. He used to be fascinated by the speed of this monster.
The fastest thing in his childhood memories, used to be a train. Now, he
was travelling in the same monster. His eyes were capturing each and
everything, as if his eyes were a camera in which, everything was being
recorded.

After sometime, again the darkness captured the train. His face was half
out of the window. He looked at the engine, it was puffing out the black
coloured smoke. As if, engine was the reason of the darkness outside the
train. Engine took a turn. Three carriages behind the engine, had already
took a turn. Now, the fourth carriage took a turn. He was waiting for his
carriage to take a turn. When, the fifth carriage, took a turn. He was unable
to see the engine, because his carriage was the fifth one and it came in the
straight line behind the engine, after the turn.

Jeff felt someone is standing near him. He moved his sight in the opposite
direction, and, saw a staff member of the kitchen.

“Would you like to have dinner?” asked the staff member.

“Yes indeed!” he replied, with a feeble effort to smile.

“Veg or Non-veg?” staff member asked again

“Veg.” replied Jeff

The staff member went towards the next seat and asked the same
questions. Jeff again started peeping out of the window. Aroma of trees
freshened up his mind, and, this fragrance turned his attention towards
Anamika. His opened eyes were seeing Anamika’s face, with the sky as a
background. Smile on her face gave light to the dark sky. His mind was

31
thinking beyond his present. His mind had already given a surprise to her,
and even had imagined her face, while getting a surprise.

“Your dinner, Sir.” said the staff member

“Thank you.” said Jeff

After having dinner, he found that the lights of the train had been switched
off. So, it was the sleep time. While looking at the sky, he fell asleep.

II

[The Publisher came to know, some hidden piece of information. But,

he was not sure about that. May be, he was unaware of that. A lot of
things have been going on, in his head. His mind started juggling
with each and every fact. But, still there was a feeling of recognition
in his mind. As if, he had already recognised the character.

On the other hand, Jeff took the jar from the table and started directly
drinking water from it. He wanted to ask for a glass. But, thought that
it’ll distort the rhythm.]

In the morning, Jeff’s ears heard the announcement that, the train had
reached at Sanglon railway station. He instantly woke up, wore his shoes,
took his luggage and jumped out of the train.

Now, Jeff’s feet were in the territory of love. He went to a hotel near
Anamika’s hospital and booked it for three days. He kept his luggage in the
room, took bath and went to the hospital. He reached there on time while
she came late. His heart was beating quite fast, which wanted its beating
frequency to match with her. He was waiting from the past one hour. At last
she came. Her billowing hair, brown eyes, beautiful red coloured shirt,
needed something new that day. He wanted to be that new thing. He was
standing in the corner.

“You are late today.” said Jeff, who was standing at a distance behind her.

She turned back and the feeble tension, which was visible on her face, got
converted into a smile along with an expression of shock. She ran towards
him and hugged him tightly. His arms were also waiting to cuddle her.
Tipsiness of love was so intense that, both of them had forgotten about

32
everything else in the world. She kissed him, even his lips reacted to her
action.

“Wait here, today I am taking a leave from hospital.” said Anamika, while
going inside.

He wanted to stop her, but was a little bit selfish that day. After some time,
she came out of the hospital and held his hand. It was for the first time that,
someone held his hand through the bond of love. He was very happy and
she was happy too. Both went for the breakfast together.

“Why haven’t you told me earlier?” asked Anamika, while pulling his
cheeks.

“Because, I wanted to give, life to my surprise.” replied Jeff

Both were into each other’s company so much, that, they had forgotten
about the time. The wrist watch, on her wrist, was showing half past five.
She looked at her watch and said:

“I am late and my parents would be waiting for me.”

Both had already spent seven hours together and wanted to spend more
time. But it was not possible, as her parents did not know about them. After
having a last goodbye kiss, they went to their respective homes.

He came back to his hotel, was in some deep thoughts. He wanted the
night to pass quickly, so that, he could meet her, the next morning. On the
other hand, he was the only character in her thoughts, thinking him to be
the perfect partner a girl could get. Both spent the night talking on phone
with each other.

Time passed on, the same cycle of meeting and parting was followed by
them everyday. Her parents were unaware of their love game. On
Sundays, she used to sneak out of her house, in order to meet him. He did
not apply for a job. He knew, he was in Sanglon for a limited period of time.
Moreover, he wanted a different life for both of them. A life, which would be
away from the fake I/T environment. Staying there for complete one year,
he had seen people’s mind changing as if ,they were part of a software
itself. He had seen I/T professionals, sobbing for one day, due to their
break up with their loved ones. The next day, they were seen to be happy
in somebody else’s arms. He wanted to take her out of that vicious cycle.

She wanted him to work in Sanglon. May be she knew that, the base of our
society lies in the fact: the consumers must work in order to consume. In
our society, there is no place for an unemployed lover. He was trapped in
this cycle of consume and work.

33
He knew, in order to marry her, he had to earn. So, he decided to go back
to his hometown and look for a job there. He left the city in the same way,
as he had arrived in it. Though it was very difficult for both of them, but in
order to stay together for a longer span of period, shorter stays had to be
compromised. The same train, which had brought him to the city, took him
back to his hometown.

As, they had spent one year together, he was sure that her parents would
agree now. To get a job, he tried in each and every government
department. But, he could not get a job. Jeff and Anamika used to talk on
the phone. He was not working. So, telling her parents about him was quite
difficult for her. She had already turned twenty-nine in the starting of the
year. Beyond this age, it was hard to find a suitable partner for her. So, her
family started searching a dream boy, for their dream girl.

