When the group entered the forest , it was Brother Ashwin leading the way. Apart from Father and Vikram only Brother Ashwin knew the way to their assigned destination. But,
' Destiny has its own way . '
As the famous saying goes no one can out smart destiny. It has its own plans and has it's own way of revealing itself. Sometimes it co-oporates with you and sometimes it revolts. But who are you to resist it's decision . What is meant to happen will happen. The harder we try to avoid or suppress, the deeper we go in the traps of destiny. By the time we realise it's too late.
Such was also the case for Aahil.
As they entered the forest Aahil ,Brother Ashwin , Kady and Dr. Ruchika walked ahead.
Once again upon entering the forest Aahil was surrounded by an extremely strong sense of familiarity. It was too strong to overcome. After all every part of this forest had his childhood memories engraved in themselves.
The deeper they went, the worst things got. Blurr flash of images appeared in his mind ,
voices echoed in his ears. There was a battle going on inside his brain between the subconscious mind and supperfical mind. He was experiencing a terrible sharp pain in his head which was now coming down to his spine as well.
His breathing was raged , there were droplets of sweat all over him and his limbs were unstable and heavy. His brain was undergoing through a dangerous chaos . Brother and Kady both stepped up to help him but Dr. Ruchika didn't allow it. She simply observed the changes that Aahil was going through.
With one sharp electrifying pain and a flash of image , Aahil was no longer in himself . He couldn't keep track of anything . He fercily tried to suppress the inner turmoil and take reins in his hands but the harder he tried , the more difficult things became.
At last Dr. Ruchika decided it was time to stepped in .
"Let go Aahil.... Don't resist your memories...
Let your memories flow through you. Blend yourself with them. Become one with them.
Let them take you to you destination. Don't be afraid of your past...Fear and resistance will only make it difficult for you to regain your memories. That is not our purpose... Flow with your memories "
Her soft but confident voice echoed through his mind.
With her assurance he let go of everything....
Aahil had no control over himself...
He didn't know what was going on anymore.He didn't care of anyone anymore. He truly allowed his memories to guide him.
While Aahil was dealing with his internal chaos , Brother and Kady had no choice but to be bystanders with extremely worried looks. They had no idea of what Aahil was going through at the moment but could understand that whatever it is going on is extremely torturous for him.
' Dear God , I beg you... give him the strength to walk through this trench .... Show him your light in his darkness.... Be his hope in this time of despair... In your name I pray
Amen '
Brother Ashwin silently prayed in his heart as tears gathered in his rims but he dared not shed...
Seeing his best student , who has ways being quick , efficient and confident was at the moment at his lowest point .
Miraculously , even after suffering from such grave injuries he was able to hold on for three days before he was discovered.
The miracle back then is a curse today.
Tears ran uncontrollably through Kady's eyes as she witnessed Aahil's at his lowest condition. She had never seen him this low.
Her heart ached for him and stubbornly wanted to stop it.
" Don't Kady.... Don't..
If you really care for him then don't stop this now... Gold has to burn to prove it's purity... Aahil has to face this to prove his capabilities. It's cruel I know but essential..just a little more and we'll achieve our goal "
Dr. Ruchika consoled her wholeheartedly .Results were showing much better than expectation.Truth was about to be revealed. She looked up at the sky and sensed her surroundings...
Everything was so quiet.. Not a leave was moving , not a sole in sight...
Even birds stop chirping and hid in their nest. The sky which was gloomy when they left the school, was now dark as night with rain clouds .... following their every step...
It felt like even Mother Nature was waiting for the truth... only then will she unleash her wrath.
Currently Aahil's body seemed to have gained a mind of its own , leading the way to their destination .
After what seemed like an endless walk they reached up to a young banayan tree.
Seeing the young banayan tree another electrifying pain with a much greater magnitude ran through Aahil's nerves . The magnitude of the pain was so much that he let out an involuntary scream and finally collapsed.
The banayan tree was another symbol of his past. It was a tree that the three boys along with Madam Oberoi had planted together. It was also the place where she would offen come with the boys for a nature stroll.
Overlapping with so many memories Aahil's brain couldn't take it anymore and gave out.
....
Father Fernandez , Vikram and Yuma when heard Aahil's scream they quickly ran their way to the banyan tree which was their assigned destination.
" What the hell happened??? "
Vikram was the first to arrive followed by Father and Yuma . Seeing Aahil's unconscious body on the ground he couldn't help but ask. Both Father and Yuma too were waiting for an answer as they were worried about Aahil's condition.
" Too much of overlapping caused a major strain on his brain which is why it gave way... but it is nothing to worry about. The shut down of Aahil's brain will help him reorganise his memories.
Water... "
Hearing Dr. Ruchika's professional style answer everyone felt somewhat relieved , Yuma passed a bottle of ice cold water from the ice box that Yuma carried with him when they left the car.
