The Destiny Of Solaris(Book 2 of "The Planets In Exile")

The Miracle

An empty street, abandoned buildings on either side, dried brown-coloured leaves scattered everywhere on the ground, burning automobiles as if a riot had taken place or a war, carcasses of humans and animals with insects buzzing around and feeding off their flesh, and the flaming sun; it appears like the aftermath of a catastrophe.  

In the middle of the road was a man, in his mid-twenties, strolling, and his hands were shivering as if he had seen or experienced something that terrified him. The sun was setting and it moved a bit from the zenith position and the heat radiated from it was so fiery that the man was sweating all over and his back was clenched to the shirt. His pale yellow-coloured shirt now turned into a transparent one, revealing the scars or tattoos on various positions of his body. The only action he performed was to comb his strand of hair which was hanging and blocking his view partially and clean the sweat from his forehead. It appeared like he was unsure about his destination. His face signified dilemma or confusion; eyes, in particular, were moving left and right searching for answers, analogous to a person who is afraid of the transition. He just kept moving forward nevertheless.

Every now and then, he could feel the breath of someone at the back of his neck, as if someone was following him, yet he doesn't turn to look. He knew for sure that someone or something was following him, he wanted to turn around and look at it but was afraid of the unknown. Whoever or whatever that was, it seemed to lurk behind. 

You know in some situations where you wish to do something but will due to some indescribable feeling? The present situation was identical to it. He wanted to turn around, but couldn't? Why? Is it because he was afraid of it? We don't know. After a while, the feeling that he was being followed ended abruptly, but his mind was still occupied by it. Suddenly, he could hear a car racing towards him, he wanted to move aside from the middle of the road, but couldn't. It was like his brain was sending signals to his legs, but somehow they weren't reaching. His heartbeat accelerated even though he was just walking, but the thought of the accident elevated his anxiety, and finally, it hit him and left, leaving him to die in the pool of blood.

With a loud gasp, Tron wakes up. Tron had his fair share of bad dreams but this hit him differently. The familiarity with the person getting killed, and he somehow feels connected to it. This dream was a recurring one with some modifications. He then hopelessly searched on the net about ' Do dreams continue? ' There he could find many people posting their experiences regarding his question. Some said that the dream which ended when they were awake was resumed at the same point after sleeping again. Some people said that they had recurring dreams(same dreams repeating again and again) and when they researched about it they came to know about a theory which stated that "Recurring dreams usually mean that there is something in your life that you've not acknowledged that is causing stress of some sort. The dream repeats because you have not corrected the problem."

This theory seemed believable, but the question is, if it is true, then what is that thing that Tron had not acknowledged? This was something that he needed to figure out on his own. 

                                                                                    ----*----

Ash finally overlooked the sense of something happened to him and he was all excited to work on the new game. When he visited the office this day, his face was all glowed up, unlike every other day. He was in a good mood and he apologized to his coworker who he shoved away the other day. The coworker was also in a good mood, so he didn't make an issue out of it.  Ash's team grouped to discuss the strategy and plan of action that they should adopt for designing the new game. For the first time, Ash actually presented his opinions instead of just attending. After the discussion, Ash left for his cabin to start the work assigned to him. He took out some papers from a folder to draw rough sketches of the characters for the game. As soon as he began to outline the character, his mind started spinning like how you'd feel when you try to stand still after spinning for a while. This was followed by the same transition as the first time. His surroundings transformed into a new environment and all the things present in his cabin disappeared and finally, he was in an alien place again. But this time he didn't find himself in the dark and pool of blood region. The atmosphere he was in was in fact beautiful. It appeared like a place that was free from pollution. Maybe he was in a green city or all this stuff was just happening in his mind. Ash was not able to tell the difference. 

His reaction was opposite from that of the first encounter. He was no more afraid, instead he was intrigued. He looked around, but couldn't see anyone in the sight his eyes could see. He found himself in what appeared to be a grassland and the greenery was widespread. The grass looked like a carpet covering the surface of the earth. The breeze was also cheerful, which made him walk and explore the area instead of panicking. He yelled, ' Hello? ' But came no response as there was nobody in the vicinity. One of the reasons why he maintained his composure was, as soon as the second transition occurred he remembered the first incident, because of which he knew that he would be back to his cabin in no time. He inferred that he was only able to recall what had happened during the first incident post the second transition. So, wherever he was, that place is the only region where he can remember everything clearly.

