(1)

The tranquil and serene Himalayan village 'Maya' has the day of liveliness. The local word 'Maya' means attachment or being attracted to something else. The village is on a valley surrounded by mountains. People here mainly do farming of crops and domestic animals. They have separate colloquialism. They don't follow any written alphabet. But they have history and stories undiscovered to outer world. People still have been living here in peace for years of centuries. People believe that they have been showered with the divine blessings all the time. Their spirituality gives them the confidence. 'Farming for the meal, and Spirituality for the mind' is their faith. They are equally devoted to spiritual practice along with farming. Outer world barely knows and care of them. Maya people only knows that there is an outer world. Outer people call themselves Indian. They have different look of physique, especially body complexion, height, nose, and eye.

'Hira' is a tribal boy of Maya. 'Hira' means diamond. The boy was named by that word for his glittering eyes. Other tribe people got puzzled for the glittering eyes when they saw him at his birth. So were his parents. They took their little baby to the chief priest of the temple.

'Nothing to worry. Glittering eyes have some divine symbol. Your boy has divine blessings,' the priest affirmed them after examining. 'I think your boy should be taught by the temple priests. Any divine mark means he should get the secret and sacred knowledge of our ancestors, our scriptures. I shall arrange it when he turns five.'

Hira's parents became happier. They agreed and took leave.

Hira's lesson started when he was five. He was being taught the secret and sacred knowledge of their scriptures. The learning method was just listening and memorizing.

Once the chief priest heard an aerial voice in his meditation - 'The boy is a cursed god. Some forefathers of your tribe have also curse for their wrongdoings. The boy is in the world to atone his sins. If he can retrieve his deity with the help of your tribe, he can also absolve your forefathers from their curse.'

The prophecy made the priest worried. He realized Hira's importance. But a prophesy could not be shared with others to keep the eventuality safe. He then decided to keep the boy away from the worldly touch. Worldly touch can manipulate human mind. If it is, then their fate may be clouded. He summoned the boy's parents and instructed them to leave him for priesthood. Priests were the holy representation in the village and honored accordingly. No parent could ever defy a chief priest's instruction. But afraid! Hira's parents were unnaturally silent. The chief priest realized their feelings. According to their scripture, a boy or girl's priesthood was prohibited in case of their parents' disagree. The priest then sighed heavily. He told them to take time and think over it.

Hira was only ten when he got the chance to go out of his village. Hira was his parents only heir. So, his parents were excessively affectionate to him. Once his father decided to go to the nearby village to honor an invitation. Hira heard it. He started to insist his father to take him. His father agreed at last by thinking that Hira was almost twelve. So, next day he was shown travelling with his father to a nearby village. It was his first time to go out of his village. Green trees, or suddenly a canyon, or peeping distant glaciers made the boy amazed and speechless. 'So beauty in the outer world!', he mumbled. Various colorful bright flowers were dancing in breeze as though they were calling him to join. His overwhelming stopped by some foot-approach. Some Into-Tibetan police were passing by then. Hira was wondered that there were some people who were not like them.

'Who are they?' Hira asked his father.

'They safeguard our territory.'

'Really? I thought god safeguard us.'

'It's true, boy. God safeguards us. But we people are divided into territories. Some people have the responsibility to safeguard their own territory.'

'But they are not like us, Dad.'

'Yes, they are Indian soldiers. Our country is India.'

'Why don't we know them?'

'We live in this mountain. We are happy here. Other people live in the plain land. We are far from them.'

Hira was happy. For the first time he travelled. It became the topic of his friends. Very few boys had the same experience. The tribe doesn't allow their kids to go out of the village before twelve. They consider age twelve as a benchmark of understanding. Kids' minds can be manipulated easily by outer world's charm before twelve.

Everything was okay. But Into-Tibetan police brought some new thinking in Hira's mind. There is a world outside. How big is the world? How many people are there? Why are we not in the same village? Why they look different?

Hira's study was going on. His thinking for outer world, especially India, was intriguing. Ever smiling Hira was then sometime seeming perplexed. His perplexing state couldn't evade the priest's eye. The priest called on his parents. He didn't say anything to them about Hira's mind. But he asked them to tell everything that happened in the last few days. Hira's father described day to day activities and the last travel. The priest listened. He was silent for a moment.

'Was he completely twelve then?' The chief priest asked.

The question put Hira's father in an awkward position. He was hesitating. The priest realized all.

'Okay. Enough. Take care of Hira.'

The priest took leave. Hira's parent didn't get any chance to ask further. They got little worried. But nothing happened. Everything was as usual.

The priest realized some violation of a sacred custom. Immediate reparation was urgent. But he didn't know the way. So, some days later the chief priest summoned all the village people to the temple. Village people attended. The temple was crowded. They were worried about that sudden summon. They created indistinct muttering and mumbling.

'Nothing to worry.' the chief priest addressed to the people. People stopped muttering. 'I am going to pay a visit to the sacred temple up in the holy mountain. But don't allow any children to go out of the village until I come back. My coming back may take two or three months. That's all I summoned you for. Now leave. Shantimata, save us all.'

The tribe basically worships the goddess 'Shantimata', means mother of peace or the goddess herself is the peace. If someone gets her blessing, gets eternal peace.

Muttering started again. People left one by one. Then silence swallowed the place.

Destiny never goes straight. Man proposes, but God disposes. Hira's learning was going well. People were very cautious of their children. In one evening, Hira was in meditation in a lonely place near the temple. But his concentration was broken by a harsh sound. He opened his eyes and saw a flying vessel in the sky. He never saw such a vessel before. He just heard of flying vessels from his parents. Flying vessels were actually planes. Its light was like a star in the sky. The plane got invisible within a moment. Hira thought the moving star was showing some direction and it had some divine symbol. He got up and started to follow the direction. He was running to see where the plane went or where his divine star got invisible. He ran a long distance and got fainted by being tired. Nobody knew except the mountainous silence.

Next day the villagers got alert. Hira was Missing! Priests became anxious. Everybody was doing their best to search for Hira. Possible places where Hira might be were searched thoroughly. But nobody found him. Ominous silence swallowed everybody's mind. Hira's parents were completely broken and wretched. One day, two days, three days, and day after days passed, no news came. All the villagers gave up hope, even Hira's parents too.

After three months of the pilgrimage, the chief priest came back to the village. He heard everything and became shocked. But he didn't give up hope. He believed Hira would surely return one day. He vouched the situation as an evil cast on their fate. He asked everybody for more spiritual devotion to please the eternal divinity.

The chief priest secretly met Hira's parents and told not to lose hope. 'I found some divine symbol of Hira'a return. He will return one day. Just wait. Maybe it's a test of our fate.'

Hira's parents found it as condolence. They didn't believe the priest's advice. They just considered it as an excuse of hope to live.

(2)

Herald Brook, the master of tech, has the day of glory. He is called the 'Master' for his outstanding contribution in some military projects of USA. US army has now some super weapons that rank them the top in the world. The most dreadful is the nanobot missiles with artificial intelligence. There is a mother missile covered by countless self-driven nanobots. If any air defense system tries shoot it down, some of the onboard nanobots get activated and encounter the forthcoming missile. Even the nanobots can encounter multiple times group by group. First one group can counter the first missile, then a second group get ready to counter the more forthcoming missile, more groups of nanobots get ready to encounter more. The group is led by a commander nanobot. When they are activated, they take a shape of a missile. They are coded to identify enemy missiles and make the counter-attack right before the forthcoming missile attacks. By this time, the mother missile changes its projectile, but not the target. The nanobots are usually explosive in nature. They can decide by themselves when to explode. Thus, the nanobot missiles becomes inexorable and makes enemy air-defense system useless.

US Navy has trounced its opponents in the South China Sea War very recently. US opponents found no chance against some super weapons, especially nanobot missiles. They were as though waiting for the time when the US Navy would declare victory and they would get relief from the hellish destruction.

The White house and the Pentagon are celebrating the victory. 'Herald Brook' is the mostly uttered name in the cheering. Celebrating parties are toasting to his success along with the US Navy. He is being lauded lavishly.

His father Thomas Brook is proud of him. Every time he meets Herald, says-

'Well-done, my boy. So proud of you.'

His mother Isabell Brook always smiles to celebrate his success. Every time Herald has a new success, every time his mother kisses on his forehead. Herald has a happy family. Success, wealth, fame now whirl around him. Herald's success has also brought some invisible barrier. Secret agency always follows him to ensure his safety. But Herald is still happy. His happiness continues until he meets his school friend Stella.