After a few splashes of ice cold Aahil finally regained consciousness. His body felt heavy and exhausted. Their was mildly sharp pain at the back of his head and neck , his throat felt parched as he requested for water. Dr. Ruchika asked Yuma , Vikram and Kady to help him after she finished her check to make sure his vitals are normal.
Vikram help him seat up as Kady helped him drink water .
As the cold water went down his parched throat down to his stomach, he felt like the land receiving rain after a long drought.
Though Aahil was conscious he could barely lift his limb. He supported himself in Vikram's arms as Kady held the bottle for him.
" How are you feeling , my boy?" Father asked as he was shocked to see that in about an hour a perfectly healthy and energetic man was now lay on the ground drained and exhausted...
"Let him rest for a while , after that we will continue "
Vikram followed Dr. Ruchika's orders and slowly lay him down as Kady placed a wet face towel that she was carrying in her bag on his forehead. The cool face towel felt good and Aahil drifted of to sleep.
" Dr. Ruchika can you please explain what happened to him???
He was fine twenty minutes ago... " Father couldn't help but ask with a slight agitated voice as he was unable to come to terms with the situation.
"Father please I beg you... Have a little more patience.
We have almost achived our goal ... Most of his memories are back... Now just the view of the villa and we are done... "
" Done.... Done at the cost of what Dr. Ruchika.... Look what's become of him and you saw how much pain he was in.... His just might go insane... " Kady suddenly outbrusted as she could no longer hold her thoughts for she was really scared for her best friend . Wittnessing with her own eyes the pain , the struggle Aahil was going through her resolve scattered.... Now all she wanted was her friend safely back to where he was.
" You want your friend to be safely back to where he was.... but isn't that exactly what we are doing?? You are seeing the pain he is enduring now... but did you forgotten the pain he was suffering when he couldn't remember his past before??? You are scared that him going back to his past will make him insane... but can you guarantee that not knowing about his past will not haunt him?? Without his past can his future be secured??? Can he truly live peacefully??? Someone murdered his mother twenty years ago.... Can you guarantee that twenty years later there is no one out in this whole wide world for his blood...
Kady everyday Aahil lives in uncertainies .
Kady you are merely a bystander in the whole process.. but you chose to be his supporter and yet here you are ready to throw the towel. The only person who has the right to throw the towel is him and he is not ready to give up yet... If he had decided to give up he would not have lead us here . His body would have given way much longer and the situation would have been much worse...
He is purely fighting on his will power.... If you all quit now his resolve will be scattered... We may never be able to recover his past... And may even lose him fully... "
Anticipating Kady and other thoughts Dr. Ruchika demanded for answers.
Dr. Ruchika's question not only silenced everyone's thoughts but also left them tongue-tied.
True enough , every word she said was true... The poor boy had suffered the cruelty of this world to no end and still managed rise as like a king from the ashes.
He had built his vast empire from nothing... Proving his worth at every point...
Everyone hung there head low ...
Ashamed that they didn't trust Aahil even though knowing him for so long.
Heavy silence hung in the air.... None spoke.
Aahil's eyes fluttered slightly... He was trying to wake up but was feeling extremely tired. But he knew that he must , he must wake up for his work regarding his past was yet to be completed.... He can't back out half way... Never.. Even at the cost of his life he must fight.
He tried to wake up again and this time he successed. He opened his eyes , he felt the wet face towel on his forehead and saw everyone had worried looks on their faces. He tried to get up .
" Hey.. hey.. hey... what do you think you are doing stay down." Aahil was trying to get up but was stopped by Vikram. Yuma also came to his side.
" Sir you must rest... You are not strong enough "
" Took you long enough to remember me.. All this time you were chit chatting with Father if I remember correctly "
Aahil was back alright...
' Dammit '
Hearing Aahil's scaram for slacking off Yuma cursed himself...
But also felt relief at the same time..
As this was his round about way of saying that his fighting spirit was still on.
" Aahil do you think you can continue the process... Just a little bit more is left.... If you can maintain your control than we can finish up the process in the next few hours... "
Dr. Ruchika didn't want anything to disturb the flow of events so she had to ask directly , after all everything depended on Aahil's strength... and how long he can hold on.
" Can you speed up the process some how??"
Before Aahil can even collect his words to give answer , Father already answered for him.
" Of course we can, that will also save his energy... OK..
Vikram , Kady get the cars to the villa while Brother and Yuma support Aahil.... We can walk up to the villa it's only five more minutes. "
Vikram and Kady nodded and left immediately for the cars while Brother Ashwin and Yuma supported Aahil on his feet...
"Dr. Ruchika I saw my.. " Aahil wanted to say something but before he could get to his point Dr. Ruchika signal him not to continue...