Meanwhile, Ash thought it would be good to roam around rather than sitting idle and doing nothing. He walked around for a while, not sure of how much time he had been walking, but then, at a distance, he was able to see a place that looked like it was covered in white, like snow maybe. But it appeared to be very far and Ash didn't want to continue moving forward anymore. He suddenly remembered that he had a watch, which he forgot about till now, and looked at it to know the time, but unfortunately, it was not working. He also had a pencil in his hand which he hadn't realized until he looked at it. Two familiar things at least, he thought to himself. 

He then suddenly remembered that it would have been useful if he also had a paper on which he could write down every minute detail, as he would be forgetting whatever he had observed here right after the environment is reverted. He decided that the first thing that he would do once after the things go back to normal is to record whatever he can recall on phone, which if sounded sane, he can send to his friends to show them that something was going on, but the problem was there is no eye witness for all this drama. While he was thinking over this stuff, the surroundings began to change again, and in a few seconds he was back in his office, and his watch was working again. He immediately opened the voice recorder and started saying, ' I would probably forget this in a few seconds maybe. This is the second time it has happened where I found myself in a place I don't recognize. I don't know if I am being teleported or if it is all just in my head, but I am definitely sure that something unusual is happening to me. ' The moment Ash began to dive into details, it was all bits and pieces and he couldn't connect them to make a meaningful sentence. 

He was disappointed but this was an improvement over the first time, so that encouraged him. In a matter of seconds, Ash completely forgot about what happened and only the feeling of something happened remained with him. He played the recorded message on his phone and after listening to it, he thought of discussing it with Izumi and Tron but later thought it would be better to have another recording which might give them more idea about the situation. Another reason was, he couldn't understand what he had just recorded. If the person who had experienced something twice doesn't understand then what can be expected from people who would listen to it for the first time. It would sound so bizarre.     

Ash who was terrorized when it happened for the first time was not that scared now because the experience was peaceful. He found himself in widespread grassland. A part of him wanted to explore it more. He wanted to understand it but didn't know-how. He didn't remember any of these, but his heart and mind could still feel the peace and that made him draw conclusions. Because of all these thoughts, Ash couldn't focus on the work which hyped him earlier. His concentration was on chasing the unknown.

                                                    " Human interests are so gullible and unstable,

                                             which hops from one thing to another with mere enticement. "

When Ash met his friends for lunch, even though he was submerged in his thoughts, he was able to understand that something was wrong with Tron too. Izumi exchanged glances with Ash implying that he noticed the feeling too. 

' Everything went well at the Phoenix? ' Asked Ash.

' Phoenix? Oh, yeah. It was good. How's your new game going, by the way? '

' I don't know. I hadn't started it yet. Mood swings, I guess. '

' What about you, Izumi? What are you working on in your free time? ' Asked Tron casually trying to mask his inner feeling. 

' Remember? I told you guys extensively about Yokai. I'm digging into it a bit more further. '

' Man, you told us about every creature, their likes, dislikes, and weakness for almost a week, I guess. What is there to dig deeper? ' Scoffed Ash.

' There is always something, Ash, that we usually leave out or which remain undiscovered. Someone has to dig it out. Why wait for someone when I can do it myself? '

' I can never understand your obsession with those creepy monsters, Izumi. Anyways, I got to meet Mina for discussing our new project, so we'll meet again guys. See you. '

' This knowledge might seem irrelevant, but trust me, someday it might just come in handy, and then you'll understand my obsession maybe. '

Ash wanted to have a private conversation with Tron later as he wanted to ask if there was any problem, while Tron also wanted to have a conversation with Ash, but he wasn't sure what to tell him. After their work hours, Tron called Ash over his phone and asked him to meet at his house. Since Ash already wanted to have a conversation with him, he agreed to it right away. Generally, all the three friends are included in a conversation, but since this discourse was specific to Ash and Tron, they didn't involve Izumi. 

Ash went to Tron's house right after work. Tron even though earned a heavy income ,lived in a simple yet luxurious house. But since he had no maid, it was always messy and he would always be exhausted by the time he reaches home, so he made peace with the untidiness. As Ash was visiting him that day, he cleaned his house a little to make it look decent. Tron offered coffee to Ash when he finally came, instead of wine because they were both drained from all the office work. Each of them had a sip, and before Tron could ask something, Ash initiated the conversation.