He met Stella in a press conference on the victory of South China Sea battle. Stella is now a press woman. When the conference was over, every reporter was leaving except one, standing at a corner. Somehow she drew attention of Herald. Herald who was overwhelmed with public praises a bit ago, got astonished seeing Stella.

'Stella? Aren't you?... God! You are.'

That was the starting; then cell number was exchanged, and now frequent conversation goes on.

Herald and Stella were friends in school life in the city of Nashville. They were the students of the University School of Nashville. He was a prodigy boy of quick learning. So, he was easily a famous student in their school. On the other hand, Stella was stunningly beautiful as well as a good student. Boys remained always eager to make friendship with her. Of course her beauty was supposed to be the apparent reason. But she was somewhat introvert. She had just countable friends and Herald was lucky one. Maybe his extraordinary talent made his good luck.

Then Herald's family shifted to Adams Morgan city in Washington. He took transfer from his school.

In his Morgan life, he made friends very quickly. New friends just replaced the memory of old friends. Then many days passed and Herald completed graduation and post-graduation. Now he is a famous scientist.

Herald and Stella nowadays have started to make frequent visits. Visits were not official or simple or mandatory. But they meet, they visit. What lies behind their meetings? Is there any cupid conspiracy? Two young hearts have the days to be struck by Cupid's arrow. Frequent visits have been turned into a date in one afternoon in a verdant place under the soothing blue sky when Stella asked Herald a question.

'You don't use Facebook, do you?'

So intelligent and smart Herald got perplexed by the abrupt and absurd question.

'Yep. But not an active user. Actually I don't have enough time. Once I opened as everybody does. Umm… Why is this question?' Herald asked in reply. Then he pretended to be upset. 'Got it. This is a part of your reporting. You are here doing your office.'

'God damn it. No, Herald, please don't misunderstand me.'

'Then why is this question?' Herald used a serious tone as a part of pretending.

Stella got upset. 'Actually I always tried to follow you in FB after your leaving Nashville. But found none.'

'Really?' Herald found it intriguing.

Stella kept silence. Herald stared at her eyes. Her blue eyes revealed the seriousness and truth. Herald understood.

'I put my pussy in my profile picture. So that nobody can recognize me.' Herald took a second. His tone then turned more serious. 'Why did you search for me?'

Stella remained silent.

'All the time I missed you. I missed you as a friend when you left the school. But some years later, I felt you beyond words. I found some emotional complicacy. I still miss you'

Her blushing cheeks supported her eyes.

Herald felt some uneasy. He stared at her for a moment. All his wisdom, intelligence capitulated to her expression. For the first time he felt some weird feelings for Stella that he never felt for anyone. Silence held a moment. Theirs eyes began to talk. Stella got relieved. Herald got overwhelmed. Cupid gets the chance to shoot the arrow.

Herald started to stammer.

'S.. S.. Stella.. I don't know what to say. T… T Truly speaking, I am perplexed. I don't know why. I.. I feel something to say, but finding no word. Just feeling a cyclone in my heart bewildering me.'

Stella kept her hand on his hand. This touch gave Herald an electric shock. He feels the power of the touch.

'I am not a poet to create a rhyme for you. Simply I can say, don't bid me adieu.' Herald said it in a breath. His breaths got deeper. He felt some sort of sensuousness driving him from within.

Stella just smiled. Softly said-

'Stop Herald. I have waited for the years to tell what my heart feels. It is time which molded my feelings to deliver. You never had the same feeling as mine. I know you feel it now. Take time to express it. Otherwise, your heart will be like some goddamn dam to get broken by excessive water pressure.'

Herald smiled and inhaled deeply.

'Okay. Ah.. look, I am just hacked and you are the hacker.'

Both laughed loudly.

'Hey, brilliant tech expert, you have yet to learn a lot.' Stella gives him a word pinch.

'Of course. I am honored to get a stunningly beautiful teacher.'

This was the way how dating started and now continues. Agency people warns him not to get too closer to Stella. It might leak some secrecy of military project Herald is involved in. But Herald cannot ignore his feelings. Stella thus becomes his happiness and unhappiness simultaneously.

Stella also amazed Herald by her philanthropic view. Her awareness and consciousness of contemporary world issues surprised him. As a reporter she had a wide range of experiences. She seemed an eclectic person to him. On the other hand, Herald was a free bird in his world of technology, thinking, research, success, applause, and compliments. He found a new world through Stella that he never wished to lose.

Now, Herald find his life in the spiral shape; two sides of happiness never converge. When Stella comes near, research goes away and then the vice-versa. His perplexing state cannot escape his parents' eye.

'What troubles you, Son?' His father asks in the dining table.

Herald understands the reality. But he cannot share. His mother looks worried.

'Look, son. We are aged now. We have been through a vast experience. We cannot give direct solution to everything. But our experience can give some lead. If you like to share, we will like to search for similar experience of our days.' Mr. Herald Senior adds.

'Son, I am aged, but still your mother. I cannot be happy when I see my only son worried.' Herald's mother adds.

Herald sighs heavily, looks at his parents a while, then looks at the street light indifferently through the window.

'Ahem, I am not worried rather I am perplexed. I don't know what to say. I met Stella, heard her feeling for me, and now I am overwhelmed. I have lost my control. Even I cannot give concentration on my research. Why is this? If I am in love, so what? Why am I in this perplexity?'

His parents look at each other and smiles.

'From my experience I think your mother can give you the best suggestion.'

Intimidated Herald looks at his mother as though he were ruing for his wrong doing.

'Herald, why do you so concentrate on your research?' His mother asks.

'Because I like it. I enjoy it.'

'Okay, my boy. Now tell me, suppose you are at the final moment of your new discovery and you get the news of my accident at the moment. What will you do? Will you stop your research to come to me or continue as usual?'

'What kind of question is this? Of course, you will always be my first priority.'

His mother smiles.

'Take time, think, and then answer.'

Herald inhales a deep breath.

'Mom, I love you beyond any of my research, any of my success. No logic can measure it. No word is enough to express. I will not think it twice.'

'So, you want to say it is Love that you cannot defy. Remember you are a scientist. But you are going for emotion, not for logic. You see emotional dominance itself is the logic here. Because you are not a robot. You are a human being. Love is the best divine gift if you have. It never blocks one's way, rather it shows the finest path. If you truly feel Stella, just free your emotions in a controlled way. Be true to your love. Love itself will show you the way.'

'But how can Love show me the way?'

'Ask your heart what to do first. Then you will understand what next.'

Herald is listening like an enchanted one, inhales deeply. All the conversations have made the environment cozy. Then the family again makes some fun as a part of dinner dessert.

(3)

The tranquility and serenity of Himalayan Maya village is now under some threat. Serenity entices tourists. Government promotes tourism for revenue income. Tourists bring noise, plastics and garbage.

Few years ago, government established a tourist spot near the Maya village. Government was concerned with the ecosystem of the village. Tribal leaders were assured to keep the spot away from the village. But some adventure-lover sometime go to the village. Though the village people become disturbed, yet they show a smiling face. They understand that government is the power. They also understand their lifestyle has become an income source of the government. They cannot defy government rules. But in the Maya society, all the happenings are a curse. They believe that this curse has come down on them for some unknown wrong doing. Their myth says, only patience can remove a curse. So, they accept any happening calmly and patiently.

People of Maya village still follow their primeval life style. They make farming to satisfy hunger and daily needs. But spirituality is still the purpose of their living. They believe Goddess Shantimata will give them peace. They worship with more dedication. Priests try to discover more divinity. They follow their own education system. But they can say speak primary level English now for often tourist intrusion.

In the village, everybody forgets the lost boy Hira, except the chief priest. Age now tires the chief priest a bit. But he still keeps the hope of Hira's return. He believes that Hira will retrieve his deity and the salvation of ancestors' souls.

The rainy season begins now. The tourists are less frequent now a day. Maya people are happy. There will be less intrusion of adventure lovers. But mysterious destiny sometimes defies human's hope. In one rainy morning, a white skinned young lady comes to the temple alone. Temple priests are simultaneously wondered and annoyed. A priest approaches to her.

'Shaheban (madam), what you want?'

'Hi, my name is Emily. I am here to meet Guruji.'

The priest understands that she is talking about the chief priest. He then leads her to the chief priest. The chief gets somewhat perplexed when he comes to know that she is searching for him.

'I am Guruji. I am the chief priest here and people address me as Guruji.'

'Oh… very nice to meet you. I am Emily from USA. I want to meet you.'

Eyes of the chief priest twinkle with surprise and seriousness.

'Come, get inside, and sit down.'

Emily takes a seat in the chief's chamber, a tiny chamber of bamboo and wood.

