After returning home, Ranav felt restless. After some contemplation, he took the ring off his finger and placed it in a drawer. Then, he stepped outside for a stroll. As he walked further away, over 500 feet from his home, he finally sighed in relief. He could no longer feel Jessica's presence.
Recently, Ranav had been struggling with conflicting thoughts about Jessica. Although she had shown no ill intentions, her constant presence in his life made him feel vulnerable. Initially, he had accepted Jessica because his father had said the ring was a family heirloom. His father's secretiveness about it, so much so that Ranav hadn't even told his mother, had made him feel its importance.
Nanima had also frequently told him to hide his magical abilities, further reinforcing his belief in the ring's significance. A magical artifact that housed a human spirit, capable of reading, casting magic, and guiding its owner, had to be one of the most valuable artifacts in existence.
But that wasn't what truly concerned him. What bothered him most was how Jessica acted like a full-fledged human. Ranav had a secret- a past life no one knew about in this world. With Jessica, he always had to stay alert, fearing he might accidentally reveal his secret. While Jessica could act as a guide, when it came to human relationships, she was still a child, hindered by her lost memories.
"If she knew she was just a family heirloom, how would she feel?"
"If she knew I came from another world, not exactly this family, how would she feel?"
These unanswered questions haunted him, and he couldn't even think about them freely because of their mental link. He wasn't entirely sure how much of his thoughts reached Jessica or if she was hiding something from him.
After a while, and with no clear answers, Ranav decided to trust Jessica. At the very least, he could tell her that he had these memories, perhaps as memories of a past life. He wouldn't need to reveal that they were all real. By doing so, he could keep Jessica close and speak freely with her. It was a risk, but he was willing to take it.
Having made his decision, he returned home and put the ring back on. Jessica remained silent, perhaps sensing his restlessness. This was the first time he had ever taken the ring off his finger.
After breakfast, Ranav went to his usual spot in the woods. Climbing to the top of the hill, he sat comfortably under the Ashoka tree and called her.
"Jessica."
"Are you okay? I thought you needed silence."
"I'm fine. I've decided to talk to you about me."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, very."
"Alright. I'm listening. I won't ask anything. If there's something you don't want to share, don't. I'm okay with that."
"I've thought it through, and I'm determined."
Jessica fell silent, and Ranav began his story. "You already know my identity, my age, and the people around me. But I have memories of more than thirty years as a man named Richard Smith. From his childhood to his death."
Ranav felt Jessica's shock but continued, "I think these are memories of my past life, in another world. I lived in a mostly peaceful country. Money still held power, but there was no magic. That world was driven by technology. I was a chemical engineer, and I still retain some of that knowledge. We'll discuss that later."
He paused, giving Jessica time to process, but she asked no questions.
"Today, I want to tell you about my life there," he continued. "I was loved by my family, and my childhood was happy. I was engaged to a woman named Sarah Jones. The name Jessica Jones? It came from her. You can see the connection."
He chuckled softly before delving into his story. Ranav told Jessica everything- his family life, Sarah's family, his school years, his dojo training, Sarah's tragic death, and his eventual suicide. Every memory that came to mind poured out. By the time he finished, it was already afternoon.
"Thank you," Jessica said. "If I had a body, I'd want to hug you."
"There's no need to pity me."
"No, that's not it. To bear such a burden at your young age… I suddenly feel lucky to have lost my memories."
"What?" Ranav was astonished. He had never considered that perspective.
"I truly am," Jessica replied. "It made bonding with you easier. If I had memories of my past, I think I would have struggled to accept you. It's very important to me because you're the only person I can talk to."
She paused, then added, "I bear no ill intentions. I wanted to know about my past only to help you more. I was bonded to you without choice, but I feel lucky that you're a good person. If a bad person had bonded with me, they might have used my power to harm others."
Ranav fell silent, absorbing her words.
"You don't treat me as just an artifact," Jessica continued. "You treat me as a friend. I can feel your sincerity, and I'm grateful for that. I hope our relationship stays the same. The only way to separate me from you is through your death. I've worked hard to gather knowledge to make you stronger so that no one can take your life… or take me away. You might call me selfish, but I want to remain true to you."
Ranav interjected, "I didn't fully trust you either. But today, I decided to tell you my story to be truthful with you. The barrier between us felt wrong. Trusting you completely was my only option. You're the first person to know my secret… and perhaps the only one who ever will. I can't tell anyone else about it. After sharing it with you, I feel relieved. Thank you, too, for being you."
It was already late. Ranav hurried home, fearing his mother's harsh scolding.