THE EYEHOLE : THE VELVET DIARY OF SECRETS PART II

The story revolves around the visions the girl sees, a love story but not an everyday one; how love always finds a way to meet two souls; even if it takes eternity; they are meant to unite.

“Peace! Peace! Just be silent! Ssshhhhhhh! Why am I panting so much? Why can’t I keep my head cool? I’m just failing to apply brakes to my reckless turmoil of emotions hovering all around my mind. Oh God! I think I’m going crazy! I can’t keep calm & refrain myself from drowning in his thoughts. For every moment after moment, I keep recalling his voice, his eyes, his blurred face. Ssshhhhh! Shut up! You! silly girl! you! crazy heart!” I uttered irritatingly.

A mere moment of silence went on. A golden moment of absolute void run through my mind. It seemed like my senses had finally agreed to return to normalcy. Ah! Heartiest thanks to them. Phew!

“It’s time now, I should speak to mom. I need to know what’s happening with me? I fear it’s not too late to be diagnosed. I remember a monk came years back when I was a just a kid of ten though I hardly understood then what he meant through his words. Almost a decade has passed since then. Today, being an auspicious day of my life, the day I am about to turn 21! I already got my birthday present last night �" those dreadful mind imageries deeper & clearer year after year with ten times prominence & clarity.”

(Calling out & looking for mom)

“Mom! Where are you? I need those answers! The same old answers kept away from my same old treasured questions. Like you said, I will be having them on this special day of mine, the day I turn 21. I am ready mom. And I am waiting.” A brief pause of silence. Mom turned up, heard it all & stood silently.

She mumbled something so faint that it’s actually incomprehensible. With my eyes wide opened, I was eagerly watching & trying to read every movement of her lips. Impatient.  After a brief suspenseful pause, the mid-aged woman, my mother began with the story,

“I never wanted you to know about all these but I’m bound to. You remember that day….

(Flashback begins)

10 years ago….

On a sunny afternoon, we were done with lunch. The bell rang. I opened the door. There was a monk standing outside. He asked to allow him in. He had a bag like a rag on his shoulder. He placed it on the chair & asked for water. His kind eyes were sparkling with a strange kind of satisfaction as if he found out what he was seeking. I thought perhaps he was too thirsty. Soon he sat patiently & started speaking. His words hit me hard. He began: “I am a mere messenger only, following my duty to send His thoughts, the Almighty among people. I have walked across miles & miles following the stars in search of your daughter. It took me a long time to locate her. Your daughter is no ordinary soul. She is the chosen one. With time, she will know what her destiny wants her to. When she will reach her adulthood, on her birthday following the nearest multiple of the holy number ‘7’, I mean when she will attain the age ‘21’ she is meant to start her journey �" The Task she is meant for. Till she turns 21, she will perhaps have to pass through several flashes, mind images, enough to make her puzzled & confused. But I believe she is strong enough to shield her mind. I will be waiting to meet your daughter. I will hand over then the charge she is meant for. In these next 10 years, you can’t tell her a single word. She will repeatedly ask you for answers for her visions. But you can’t say what I told you. Tell her to wait for the right time, ie. The 21^st birthday. And if you’re thinking that I’m lying, let me tell you- if your daughter doesn’t turn up after 10 years, she will perhaps lose her soul. Death be the penalty. Mother, don’t keep fears in your heart. Like I said, your daughter has a strong & powerful soul. She herself isn’t aware of. I will try my best to protect her & impart sufficient knowledge to pass her test. I’m leaving my address to you. Keep it. Your daughter will find me there- the source point of her journey. I shall send her back to you when the right time comes in.”

I was shocked & numbed. What was the monk talking about? What task? I couldn’t comprehend anything but the utterance of the ‘death’ clouded my mind. What is wrong with my daughter? But she doesn’t have any kind of nightmares? She never told me about something like that. Pardon O holy man, are you sure about my daughter?

The monk replied & smiled, “Yes mother! Your daughter is just ten. The visions will start soon enough. I am here to pre-inform you. Don’t worry Mother. Be proud. You are the mother of The Chosen One.”

But she is just like another ordinary kid. There is nothing exceptional difference in her behaviour.