One day she gave him a call and said:

“I am being married to a diamond merchant.” said Anamika

“You are joking.” replied Jeff

“I am serious.” said Anamika

He was shocked. All his future dreams were broken into tiny pieces. He
wanted to stop it, but thought it is good for her. Because, he never wanted
to become a hurdle in between her happiness.

The last words of Anamika started to haunt him:

“I wasted my three years with you.” said Anamika

At last, she left him. In order to kill even a single expectation, he changed
his phone-number and even deleted his account from all the social
networking websites.

It is said that, the youth usually take the support of something, to get rid of
other things. In his case, alcohol played the role of a supportive thing. He
had become an alcoholic.

After three months, he realised that instead of facing the situation, he had
been consuming alcohol, as a means to run away from it. He knew: the
weak and fool blame others; whereas, strong and wise blame themselves.
He accepted the truth.

But something was burning inside him, and it lighted up his quest of
knowing. He wanted to identify it, but was unsuccessful. May be, it was
love. May be, it was jealousy. May be, it was hatred. But whatever it was, it
never wanted him to kneel down. It made him to stand up again, and to
come out of the deep trench.

34
After several months, he came into the reality again. The word Anamika
which meant ‘nameless identity’, became nameless in his memory too.

III

[Both, Jeff and the Publisher, are looking at each other. As if , both
had recognised each other. But it seems that, there are still doubts in
both the minds. The story is becoming complex.

Earlier, the Publisher thought that, he came to know about some of

the hidden information. Now, he is not even having a single clue.

On the other hand, Jeff is waiting for the Publisher, to interrupt him
and tell him the truth. Disappointed Jeff, keeps on narrating the story.
]

The time, which Jeff used to spend on phone with Anamika, was now free.
He was not able to spend time alone. He wanted to utilise the time. So, he

35
thought about attending a meditation course. For that purpose, he went to
a place in northern India, the monastery was located in the centre of Great
Himalayas. Silence was the basis of this meditation course. Nobody was
allowed to speak throughout the course. Silence taught him analysis, which
was earlier absent in his mind. It was an intense meditation course, which
gave him the fruit of inquisitiveness.

The concepts of impermanence, law of karma, mind study, ways of

thinking, nirvana; changed his perspective towards life.

There in the monastery, he came across an old wise monk, who taught him
some important phases of life.

HIS FIRST MEETING WITH OLD WISE MONK:

Day began, with the birds acting as a morning alarm, singing out of his
window. He opened the window and the gorgeous sight was in front of his
eyes. Birds were sitting on the different branches of a tree, with their heads
towards the window of his room. He looked at the wall clock of his room.
The time was 5:20 A.M. He knew he was late. He was in a hurry. As he
moved, out of the dormitory towards the meditation hall. He saw an old
monk, sitting in the direction of rising Sun. Monk looked at him. As Jeff,
saw the monk bowing his head. He also bowed his head in response.
Monk looked like an angel, as if waiting only to fill Jeff’s day with a lot of
positivity. It seemed from the eyes of the monk that, they knew something
about Jeff.

Throughout the day, Jeff felt energy of positivity encircling around him.
During meditation, he was thinking about this monk, who had spiritual glow
on his face. Every day, he used to ensure that, he sees the monk.

SECOND MEETING WITH THE OLD WISE MONK:

One day, after moving out of the meditation hall. He started wandering here
and there in the monastery. All of a sudden, he saw a cluster of tall trees
through which, even light could not penetrate. He moved further, saw
colourful fags on the branches of a tree. On the branches, a gang of
monkeys were playing. One monkey pushing the other, into a small
stagnant source of water. The pool was constructed by the monastery
administration, for the monkeys.

Jeff stepped ahead, saw an old rope tied between two trees. Slowly
following the way, he understood that, the rope was tied with the sole
purpose of drying the clothes. Next to the rope was a beautiful red
coloured small hut.

“How can a person live in this small hut?” he asked himself

36
In front of the hut, a lamp was hung. The lamp looked like, that it was here
from the past twenty-years. After sometime, someone lighted up the lamp
and went inside the hut. He was not able to see the person who lit the
lamp. Below the lamp, a wind chime was hung. He saw the wind chime,
when the light of the lamp, fell on it. The wind chime became alive, when
its composer that is air, started displacing it from its resting position.
Behind the wind chime was a curtain, which served the purpose of a door.
This delicate door was securing the person, whose shadow was visible on
it.

After five-six minutes, someone came out of the hut. Jeff instantly hid
himself behind the tree. He saw the same monk, with an everlasting smile
on his face. The monk sat on a teak chair, which was placed outside his
little but fully satisfied hut. Jeff’s feet made a sound, which the monk
noticed.

“Come on!” said the monk, while smiling

As if, he knew that Jeff was hiding behind the tree. Slowly, stepping on the
stones, Jeff reached the hut.

“Have a seat, young man.” said the monk, while giving him a chair to sit.

His inner world wanted to save this monk in his permanent memory. Calm
and serene attitude of this monk was attracting him. He wanted to be a part
of the monk’s spiritual glow. Jeff wanted to talk to the monk, but his voice
was trapped in the game of silence. Both sat together for one hour, but
silence was maintained by both the beings. When Jeff stood up and started
walking towards his dormitory, the monk said:

“You’ll come back again.” said the monk

Jeff looked back, saw the monk playing with the wind chime. He thought
the monk to be talking with himself.

Many days had passed and he was finding the meditation course to be
fruitful. Now, only one day was left.

The last day of his meditation course, took a place in his permanent
memories. It was an awesome experience.