'Okay. You want to meet me, and you are from USA. I don't understand. Can you please explain?'

'Sure, Guruji. But I am so tired. Can I take some rest first?'

Then the chief priest asks the waiting junior priest to take her to the guest cottage. The guest cottage is also made of bamboo and wood. In fact, all the chambers of the temple are made of wood and bamboo, except the prayer hall. The prayer hall is made of bricks and stones.

'Emilyji, follow him. He will take to you to the place where you can take rest. We shall talk later.'

'Thank you, Guruji.' Emily follows the priest.

After their leaving, the chief priest looks some worried.

'A white skinned young lady from USA wants to meet me. Why? What is the link? How she knows me?' he indistinctly mumbles to himself. Intriguing mystery pushes him in a pensive mood. Then he finds a reason as he always does in every case. 'Maybe it's a part of divine game. Holy Shantimata, give us peace.'

In the afternoon, he decides to talk to Emily. He goes to the guest room. He knocks at the door. But no sound, no reply come. He continues knocking. But the result is no different. He calls out for a help. A young priest reaches there.

'Do you know where our guest is?'

'Guruji, she was in the room.'

'I am calling, but no response.' He thinks a while. 'Umm… okay, break into the room.'

The young priest collects a heavy wood log and starts to push the door with it. After a hard try, they break in. They find Emily almost fainted and lying on the ground. Anxiety consumes both of them. They peek on each other. The chief priest checks her pulse. Oh, she catches fever! They start to take care of her. In the temple, all the priests are male. So, the chief sends a junior one to bring a woman from the village. The young priest makes an errand and brings an old widow with him. The chief has collected some herbs and made a potion from their extract by this time. Soon Emily gets her sense back with their intensive care. But she seems very weak. The mother-like old widow gives her a pacific smile. Emily sees the smiling faces of Guruji, and the young priest too. She furtively realizes what happened. She gives all a quiet murmur of thanks.

'No talk Emilyji. Take rest. We all are here for you. Don't worry. Feel your home here. Right now we are taking leave. But Kantaji (he points to the widow) is here for you. She will take care. I have made some potions. Kantaji knows what to do. Very soon you will be okay.'

The chief and the junior take leave then.

Emily hears bird chirps, sound of breeze from her room. She is now in an unknown mountain village, thousands miles away from her country. But she feels it as her home, and finds nothing alienating, especially in this unexpected physical condition. She tries to talk to the widow. But she doesn't know English. She has always the smiling face. She uses sign language to respond. Emily feels her motherly care.

Today is the fourth day after Emily's fever. Her medication is over. She is now completely fine. She has regained some energy by this time. She can now walk around her room. The widow has already informed the chief priest of Emily's recovery. She is still in Emily's service for the chief's request.

Emily is sitting on a stone near her room. The widow is watching her movement from the room. Emily looks at the surroundings, the sky, the mountain peaks. The ambient beauty amazes her. As though the village were a piece of Heaven on the earth. She feels life beyond life. Most of the worldly men don't know about the people of this village. But the village has life. They have their own belief, life style, philosophy. Spontaneous aimless thinking encroaches her mind. The sky, the surrounding greenery, and the sober silence of the ambience remind her of life in another version. Life has versions beyond count. Poor humans only want to live one in most cases. Maybe the God or Almighty is unhappy with his supposed best creation. What is the value of His creation, if no human being discovers the versions of life? Maybe each version depicts a new dimension of God. If God is the ultimate destination of human journey, each new dimension is a way to reach the destination. One who can discover more dimensions of life can enjoy a more color in the journey of life. Maybe the journey to discover the versions of life is the ultimate knowledge. Maybe this discover is the proper way of worshiping of God.

Emily is somewhat theologian, but not in an established way. She believes in every concept of God, prevailing in the world irrespective of small ethnic group to established widespread religion like Christian or Islam. She is a born Christian. But she has equal respect to every body's God. This kind of view makes her more philanthropic than any other philanthropist with any established religious belief.

The sun is about to set. The dusk spreads its colors. Wordsworthian emotions makes her overwhelmed. Her past days of English literature are now present before her. She is still in her joyous solitary confinement. Fireflies' buzzing challenges the shadow darkness of evening. Changes of every moment is very clear and visible here. But prosperity and development sometime snatch some joyous moment away forever. Arlington city of Texas has now the stunning brightness of electric lights. But it has also lost the light of fireflies forever. Arlington is the city of her adolescence. Emily exhales, there is always a trade off in the evolvement of civilization. What is gone, gone forever. But there remains something new in exchange.

Emily gets amazed! How is she thinking of so serious matters in so simple a way? In the city of Arlington or any city of USA, she barely gets time to think of the journey of life. Time flies there. She passes her most time to satisfy hunger. 'Work, earn, and spend' becomes the life circle. Yes, that is also a version among versions of life.

The evening is over. Emily gets aware by the approaching footsteps. The widow is coming toward her with a soil lamp. She sees the widow's smile and her sign language. Emily understands the meaning. She also smiles and goes with her to the cottage.

The next morning starts with patchy drizzle. Emily gets up very early. But she is still lying on her bed. The attendant widow woke up before her. She opened the door. Emily looks around through the door. She indulges in the drenched ambience. No internet, no phone call snatches her time away. She feels herself in a Paradise.

Emily notices suddenly someone is coming toward her cottage. She leaves the bed and approaches to the door. It's Guruji! So early in the morning!

Emily greets him in Indian style. 'Namaste, Guruji.'

The chief priest enters the cottage. 'Namaste, Emilyji.'

The widow also greets him and give a chair to sit. The chief priest sits on the chair.

'Emilyji, how do you feel now?'

'Completely okay.'

'Good. Very good. Actually I was walking around the temple yard. When I was at that side (he points toward a direction), I thought to call on you. I am extremely sorry, if I disturb you in any way.'

'No, no… It's okay. I got up a while ago. But seeing the patchy drizzle from the bed, I didn't leave the bed.'

The chief priest smiles. He inhales a bit long. 'Emilyji, can I say something?'

'Sure, guruji.'

'I think you are in a good physical condition now. So, we can start. You came here to meet me. Is the right time to tell me the reason?'

'I was thinking of it too. Of course it is the time. Actually with my growing up, I had many questions in my mind. I still have many.' Emily takes a breath. 'I want to know versions of life, and their philosophy.'

The chief priest smiles softly. 'Okay. But why me to answer? I am not a teacher. I belong to a small ethnic group. Nobody cares us. We like to live in solitude and peace. So, how can I teach you? You are from USA. You have huge tech, science, economy, and prosperity. On the contrary, we pass a very simple, and economically poor life. You epitomize the developed civilization. It seems a charade to me that you have come to me to find the answers of your philosophy.'

'Guruji, no wall can limit knowledge. Knowledge is versatile because life itself is versatile. If USA has one version of life, then you have another. I want to know yours.'

'Humm. How did you come to know us, even from USA?'

'From a book, named 'Mysterious India', an adventurer's book.'

'We are in a book? How is it possible? We are in deep solitude for hundreds of years. Tourist is almost very rare in our area except the last two years. Even we didn't allow anybody to know our lifestyle, religion.'

'But I found you in the book. The book was published six years ago. Since then I was very eager to meet you. And now finally I get you.'

The chief priest seems thoughtful, takes a long breath, keeps a blank sight on the sky through the tiny window. He looks somewhat worried. Emily notices, but keeps silence.

'Guruji, are you miffed anyway?'

'No' the chief priest turns his sight to Emily, and starts to talk with an extremely soft voice. 'Emilyji, I don't understand how it is possible that we are in a book, especially I am pointed out. You are here from USA to learn the mystery of our knowledge. But why me, specially pointed out to be a teacher? This Himalayan region, this Indian subcontinent has diversity. Many monks you will find here totally devoted to God. They have spiritual knowledge. There are many good souls with godly knowledge. I am simply a priest.'

'Guruji, I don't know what is your specialty. But I found you described in the book who can help me to know a new version of life.'

Now the chief priest smiles. 'I don't know anything special. But we don't share our lifestyle, literature to anyone. We keep it secret, because we think those who don't belong to us can defile our spirituality.'

Suddenly Emily looks frustrated and serious. 'Do you think your spirituality is so fragile that anybody can easily mess up?'

'No. But it is our long standing custom. We don't want to be hurt.'

'Guruji, can you please think it in another way? Think, if you share, anybody could be enlightened, they also can be respectful.'

'We know it. Knowledge is pure and universal. But if anybody use it for evil purpose, it can bring a massacre for the mankind. We have myths, and we believe in it. We are pleased to adore, to worship our God. Our knowledge gives us an everlasting zeal. We are happy, and we are in peace. I am sorry that I have nothing to share with you.'