The monk answered, “You won’t see any difference even at the age of 21. You can’t even accept to believe the difference till then. But this is the Truth. Allow me to depart. Remember the day. Send me your daughter �" like sending disciple to the Guru’s place. “

Then, the monk left. I stood numb & glanced at you blankly.”

A brief pause. My mother completed her story. She knew about my visions. She asked me to get ready for departure to her Guru’s house. The monk had left an impression on my arm - the impression to last forever �" as a symbol of my identity. The symbol looks much like an eye.

The visions were clear now. I was surprised to discover the fact I never gave importance to �" The symbol of the eye! I saw the eye in my visions. Earlier, I used to see absolute darkness & hear a voice. It was a male husky voice. There was a deep pain in that voice, I couldn’t ignore. ‘The pain connects me. I get dragged to it. Perhaps, the voice is calling out my name again & again. I run, I shout, I call back. But I fail to see anything. I fail to find anyone. All I get left with is agony. I don’t know whose voice it is. I don’t even know what is the relation I have with that voice. All I can see is the gradual clarity of that darkness, as if it is fading with every vision & unfolding itself to expose the blurred face. In this last one, I finally could see the figure, the silhouette amidst the darkness. I saw his eyes & it reminds me of the symbol drawn by the monk. And this is driving me crazy. What’s in the eyes? As if I saw hope & trust in them, and faith on me? He seeks my help. But I don’t know how to reach him. Perhaps, I felt like I can only see him suffer. My hands were tied strong; I couldn’t move but to see helplessly. This is a strange kind of pain. My mind is fighting back. What is for real? How come a dream make me go crazy, specially a man’s voice �" a man I have no idea about. But I feel a weird kind of affection. May be love? But that’s sounds so crazy & silly! I fear I am getting insane day by day. I need the answers as soon as possible else I shall have to sacrifice my sanity.’

I set out on my quest for the answers. My journey to a world of mystery began. I left my house, my city and reached Samsing, North Bengal �" the abode of my Guru. I met that monk �" an old guy, struggling to open the door. I felt as if he was alive just to meet me, teach me, his disciple?! I felt like I was under a myth, a spell -  couldn’t figure out what was real? What was dream? Perhaps, I was living in a world of illusion �" I couldn’t ignore, neither disbelieve any.

On this long journey to Samsing, I left the cityscape, its crowd, its lifestyle. More I was coming close to Samsing, I started feeling a change. I passed through the river Murti, the tea plantations, the lush green forest, the mountains �" the beauty of nature struck my eyes �" it was soothing to my soul. I felt peace, a strange kind of happiness �" though I was purely alone set out on an unknown journey in search of an unknown person. Life was queer. I was afraid to think of the path ahead �" I didn’t have any clue of the difficulties to face soon. I felt like walking along a curve road, uncertainty at its every turn. But I walked on.

Finally, I reached the apparent finishing point �" the Monk’s haven. I was hesitant, “what to say? What to ask? Will he be able to remember me after so many years?” I felt so awkward for a second. I knocked the door.

The old man welcomed me in. He readily identified me with the symbol. Though he didn’t need any �" it was additional; the old eyes filled with wisdom & knowledge are enough to know the identity of his visitor. His ‘Parnokutir’ as he termed his house �" was small yet so mystically beautiful. Seeing the mats on floor with a pillow made me presume it as the living space. There was not much furniture except a swing attached with the wooden ceiling. The swing was large enough to act like a sofa, or bed? For a second, I felt like I had entered a tree house. I mused, “through the long fenestrations, I see Pine trees. Far away, I see rows of juicy orange trees. I see steps with tea plantations, amidst the clouds, the mountains peeping.” Every spaces were so blissful so mesmerizing, I felt like spending my entire life over this small town of Samsing.

My Guru smiled & said, “You are enjoying indeed. I won’t ask you about your journey because I’m already aware of the happiness you felt while travelling, I can see it through your eyes. I believe you know why you are here. Right? You are meant to do a task. Because, none but only you can perform the job. Are you ready my child?”

I felt afraid of the unknown responsibility about to be shouldered on me. I stood quiet. My eyes filled with doubts & a faint hint of fear. I stammered, “W-What is that great task O Master? I am not aware of any duty I am supposed to perform. Is it related to my visions? I am confused. I am not being able to understand what’s going on in my life. Please O’ Holy man, O’ master enlighten me.”