After rigorous meditation, students came out of the meditation hall reciting
the hymns. With the candles in their hands, students were walking very
carefully. As if, a delicate soul was being handled by each one of them.

Everyone encircled around the stupa and placed their candles on it. Stupa
was full of candles. The yellow flames of the candles looked like, live
golden flowers dancing with the blowing wind. Each flame depicted human
life. Some of the students started crying. While some like Jeff, were in a

37
joyful state. Students were taught about the concepts of love and
compassion. But the practical was being performed by the flames.

With the light of candles, even the shadows were clearly visible. Jeff was
being attracted towards them. Ants had stopped their journey, in order to
gain the spiritual pleasure. The leaves on the trees were stationary. It
seemed that, the leaves were protecting the candles from being blown off.

But, Jeff wanted the candles to extinguish themselves. So that, he could

travel along with them to the place, which was their true home. He knew,
the next day, he had to leave from the heaven of silence. So, he sat
outside the dormitory, was enjoying the fresh breeze, which the sea of
silence created.

In the morning, he had his last meditation session. After coming out of the
meditation centre, his sub-conscious mind tried to maintain silence. But,
was overcome by his urge to speak. When he spoke after ten days, felt as
if he had forgotten about his sound producing instrument called throat.
With the passage of few hours, he became habitual again to his speaking
abilities.

He reached his hometown after two days. But, he was a different

individual, from the one who had gone for meditation, twelve days earlier.

IV

[Jeff paused for few minutes.

“What happened next?” asked the Publisher.

The Publisher is least interested in Jeff’s story. Instead, he wants to

know the relation of Jeff’s story with the diary. Being a Publisher, he
knows that, summaries cannot explain the whole stories. So, he is
continuously listening to Jeff’s story, and is lighting up cigars one
after another. The room is full of smoke, which is being produced by
this little smoke emitter. Jeff looked around and again started with his
story. ]

38
When, he returned from his meditation course. The concept of
impermanence showed its results.

After coming from the meditation course, he had rented a room to pursue
higher studies. So, he was staying in another city, away from his parents.

On a very beautiful night, with stars shining brightly, but their companion;
moon was absent. Jeff started gazing at stars, with headphones in his
ears. He was listening to the classical music. While listening to the music,
he saw a shooting star. He instantly closed his eyes. With the night
becoming more dark and the slow music changing to Jugalbandi(playful
competition between two musicians playing different instruments on the
same notes). Both the instruments were being played simultaneously, in
competition with each other. Sitar and Tabla were performing their best, to
show that none of them was less than the other. With the jugalbandi getting
more intense, his head started moving with the notes of the instruments.
He was completely lost, he dissolved himself in the ecstasy of music and
was enjoying to the fullest.

After sometime, noticed his phone vibrating in his pocket. He ignored it,
because he wanted to be undisturbed at that moment. Jeff was at the peak
of happiness. Again the phone vibrated. He took it out of his pocket. It was
his father on the phone, who told him to come back immediately. It took no
time for him to understand that, the star which could not give life to itself,
was not capable of giving life to someone else. His grand-father had died
that night. He locked his room, took his wallet and moved out of the
building. There was not even a single tear droplet in his eyes. May be, his
earlier state, was of extreme joy and happiness. So, it took fifteen minutes
for him to realise, what had actually happened.

After half an hour, he started blubbering. He hired a cab, kept on wiping

tears and reached the bus stand. It is said: bad time does not come alone.
It is always accompanied by a series of problems. Reaching at the bus
stand, he came to know that, there was not even a single seat in any of the
bus. He pleaded to the conductor of the bus, the conductor gave him a
place to stand in the bus.

In the morning, he reached his hometown. He washed his face, so that

even a single tear droplet, does not stay on his face. He came to know:
being a male is quite easy than behaving as a male. He needed to be
strong, so as to absorb the pain of others.

He accompanied his paternal uncle to the mortuary. The body without

consciousness was in front of his eyes. He wanted to give his breath to his
grand-father’s body. But some things are actually out of your control. For
the first time, he came to know, the meaning of death. He gently touched
his grand-father’s feet. They were cold, depicting the flame which used to
give warmth, had been extinguished.

39
For the last time, grand-father came to his own home, but as a guest. After
bathing grand-father, the body was taken to the cremation ground. Jeff’s
father performed the rituals. A pot filled with water, was intentionally broken
into pieces and water flowed, wherever it wanted to flow. The bond
between the family and grand-father had come to an end. Jeff’s father
being the eldest son, set the emotion free body on fire. Jeff saw the
physical body being converted into an entity less smoke. Smoke was
touching the zenith. His grand-father had returned to the same place, from
where he came seventy years back. He looked at his grand-mother and a
thought arose in his mind that, who would take care of her. Within seconds,
he noticed the answer to his question being given in a sign language. His
father gently held his grand-mother’s hand. It looked like, both the hands
became a bridge through which, whole family would be passing. The whole
family came back to his “grand-mother’s” home.

[Jeff, found the eyes of the Publisher, full of curiosity and eagerness.
Publisher told him to pause and went outside the drawing room. Jeff
is thinking that, when would he come to the end of the story. He know
very well that, only two parts of the story are left. He started thinking
about the surprise which, the Publisher is going to give him in the
end.

The Publisher is back. He asked Jeff, to resume the remaining part of

the dream. Jeff asked for a cigar. Publisher gave him the whole silver
box. The box has the picture of a woman, drawn with golden colour
on its top. He opened the box, found dark brown coloured cigars.
Closed the box and handed it over to the publisher.

“You don’t want to smoke?” Publisher asked

40
“No, I don’t smoke.” Jeff replied

“Where were we?” asked Jeff

Publisher reminded him about the last scene. He proceeded again

with the story.]

