Forgotten Nameplate

"Lingering in the depths of wooden grooves, some moisture stains the edges. Changing the colour, making it numb, looking a bit different from the others."

We humans are so psychologically advanced, we have evolved to always moving on, taking steps forward & towards future. Yet some might argue they can't. A human naturally forgets things, it's the resemblance in their surroundings that stimulate their memories to replay & remember things that share related characteristics.

In simple words, "We may forget even who we're yet, our environment will remind us of who we're." THE NOSTALGIA as we call it.

...Starting the Story...

......................

Years ago this country & its people made some sacrifices and choices, for the unknown future of their next generations. The India suffered a lot of harsh weathers establishing its legacy. The legacy that enriched with strong will, hard decisions, anger & sadness. The legacy that has driven a lot of peoples life through rivers of tears & bloods.

One fateful day after India became a free nation, a wise man land his foot on this country willing to help this country to drive up from its poverty, he spent his all assets building schools, colleges & hospitals in different areas of this country. Later working with the government & spreading his business, he built some world's high ranking hotels & rest houses for very decent prices giving the people an opportunity to experience luxury. For all his good works in medical & educational field of this country he became so popular among the all classes in society. He even appeared in many newspapers & magazines for his business achievements & research articles. Apparently in 1959 this wise man died at a very young age of 46 in his hometown Hong-Kong due to unknown reasons.

^^^—His name was "Sir, Xoden Yousufor", he was a well known investor & Biomedical researcher at the same time!.^^^

It continues saying, "The Evergreen Paradise" in "Kunjaban Streets, Agartala" was his last established institution in India. He even stayed here for a long whole year after its completion and left the India for his 36th time in 1959 in the month of April and never came back again. The Rest House Served for another 4 years after his death & closed by the government due to financial issues & converted Into a showpiece in memorial of Sir Yousufor, that portrays the golden time he spent in this country.

^^^—"Article written by Journalist Shavetri Viswanath 1969 "Dawn Bell Newspaper?" I've never heard of this newspaper before…^^^

^^^Ankita says in wonder.^^^

^^^—Yes, this paper was a local company run by an old major general of the "East India Company" in this region & closed years ago. Maybe it's one of their last pressed articles.^^^

^^^Mr. Lahiri replied by handing over an old carved piece of that original newspaper.^^^

^^^Take a look at this.....^^^

^^^He said by showing an old film roll & a polarised picture.^^^

Ankita was stunned by the story those pictures was telling "It can't be... It can't be the truth" she says...

Mr. Lahiri paused for a while, a cloud of deep sadness and guilt covered his face. As if he was struggling to find the words to make up the sentences. Giving a shoulder view at the window, he stood up & walked towards the piano infront of the window in the room, and pulled the dusty red cover with a stroke. Flying dust & papers all over the room.

Looking like some documentations, Ankita picked up one of the paper that fell in front of her. The paper was handwritten "Pages of Diary?" she asked in surprise... "No!.... these are, these are the letters my daughter wrote me" Mr. Lahiri answered with a down face.

 2 Years ago... A TV news crew showed up at this place. Uncovering the single past event responsible for this reestablished village site, which happened 9 years ago from now... and the center of Investigation? "The Evergreen Paradise" the Investigation took place in the month of October making a photo/video documentary of the whole event... with a live telecast, this took a great interest in the whole country. But what seemed more logical to do... was unsuccessful... re-establishment took place over the span of a whole year right after the "Event X" (the reason in question) & the whole community was literally replaced with another group of families... from Goa (a state on the far west of the countr) people who have no clue, what so ever about the Event X and what happened here before they moved in. They were moved under the Govt. Re-establishment & Rehabilitation Act. & each family was counted & received a new property as the act suggests. The act was in effect as far the citizens knew, which raised no questions among them. But the attempt to hide the history to new residents from the side of govt. was shady sure. The Rest House was here for a long time & was abounded decades ago... or so was told to each family by the officials of government.

The Investigation went slowly, without any new leads, nearly 3 months came to end with only dead ends to the story. Not having any other way... The team decided to enter the abounded Rest House recklessly. Govt. permission was out of the question since local government literally ignore the existence of the particular property from records (as far as they're concerned it's abounded & just a memorial piece to them). After examining the property from outside, a team of 8 members equipped with TV broadcasting, investigation equipment & even 1 paranormal specialist entered the house on 29th of December. One thing out of ordinary? they thought it would be best to record it & then post it to the media, rather than telecast it live, since it's still a crime to enter the building without permission.

"And on 31st December I got the last letter that was posted to me by her" Mr. Lahiri narrate.

"Ms. Navya Lahiri an young Explorer & Reporter got missing with her whole crew & one Paranormal Researcher, during an expedition on the North East Region of India" – the headline I published, after police declared them missing on New year evening. Mr. Lahiri continues...

The last latter she sent before entering the Rest House (on 13th of December) spoke of a story she got, by interviewing that one resident who's living here before the "Event X" And continues to live here, even by deceiving the government. She sent me that latter with that photo...

8 people vanished & nowhere to be found, such a common thing when you work against government's interest. "And after years & months of fighting my guilt & griff for loosing my daughter. I decided to come here & uncover the truth myself."

 As a deep silence roam over the room, Ankita recollected her thoughts after hearing all this. She felt devastated knowing about the disappearance of Navya & the crewmates. But, that raises more questions— asking for answers, that can't be described with just some words. And the only lead we have is that photo...

^^^That's what the conversation was about on the first day at Mr. Lahiri's house.^^^

Next Day, at night... "Ankita! Ankita...? you hear me?"

A distant voice keep calling her name as she slowly opened her eyes... A flash of light spark through the ceiling of her room, she saw a boy sitting on her window

"Who are you? GREEL IT'S YOU?" — she asked.

Wait, so it wasn't a dream yesterday after all? you do exist... or what are you? and what is it you want from me? Ankita asked in a state of confusion, and frightened by the thoughts— as she come to realise, this boy right infront of her eyes might never even be a real human.

Remember me? from 9 years ago... Ankita... I missed you! – Greel said in a calm voice, looking at her from the window with tearing happy eyes & a smile running over his face.

...****************...

...Next Episode: Step into the Woods...

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