' I sense some uncertainty or doubtfulness in you, Tron. What's the matter? '

' Well, you know how I always have bad dreams, right. Generally, they just make me feel gloomy for a while, and then I'll get over it during the work, but recently, I'm having recurring dreams with a few modifications and they are troubling me, man. '

' Even Izumi could understand that there was something wrong with you. Why didn't you say it during our lunch? We could have discussed it right there and then and Izumi might probably have a solution for this. '

'Well, I could've said, but I wasn't sure. And what I am about to say may sound crazy, but I have a strong feeling that it is somehow linked to you, Ash. '

' So what you are saying is that you are dreaming about me? '

' I know, you will not believe me, but I think it to be true. '

' With all that is going on, I don't know what to believe anymore. '

' Why? What's going on? '

' I also have something to say that might sound crazy to you or anyone else who listens to it. '

' Try me, man. '

' Remember the time when I texted emergency but hadn't told anything important? It was really an emergency, but I forgot what to say, you know. It just slipped off my mind and I don't even know how. I only remember that something horrific happened. Even today, I again had this episode, so I recorded whatever I could before it slipped from my mind. Here listen to this recording. '

Ash played the recording and Tron listened to it intently. After listening to the whole audio, Tron said, ' You got teleported? If it was just in your brain, then Izumi can run some scans and see if anything's wrong. '

' What if they turn out normal? I don't f*****g remember anything now, even I don't want to believe my own recording. This is so frustrating. Tell me what do you think about the recording. Be frank, Tron. '

' It seemed like you are hallucinating maybe. Imagining things that weren't there, but that's just an assumption, man. Was there anyone at the time this happened? '

' No, I was alone in my cabin. I wish if someone would have been there with me. Then I might have some clarity or a new perspective on this matter. '

' Are there any camera's in your office?'

' Come on, man. Why would there be any cameras in my office?'

' Then what if we plant one? But the question is, does the occurrence of this episode is related to your office location, or is it completely random? If the latter is true, then planting the cameras in your office is pointless. We have to plant it in your home and all the locations where you usually go. '

' We don't know anything for sure, so planting the cameras is the only idea we have come up with so far and I think it is better to implement anything that would help us in demystifying this mystery. Let's start with the office for now. '

' Ok let us do that and also let Izumi know the matters that we have discussed today and I think I also have something, which might sound crazy, to tell you. '

' Trust me, Tron. I don't think there is anything that might overwhelm me after what I had gone through these past few days. '

' You know that I have nightmares every night, right? Most of the days they just don't make any sense but for the past few days, I am dreaming about the same things with minute modifications. It's as if I am dreaming different versions of the same nightmare. And I don't think it's random, my instincts tell me that it is somehow related to you. Don't ask me how I know, it's just my feeling that if we don't act soon, I believe something bad might be coming in your way. ' 

' Ah, I don't even know how to respond to what you just said. Maybe I am not the only one that needs to get checked by Izumi. Why don't you talk to him about this? It's not that he has solutions for the questions we seek answers for, but three brains are better than two. '

' I think you are right. Let's talk with him tomorrow. '

After having the discussion with Tron, Ash left for his home. He could have stayed for a while, but he knew that his overprotective parents would be imagining millions of scenarios about why Ash is late to home and he didn't want to listen to any lectures after going home especially after the day he had.

When Ash was in the vicinity of his home he could see his mother standing at the door, waiting for Ash. Ash then checked his phone and there were 25 missed calls from his mother already. He put his phone on silent because he didn't want any disturbances while he was talking to Tron. Ash wished that he should have informed them earlier. Ash was now worried about the talk he would now have with his parents. His pace slowed down as he approached his house. His mother who has spotted him flashed a comforting smile and went inside. 

After Ash entered his home and rested on the sofa, his mother approached with a tray full of snacks. Ash didn't take anything from the tray, not that he wasn't hungry, but he was confused because the lecture always preceded the food and the change in behavior confused him. 

After he processed the new transformation, he touched the food, and before he could eat a byte, he was flooded with questions by his mother. Nothing changed, he thought to himself. He put the byte that he had taken back on to the tray.

' Do you know how much worried we were? You could have at least informed us if you were going to be late. Moreover, you don't even answer our calls. I had called you over a dozen times. Your father and I were worried sick. What if something had happened to you? Don't you have any responsibility? '

' Can't I have a peaceful dinner, mom? It's not like I came home at midnight. I was just two hours late. I am not a kid anymore and you don't need to be worried about me anymore. I can take care of myself. '

' So now, you will tell your parents not to be worried. It doesn't work that way, son. No matter how much you grow up, you will always be a kid in our eyes. '

' Yeah, and that needs to be changed right this instant. Do you know how much tired I would be after work? Home is the place where I try to find some peace, but you guys suffocate me with intense love. What happens if I am late? This is my life and I will do whatever I want.  I can't take this anymore, mom. I had never argued before about anything and always obeyed what you guys said. I'm even surprised that I'm talking back to you. Maybe I reached my saturation point. I have stuffed my feelings for so long that there is no space left to hold or suppress my emotions anymore. You know, people laugh at me because I still live with my parents. I love you guys very much that staying with you seemed like the right thing to do even after many humiliations, but I am regretting my decision now. I wish you were not my parents. '

His father who had been standing across the room all along, listening to him hadn't interfered until now.