Days passed, followed by months. Jeff had realised that, he was also
impermanent like his grand-father. Most of the time, he used to lock himself
in his room. He was shattered. Everything in his life came to its earlier
position. But there was one thing which, never came out of that tunnel. It
was expectation. May be the pain in his heart, could not find a way to come
out. In turn, that pain got embedded in the expectation part of his heart. For
him expectation was pain and pain was expectation.

Jeff wanted to understand himself better. So, he told his parents, he

wanted to spend more time in the monastery. In reality, he knew, he was
not going to return back in the fake life of expectance. His parents
accepted everything, which could have given their son, a ray of hope. So,
he went again to the monastery.

As he reached at the gate of the monastery. There was the same staircase
waiting for him. He stepped on the first step of the staircase and stopped
there. Looked upwards, imagined himself in the ascetic attire. Towards his
back was the world of attachment. Within a single minute, his mind played
his past memories. Rest was the work done by his feet. He had reached on
the last step of the staircase. After reaching there, he saw the same angel.

Age and experiences of the monk, were itself a proof, to know the reason
of Jeff’s arrival. Monk told Jeff to accompany him, after settling his luggage.
Jeff kept the luggage in the dormitory, came out and found the monk still
waiting for him.

“I told you, you’ll certainly come back.” said the monk.

He nodded his head, as if, he had accepted the words of the monk.

“Your decision is entirely based upon your past.” Monk said

“My decision is not based upon any past.” Jeff replied

The monk explained him,

“Pure and clean heart is always good, to be made free from the
attachments. Broken heart is regarded purer than the unbroken one. It is
because broken heart always speaks truth. But at the same time, in

41
frustration, it tells the mind to go into extremes. Once this broken heart
gets healed, it’ll certainly go back into its past life again.”

Jeff’s was not able to understand the monk’s words. He thought: what was
the relation between broken heart and his heart. In reality Jeff was aware
about his heart, which had actually been broken. He was just pretending,
that he was alright. The monk took him to his hut.

Now, they were sitting inside the monk’s hut. The wall of the hut was
covered with different pictures. Some were related to vegetation, while the
others were related to birds and animals. There was a picture of a monk
hung in between all the pictures.

The old wise monk gave him an example to make Jeff understand well. He
started with his example:

Once there was a very successful gentleman. He was very happy with his
fully satisfied life. Time passed, his happiness started to convert into
sadness. He lost everything, whether it was his family or financial stability.
Now, this frustrated man went into extremes. The extreme path which he
chose, was to get ordained. For that purpose, he went to a monastery.
There, in the monastery, he met with an old monk, who told him to rethink
about his decision. But, the gentleman stood firm on his decision and
chose the ascetic life.

With the passage of time, his broken heart got healed. When he regained
himself, there was an urge inside him, to return back into his earlier life. At
the same time, he had already inculcated the ascetic way of living. He was
not able to choose one, between both of them. He was actually trapped in
the state of limbo.

His teacher (old monk) helped him, in getting out of his materialistic needs.
But the traces of material remained inside him. Now also, he is fighting with
his materialistic needs.

It was dark outside. Jeff and the old wise monk were sitting inside the hut.
All of a sudden, Jeff realised that, the example of the monk was
incomplete.

“Is fighting with the materialistic needs?” asked Jeff

“You might be tired. Have your food and sleep well.” said the monk

Jeff started moving out of the hut. As he was about to leave the hut, monk
completed the example.

“This is my teacher and I am the gentleman in the example.” Monk said,

while looking at the picture of another monk, hung on the wall.

42
After having his dinner, Jeff went to sleep. While lying on bed, he was
thinking about the monk. He realised that, he would not be setting another
example.

VI

[The story has been paused. Both of them, are looking out of the
window. Lightning flashed in the sky, accompanied by the sound of
thunder, rumbling like a roaring lion. The flash of lightning showed
the rain drops, falling in a tilted manner. Now, the Publisher is more
interested in the story.

“Monk was trapped in the cycle of materialistic and ascetic life?”

asked the Publisher

It is clear from his innocent question that, he wants to hear the

remaining part. Though he wanted to know, but without pretending.

“Yes” replied Jeff, while carrying forward the wheels of the story.]

Jeff was in the monastery from the past one month. He had started
meditating for most of the day and night.

While meditating, he saw a place. It was a secluded path, full of pebbles.

He was not able to understand: why his mind was showing him that place.
Following his mind, he tried to expand his vision. Looking with more
concentration into the place, but he could not find any nexus. His mind was
able to see a path and pebbles, which were covered with snow.

“It can’t be real” he said to himself

But in the corner of his mind, he was actually interested in unveiling the
illusion. So, he decided to meet the old wise monk. He changed his clothes
and straightaway went to the monk’s hut.

43
“Come this way” said the old wise monk

The monk was feeding the birds. It was a sunny day. The birds were happy
and chirping loudly. The monk was busy with his work. So, Jeff thought, to
discuss it later. He went to his dormitory. After sometime, he came again
and found the monk to be free. He decided to share his experience. As he
was yet to speak, the monk said:

“Young man, Can I ask you four questions?”

“Yes, be free to.” replied Jeff

[The same words were earlier used by Noah in the diary. ]

Jeff was in a mood to ask questions and not in a mood to give answers.
But sometimes, one learns through giving answers, rather than through
asking questions. The monk asked his first question:

“Who created you?” asked the monk

Jeff thought, what type of the question, monk had asked him. He was
expecting a wise question, to be asked by the monk.