" No need to think or discuss about what you are seeing now.... We will do that after we get back all your memories. Right now our priority is to complete your memories.. "
Aahil didn't protest and silently followed her instructions.
Dr. Ruchika fished out a black cloth from her bag and blind folded him.
" The rest of the walk you will stay like this. I don't want you to think about anything at the moment. Meditate in your mind it will help regain your strength and also conserve your energy. "
After another five minutes of walk straight ahead from the direction they came from , the group reached in front of what looked like a abandoned villa from a horror story.
By the time Aahil along with Father, Brother , Yuma and Dr. Ruchika reached the broken gates of the villa Kady and Vikram too arrived with the cars.
Seeing the villa once again they both shrudded. Fear of the unknown grasped their hearts. They looked at each other as they walked up to the others. Vikram held on to Kady as they walked for she was still reluctant to go inside, she constantly reminded herself of her words and their purpose of coming. Vikram's touch provided a sense of security, knowing that she will not be left alone in the place Kady felt more confident as they stepped on to go inside
" Aahil we have reached our last stage... I'm going to remove the fold now are you ready. "
He gave just a simple nod after taking a deep breath to calm his anxious nerves.
Dr. Ruchika positioned Aahil right at the centre outside the villa property as she undid the fold.
Against the dark gloomy sky all Aahil could see was the crumbling walls that were nothing more than a ghostly silhouette of some previous existence.
The windows with some broken glass planes were dark and grey with dirt. They seemed to stare back at Aahil , almost as if challenging him to dare step in.
Ivy grew from the gaps of the crumbled walls like lichens sucking the soul of the house.
What once was a luxurious garden with lush green trees now lay dull and dead. The overgrown grasses and weeds in the garden made no difference from the forest. The rusted railing of the short fleet of stairs that lead to a tightly shut old teak wood doors could barely hold on anymore.
The great iron gates which once stood like a king protecting was now laying broken on both sides
The house seemed tried and worn as time took it's troll on it. Isolated from human civilisation the house looked like itlweeps by itself in the lap of Mother Nature, for it was the only spectator of the cruelty and barbaric demise of its resident . Yet there was still a glimmer of hope in the corners of the place as if reminding that it still needs to wait for its master to return.
This house was the only place where Aahil's memories were well preserved .
This was Yuma's first time visiting this place but he too had the same impression of the house. While the others only looked at the changes the house has gone through since there last visit.
Though the vibe of fear the place gave out since that night is something that latched itself with the house and only increased in magnitude as time wore on.
Seeing the house again flash of images appeared in Aahil's mind, voices echoed but this time there was no pain... none at all.
" This is it Aahil. This is your Home. This is where you lived with your mother. "
Father said as he abjectly remembered the cheerful smile of Madam Oberoi that welcomed him everytime he visited them , the endless laughter of the three young boys after their mischief who were still oblivious to the miseries of life echoed in his ears as it was only yesterday.
" Let's go inside. "
As they walked through the dull dead garden towards the main door, countles images kept flashing in Aahil's mind.
Images for his past .
As the garden came to an end a fleet of five stairs lead up to the main door of the house along with the attached balcony. The door was made of expensive teak wood but it also show the effects of time.
As he climbed on the stairs a broken swing came into his sight. It was an Indian style old swing now lay rusted and dirty. The balcony was filled with dry leaves , mosses and weeds.
The windows on both side of the main door which were once warm and welcoming are now dead and dark cover with a thick layer of dust.
Aahil was in his own little world at the moment. His body has gotten a mind of its own.Taking him back into his past .
It felt to him like he had actually travelled back in time. All his memories were rushing back to him. He remembered the years he had spent with his parents. His blank canvas was now filling itself with the colours of past.
His hands lightly pushed the double teak wood door.
CREAK!!!!
With a loud creaking the doors of the house opened to reveal the equally mortified state of interiors.
Dr. Ruchika could sense by Aahil's body movements that he has already been able to blend him self with the past and is now in the process of visualising the past. Thus" she signal everyone with a finger on her lips to dare not make a sound as it will break Aahil's concentration.
With steady steps Aahil entered the house.
Just like it's exterior the interior of the house too was showed the desperate signs of being timeworn and neglected.
True though, for the past two decades nobody came to this place. Except for a short inspection which was done three months ago before confirming that they had everything they need to go through with this treatment plan.
The doors open to reveal the large living room which was warm and lively back then felt cold and lifeless. The floor was covered with thick layer of undisturbed dirt. Everything was covered with cobwebs. The furnitures of the living room all were scattered , broken glass pieces were all over the place , the window curtains were torn showing signs of human struggles. As if this house was turned up side down at some point , but in reality they showed what desperate situation Madam Oberoi was in on that night she was murdered. They scream at the brutality she had to face.