The monk looked at me with his serene smile. He nodded smilingly, and after a brief pause, he asked me, “My child, I know about your visions. I even know the cause of your restlessness, your unexplained anxiety. I have answers for all of them. But first you answer me some of my questions. Okay?”

I nodded blankly. I was happy the next moment. Finally, all my questions were soon to meet their answers. I felt a moment of peak excitement that caused fast beating of my heart.

The monk asked, “Whom do you love?”

I expected some difficult ones. I gave a casual answer, “Of course, my family & friends.”

_ “Is there any special person in your life? Like a love partner?”

_ I didn’t take the question too seriously. “No! I have no such special person in my life. Not that I am attracted to girls. But, somehow, I couldn’t find that man, the perfect one for me. May be, I am addicted to Narcissism. “I laughed sarcastically. After realizing an intense silence, I stopped laughing the moment I looked at my Guru’s face. I thought perhaps I made him angry with my silly childish behaviour. I repeated & being serious, “No, there is no love partner in my life.”

The monk smiled, “Are you sure my child? Close your eyes & what do you see? What do you feel?”

After a quiet moment, I was blank & somehow felt my heart heavy with undefined emotions. Like being hypnotised, I said, “When I close my eyes, I see that darkness of the dream. My heart constantly asks my brain to show it a glimpse of the face of that man. Whenever I hear that voice, it starts echoing to my ears & throws me into an infinite void. It is so weird but I feel a strong kind of attraction to that voice, perhaps my soul seeks with all its strength to reach to it. I feel like bounded with an intangible thread. I can tear it apart, but my heart perhaps wants to remain tied. And whenever I get dipped into this ocean of thoughts, I sink into the depth of eternal darkness. And this drives me crazy, restless & helpless. For so many years, I am fighting back just for those answers. I seek peace from this maze of chaos. Help me O’ Master! Save me from this tormenting turmoil of thoughts & emotions.”

The monk replied, “The answers you are seeking are already hidden in your visions. You already got your pieces of puzzles. You just need to frame it together.”

The monk further said that he would soon clear all my doubts, my causes of restlessness. But first he wanted me to take a deep breath & relax & meditate. I was asked to do yoga. My mind is buzzing with millions of thoughts. I should free myself from that chaos. For that I need to meditate.

Three days passed. I was living a calm & peaceful life free of any chaotic intervention. My daily routine be like waking up in the early morning @5AM, starting with meditation. My mornings were quiet like my racing mind that’s now at halt. I was like truly enjoying my vacations. The college was over. This was the time I was supposed to struggle about decisions regarding higher studies, but surprisingly I landed up here �" as if in another world. As if out on an adventurous quest, but seeking answers of life.

On the fourth day, another set of conversation happened. The monk, his face serious, with his wrinkled lines clearly exposed on his forehead, asked me to sit quietly & to listen carefully what he was about to say. Because, the following words would perhaps turn my newly gained peaceful life upside down. I was clueless. I did what my guru asked me to �" concentrate.

The monk began �"

“O my child, I am about to utter those words for which you are here. But, you have to keep your mind strong enough to understand them. Don’t try to think just keep on listening. Don’t try to judge & use your rationality because that’s beyond our talk. But first I want you to see something.”

The old man took out of that bag, the same old one which he brought years ago to our house �" a crumpled old weary red coloured Diary wrapped with a velvet paper with a fountain pen attached to its side.  My heart suddenly got a fast beat. I was feeling uncomfortable the moment I saw that diary. I became restless. I couldn’t sit there & just got up. It seemed like a shocking knock at the door of my senses. But why? My racing mind once again got back on track.

The monk asked, “What happened my child? Are you alright?”

