Chapter 2: Illusions.

Dream! What exactly is it? The idea of dream states, it is a series of images, emotions, sensations, and most of the time what you have experienced is your life. Dreams mostly occur during some stages of your sleep. But sometimes not only the experience but what is yet to come.

At Heaven.

“Aksh!” this name echoed in my conscience, shaking it entirely. “Aksh, Aksh! Are you awake?” but this was not that, deep and immensely terrifying voice. It was soothing. It was clearly my mother’s voice. I’m back. Perhaps, dawn was breaking? Indeed, it was the case.

Mom slid the curtains, covering the beams of light coming through the window. The light flashed directly onto my face, with closed eyes, I struggled to open them. The flare felt saffron casting a calming glow. Gradually, I let my eyes open. It felt bloomed, the warmth of the rising sunshine was embracing me, bringing me sense of peace, after that gloomy dream.

“Where am I?” the first question that strikes my head.

“It seemed I am on my bed. I returned to the reality I guess.” It was the conclusion.

Sitting by me side, presence of my mother provided me a sense of solace. Resting my head in her lap, finding peace and comfort. She began to pat my forehead gently and started stroking my head, her fingers reaching the depth of my being. I felt fulfilled, I felt re-energized, her love was pure. The affectionate hands, perhaps only for a moment, made me forget everything I witnessed. But for no reason at all, and unaware of my action, I started weeping silently, my eyes welled up tears without any warning.

By the end of the moment, there were plenty of question were in my young and tiny head. “Where were we? What was that place? Why was I there? Why was I accompanied by Mati and Nayan? Most importantly why we had different names? Though the names have somewhat resemblance yet….

As I was drowned in the ocean of thoughts, my concerned mother couldn’t help herself but inquired for the cause of my distress. However, there was nothing to serve her as an answer. With a simple nod of my head, signaled her not to worry about it and gave her a smile. In that moment, her embrace felt like paradise.

“Should I tell her about it?” I asked myself.

My cellphone began to ring by then. With a questionable face at me, she said “let me know what troubles you? Why you act like this? If anything is wrong, please let your mother know. We will help you.”

“It was nothing mom!” With a firm smile I spoke. “Just another haunting nightmare.”

The answer neither fulfilled her nor she was relaxed, yet she left the room. My cell was still ringing. Who could it be at this hour of the sunrise. It’s Mati. I wonder if she had the same dream as I did. However, things I faced in the pat few months, there is a possibility that might be the case. I answered the call.

“Hello!” I spoke. And then there her part of bursting and she did.

Without any greetings, she started interrogating me “How are you? Are you injured? I saw you deliberately trying for something what was that? You were hurt, I saw that too.” And with a changed tone she said “and, you know what I looked so fabulous in that outfit didn’t I? You must have seen me. As I was the one who saved your butt in there. But I don’t know why, but something felt off, and you were also not talking. As you are so talkative here.” And again, with a concerned tone “Well Aksh, who was that man, who called by two names?”

My cell slipped out my hands, I picked it up and started wondering about it. And here I was struggling to cope up what was going on with me, and now this. Two individuals having similar dreams, not just similar, the same. It couldn’t possibly get any worse.

“You there?” She asked. Her voice brought me back to the conversation.

“Well, first of all I’m not talkative, you are!” I spoke up. “Secondly, I never thought you looked good in that outfit. Thirdly I’m alright, there is nothing to be worrying about. And I don’t know who that man was. And even about the struggle, I... don’t… know.”

“Why are you so irritated it was supposed to be fun” she added.

And here she gets a call. Remember, when I said, ‘it couldn’t possibly get any worse’, I couldn’t be more wrong. The call was Nayan, of all people. And what he addresses first is about the nightmare.

“Hey guys. Everyone’s good?” Nayan, adding up “Nobody’s hurt, are you?”

“Gladly, no” I replied. “What about you?”

“Same here dude. Fine and fighting!” he said.

“Guys, we should investigate about it.” Showing his concerns. “We should talk about this to our parents. Surely, they might know something about it.”

“I suggest, not right now.” “Let’s not make them worry foe now.” I raised. “Don’t you think we might investigate a bit about it.” Adding a point.

“Listen to me Aksh. We don’t have any clue what is going on. And we don’t even know how and where to begin our search. We only have a book which we cannot read. And I don’t think that is enough.” With a raised voice, Nayan stated.

“Why don’t we meet the librarian, as we found it in there, she might know something about the book.” Said Mati.

“You mean we have to deal with her again.” Nayan sounded annoyed.

“What’s the problem in meeting her again. Is there something we should know? Hmm?” Mati teased Nayan.

“I don’t know what you are talking about.” Nayan murmured.