' Shut your mouth, son. You can't talk to your mother that way. That's not how we raised you. '

Ash left his food untouched and stormed out of his room. His mother wasn't able to stop him after what he had just said. His father consoled his wife and slowly followed Ash outside.

For the first time in his life, Ash stood up for himself. Even though his outburst saddened his parents, he felt free as if he was successful in breaking out from the shackles that tied him down from ever experiencing true happiness. He could feel the taste of freedom. While he was pondering over his behavior, Ash's father approached and sat beside him. Ash didn't even look at him once expressing his aversion. His father smiled and laid a hand on his shoulder and said, "Do you know why we are so overprotective when it comes to you? Had this thought ever crossed your mind? "

'I don't know if you would believe me, but I think about it every single day. '

' I think it's time to tell you the reason. '

Ash  had always wondered about why his parents were like that, but it never occurred to him to ask his parents about the reason.

' After one year of our marriage, your mother and I decided to have a kid. But unfortunately, some reports revealed that it was highly unlikely for us to have a kid. " Only a miracle can result in a child, " these were the exact words from the doctor. Your mother didn't want to believe in the reports so we consulted many specialists and spent a great deal of money to find a solution for our problem. The scientific alternatives were too expensive for us and the only choices we were left with were adoption and surrogation. But your mother wanted to have a child of our own which left us with no options. Many years passed by and we completely lost faith and we tried to make peace with the fact that we would never get a chance to raise our kid. After we fully lost hope that's when the miracle happened, you happened. Doctors were speechless as they couldn't come up with any viable reason for this occurrence. Maybe that is what a mystery is. From the moment the miracle happened, we took utmost care of you, because we couldn't afford to lose you. Maybe now you will understand the restrictions that we imposed on you all this time. '

Ash was dumbstruck. He was just staring at his father, not sure of what to say. Ash was now guilty about the tantrum he had thrown earlier. And every word he said stuck his heart.

' Every child has moles on them when they are born, but you had a different one, a large one, which worried us. The doctors didn't had any answer to what it was and they declared it as a mole. We were worried that it might harm you in some way, but luckily nothing had happened till now. Now that you know the reason behind our strong love, why don't you tell me what is bothering you? I know that we never had the conversations like this before, but it has to start at some point and I feel this is the best time for it. '

Ash wanted to share it very badly but no one would understand what it really is. But at that moment Ash wanted to share something to show that he was also waiting for a moment like this to have a real conversation with his father. 

' I'm really sorry for what I had said earlier. I generally wouldn't say something like that. I don't know what got into me. But at least I now know the reason for this immense love. '

' It's not completely your fault. We know that it is too much but we are helpless. So, care to share? '

' I, uh, having trouble with something from past few days. I don't understand what it is, but it is bothering me. I'm afraid and excited at the same time. I don't know what to do. '

' Today, I'll be your friend instead of being a dad. I think the fear that you are facing is the fear of the unknown or the fear of change. People usually get stressed when they come across new things or when they find out a thing that had remained constant in their lives for so long is about to change. But instead of being afraid, if you try to embrace it, and let the destiny lead you, I think it would turn out to be great. Now, I don't know the specifics of your problem, but I can only say that running from your fears is not a solution. '

                                      " Face your demons, that's the only way to overcome your fears."

' This feels good, dad. Thank you so much for telling me and also talking with me. I don't know why, but I needed this so bad. '

' I hope I helped you make a decision regarding the problem you are facing. From now on, we'll try to be more flexible and grant you your freedom. I will talk to your mother. I know it is very difficult to convince her when it comes to giving you free will to make your decisions, but I'll try to make her understand how it is from your perspective. Now eat, and have a good night's sleep. '

Ash went inside but couldn't gather enough courage to talk to his mother after being so rude. He didn't want to eat too so he headed to his room and tried to rest. 

That night, for the first time, Ash could truly understand and feel the love of his parents. The love which suffocated him earlier now a mere thought of it made him float. Tears rolled down his eyes. He rubbed his eyes and closed his eye lids slowly. He slept very peacefully that night.