All in all they seemed to tell an untold story, daring it's visitors to listen.
Aahil's steps didn't stop for once. As if these were not important to him. He didn't spare a glance at the messed up living room instead walked up to a different destination. Crossing the living room he reached for the stairs that were constructed on the other end of the living room leading to the next two floors. He climbed the stairs not bothering with the heavy cobwebs that hung down from the ceiling or the broken flower pots on the stairscase.
" He is going for the second floor master bedroom " Father mumered under his breath when he saw Aahil take confident steps as he worked his way through the layout of the house.
Everyone carefully followed Aahil upstairs . As they reached the second floor the signs of Madam Oberoi's struggle was even more prominent here. Everything in this house was either torn or broken , spread all over the place .
When Yuma reached the first floor he turned back to look back at the living room once as in his mind played the words that Kady said to him on the phone day before yesterday
[That place is a reck!!!...
As a woman I have a hint as to what might have happened to Madam Oberoi back.. ]
' Reck... That's putting it humbly. This place is a disaster. How low did humanity sink that night??? '
Yuma couldn't help but wonder.
Thunder!!! Thunder!!! Thunder!!!!
The sky above them was now dark and low. The ominous black clouds that were following them previously now hung above them. The wind had picked up howling, crying, warning, baying like wolf. The crack of lightning rent in the air followed by the rolling boom reverberated overhead. Soon the rain started, it fell as if from buckets , cascading like a waterfall from the heavens on the roof of the old villa demanding entrance.
On the second floor master bedroom only Aahil entered the room and the others stayed outside as per Dr. Ruchika's orders. From the corner Yuma could see part of the room and it was far worse than the rest of the house.
" Father what is the significance of this room... Is there anything special about this room???"
He couldn't help but ask.
" There is indeed a special significance of this room... This used to be Madam Oberoi's bedroom and also something bad happened to her in this room on that night twenty years ago "
Yuma's question was answered by Kady rather than Father.
Understanding the hidden meaning behind the words looked back at the room with a deep frown. He sweared to himself that he will personally tear the culprit into pieces.
On the other hand Father, Brother, Dr. Ruchika and Vikram all intently watched Aahil's every move trying to figure out his intentions.
The furnitures of this room was exceptionally messed up . The bedsheets and curtains were torn off with broken curtain hangers , the foam from the scratched pillows and mattress were spread everywhere , the mattress itself was kicked to a side and was stuck between the bed and the fallen grandfather clock on the bed blocking the path of that side completely, one of the bed side table was lying broken along with the center table , the single sitters of the bedroom sofa set were left upturned and on them half torn saree was roughly tossed , along with the Saree was also a torn blouse and a pair of woman's undergarments.
The only thing in this upside down room that was in place was a small square snow globe that was placed on the sixth self of the in-wall bookshelf.
At first when Aahil entered the room he went straight for the bookshelf, then he turned to face the room standing there for a good ten minutes as if he was scan the room to its core.
His eyes were hollow and lifeless . His face was blank .He looked like a body without it's soul. He looked at everything in the room from his position , but on a closer look in his eyes they could see that they didn't have any focus in them. His body shook uncontrollably as if he was in rage . His body was white as sheet.
Apart from the the occasional thunder and sound for continuous rainfall outside there was killing silence.
At this point even Dr. Ruchika broke a few cold sweats. This was not as planned . This type of reaction was not something that was supposed to happen. She was really nervous at the moment. She quickly ran towards Aahil and desperately calling him out....
" Aahil wake up... You need to snap out of it.... Get a grip on your self.... Remember who you are... "
But it had no effects. Instead he push her to the floor. Lucky for her see was caught by Yuma as others rushed into the room seeing Dr. Ruchika's desperation.
Aahil didn't stop at that no sooner than he pushed away Dr. Ruchika he turned to the bookshelf and pressed it further into the self.
Everything happened within a second.
They couldn't believe what they were seeing. It was like they were inside of a mystery novel.
As the square snow globe was pressed further into the shelf, the empty in-wall bookshelf pressed itself into the wall and then opened like a door revealing a secret chamber. Seeing the opened chamber Aahil's body collapsed immediately.
Vikram and Yuma rushed to support Aahil, while Kady supported Dr. Ruchika as her almost fall was enough to sprain her foot.
Father and Brother both called out to Aahil as consciousness was slowly slipping away from him.
Right now he could see his entire past like a flash back. The flash back ended with Aahil falling unconscious.
Father Fernandez and Brother wanted Aahil to rest while they could check out the newly discovered secret chamber but when trouble brews, they brew in every corner.
Ring!!! Ring!!! Ring!!!!
Just as they were about to step inside the chamber Vikram's phone rang.
There was no Id showing of the caller neither his or hers number. Vikram picked up the call.
"WHAT???? "