“Hey Aksh, didn’t you noticed, yesterday, how passionately he was looking at her when she was scolding him.” Said Mati, with a giggle.

“I’m going to smack your head off, you weasel.” Nayan with a rage.

“I can talk to her if you want!” Mati, with a consistent noise of giggles.

“Cut him some slack Mati, would you?” I intervened.

“However, for now we should be meeting at the library.” I suggested.

“Sure, why not. I live half a mile away, you idiot. And you know there is no public transport to your locality. And I don’t want to drive today.” Said Nayan.

“Isn’t it the lamest excuse. Please be more rational Nayan. Stop being childish right now.” I requested.

“He doesn’t want to come. As he will meet her there.” Mati teased him once again.

“I’ll pick you up. Does that sound good enough.” I asked.

“Hmm, Sure.” With a disappointment, said Nayan.

“Hey Nayan, don’t you think I looked fabulous in that white outfit” Asked Mati.

“Shut up, Mati” He muttered. And added “But I sure did look amazing in that crimson and dark blue outfit. And even handling that mace was so cool. Wouldn’t you agree Aksh.”

“Oh please. Not you too Nayan.” And now I was disappointed.

“What I did look cool.” Nayan grumbled.

“Let us get ready. Meet us at the library in an hour Mati.” I told them.

“Sure” Mati.

“I’m almost done.” Said Nayan.

By this we hung up the call. The book, only thing we know about that book is, its title, ‘Alpviram’ (in Hindi it means a comma), and we found it in an old library which is frequently visited by Mati.

Yesterday, Nayan and I, visited Mati’s home, only to find out that she wasn’t there. Her mother informed us of something we couldn’t believe. Mati went to a library. A bank of books and Mati-Unbelievable! This library was located near countryside of ‘Jaya.’ (An imaginary city). Being an athlete, and full of mischievous schemes, it was a little hard to swallow the fact that she is willingly spending her time silently, sitting in one place, reading a book.

It was an old public library, which once use to be the castle of a king who used to rule Jaya.

As we reached there. Our wannabe hero, Nayan went in screaming “Hey Mati. Yoo-hoo, we are here to pick you up.” Oh boy! We were in trouble.

A beautiful girl, with short grey hairs, wearing glasses, around 5 feet tall came rushing towards Nayan and grabbed his hand and took him to the Rule board and made him read what was written there.

“Are you blind?” Librarian

“I’m sorry, Miss?” Nayan

“Chitra” Librarian, adding on “We follow a set of rules here. You can’t barge in her. Where is your identity card. Have you ever been to a library?”

She was furious. Unwantedly, Nayan must now apply for a library card for the good. And about me I just got myself a weekly pass.

We went in and found our energetic girl reading or I must say struggling to read a book which felt off. It was yellowish, making it look ancient. Maybe the looks deceive but the language was more unusual than any. After trying for sometimes we finally found something we would be able to read in the book.

It was in Sanskrit “Swapnah saakaarah bhavet. Tvam ch pravishisyasi. Andhkaram jitva kadapi na smarpanam kuru.” Which had a simple meaning to it that is “The dream may become reality. And you shall enter. Defeat the darkness and never surrender.” Until we had the dream last night. It could be mere coincidence but……

It is summer, the sun is at its rage, scorching heatwaves are mercilessly suck the lifeforce form the surroundings. People are not willing to leave their house seeking refuge from the chastising heat. And we live in a dusty and dry, the white golden sight gave a sense of uneasiness. After few minutes I picked up Nayan, this guy is nearly 7 feet. Has a well-built physique. With brown hairs and striking hazel eyes.

“I’ll drive.” Nayan.

“Sure.” Me

“What’s on your mind Aksh? What is it you want to do? I don’t think it’s a game for you. Is it?” His concern was obvious. He added on “I know there is something you are hiding Aksh.”

“What made you think that?” I asked him.

“Well, I’m not sure, but yesterday it felt as if you know what you were doing.” Nayan.

“Don’t you think that’s far-fetched. For starters we went there for the first time and it’s a fact.” I defended myself.

“You can say whatever you want, but I saw you making faces upon seeing that book.” Nayan.

“Because it evoked an irritative sense.” I answered.

“However, I still feel you are hiding something. Not just for several days but from the day we met.” Nayan.

“There is nothing I can possibly hide from you.” I consoled him.

At Library.

Nayan parked. Mati was waiting. We went in, we were welcomed but with glaring eyes of the librarian. We sat and Mati went to find the book as she was familiar with the sorting system of the books here. Suddenly, my eyes caught up another book on a nearby shelve. I went and took that book out. And it made my head turn. I felt dizzy, losing my senses. And the last thing I remember was falling myself to the ground.

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