Emily finds him recalcitrant and becomes completely frustrated. But she never gives up. She keeps her trying to convince him with questions, requests. But the chief priest seems indifferent. She realizes that she has to leave that place as she is unwelcomed for her purpose. The chief priest takes leave. Emily gets in melancholic silence. The attendant widow was a silent witness when the conversation was going on. Now she is confused. But she approaches to Emily with a smiling face. Emily is very happy with this widow. She finds a mother in her, a mother who is always ready to affectionately take care of her daughter, who is also protective and supportive.

In that afternoon, a priest calls her on to convey a message from the chief priest that Emily should leave that place in the next morning. Emily packs up her stuffs at night. But she is always thinking how she can get help from Guruji. But next morning she leaves with a broken heart.

(4)

USA secret agents have come know about some Chinese military spy working in the USA. Maybe they are gentle immigrants, students, researcher, or in any profession. They use secret mandarin codes to communicate among themselves. Chinese government has become desperate to teach USA a lesson after the beginning of undeclared trade war. It brings its Belt and Road Initiatives (BRI) to extend its own dominance over other countries. The Chinese policy is supposed to create a monopoly in finished goods supply, and thus, to kill buyer's power. It still has the cheapest labor force. But some groups find it as a state autocracy. The state forces a segment of its people to work in low wages. Even the external world barely knows what is exactly happening in China except the news the Chinese government feeds. With the progress of Chinese Economy, China is ensuring huge investment in military projects. With its growing military power, it seems to take an expansionary policy with neighboring countries. Even their activity proves that they want to dominate the whole world, not only a region. Its recent border clashes with India, Taiwan issue reflect its plan. From the latest Afghan situation, some experts think that China is the most benefitted country by Taliban's reinstate in Afghanistan after twenty years. They describe it as a great victory with doing nothing. They uphold various logics. Taliban has a good ally with Pakistan. Pakistan will have the most strategic influence to deal with Taliban. Afghanistan has border with both Pakistan and Iran. Both countries have similar anti USA issues. Again, both the countries have good relation with China. Even Pakistan has become almost a satellite state to China in economic aspect. So, China will get the big chance to implement its silk road for BRI through Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran. Even Turkey is getting closer to China. Turkey is acting like a self-regarded cunning fox as Erdogan tries to show himself as new Sultan Suleiman. But USA is still possessing the tag of the most powerful nation, and it tries its best to remain. Not only the USA but also the other developed countries are being aware of China and its mandarin trick. The rich countries preferred China for cheap manufacturing cost for a long time. They nurtured Chinese economy, helped them to boost up. But now they realize China is becoming the Frankenstein. They are now coming forward to creating new substitute for China to ensure buyer's power, especially Japan is investing huge to create timely substitute. Because, Japan, like Taiwan, is also getting direct threat from China as they share some territorial dispute over some islands.

Some secret agents of USA have been trained up with mandarin language. Still they are in a complete blind spot to figure the Chinese spy out. But some media activists have been detected in their radar who are some sort of China-fan. They are apparently fond of China for its emergence as a new super power. But the secret agents doubt of secret Chinese investment to create lobbyist in USA media. CIA and FBI are working separately to figure it out. But they have no clue yet. US government is taking the issue as a national threat.

Here Herald Brook is suddenly thrown out from various military projects which were earlier supposed to be assigned to him. Herald got shocked when he came to know that Government was not somehow showing any interest. But nobody told him any visible reason. His dates with Stella is now a days getting insipid. Stella asks him again and again. But Herald shares nothing with her. He is somewhat introvert in this case. On the contrary, Stella was getting focused in his career. She became a much discussed topic as a promising reporter. Her analysis of international politics very soon got attention.

'Herald, just focus on yourself. You are lacking confidence. It doesn't suites you. Even you are not sharing with me what is happening. Please.' One day Stella urges him to share.

Herald smiles a bit, inhales deeply, looks at her eyes. 'I don't know what is happening. The government needs me no more. I am just kicked out from the supposed projects.'

'Really? Maybe there might be a reason. Government or Army is not bound to share.' Stella takes a moment. 'So, what are you thinking? What will do now?'

Herald smiles aimlessly again. 'I will enjoy holidays. Um.. thinking of making a world tour. Indonesia, Thailand, India… and anywhere the mind wants to go. You can join me. You will have huge experience to enrich your article.'

'I am afraid. I might not get a long vacation. Better waiting for your return.'

Both chuckle a bit. They know they are going to face a tough time.

One month later Herald really makes his journey start with some books and a small luggage. His parents are happy about his decision. Herald feels refreshed when he discovers that no secret agent silently walks around him now as a bodyguard. Thus the hero goes out of focus.

Now, another hero is in the city, Aero Jackman. He is a freelance article writer, and is now happy with the publication one of his articles in 'New Morning Times' ending with 'Even the US has to accept the truth that China is now a super power.' Jackman has immense popularity among his readers. In Tweeter, he is followed and retweeted by millions of fans. His articles are generally on international geopolitics. His simple diction and delivery style make him favorite to his readers. Even many Congress member or senator sometime take advice from him on geopolitical issues.

He is now also under FBI radar. FBI agents are following him secretly. But they found him engaged with some philanthropic activities under some non-profitable organizations. He is also apparently seeming a simple China-fan, not more than that. But FBI is still doubtful. Some of his articles on some undisclosed tactical weapons of US military intrigue the FBI. He describes some future military weapons to make comparison between US and China in term of military power. How is it possible to accurately describe of some highly classified military projects? Though the articles reflect only some non-technical description, they are providing information at least. The FBI is now more focusing on his past records.

At last, a big breakthrough comes for FBI. They find that he had a verified online page. He posts most of his writings there and readers have to pay to read. FBI then investigates his financial transactions and discovers huge regular donation from readers. But some regular big donations are from Chinese or Chinese linked people. The amounts are huge enough to intrigue doubt. Then they track down those special donors and find them directly or indirectly linked with Chinese embassy or Chinese trade organizations.

Now FBI is trying to get Jackman's sources of information. They are narrowing down their investigation to some persons who have interpersonal communication. Yes, some of them are found to communicate with mandarin code. FBI then tries to get their past records. Now, their movement is under FBI surveillance. FBI collects huge mandarin code messages and decipher them. Everything is clear. The secret agents are trying to create lobby in favor of them to gain political favor for China.

FBI is still in search of Jackman's information sources. After several months' surveillance, they find Stella, the girl-friend of Herald Brook, having a connection with Jackman. FBI then interrogates Stella. She admits that she made several reporting discussions with Jackman. But she denies any kind of spying or involvement on that purpose. FBI examines her past records, and finds nothing doubtful. Maybe she unknowingly shared some stories with Jackman. Because Jackman's reports described mainly Herald's projects. Jackman is then interrogated by FBI. At first, he denies China link. But when he is asked about the unusual and excessive payments made by some of his special readers, his reply cannot satisfy them. He also admits that he tactfully picked up the Herald stories from Stella while in discussions keeping her unknown of his intention.

FBI now pans out their investigation. They arrest some secret agents and Jackman with proper evidence, and silently keep Stella under surveillance. They also send an email to Herald on this issue. Herald gets disappointed when he comes to know that Stella might be sloppy in sharing some classified information. It might not be her intentional fault, but Stella should have been careful with this. He is now sure that Jackman's report was preliminary behind his expulsion. He then writes a letter to Stella describing his feelings toward her with a conclusion that she might be a good friend rather than girlfriend. He thinks it's his fault to get overwhelmed by personal attachment. From now on, he will be all free to just focus on his research only.

FBI finishes its mission. Stella and Herald get break up. New hero very soon gets marked as zero. Politicians get new issue to discuss, new excuse to make new game plane.

Herald now feel fresh in the Balinese islands of Indonesia. He enjoys a common life in an uncommon way. An all-time vigorous meditating researcher is now enjoying his leisure in a lavish way. He is just floating like a cloud. After Indonesia, he starts his Thai adventure from Phuket to Chiang Mai. Thai street food, Thai massage, Thai hospitality make his travel cozy. Ambient beauty of Thailand soothes his eyes. He then starts for India. He is expecting government call to get reinstated into the research projects. So, he wishes to have enjoy subcontinental beauty before returning to home.

(5)

Emily left the Maya village with a broken heart. But she gets her vigor back soon. She makes up her mind to leave no stone unturned. 'Of course, there is always a chance' the philosophy she believes in. If the chief priest is a badass, there is of course a gullible person. Because nature always keeps the balance.