I stammered, No! I don’t know! What happened right now. Why I got so restless? O’ Master can you please shed some light on my action? Am I soon going to be insane? I am having high doubts now! “

“Calm down my child. This is a diary I found years ago, almost 21 years back. An old woman left it saying it’s her daughter Rachael Matthew’s. The mother gave me her daughter’s diary soon after her death. This diary contains the story of Rachael’s life. She wholeheartedly wrote everything, about her boundless love for her mother, her father who left years ago while she was a child, and the story of her unconditional love for a person. They were supposed to marry but met with an accident. She lost him. But her pure & limitless love took her to extremes. She did what ordinary people can’t even think of. The man too was deeply & madly in love with her. Death had parted their bodies but not their souls. She was trying to break the laws of nature but alas! couldn’t. She lived with his thoughts & memories for the rest of her life till she dies. She loved her …”

“RD” I mumbled in a slow hypnotic voice completing my Guru’s sentence. There was silence all around.

The monk asked, “My child, what did you say just now?”

I suddenly jerked off, looked at my guru as if my hypnotism was just terminated & I was back to normal. I asked,” What? What did I say?”

“RD.” The monk said.

“RD? Who is RD? Did I really say so? Oh yes… I did. But why? Who is he?” Once again, my heart started beating too fast as if its sound would mask every surrounding sound.

“Robert Dylan.” The monk replied. “The love of Rachael’s life. “

Hearing the name uttered by my guru, I felt goosebumps, as if I could hear those echoes again. I stood numb. This time, I dived myself into that eternal darkness of my ocean of thoughts. I could gradually perhaps understand now. I was silent. I looked down. I felt like saying, “Whatever is happening, I think I can understand. But how is it possible? Is everything an illusion? Who am I? Ruchi right. Rachael? No no! I’m crazy. That’s impossible. Or is it?”

The monk smiled at me. His eyes sparkled seeing me. He gave a little laughter and said, “You got your answer my child. Like I said, your answers are already present in your visons. You just need to identify that. Yes, you were Rachael. Your love was so unconditional & pure that even in your next birth, you still searched for your RD. But he couldn’t make it to the next birth. Read the diary. I believe you will remember it all. You are blessed with the power to recollect your past life. That is your strength to help you in your Task I’m soon going to disclose. Read it at your earliest.”

I smiled. I felt like I could finally have sailed across the turbulent ocean & after an enormous battle with the storm, I could finally win �" I reached the shore which was waiting with my reward �" the Peace that came along with the eternal answers. I read the entire diary.

I was quiet, serious, numb. Perhaps, felt a new person in me, saw two contrasting characters one extrovert Ruchi & one introvert Rachael. I finally could resolve a part of my restlessness. I recollected all of my memories, about RD about my efforts to travel to astral plane. I recollected all of the Knowledge I earned in my past life. I felt a changed soul. I felt like I was travelling in time, as if one moment was like an integration of several infinitesimal pieces of moments. And those infinitesimal pieces were among those bits of mind imageries that had been flashing in my visions for so long. Finally, I could feel the frame that fit all the puzzles. I felt like an old soul in a young body. But what about the other part? The TASK?

The monk was happy. His face lit with a divine glow. He said, his responsibility was almost at its end. “My Child, I’m glad you recognised your power. But not yet in totality. The Task I was saying for so long is very tough & filled with obstacles at its every bend. Like I said, you are the Chosen One. You have to travel into that plane of infinite loop of time. You may call it into timelessness. I can only show you the portal that will lead you to your destination through the Intangible Tunnels of Time that will be tangible only when you apply the pattern displayed on the EYEHOLE. Yes, THE EYEHOLE. Are you getting what I’m saying, my child?”

I heard with deep concentration to his every words. I felt so strong because finally I could recognize the identity of the pain, my mind was not submissive to it anymore. Now, I even knew the cause of this journey. I finally realised the love, the treasure of my soul, my RD. I understood he was seeking my help. I kept on murmuring on my own, “Yes, I think I know the pattern of The EyeHole. It’s the zodiac symbol of RD’s birthday 10^th October ie, the Libra. I could see the symbol of the eye you drew on my arm O’ Master. I understood it all.  But how can I travel in time? Or like you said into timelessness?”