“I don’t know.” replied Jeff

There came a feeble smile on the monk’s face. Monk paused for some
seconds and asked the second question.

“Who created this universe?” the monk asked

“ I don’t know.” Jeff replied instantaneously, with an expression of surprise

on his face.

“Who created, day and night?” asked the monk

“I don’t know.” Again replied Jeff

The monk smiled a bit broadly. He paused for some moments. Looked at
Jeff, as if, he was testing his patience level. Then, the monk asked his last
question, with a cunning smile on his face.

“Who is the supreme power in this world?” asked the monk

Jeff remained silent for some moments. He looked in the eyes of the
monk . May be, he had understood monk’s trick.

“I don’t know.” replied Jeff

“Interesting” said the monk

44
Jeff got confused. So, he asked the monk.

“I answered to none of your questions. Still, you are saying that it was
interesting.” asked Jeff

“You have answered all the questions very well.” replied the monk

“I asked you four quite difficult questions. Whose answer, as taught by our
society, was supposed to be God.” said the monk

Jeff was eager to learn, what the monk was explaining to him. Throughout
his life, he had only learnt that, not knowing was considered to be bad. But
the man sitting besides him had taught him: not knowing is good as well.
As, he was carried by his thoughts, the monk further said:

“ It is because society does not want to know.” said the monk

“Does not want to know?” asked Jeff

“People think that, they are wise enough. So, ‘don’t know’ word usually
sabotage their wisdom and this in turn hurts their ego.” replied the monk

“This insult word literally, insulates the society from knowing. But the real
learning comes from insult.” said the monk

Listening to the monk, Jeff had forgotten about the questions, which he
wanted to ask the monk. Today’s teachings were enough to think about,
throughout the day. He came back without even asking a single question.
But he was happy to gain, whatever the monk taught him.

***
[Now, the clouds have stopped roaring. The mild fragrance of wet soil
is being felt by both of them. They are able to hear, the sound
produced by rain drops falling in the running water. It is obvious that
the soil nearby them, has already soaked enough water. The rest of
the water is heading towards the thirsty soil.

The Publisher wants Jeff, to straightaway tell the end. But he knows
that, there is some relation of Jeff with both the stories.

On the other hand, Jeff has observed the discomfort, augmenting

inside the Publisher. So, he decided to increase the pace of the story.
]

45
Staying in the monastery, Jeff started unveiling the place through
meditation, which used to haunt him.

One day, sitting in meditation, he tried to see a clear picture of the place.
After two hours, he was able to see a cave, which looked abandoned.
There was a tree near the cave. Behind the cave, was a huge peak
covered with snow. Slowly, tears started flowing out of his eyes, without
any reason. His mind was now sure, it was not an illusion. He instantly
opened his eyes and came out of the meditation. He was sitting still,
looking at the pigeons. The beautiful white coloured pigeons, came near
the source of stagnant water. They looked around and noticed him. They
kept on looking at him to ensure, he was not a danger. Then, they put their
beaks in the water. After that, they flew away. The birds had reminded him
about his future. Even, he was in the monastery for a short period of time
and would be taking away the learning along with him.

All of a sudden, he looked into the stagnant water and saw someone
standing behind him.

“So, you became an early riser?” said the monk, while sitting next to him

Jeff smiled and continued his silence. May be, he was waiting for the right
time to speak. Monk sat for some time with him. As he stood up, Jeff broke
his silence:

“I want to discuss with you.” said Jeff

The monk sat again and waited for Jeff to speak. After two-three minutes,
Jeff told him about all of his experiences while meditating. Monk told him,
not to share with anyone and try to concentrate more.

Days passed, creativity started touching Jeff’s feet. Meditation allowed him,
to know more about himself. With the passage of time, he came to know all
about that place. Even, he saw an object placed between two stones. His
teacher told him, to follow his mind.

As, he was thinking of the way, to reach his destination. A voice emerged
out of nowhere and whispered in his ears.

“I’ll direct you” whispered the voice

He looked here and there. But nobody was there.

“I’ll direct you” again whispered the voice

“Who are you?” he asked

“You don’t have time for all this?” whispered the voice

46
Now, he could reach there. While leaving the monastery, he wanted to
meet the monk. But the monk had gone somewhere. He packed his
luggage and started his journey.

He was travelling alone through the huge mountains, thinking about the
treasure, which was hidden near the cave. After many days of his
travelling, crossing each and every hurdle on the way. He finally had
discovered the same place, which used to haunt him while meditating. The
snow covered abandoned cave was in front of his eyes, along with a tree.
As he reached the place the whispering had stopped.

He went inside the cave and sat on the rectangular flat rock. He felt some
energy being trapped inside the cave. Though, it was a peaceful sensation.
But, it seemed as if the energy wanted to tell him something. He was
recognising the cave. He moved out of the cave, went behind the tree and
had found the place to be recognisable too. He was not able to uncover the
place completely. He was not able to know about his connection with the
place.

While he was sitting near the tree, his eyes fell on an object, partly shining
under the snow. He headed towards the object, started digging the soil
beneath the snow. When his eyes came in the direct contact with the
object, he felt an emotion of pain. The object was a beautiful ring in which,
jasper was embedded. Though, while handling the ring, he was feeling
pain. But, he was not able to find out the reason of the pain.

He knew, something inside him was hidden, which had some connection
with the object. In order to connect with his hidden self, he closed his eyes
and went into a deep meditative state. While in meditation, another object
started blinking in his mind. He opened his eyes, saw the same two rocks,
which were flashing during meditation. He rushed to the stones. He groped
for the object, but could not find it. Disappointed Jeff, sat near the base of
the rock.