At last, Emily finds a local man as a guide in market place of the tourist spot near Maya village. She asks the man if he could bring any help to get to the secret sacred temple of Maya religion. The man at first refuses to do any help. But, when she offers more money, he agrees.

'I can show you the path. But I cannot go there.' The man tells her.

'How can I believe that you can show the right place? So far I know the Maya priests never share the secrecy with others.' Emily asks the man.

The man gulps a bit, hesitates. Emily observes it.

'Are you hiding something?' She asks.

'Nothing. Actually, the Maya people live a mysterious life. It will be very difficult to find the place. But I will manage it.'

'Okay, leave it. I will try to reach a Maya man with more money.'

The man thinks he is going to miss the chance. So much money! He thinks a while.

'Okay, Madam, I will say something to you. Please keep it secret.'

'If it helps me really, I will keep it secret. Now come on'

'Um… I am also a Maya man. But I am banished for defiling some of our rites. Since then I am out of my community. But I know how to go to the sacred temple. I may lead you there under one condition. You have to promise that you will not cause any harm to the temple or violate its sacredness.'

'You are banished from your community. So, why are you so worried about its sacredness?'

'Once I defiled, I am still banished. I believe if I atone my wrongdoing, I still have the chance to retrieve mercy of holy Shantimata.'

'Um.. I understand. I promise to your condition. Now help me. We are gonna start tomorrow morning. Get rest and see you in the morning.'

Next morning, they start for the sacred temple. They start to follow a desolate trail. Actually, nobody comes here except the Maya people. So, every trail is desolate here. They firstly trail up seven kilometers to the north. There is a small place like basecamp. Then they are to go three thousand meter up. As the season is the early winter, the mountain path starts to get snowy and hazardous. If any accident occurs, nobody will notice. They are not mountain trekkers. They trek up slowly and carefully. Sometime they take rest in their mobile tents. After twenty-five days of their journey, they at last reaches at the peak. The ambient beauty just amazes Emily. It is like a myth-described heaven. A sober temple is standing there with its only gate locked. They set their tent close to the temple gate.

The guide has a map with him. All the time he followed the instructions. Now, they are at a loss how to open the gate. The guide tells Emily that maybe there are some signs engraved anywhere around the gate. They start to search for it by removing snow with spades near the gate. At last, some coded instructions are found. By following the instructions, they open the gate.

The interior is simple and sober. The temple was not a separate infrastructure. It is eminently a mountain cave. A gigantic statue of a lady with divine beauty is standing at the east corner. Of course it is the statue of the worshipped goddess 'Shantimata.' They show honor to the goddess. The guide says a prayer before the statue. Emily waits until his prayer is over. Emily cannot understand what the exceptionality of the temple is. After the prayer the guide asks Emily what to do. Emily thinks what she can do.

'Shaktiji (name of the guide), what makes this temple so sacred to you?'

'I don't know the exact reason. But once I heard from Guruji that our secret knowledge lies here. Only a good soul can find it out.'

Emily gets puzzled with the concept of good soul. How is it to define a soul good? What's the mystery lying here? Suddenly, a yeti approaches to the temple gate. Its angry look gets them scared. Both of them are just thinking of hiding. They slowly go behind the statue. The back side is dark and murky as it is covered by the gigantic statue. They find a narrow tunnel on the wall while frisking in the dark. Emily drags the guide and enters the tunnel. They move forward through the tunnel for an hour until it ends up to a cave. The tunnel is actually a passage to another cave. Both of them reach there. Emily switches on a torch bearing with her. The cave is too spacious like a missile-silo. They try to see in the torchlight. Emily finds some pictures engraved on the wall describing various gods and their activities. People are seen worshipping gods, gods are happy in the heaven, then a great war took place among the followers of different gods with a heavy bloodbath, all gods' powers got forged into one, and finally that a goddess comes out of the forged power to pacify the world. Emily understands the last goddess is the divine Shantimata. At a silent corner of the cave, Emily finds a library of old books. The books are not printed, rather they were manuscript on big leafs. Emily cannot read them as she doesn't know the alphabet. She asks the guide if he knows to read. The scared guide shakes his head with affirmation. Emily realizes that it is quite impossible for her to read all the manuscript. She asks the guide to say the book names. From the names, she comes to know that Maya people have a colorful history, once they had rituals, myths, scriptures, literatures. They had separate kingdoms. She then randomly selects the last book on the last shelf. It looks old, but not older than others.

'Then tell me the book's name.' Emily asks him.

The guide reads and tells her that its name means 'Myth of Life.' The name intrigues her. She then asks the guide to tell its story. The guide then goes through the book and tells the story. After listening the story, Emily cannot understand how it is a myth of life. It's a simple story of a family life. A couple started their family life. The couple was happy with a dignified life. Once they were swindled, and their affordability was dwindled to vicious poverty. But they didn't give up. Life was an adventure to them. They think that life must have some mystery without apparent solution. That is why life seems beautiful and full of diversity. The couple tried every inch with dedication and vigor to survive in their severe poverty. They were free from any kind of addiction or expectation regarding the result of their doings; rather did they focus on their action. They believed if they could do their job properly, the better result was a sure consequence; otherwise the opposite was must. If someone just focus on the intended result, he or she might make mistake willfully or unwillfully while doing job. It is like when you make a plan, just keep focus on action. After facing thousands of hardships, they regained better affordability in life. They faced hardships, sorrows many times throughout their life, but they never gave up. In the end of the day, they were happy always. They passed the world away with peace as though the earth gave them a motherly care.

Emily gets puzzled. What is the exceptionality of the story? Why is it the myth of life. They get out of the cave and come to the temple carefully. The yeti is already gone. They go back to their tents. But Emily gets thoughtful. How a simple story can be a source of immense inspiration for Maya people!

She then decides to stay there for more few days to know about their myths. Every day she and her guide enter the temple and library. The guide tells her the myths in brief after perusing the extracts. There was extract of each myth written as a prelude. If Emily wants to go through all the books kept in the library, it will take her several years. But she at least gets some knowledge of Maya mysticism. It seems weird to Emily that there was no mention of Maya alphabet in the book 'Mysterious India.' Even the writer mentioned that the Maya people didn't have any alphabet. Their teaching and learning go verbally. Even if the writer is true, the fact that once the Maya race had their alphabet is unknown to the writer. Emily now thinks to find out the writer of 'Mysterious India' after returning to USA.

After twenty days of camping, she is now getting ready to go back. They now start the return journey. As winter is approaching gradually, the snowfall is getting intense. They are carefully climbing down. The guide follows his map. It takes them almost one month to get back to tourist center near Maya village. After staying there another week, Emily finally starts for his country. She is now at the Indira Gandhi International Airport to be onboard. She is habitually reading book, and now that 'Mysterious India.' Suddenly she notices that a white race young man is repeatedly looking at her. But he only smiles having an eye contact with her. Emily then again concentrates on her book.

'Hi, I am Herald. Made a great trip here. Now gonna back to USA.' Emily wonders a bit. That young man is now standing before her.

'Hello, I am Emily. Also returning to USA.'

'Would you mind if I sit here?' Herald points to the adjacent seat.

'No. You can.' Emily closes the book.

'Actually I am a lone traveler. I travelled a lot here in India. A beautiful country indeed. But your book intrigues me. Um.. it's an instinct. I love mystery and to discover. So, when I noticed you reading the book with that name, I couldn't but ask you. Can you tell me what kind of mystery described here?'

The announcement starts addressing the passengers to onboard. Both smile.

'Time is too short now. Give me your email. I will send you a review.' Emily asks him.

But another surprise was awaiting them. Both of them get surprised finding their seats adjacent to each other. Very soon they show reciprocal amiability. They start to share own travel experience with the taking off of the plane. Herald was enchanted by Emily's voodoo experiences and the description of the book. He now gets more attracted to the book. Emily is telling more stories about Maya people. He looks attracted by the mysticism but inwardly doesn't believe everything as a scientist.

'Can you help me out in finding the anonymous writer of the 'Mysterious India'?' Emily asks.

'Umm… sure. I am most fond of scientific writings. But of course I like fictions also, especially when a lady like a fiction heroine asks me to do.'

Both chuckle. Emily is happy to get a lively listener until their seats get separated by transition in Dubai. But by this time they already have exchange their cell numbers and emails. After arriving in the USA they move to their respective destinations.

After a long time, the Brook family gets a happy reunion. Herald's parents get extremely happy with his return. They notice him closely and become happy to see their son really happy as though he forgot the past bad days.

Herald is now trying to get involved into new projects. Though he has no offer at his hand right now, he is in search of new ones. He knows it better that he is not getting any government funded military project anymore. So, any kind of tech innovative project is his preference now.

