I had been feeling ill off late and one fine day decided to meet up a doctor. The doctor told me, “ I know why you have been feeling so. Actually, you have been suffering from multiple dialesia. I am extremely sorry to inform you that the pain would get worst as you grow old despite that are medication to slower the process and exercise will help.
Here is the name of a specialist who treats people with your problem,” he said. It was literally devastated.
A year went by, my condition became worse. I had to quit job because I couldn’t drive any longer, and I was soon to opt for a wheelchair to help me move. I am being an independent woman till then began feeling helpless.
At night, I lay in bed thinking about the dilemma, “I can’t go on like this. I’m getting worse. I’m close to being unable to take care of my basic needs. I’d rather die.” I mumbled and tears ran down my cheeks. “Why is this happening to me?” “Please, God, let me die.”
“You don’t have to die,” a voice said, and I looked toward my full-length mirror at a handsome man who seemed someone of my age to me.
“Am I dreaming? Of course, I’m dreaming. This disease is affecting my brain.”
As I stared at the man, who wore all white, he stepped out, smiled. “Hi, but sorry if I frightened you”
I was shocked. God, who are you?
“I am a friend. I’m here to help you get through your ordeal. Are you in pain?” He waved his hand over her arms and legs. “How’s that?”
“My God, the pain is gone. How did you do that? I don’t understand, how did you know about my problem?”
“In my world, I have the gift of insight and awareness. It is just that, my mind captured your image. I know it appears puzzled, but just have faith in me. I have certain powers, a gift, that allow me to perform certain acts. This will relieve you from pain but unfortunately your pain is just temporary one. But I will give your relief as soon as the pain returns only I if you will remember me again.”
I just looked into his eyes and smiled and murmured to myself, “It’s difficult not to trust him, he is a stranger, God can’t come like this.” Even then I asked him, “Tell me about your world.”
“We are an advanced civilization where there are no diseases unlike that of yours. I can come to your world whenever you recall me.”
I responded, “We all have to die sometime. It’s just the pain that I am not able to bear so I want to die.”
“Well, you can avoid pain and death by coming with me to my world. Once you enter my world, you will be free of disease.”
“What a choice. Stay here and die or go to your world? An unknown place and live. How do I know that I won’t regret choosing death over your world? A new start or rather I would say new world? But, suppose I don’t like your world. Is there a way out that I come back to my world again? “
“No. There will be no turning back from my world. So, think and tell me”
“Okay, what could be worse than staying and breathing here? Yes, I am in.”
He took my hand and we eloped.
Immediately upon entering his world, he waved his hand to all and each one of them were covered in a fur tunic, pants, boots, and hat, and two primitive spears and a knife appeared on the ground in front of each.
“Where are we? Except for mountains in the distance, I don’t see anything but an endless expanse of barren, flat land. And it’s freezing. Is this your world?” I asked angrily.
“I hope you will forgive me for misleading you. You see, I felt need you. As far as I know, we are the only people here. I was alone, and decided to try to find someone to share my life with. I visited many places and saw many women. You were the only one I connected with. If I had told you the truth, would you have come?”
I looked into his eyes. “Yes.”
“I’m so happy,” he said smiling. Now, our journey begins. We might need weapons, so pick up a spear and knife, and let’s be on our way,” he said, and we walked side by side into the icy wilderness.
Prachi Acharya 