Suddenly, his eyes got stuck on an object, which was trapped in a crevice
of the rock. He tried a lot, but his hands were not able to grab the object.
The crevice was quite thin. He went near the tree, broke two thin branches
and went to the spot. After trying hard with the branches, he was able to
take the object out of the crevice.

It was a rectangular thing wrapped in a piece of cloth. He delicately un-

wrapped the cloth and saw a scruffy diary inside. Sat besides the rocks,
opened the diary and read the whole diary in one sitting.

The part of his mind which was earlier blank, now had filled itself, with the
information in the diary. He had completely recognised the place, as well
as, came to know about his connection with the diary and the place. He
was shocked to know the secret, which was hidden inside him. He slowly
closed the diary.

47
While wrapping it again in the same piece of cloth, he noticed a name and
address written on the inner side of the cloth. Though, the name and
address were faded away by the forces of nature. So, were not clearly
visible. His mind did the guess work, and the words started to reveal
themselves.

“NOAH PUBLISHING COMPANY

PALACE STREET, SANGLON CITY”

[Now, Jeff has stopped narrating his story. The Publisher has solved
the riddle.]

VI

“So sir, did Noah came that day to establish Noah publishing company?”
asked Jeff with suspicion

The Publisher smiled a bit and said

“ What do you think?” asked the Publisher

“I think, now Noah is old enough to remember his story.” replied Jeff

The Publisher laughed again, this time too loudly. Jeff is thinking that the
Publisher is making a joke of him.

“I am not Noah.” said the Publisher

“I had two sons. Now only one is left.” the publisher said

“What?” asked Jeff

“Noah was my son. I named the publishing company after his name. He
was an author.” replied the Publisher

Both of them are out of words. Room smelled with an underlying aroma of
cigar smoke. Room’s lights are glowing dimly due to the accumulation of
smoke.

48
“ How are you connected with all of this?” asked the Publisher

Jeff is thinking, what type of question is this. Through his own story, he has
already revealed his identity.

“I am the character mentioned in the diary.” replied Jeff

“Character?” the Publisher asked

After thinking for some time, the Publisher stood up out of the sofa and
hugged him tightly. Even Jeff hugged him tightly.

“Are you Noah?” asked the Publisher while, throwing tears on his
shoulders.

“No, I am Agatha.” replied Jeff

The Publisher is shocked. He sat down, in the same manner he stood up.

“I am born again for some reason.” said Jeff

“Then, where is Noah?” asked the Publisher, who is still in the state of
shock.

“I don’t know. I thought you must be knowing.” replied Jeff

The Publisher is disappointed. It is because, what he thought was totally

untrue.

“Before leaving Noah told me that, he’ll certainly come back home.” said
the Publisher

“But he never returned.” The Publisher said, after some moments.

Both are disappointed and are in deep thoughts. Then, all of a sudden a
voice erupted out of someone else’s throat.

“Dad, I was always here.” A sweet voice came

They stood up from their places, are looking around. But there is no one in
the room except them.

“Have you heard the voice?” asked the publisher

“Yes” replied Jeff

“Who was it?” asked the publisher to Jeff

“I”, the voice echoed again.

49
The door which was closed earlier, now opened as if someone pushed it.
The sound of someone’s coming inside, is being heard by both of them.
After some seconds, a human figure is seen coming through the smoke.

When light fell on the figure, Jeff and the publisher came in shock.

“Anamika?” uttered Jeff

Anamika is Publisher’s grand-daughter. She is also the same girl in Jeff’s

story. She has never told her parent’s about Jeff. She is the daughter of
Noah’s younger brother Jack.

“Yes” “Though the body is different but the soul is same.” said Anamika,
who was Noah in her earlier birth.

She hugged both of them tightly. Emotion of love is dripping out of their
eyes. None, among three of them is in a phase to speak. Anamika broke
the silence and started to speak.

“I and Jeff are born again, to fulfil the remaining part of our love story.” said
Anamika

“I came to know about it, when we were in a relationship.” Further said

Anamika

She told them that, the same black figure had reminded her about her past
life.

“When?” asked Jeff

“ The same day, I told you that I was getting married.” replied Anamika

“At least, you should have told me earlier.” said the Publisher, while wiping
her tears.

“I wanted to, but was afraid of the consequences.” replied Anamika

“Which consequences?” asked Jeff

“After your death, I was trapped in the cycle of karma.” said Anamika

“Cycle of karma? How?” asked Jeff

Jeff had learnt about the law of karma when he was in the monastery. But,
he was not sure: how it works and also why it works.

“That day, I made a promise to you. That whatever I’ll learn, you’ll learn it
too.” replied Anamika

“Then, what was wrong in that?” asked Jeff

50
“It is the rule of Nature. You can’t make promises with the dead.” replied
Anamika, while holding one hand of the Publisher and the other of Jeff.

“I was reborn to fulfil my promise and to teach you.” said Anamika

“You should have told me directly.” said Jeff

“For reaching a destination, there are always two paths. One shorter, while
the other longer. Nature, always prefer the latter one. Because, the longer
path always leads through a lot of learning, observing and understanding.
So, earlier you were not ready for the longer path.” replied Anamika

“What? I was not ready?” asked Jeff

“In order to understand karma, one must learn from self-experiences. It is a

complex theory but it really exists. You were supposed to experience pain
and sufferings, in order to become what you are today. Everything which
happened in your life was supposed to happen.” replied Anamika

“What is the connection of pain and suffering with learning?” asked Jeff

“Nobody learns from happiness, but it is always the pain which makes
them to learn.” replied Anamika

“Law of karma is based upon ‘cause’ and ‘effect’ that is, you create a cause
and there is always an effect proceeding behind your cause. I intentionally
made a promise. In the theory of law of karma: My promise created a
‘cause’ for both of us. But, I was unaware of the ‘effect’.” said Anamika

She knew that, he won’t be able to understand. So, she explained it in

detail. Both Anamika and Jeff, were the products of cause and effect
theory, which is the theory of karma. It is said:

“A person consists of desires;

As is his desire, so is his will;

As is his will; so is his deed;

Whatever deed he does, that he will reap.”