By this time, he gets an email from Emily. He almost forgot her. The review of that book they were discussing on. The review is interesting. At the same time, medieval mystery and tales echo in its story. It might be a good item for time pass. But how a young lady of this tech age could be so attracted by the charm of a tale of medieval mystery! Herald gets astonished. He now feels his responsibility to help her out in finding the anonymous writer of the book.

In one afternoon, the Brook family is enjoying their union in their yard garden. Herald shares the funny moments and experiences of the last travel. Stories of Indonesia, Thailand, and India are full of fun, color, and diversity. India has the most diversity. His parents also reminisce some memories of India. They mention some mysterious tribal beliefs, their mysterious way of life, spiritualism. Their stories remind him of Emily's book and experience. He shares Emily's experiences too.

After listening the name of 'Mysterious India' Herald's father chuckles a bit. It cannot evade Herald's eye.

'Dad, why do you chuckle? Is there something fishy?' Herald asks his father.

'Nothing serious. But of course, there is.' His father adds. 'Maybe the book is interesting or not, but I believe it's true.'

Herald's mother is quiet and calm. She is just observing her husband and son, but telling nothing.

'Why do you believe it's true?'

'Because I had similar experiences in India.'

Herald gets surprised! 'You also have the experiences like Emily? That means I should believe these fairy tales?'

'If you don't want to believe, no need. But you cannot ignore other's truth or experience.'

Now, curiosity is getting intensified. The topic of Indian mysticism and the book has been the main issue in their discussion. Sometimes Mrs. Brook is also taking part. Herald is now having vicarious experience of mysticism. A passionate scientist is getting interest in ethereal and fantastic stories. He is not either admitting or denying the stories. But a keen willpower is getting stronger to deal with them. There are so many things beyond explanation. The science doesn't capitulate to them, rather it remains in ever searching the truth. Yes, a new truth is right now gonna surprise Herald another time. After a huge discussion with his parents, Herald discovers that his father is that anonymous writer Emily is looking for. He then asks his father if there is any stock of new surprises. His parents chuckle.

'Enough surprise for this evening. We should stop before it spills over. Another day will bring you another surprise.'

The whole Brook family starts to laugh. But Herald inwardly feels a strong desire to discover new truths that his parents have not yet shared with him. Apparently, he is enjoying the moment keeping the intention hidden.

(6)

Emily has now her days very hectic. She is a like a machine when in action, and like a meditating nun when in writing. She is now writing a book on her adventure in India. But she needs the writer of 'Mysterious India' first. Maybe the writer has some more experience that is not recorded in the book. The world should know the Maya tribe and their age-old knowledge. Any kind of knowledge of any race is an assent to the world. It can show a new path, a new philosophy. It may bring a new synthesis to human dilemma. After all, it can unveil a new dimension of life.

The Maya philosophy advocates only for peace in life. Today's feudal world is in incessant chaos. Maybe the Maya philosophy can show them a new path.

Emily wants her writing to be finished very soon. She is also searching the writer on internet as well.

In one morning, she gets a mobile text from Herald. Herald? Yes, the man she met at the airport. She goes through the text. Nothing details except a request to call back. She calls him back. She just gets surprised when Herald informs her of the writer.

'Can you please introduce me with him?' Emily asks.

'Yes. But you should come at first to my home when you are free. It's an invitation from my dad and mom.' Herald gives her a reply.

'Okay. I am simultaneously busy and free. Actually I am not in a fixed job. I am a bit freelancer. So, I have any time to meet. If you don't mind, I can come tomorrow.'

'Then see you tomorrow evening.'

By this time Stella tried several times to fix up their relationship. But Herald felt better relaxed as a free bird. So, he didn't give her any chance.

'We are still good friends. Don't worry.' This was his only answer.

Next evening Brook family is again in a union with a new guest, Emily. They spend the whole evening in gossiping and sharing of experiences, especially adventures. Today Herald's dad and mom are more vigorous. Maybe the main reason is they have similar experiences with Emily. Emily seems very lively. She gets surprised when she finds Herald as a military scientist. Then topic of their gossip shifts to Herald's research. Eating, drinking, cheering, and sharing makes the evening colorful.

'Child, would you like to get a surprise?' Suddenly Herald's dad asks her.

'Yeah… I am gonna get a surprise from Herald.' She shakes her head.

Herald just smiles. He looks around and says to his father that an anonymous story writer is going to be exposed. His father also smiles.

'Emily, will you mind if I give you the surprise instead?' Senior Brook politely requests her.

'No. Not at all.'

Then Herald's father exposes him to Emily and she really gets surprised with speechlessness. Senior Brook then describes Maya belief and their philosophy. A small race worships the almighty in the form of a goddess named Peace. Even in the world of stable GDP, GDP growth, huge tech progress, they believe in steady version of life which ultimately indicates peace. What is the source of their belief, their willpower? Then Emily adds something that Mr. Thomas Brook never experienced. Emily shares the experience of secret library, their myth, history that she found in the library. Now Mr. Thomas Brook gets surprised.

'You have gone so far. Bravo my child.'

'Maybe.'

Once the Maya people had an alphabet. They would record everything by writing. The Maya culture was widespread among the Himalayan region of India, Tibet, and Bhutan. The ancient Maya region was divided into several kingdoms. Various powerful gods and goddesses were then worshipped by the people. Different clans would worship different gods. Most often the main cause of several clashes was to determine whose god was the most powerful. Sometimes, an emerging powerful kingdom would try to subdue others. Or any kind of proclamation of a kingdom to show themselves as superior would bring war. Numerous wars ages after ages once threatened the Maya race to extinct. Their gods got worried. Then the gods came forward to stop wars within. All the gods forged their power into one goddess, 'Shantimata'. The word means mother of peace. After age-old feuds, the kings and the people wanted peace. Now they worship only peace. They believe, Peace is the root of life. Life is just a living dead without peace. To have or accomplish it, one is to go through a journey which can purify the heart. Greed is considered the root of any kind of deception. Deception ultimately leads a soul to the wrong path. One of the Maya principles is to absolve inner self from greed. When the heart gets ready, it is sure to get it. Greed might be rooted in human instinct; it must be uprooted. Every soul has to undergo the journey. This is called atonement. The journey happens in day to day activities. In daily life, one has to do many actions. One should have confidence in his or her action, rather than expectation in results. If you do the right, you are sure to get better result. You should never get frustrated even if you face any hardship or unusual behavior of time. There is always a hope and that is the spirit of Maya life.

With the beginning of Shantimata era, Maya chiefs banned alphabet. They were worried about their secrets that could be shared with others by their alphabet. They then emphasized on oral learning method which still exists. As a part of social reform, women were restricted to be nun before 45 to save their race from the possible threat of extinction by negative birthrate.

Herald listens to them, their experiences, and get interested to know about Maya people. He now feeling a keen interest to go there.

The evening ends with cheers and surprises. Emily is happy at last finding the writer she was always in search of. But nobody noticed the inner reactions of Herald. Emily takes leave and gets another invitation for Herald's forthcoming birthday.

From that day on, Herald's world of thinking started to get changed. An ethnic group silently worship Peace! Peace is their omnipotent! Here we all do everything for peace through destroying of peace. As a military scientist, I invented lethal weapons to ensure peace; weapons that are used to kill man, to burn forest, to pollute air, water and land. How is it possible to ensure peace of one by destroying of others whereas one's peace is intermingled with others in the spiral balance of nature! Herald feels wholehearted respect for Emily who is genuinely trying to save nature. He feels deep agony in his mind for his past doings. He now thinks that it is his moral responsibility to do something to save human, nature, and to restore peace. Right now he wants to go through Maya myth and culture. Emily can be a good hope in this regard. But his father also can help him.

Herald then asks his father to describe more about Maya and he also wishes to visit Maya people. His father shares with him everything he knew which was not even mentioned in the book. His father also indicates a surprise is going to be exposed in his birthday. He just advises Herald to have patience.

By this time, Herald makes a good friendship with Emily by email communication. Herald is having an excitement inwardly for Emily till his birthday.

At last the birthday comes. Emily arrives there with her smiling face. She looks like a pink angel in her pink gown. Herald receives her. It is just a family party except Emily, the only guest. After the cake cutting, they celebrate with champagne. Then Thomas Brook delivers that surprise which makes Herald speechless. Thomas Brook is not his biological father! Herald is just thundered.

'But it's my honor to be his father. My life is complete with his presence as my boy. I am always proud of him and so will be.' Herald's father pans out of his speech.

