Chapter 3: Where do I belong

Secrets! All individuals have a thing or two to hide. Formally defining, a secret is something that is kept hidden by an individual or is unknown to many. People often hide their true feelings and insecurities in the fear of being judged and the potential loss of respect from those who they know, drive individuals to keep secret these aspects of themselves hidden, however it is not always the case. Sometimes the significance of a secret, can decide the course of one’s life.

At Saumya-van 

With gentle breeze surrounding me under the shade of numerous trees, I regained consciousness. Uttering the words aloud, “Where am I?” I sense someone’s presence, perhaps someone elderly, strangely enough, it felt familiar, as if I knew him. 

A familiar husky voice responds “Son! This isn’t the utmost correct time to inquire about it. Take your *** up and run!” Bizarrely enough, I found myself fully armored, with a remarkably cool looking sword, tied on my back with a unique sheath. 

“Where are we?” I’m worried about myself right now. 

An old but astoundingly a strong figure emerges from the top of a tree. The place was completely engulfed by lush greenery, dense bushes, vibrant ferns, towering trees, and a carpet of moss. Seem like a forest to me, I guess. The air was filled with the scent of earth and the gentle rustling of leaves, enhanced my experience in there.

As he moved forward, I had no option but to chase him. I think, it’s hitting me, his name. “…” “Argh! What’s his name?” mumbling I ran behind him. However, that’s not the priority anymore, “why are we running?” I asked, hoping for a response. 

“I’ll be glad to aid you with every question, once we are out of here.” He replied.

 I chased him like there’s no tomorrow if I refused to follow him. And suddenly the chase came to an end, it was an open grazing ground near the forest, I guess. Only visible sight was a naturally beautiful forest behind us and a vast expanse of green land with a large, magnificent formation of white and blue cloud adorning the crystal blue sky, slowly rising and dividing.  It was a divine sight to behold. 

He sat down and groaned, clutching his back “Ahh! My back’s in pain. I shouldn’t be coming back here anymore.” Giving some gentle pats his back using fists, I guess. My curiosity engaged, as soon I saw him settling down, and as I opened my mouth. He spouted something “Hey kid we left the pot in there. Can you bring it back.”

“What pot?” I asked. 

“An earthen, red pot filled with golden honey.” He exclaimed.

“Please don’t tell me we were being chased by a hive.” I grumbled. 

“Yes! Yes, we were, no doubt about that.” He enjoyed saying that I guess.

“Why you old……” As I went ahead to say something.

“Lad, you had some questions back there.” Interrupting me.

Strangely, the only question I asked him was, “since when have we been in this forest?” To my surprise I recognize him. I recognize this place. I recognize every minute detail that I possibly could. From his name to the villages and the vast knowledge I gain over the years. I was back here. 

“From seven long hours, travelling. You took a nap. And as for me, you know what I was doing.” With sparkling glow in his eyes, he gushed. 

“Collecting honey, of course.” I replied.

“Bingo! How can one resist, this sweet, golden, sticky, likcity awesome liquid.” With a drooling face, he acclaims.

“You don’t know how to harvest honey, do you?” I asked him in hope for a positive response.

“I don’t!” He was so proud of himself. 

“I’ll bring it back once the bees go away.” I said, adding, “We are safe here for the time being.”

“Okay, tell me, you also want to eat that sweet honey, don’t you? Akshar” Now he is being a little weird.

“No, I don’t” as humble as I could possibly be. 

“Don’t be shy, I know you want to have it. Don’t worry ill share it with you.” Please stop. 

“It’s alright you can have it I don’t need it you, old bag.” I exploded. 

“No. No, my boy, don’t call your ‘Super young and handsome Yudh’, that. It feels like an insult to my pride.” He stands tall, with one arm in the air and another on his waist.  And immediately after that “Ouch! oh, aouh, oh, ah, my back, my back, it hurts, it’s stretched.” With tears running down and shivering in pain falling onto the ground.

“You should’ve stopped that.” I told him with a smirk. 

Thinking about it, I had been here for all this time. Seven hours, that’s likely a short period, I guess. So, Mom, Nayan, Mati and the library was all my imagination, just an illusion, however after thinking about it was the only explanation. By the look of it I dreamt in a dream, hilarious.

“Were you back home?” Asked Yudh with a concerned face. 

“Yes, never thought of taking a detour.” I replied with a sigh. 

I hadn’t had a control over that but look at the big talks. 

“Then, why have you returned?” asked Yudh again, reminding me that.