Jeff and the Publisher came to know about the cycle of karma. Both are
still in the state of dilemma. Jeff is still asking her questions while the
Publisher is silent. With age he has learned, to listen more and speak less.

“I was born again because of you?” asked Jeff

“No, I was born again only for you.” replied Anamika

51
“Intentions of an individual, always affects the individual. Unintentional
actions do not have karmic effects. As I, intentionally made a promise to
your dead body. So, I was supposed to fulfil that promise.” said Anamika

“You and I, are supposed to liberate together.” said Anamika

VII

It has stopped raining outside. The yellow Sun has created a beautiful
rainbow, which is being seen by three of them through the same window.
Even, three of them had learned about the law of nature equally, through
the same window of one source. The last night, had hidden a lot of secrets
in its darkness. But, today the Sun, has revealed all of them at once. Three
of them, are busy in talking with each other.

“What would you do now?” asked the Publisher

“I knew till this phase. I don’t know what to do next.” replied Anamika

Both the Publisher and Anamika are busy in talking with each other.
Finding both of them to be busy in a conversation, Jeff took out the letter
out of his pocket. He went out of the room and started reading it. His mind
is trying to solve, the last riddle which is in this letter. He has already read
the letter three- four times. But, he is still not able to decode it. The letter
only has one topic, which is freedom. After reading the letter for the fifth
time, his eyes trapped a word attached to the word ‘freedom’. This word is
‘The Island of Freedom’.

Jeff’s mind started concentrating on the last words in the letter. But, he is
not having a single clue about this ‘Island of Freedom’. He came inside the
room, with the letter in his hand. Only Anamika is sitting inside the room,
while the Publisher has gone somewhere else.
52
As he entered the room, she ran towards him and hugged him tightly.

“I am sorry. But it was necessary for both of us.” said Anamika

“Anamika, do you know about this word?” asked Jeff, while pointing out at
the word in the letter.

“Whose letter is this?” asked Anamika

“My teacher had left it for me.” replied Jeff

Jeff had received the letter from the monastery. His teacher had died and
left a letter for Jeff.

Anamika instantly started reading the letter of the old wise monk. The
words which were scribbled in the letter were:

***

Son, now I am the past, and, you are the present. Whatever we are doing
in life is to gain ‘similarity’. People spend their whole life in becoming what
the others already are. That is, they want to be similar in each and every
respect, to their role models. But the real purpose for which we have been
created is ‘differentiation’. The more you’ll differentiate yourself, the more
you’ll learn. The biggest knowledge in this universe, is to know yourself.

I know until now, you might have been through a lot of experiences in your
life. You might have seen snow in glaciers, burning heat in the deserts,
rain, shadows of clouds, pinnacles of huge mountains, blossoming of
flowers, darkness of jungles. The basic thing which is behind all of these, is
a person who experiences all of it within you. Find this person inside you,
by going to ‘The Island of Freedom’.

***

Anamika has finished reading the letter. She came across two diagrams,
drawn at the end of the letter. On one diagram, Africa was written while on
the other India was written. The Island of Freedom was shown as a point
between both the diagrams.

After reading the letter, her memory started flashing ‘The Island of
Freedom’.

“I know about this place.” said Anamika

“What is it?” asked Jeff

“I’ll tell you on the way.” replied Anamika

“On the way?” asked Jeff

53
“Yes, we are leaving very soon.” replied Anamika

As both of them were discussing , the Publisher entered the room with a
briefcase in his hand. He opened the briefcase. Both Jeff and Anamika, are
shocked to see, that the briefcase is full of money.

“You’ll need it.” said the Publisher, while handing over the briefcase to
Anamika.

Anamika laughed a bit and said:

“We are running away from desires. This is the thing which produces
cravings and desires.” replied Anamika, while pointing out at the money

“We have enough money to reach there.” said Anamika

The Publisher closed the briefcase and placed it on the ground. She had
already discussed with the Publisher that, she is going with Jeff to some
isolated place. So that, Jeff’s learning could be away from the reaches of
the society. But, she was not knowing about the place. Now, the place
which she was looking for, has been mentioned in the letter.

On the other hand, Jeff is eager to know about ‘The Island of Freedom’. At
the same time, he does not want to disturb Anamika and the Publisher’s
conversation.

“Would you like to sleep for some-time?” asked Anamika to Jeff

“No, I am fine” replied Jeff

“Ok, then get ready. We are leaving in the afternoon.” said Anamika

“Are we leaving today?” asked Jeff

Jeff asked her because he is thinking: how to convince his parents.

“Yes, we are. Is there any problem?” asked Anamika

“No” “But, don’t you think that we are leaving quite early?” asked Jeff

“We are already late. We have already wasted a lot of time in our life.”
replied Anamika

She told him, she wanted to spend more time with her father and grand-
father. She went out of the room. Even, Jeff has returned back to his home.
He shared everything with his family on phone. He made his parents to
understand about his problem. They freed him from each and every
bondage, and, gave the boy their blessings. After talking to his parents, he
packed up his luggage.