Father and son stare at each other. Mr. Thomas feels relaxed whereas Herald feels puzzled. But both of them are in a speechlessness.

'No matter where my biological root is. But I am happy to be your son.' Then he turns to his mother. 'And Mom, you are my mom and always will be. I cannot think otherwise even in my nightmare. But of course I have the right to know about my past and I want to know.'

'My son.' Herald mother mumbles.

The cheering party turns into silence within a moment. Emily observes the situation. She understands she needs to do something. To make the situation easy, she grunts slightly. She then addresses to Herald.

'But your family is like the holy trinity. Your simplicity, frankness is divine.' Emily adds.

The Brook family looks at one another as if they got an epiphany.

'Yeah, the family. We love our family.' The three members of Brook family cry out in joy.

Mr. Thomas Brook then looks at Emily. 'Child, you are the divine angel.'

Then the party gets started and rocks on. Everybody toasts Herald's health and happiness. Herald's parents share some old memory with Herald. Then Mr. Thomas Brook tells how he found Herald in an Indian village close to the Maya tribes. It was his journey to know about mystique Indian belief and heritage; a tour and adventure one like Emily had. He was coming back to the nearest suburb riding on a horse from Maya hill and found boy Herald on the hilly zigzag road. Herald was lying fainted on the ground. It was an evening then. In the deep silence of surrounding, he was all alone. Thomas Brook found him bleeding from the backside of his head. He then checked his pulse and realized that Herald needed quick medical treatment. But there was nothing he can do alone. He then took Herald with him. The biting cold air of the winter season helped to stop bleeding. On the next day, Mr. Brook got Herald admitted into a suburb hospital. Everything was quite okay except Herald's memory. He had a memory loss. Mr. Brook tried to find his local guardians. He stayed more three days there only to find Herald's parent; but found none. He then thought it as a divine gift as he had no child. He adopted him with permission of local police. He then took him to USA and named him Herald. Mrs. Brook was also very happy to get the boy.

Herald listens to what his father tells. He now knows his Maya connection. He might be one of Mayas. He has surely a connection with that hill tract. He feels a strong desire in him to know his root.

'Thinking anything?' Emily asks him.

'Yep.' He inhales deeply. 'Would you please make me your partner in your adventures?'

Emily gets astonished. 'Really?... I might consider if you use your hi-tech knowledge for human welfare than military invention.'

Emily's soft words touches him as though he got a sudden realization. He stares at her for a while, remains silent, then mumbles. 'Then be my inspiration.'

Herald's parents notice a soft change in their boy.

They say, 'Okay. You can do whatever you like. But right now let's enjoy our dinner.'

Again, they have fun, cheering, and gossiping. Herald then declares to go to India in the next summer.

After that birthday party, Herald's life gets slowly changing. He then starts to be a free lecturer. He delivers online lectures on tech and human welfare. The tech master is now getting to be tech philosopher. The concept of 'Peace' is topping his topics. He is acting like a peace ambassador. Emily leaves comment on his every lecture. Here, Emily's Maya stories are getting popular. Her blogs on Maya philosophy get huge positive reactions from the readers. Brook family has peace again. Everything was happening in order like a well written plot by an epic writer.

(7)

The Maya people are happy today. The aged chief priest has selected his successor from the disciples. Maya village has now hope. The chief priest is too much aged to have his afterlife journey at any time. To save the Maya tradition and culture, it was essential to select the second to the chief, and now they have. So, the whole village celebrates the day with holy prayers, singing, and divine feast. The chief priest is also happy. But he is inwardly worried. He did not forget Hira. He still hopes for Hira's return. Hira is a divine gift to them. Once he will make Maya people proud. 'But where is he? Will he not return before my death?' the chief priest thinks. He declares before all that his health and age don't support any more pilgrim in the mountain, so the newly selected second chief will have to make the journey.

The early rainy season is back again after the summer. The aged chief priest is in evening meditation. But the sky rumbles with its ardent clouds. They want to get the Himalaya drenched. In the deep meditation, the priest hears some souffle. As though some divine voice was murmuring. A thunder bursts out. He opens his eyes. Rain begins in torrents. The sound of rain drops is everywhere. The evening gets darker. Suddenly a female cry is heard. First time and then second time the sound is getting louder. The priest wonders what happened! The rain and strong wind seem vying over some prize. The priest gets standing up. He decides to go there but gets confused at the next moment. He again hears the cry. Now, he starts going by following the sound. Alas! A fainted man is bleeding and the accompanied female is crying for help. The chief gets surprised when she finds the woman. It's Emily!

Emily sees the priest and recognizes him.

'Guruji, I am Emily. Please help.'

The priest then hurriedly calls for others to help. They take them to that room where Emily stayed last year. The chief priest immediately check pulse of the injured one. Then he instructs some other priests to make some potion for treatment. Everybody is taking care of the injured person. Some of them already knows Emily. But who is that guest with Emily? The chief priest asks Emily who he is. Emily tells her that he is a friend of her. Under the instructions of the chief, other priests make arrangement of their stay.

In the next morning, Emily gets up early in the morning. She starts to walk around as she knew the area from last year's visit. She observes everything is almost same. But she notices a crowd in temple yard, a little far from her standing point. She approaches to the crowd. Some priests look very worried and another priest is seriously talking something to the chief priest. The chief priest is listening very carefully and seeming fretted. Emily's presence remains unnoticed. Emily now can clearly hear their talks. She understands what they are discussing on. Suddenly the chief priest notices her and wonders, 'Emilyji, you!' Now, other priests look at her surprisingly. Emily informs him that she is just walking around. Then, the chief asks her about the injured guest. At that moment, he notices the injured guest approaching toward them.

'Guruji', the approaching guest just cries out. The whole presence gets surprised. How is it possible? How can the stranger know the chief priest without any former visit?

When the guest is closely nearer to them, he speaks in native language and asks how the chief priest is. A foreigner guest is speaking native language! All of them get surprised. The surprise pushes Emily into a dilemma. Maybe Herald gets his memory back after the injury.

The chief priest then asks Herald how he could know of him. From Herald's reply, it becomes clear to the chief priest that he is the lost Hira. Joy of tears floods over his cheek within a moment. He embraces him. Is it true? All other the present priests feel another surge of surprise. They heard of the lost talented boy Hira and now he is here after many years like a miracle.

Emily grunts and clears her throats, and it attracts the chief's attention. 'Emilyji, can you explain this? How is it possible?' The chief priest asks Emily.

Then Emily describes everything about Herald and his past. How Herald was found by his foster parents, how he was raised by them, how much fame he earned as a scientist, how he fell down from the peak of fame, how he decided to come here. Actually, Herald decided to visit the Maya people after hearing his past from his father. He needed Emily's help as she had more practical knowledge.

The chief priest takes a moment, remains silent. He tells everybody to leave him alone except Emily and Herald. He then sits on a nearby tree trunk and asks them to sit down on trunk or grasses. Both of them sit down. The chief priest sits as though he was in deep meditation. The peeping sun is spreading its tender light of the first moment of the day. The birds' chirping seems so fresh as it was the opening theme song of the day. The glowing morning seems to bear a sign for the day. The day seems to have a specialty that is going to be disclosed a while after.

The chief priest then softly asks Emily to describe everything happened to her after the last visit to Maya village. Emily tells him everything from the visiting of sacred temple to her being familiar with Herald along with how she could know of Maya history, myth, literature.

'Did anybody help you in the journey to sacred temple?'

'Yes' she mentioned about Shakti, the banished Maya man.

'Did you recently visit the sacred temple?'

'Yes.' She then describes how she and Herald visited the temple. 'Even there something strange happened. When we were in the temple, there was a bolt from the rumbling sky. The strong wind was gusting. The temple seemed shuddering. Several bolts down from the sky scared us. Herald grasped my hands firmly. We thought we were gonna be trapped in the temple. We bowed down our heads before the statue keeping our hands together and it got disappeared within the moment. We found a soft light in the place of the statue. We saw the tunnel getting blocked by rocks. Everything seemed very weird. We heard an invisible whisper. We could not understand any meaning. We saw a sudden change in weather. The wind stopped gusting, the sky stopped rumbling and thundering. Then we got out of the temple. From then on, we feel some divine peace in heart. We then started to come here. But rain of last two days made it difficult for us. We didn't stop. It is our responsibility to inform you what happened to the temple. At the last moment, Herald fell down on the slippery path before the gate of this temple and got injured. The rest you know well.'

Emily stops saying. The chief priest seems still in meditation. He remains silent. Even Herald remains silent all the moment. Herald is in a puzzled state. He doesn't understand what Emily is speaking of; even he doesn't know her. But she is speaking of him. How strange!