I stay shut, as I never had an answer for that question. There was nothing I could have done. The things I saw in the dream share no similarities accept my face. I don’t even catch a sense of a similar aura. Frustrated, I replied to a question with another question.  “Do I have any other choice.” Everything went quiet. The silence is now trying to engulf the place, only things we could hear were creatures from the forest or birds chirping. This silence is undeniably accursed, haunting me down to my spine.

“Haven’t you attempted to find your way back?” Not an appropriate question but an important one.

“And how am I supposed to do that.” Knocking back the question.  And started again, “Well I try my best to not come back once I’m there. However, I don’t even remember anything that happens here, it always feels like a dream.”  I ranted relentlessly. 

I remembered my arrival here for the first time, in this strange world. It still aches my head. I was merely a 7-year-old. I suffered a lot, just like an ant separated from its colony. Still couldn’t understand why every time I end up in this forest. I was exhausted and all of a sudden, I was chased by a pack of wild dogs. I wasn’t able to anticipate the environment I was in. Till that day I never knew the existence of cruelty in an animal, but something felt out of place. Not only I was able to sense their movements, but I was also able to read their aura, interesting. 

Was I that innocent and foolish to run straight into a forest with dangerous animals even after I knew what was coming at me. No, but as I said I never knew about the cruelty of an animal, and I was driven by the desire to understand why these creatures emitted different lights. Perhaps, somewhere in my mind I thought, my death would lead me back to the reality or at-least put me out of the paradox I faced. 

However, I was protected by a passerby, possibly was a trader or a traveler who happened to hear me, possessed somewhat a blue colored aura, and the aura changed thrice in that interaction. Once to red, while he fought off the dogs, next to a vibrant green while giving me tended my wounds. And finally, back to blue. Without a doubt, it was Yudh. He became my savior, raising me and teaching me how to survive in this world. 

Now I’m 17, and it’s been 10 long years of me trying and finding out a way back to my home, my heaven. It’s frustrating to live a life where my consciousness switches at its own will. At any given point in time, unwillingly, I must switch, and I will not remember things that I did here. Quite a combination to deal with.

It feels like both of my paradoxes, have a hold on my physical body, but my mind remains disconnected. Every time I’m transported or forced to switch, I find myself in different places out there but for here only this forest, with no memory how I got there. 

And now, I’ve come to embrace my reality. This peculiar existence, where my consciousness dances between worlds, has become my life. Alongside Yudh, the seasoned traveler, I have embarked on countless adventures, journeys and voyages. In this realm, I have encountered a multitude of fascinating individuals, each leaving a mark that can never be removed on my journey.

Within the village, I was no longer an outsider, but rather a cherished member, nurtured and cared for by the community. The people of village have embraced me as one of their own, treating me with warmth and kindness. I found solace and acceptance here, and yet, a part of me still yearns to return to the life I once knew. I have forged relationships and connections here, bonds that hold special place in my heart. 

Despite all that, deep within me, I deliberately longed to return to the place where I belong. It lingers within me, an ever-present ache that pains in my heart. 

It’s not as though I haven’t seen them in an eternity. When the switch occurs, I find myself living my normal life, just like any other day. But alas! It never lasts. Before I know it, I’m unwillingly transported back to these mysterious woods, as if caught in an unbreakable cycle.

If only it were as simple as thinking to avoid traveling to the woods and returning to normal life. Unfortunately, the circumstances are not that straightforward. Yudh, being a trader, relies on the forest as the only passage out of the village. It seems that entering forest does not automatically trigger the transportation back to my usual life. There must be some niche actions or condition or any urge that initiates the summons.

However, I could not tell what those niches are. I remember once, I was trapped in the forest by some cannibals. The fear and desperation within me triggered a back-and-forth transition between the two realms. The urge of security led me to a safer place that was my usual life. However, something deep within me was encouraging me to stay and confront the imminent danger. The struggle was intensely tiering, both physically and mentally. My two bodies, each to a different world, resisted the idea of surrendering to rest. And usually, I forget everything about here in that world, but that day was different. I was afraid. The determination to stay alive, let me stay here. Fought them and escaped the dire situation. 

Even after all these years this kind of incident never happened again. I don’t even have a clue what to do to get back, have no idea where to start looking. 

As I was questioning my entire existence, and analyzing my circumstances, trying to figure out a way. I was greeted with a slap.

(Hey guys hope my work is pleasing you. I know there are many questions, and now it’s getting annoying to find our protagonist going from one place to another constantly. Sorry for that. But hear me out, it must be done for the motive of the story. Things I can tell you right now is he is living his life in just two different worlds or realms. With time a minor time dilation. Everything he experiences is real and cannot be avoided by changing his place.  Sometimes he thinks it as an illusion or a dream which will end after some time, and he will go back. However, it is not the case as you have already assumed that. Remember I said expect the unexpected.)

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