54
Again, he came back to the Publisher’s house in the afternoon. The
Publisher and Anamika, are already sitting in the lawn. Her luggage is lying
outside the main door of the house.

“Only one bag?” he said to himself

He placed his three suitcases along with Anamika’s suitcase. She looked
at his luggage.

“We are not going on a vacation. Adjust your necessary items in my bag.”
said Anamika

Without uttering a single word, he opened his bag and took out important
items. He opened her bag which is half-full, only a limited quantity of things
are in her bag. There are some clothes which have been kept in the main
portion of the bag. In the upper transparent part of the bag, are kept some
of the important items. After keeping his clothes in the bag, he joined
Anamika and her grand-father.

She asked for a small motor-boat from her grand-father. Jeff is looking at
both of them. The Publisher took out his car and went somewhere. After
one hour, the Publisher came with keys in his hands. He handed over the
keys to Anamika. May be he has arranged a boat for both of them. She told
Jeff, to pick up the luggage and both started heading towards the port.

Now, even the Publisher has understood the real purpose of life. For the
first time, it had happened that a father has inherited something from his
son. This inheritance was ‘Freedom’. This inheritance was much more
valuable than, what he has earned throughout his life. His billions of dollars
could not match with, what he has learned within one day of his life. He
came to know that, life and experiences teaches more than the books.

“Are we going in a boat?” asked Jeff

“Yes, because nobody is allowed to enter ‘The Island of Freedom’” replied

Anamika

It took only half an hour for both of them to reach the port. There on the
port was floating a small-beautiful blue coloured motor boat.

“Are we travelling in this boat?” asked Jeff

“Yes” replied Anamika

He kept the luggage in the boat and took the command of the boat in his
hands. Slowly, the boat has started leaving the territory of society and
entering into the territory of freedom. They looked backwards, the port of
Sanglon, is now quite far away from their motor-boat.

55
The backside of their boat is creating waves in water. Up from the sky, their
boat is looking like a serpent moving with a huge tail of water behind it.

“We could have travelled in a ship?” asked Jeff

“No. It is not possible” replied Anamika

“Have you ever been to the Island before?” asked Jeff, while steering the
boat

“Yes, I have been there in one stage on my enlightenment process.” replied

Anamika

“But you had mentioned in the diary that, you were in the Himalayas”
asked Jeff

“There are two ways of reaching to ‘The Island of Freedom’. One way is
through physically going there. The other one is a not a physical way that
is, one can reach there through years of meditation and concentration
while, sitting in Samadhi state.” replied Anamika

She told him that, ‘The Island of Freedom’ is a place which, a normal
individual cannot find. Basically, it is a state of mind, where only a person
with free thoughts could enter into the dungeon of freedom. After getting
inside that dungeon, nobody comes out of it.

Very few people have been able to reach this Island. It has been hidden
from the common world. The huge palm trees encircle the Island, which
protects it from the materialistic trespassers. If you reach near the Island
also, you would not be able to see it. There is a hidden work of karma
which can unlock the Island for you. It is out of the reach of societal
impurities. There you’ll find pure energy, which protects this Island.

“What is this energy composed of?” asked Jeff

“There is a story behind it.” replied Anamika

***

Long time ago, the first enlightened person wanted to establish a place,
away from the reaches of the society. He was the first person who found
this Island, so that other people could attain liberation. For protecting the
Island from materialistic society, he left a part of his soul in this Island. The
other part of his soul got liberated. With the passage of time, this energy
escalated, when more beings got enlightened. It is said that his soul would
liberate, after liberating all the other sentient beings. So far, thousands of
people have attained enlightenment from ‘The Island of Freedom’.

***

56
“What do you know more about this Island?” asked Jeff, while taking a turn

“It is another world in this world. The real freedom there is of thoughts.
Nobody interacts with the outer world. Everything over there is free from
the shackles of the society. Only pure mind can reside there.” said Anamika

The pen placed inside the spiral binding of the notebook, has come on the
first page itself. The slight movement of the boat, is making the pen to
move on the paper. The shadow of the pen is moving, along with the pen
on the paper. The moon is visible in the sky as well as in the turbulent sea.
The sound of the sea is creating the trance at the moment. Now, Anamika
is on the wheel of the motor-boat. The waves themselves are taking the
boat to the Island.

“What do you mean by freedom and enlightenment? asked Jeff

Anamika smiled and said:

“When you perceive in all the four directions at one time, then it is called
freedom. If you are able to perceive in only one direction, then it is called
bondage.”

“While, enlightenment is that state, in which your desires are in balance

with their fulfilment. It is a state in which, the ‘seeker’ has already got what
it wanted. In this state, there are no desires.

(desire) 1 : 1 (fulfilment)

When the above ratio occurs, it means non-existent state, that is one has
attained liberation. It is the middle path which is the non-existent state.”
said Anamika

Jeff has not understood, what Anamika had just said. He wanted to know
more but thought not to discuss it now.

“Why are we going to ‘The Island of Freedom’?” asked Jeff

“Well, I was expecting this question in the beginning. But any how, there is
a reason for it.” replied Anamika

“And you know the reason.” replied Anamika

Jeff knew, the reason being the control of his mind by the society. As both
were concentrating on the sea, which was becoming more violent. All of a
sudden, a voice emerged from the sky. They looked at the sky and the
black figure with enormous light was in the sky. Jeff got scared. Anamika
told him not to be afraid of the figure.

“The feeling of freedom is life itself.” Whispered the black figure

57
“Who are you?” asked Anamika, while looking at the sky

“I am............” the black figure whispered

(to be continued......)

58