The sun is at its top position of the day. Meditation of the chief priest is not yet over. Emily and Herald remain awaiting. Time passes as it passed. Sometime some priests arrive there and find their chief in deep meditation with two foreign guests awaiting. They go back. The day is almost over. Reddish sky reveals sunset and the coming evening. At last, the chief priest opens his eyes. He silently stares at Emily and Herald. He then summons all the priests. The night enhances its sobriety with the speeches of the chief priest.

'Do you know him?', the chief priest asks everybody pointing to Herald. He waits for a moment. 'He is our Hira, the lost boy. He was lost twenty years ago.'

Herald mumbles, 'I was lost?' But nobody notices.

The chief priest continues speaking. 'His parents died with their agony for this loss. They had no child even many days after their marriage. They became very happy with Hira's birth. Hira was a cursed god. He was born to get a chance to get absolved. But his parents became too proud of his extraordinary learning skill. I myself was his teacher to make him my suitable successor. They didn't know that the boy is divine. Maybe it was a retribution to them for the hubris they had for Hira. Our Hira was found by an American couple and raised by them. He became excellent scientist. He is back now and he also got his memory back. He forgot what he was in the past years. You know from our Myth that once a great soul will spread the Maya philosophy of Peace over the world. Maybe it's him. Every description of the myth indicates him. Early morning when my new selected successor informed me that the statue of Shantimata had been disappeared from the sacred temple, I thought something ominous was going to happen. But when I found our Hira, I got the point. You know from the Myth of 'Faith of Age' that if a great soul with its divine companion bow to the statue of Shantimata and if they keep their hands together at the time of bowing down, the sacred statue will disappear. This disappearance indicates the beginning of a new era. The era will embrace theism and atheism simulataneously. Our Maya philosophy will be spred over the world. The great souls which caused the disappearance of the holy statue is divinely bound to scatter the philosophy. Every follower of a philosophy seeks peace at the end of their worldly and spiritual journey. Some peace seeking people will believe in Maya philosophy. Before your pilgrim (the chief priest makes an eye contact with his successor) they visited the sacred temple and when they both bowed down before the statue and the statue disappeared. (Everybody gets astonished; even Emily gets more surprised finding her mystic involvement in the case.) If we honor the myth, we have to believe that Hira is that great soul and Emilyji is his divine companion.'

The chief priest inhales deeply and then starts again.

'The new era also brings strange adversity for mankind. The age is full of surprises, adversities, unconventionalities, and extremism. Human beings will be extremist in their beliefs, and it will frequently swing the world's mood. Extinction of various species of Nature will lead to a dooms day; the dooms day refers to beginning of the world's cosmic change or a greater evolvement and evolution. Counting of my days has started. Very soon, my worldly journey is going to be end.'

The chief priest stops telling. The gathering is still in pin drop silence. Their faces seem that they are in a dilemma of weird surprise and worry.

'You may leave now except Emily and Hira.'

All the priests leave the place silently with heads nodded. Then the chief priest asks Emily to tell everything to Hira about his past days. Emily describes everything she knew about him; how lovely he was raised by his parents in USA, how he achieved fame as a scientist, how suddenly his image was tarnished by conspiracy, how he enjoyed his last continental tour etc. She shows some souvenir items and picture of his family. Herald's parents knew that Herald might have a chance to get his memory back in Maya locality; so they gave some souvenirs and family photos to Emily to show Herald in that case. Herald is still in puzzle. She then gives him a mirror to look at. Herald gets astonished when he finds his changed image in the mirror. Now he starts to believe something happened in his life. He now believes Emily's stories. Even the chief priest told the same. The chief priest notices him and tells Emily to take Herald to his room.

Today's evening is soberer than other days'. The calm, serene Maya temple seems the capital of silence. After the evening prayer, the chief priest takes his seat deliver the holy speech.

'Hail to Shantimata. You know my time is almost over and I have selected my successor. Some strange matters happened these days. But nothing to worry. When worry jerks us, we get worried; when sorrow consumes us, we succumb to flood of tears; when we are happy, we smile. Everything is part of life. Even Good and Bad are intermingled in our life. So, should we accept bad as equal as good? No. As a prudent species, we always have to strive for good, beauty, and peace. That is why, life is a journey; that is why, life is full of diversity; that is why, life is beautiful; that is why, we want to live after all. Peace is the ultimate goal of life; Peace is the reward of your well finished journey. Never give up hope and never give in frustration. We are now in the age of theological atheism. The holy statue of our Shantimata has disappeared. We have now become the worshipper of invisible Almighty. The new age is full of deception, illusion, extremism. But there is still hope. It is your action which will help you find hope and peace. So be optimistic in your perfection in action. Our myth, our golden past, our history will guide in the forthcoming days. Our lost boy Hira is now back. He will be the messenger of our philosophy in the outer world. He has the divine talent and it is his sacred duty to advocate for the philosophy. All our knowledge will be carried forward generation after generation orally. Never try to know the past in advance. If you know it and if it is not at your own accord, you will try to alter the upcoming truth. You will then lose natural behavior. Life will get ultimately complex unnecessarily. Love is the biggest tool to get knowledge is peace. Life is a journey toward an unknown destination. How zigzag the path is, how hazardous the path is- nobody knows. Just follow the path with a pure heart, which throbs with the conscience. You have to feel the Nature in your pulse. Just try to know what the time says. If it is, then destiny is all yours. Know thyself is the best answer to life's puzzle. The custom you need in the upcoming days is to be determined by you by prudence and demand of time. Change is the only feature of Time. Life and Time is inseparably intermingled. So, Life also changes. But it depends on your action how your life will change. Never curse the Almighty for any suffering. The great world is a tiny part of His will. You may compare Him with a tournament organizer. The players play. Some plays foul and some plays fair. The organizer rewards the fair players at the end. But you cannot blame him for not taking part in the time of foul play. All the players should be always careful of probable unfair happening. If the organizer himself takes part in game, the tournament will be just unjust and gamble. So, the organizer oversees every rounds to reward the best and fair players. Again. Nature is the greatest teacher. If you fail to seek guidance from any source, just go to Nature and find out the comparable true example. You will be able to get the point.

This is my last speech. From tomorrow on, my successor will sit here. I am going the sacred mountain to pass my rest of the life in loneliness and meditation. You can come to me if it is unavoidable to seek any guidance. Otherwise, everybody is forbidden to visit. Peace upon you. Hail to Shantimata.'

The evening prayer is over. The chief priest sneaks in Herald's room and find him speaking with Emily. The priest clears the throat.

'Oh, Guruji.' Both of them stand up.

The priest takes seat. Emily and Herald sit down. The priest with a heavenly smile looks at them. He inhales deeply with a blink. He addresses to both Herald and Emily.

'Hira or Herald, no matter what people call you by. But you are divine. And Emily is also your divine companion. You are destined for each other. You are two great souls for salvation of mankind. Just feel the philosophy in the deep core of your heart, your soul. If you have questions, ask yourself; because you are part of the great nature. You will surely get an answer. The accuracy of the answer depends on how much objective you can be in your thinking. Free your heart and soul from worldly attachments and unnecessary expectation. You have the storehouse of knowledge. Your soul has immense power. Just discover it. You and Emily together can circumvent in every obstacle, every dark corner. Herald, you have our myth, literature, history in your heart. Emily, you have the ability to decode every hidden codes. Maybe, the whole world will not follow our philosophy. But you cannot be frustrated. Some people may follow you and they have full right to get the shelter of this great philosophy. You cannot abandon them, make them frustrated. But before all, you have to make seven adventures to retrieve your divinity. There are seven treasures in seven different places. Each treasure is a key to unlock each door of Heaven. Go to the Adam's peak in Srilanka. You will get a puzzle over there. The puzzle is still undiscovered. The puzzle has seven steps to be solved. These seven steps will indicate seven places where you are to find the treasures. So far I can give you and the Maya society, I have given. My time is almost over now. I am leaving this place tomorrow very early in the morning. You leave this place as early as possible after my leaving. The world awaits you. May Shantimata bless you.'

The priest was speaking in a meditating mood with impression and sobriety. He stands up now. He leaves the room with a smiling face. Herald and Emily remains staring at his path. They exhale deeply after his leaving.

In the next early morning, the chief priest takes leave for ever. The priests and the Maya people bid him farewell with tears. Emily and Herald remain standing in a corner. They keep their eye staring at the path so far they can until the chief priest is seen no more. By this time, they all have come to know about the divinity of Herald and Emily. They look at them now as if they find a new hope. Hope replaces hope. There is always a hope.