The monk answered, “You know, after every soul departs from one’s body after its death, it travels through several planes till it reaches its next birth into a new body, a new identity completely unaware of its past life. But, your love couldn’t set his soul free. He is still tied to this unbreakable bond of attachment of love. His soul couldn’t shed off his old identity & move towards a new birth. Besides, if you recollect, when you went in search of him in the astral plane, he wasn’t allowed to move out of his ethereal dimension, but still, he went out after you to save you from getting locked in the infinite void. You were saved by both your mother & RD. But you could never know that RD broke the rule of his dimension & thus, he is still barred & lost into the timelessness. He couldn’t move on to a new life. And being a messenger of God, I am asked to guide you to the path that will lead to him, to change the future by changing the past. His love is so pure & divine, that it’s his Karma giving him another chance & thus the reason behind your power �" your TASK �" To save his soul & your love. “

My eyes sparkled with tears of joy, rays of hope & determination lit a glow within me. I felt like all the dark clouds were dispersed & I could see the sunshine. I smiled with tears. “I will save his soul to save my life. Because, RD is my life. I recollect everything. He is trapped just because of me. I can’t forgive me. I’ll die of repentance. Whatever troubles may come in, whatever difficulties I need to cross, I will reach him. It’s the promise of your Rachael.”

The monk whispered to my ears, “The Butterfly Effect.” He asked ahead,” Do you know what it means my Child?”

I smiled & shook my head. “O’ Master, I do remember all my knowledge I gathered as Rachael. “ I knew that ‘The Butterfly Effect’ is ‘the phenomenon whereby a minute localized change in a complex system can have large effects elsewhere.’

The monk was pleased, “Great. But remember, the path you will traverse, is not at all easy. You will have to fight back all the difficulties along. Your mind will be tricked by illusions that will force you to turn back & walk backwards. But, once, you lose control over your mind to those illusions, & as soon as you walk in reverse path, the very instantaneous moment, you too will lose your soul into the infinity. And I won’t be able to help you. Remember, you have to shield your mind. Those illusions are none but images of your past life, present life. They will try to weaken your determination, disable your shield, your Power. You have to pass the test of life. And see this diary. At its last page you will find �" THE EYEHOLE. Get ready with your key �" the Pattern. The Libra Eye? Don’t be afraid. You can do it. Good Bye. We will meet soon.”

The old man grinned. I bid him good bye. “I trust you O’ master, I believe in your teaching. I trust my love. I rely on my power. And, surely see you soon.” I closed my eyes.

Few days later…

One fine morning, the old monk finished reading. He closed the Diary �" the crumpled old weary red coloured velvet wrapped. Hearing the bell rang, he got up from his favourite swing & opened the door. He saw a lovely couple & a little boy.  They were passing through this ‘Parnokutir’. The lady looked at the monk, “Your house is so beautiful. I don’t know why I came dragged to here. I know it’s bizarre but I perhaps feel like I have seen this house before. But, I have never come to Samsing in my life. So strange!”

The man replied to her, “This house is so blissfully beautiful that perhaps you may have seen it in any movie or internet?”

The lady nodded her head, murmuring, “No! my darling.”

Amidst all these conversations, the old man stood smiling. His wrinkled lines weren’t showing the weighted impression of age but the curves of happiness & peace. He mused within himself, “I’m so delighted. I’m so happy to see you again. I knew you will make it. I strongly believed you will protect your love. I know you have forgotten everything. Actually, such is the law of the nature. Love is such a beautiful yet strong & powerful emotion that it breaks all obstacles that come in its path. Love is the ultimate divinity. Bless you my children. Live long.”

The monk, this time, joined the conversation. “May be, you came here in your past life?” He laughed. She smiled. “Haha! May be! If that’s so, I will come again! I don’t find you a stranger! I will surely come. But, as of now, allow us to depart O’ Holy man. Meet you soon.”

The kid gave a beautiful jasmine to the monk & left. The couple went away with their sweet fights & lots of love.

The old monk stood silently near the gate with the diary in his hand. He rubbed the Velvet cover & uttered in a faint yet deep voice: “The Velvet Diary of Secrets.”

---------- THE END -----------

 

-          Sulagna De

 

 

Author's Note

This is the Part 2. It is not a everyday love story. Perhaps, fictional. I hope you will like it. Enjoy. Share your thoughts. Thank you.

Reviews

[Himel]

You should start searching for fictional film directors. These stories badly deserve audio visuals.
Loved it....!!!
The sequel did justice with its first part. Eagerly waiting for the next one.