Near Death

                                                                                Near Death

                                                                                Chapter 1

                                                                                Mumbai

Pizza hut was unusually quiet that day wearing an empty look. Sathyan thought may be that was because he had arrived at the place way too early in the morning. He was waiting for his girlfriend Nisha. She had promised to meet him and discuss something important.

In a few minutes, his ravishing angel Nisha, came and sat in front of him.

"Did I make you wait for a long time?" Nisha asked.

"No. I came here only ten minutes ago. You wanted to talk about something important?" Sathyan was curious to know.

"We are in a relationship for the past four years. Do you ever wonder when we are going to marry?" Nisha asked him.

Sathyan sat silently without answering.

Nisha walked away from their table furiously. Sathyan had no other choice but to go after her.

"Why are you angry Nisha?"

"You are sitting dumb when I am talking about such an important issue. My father is pressurizing me into marrying his business friend's son. Now what shall I do?" Nisha was irritated by his behavior.

"You tell me, what can be done?" Sathyan asked.

"What an irresponsible answer?" Nisha shrieked.

"You should only convince your dad. What do you expect me to do?" Sathyan was feeling helpless.

"I thought you would say, I will meet your dad and convince him myself. Anyone who is truly in love would have given that answer. But, my fate! Anyway, I have spoken to my dad about our love." Nisha replied coolly.

"You informed him already? But, I need more time for marriage." Sathyan was taken aback.

"Oh! Is it? By the time you get ready for marriage; Do you see that buffalo going there? You will have to marry that only. I am tired of waiting. Moreover, today dad has expressed his desire to meet you and decide about our marriage. So, we have to start immediately." Nisha was in a hurry.

Sathyan understood it was better to follow her instructions than infuriate her further by opening his mouth. She gave a big lecture about how to behave in front of her dad while the car cruised to its destination.

While she was going on and on, Sathyan's mobile phone rang. Sathyan answered it and became tensed.

"Nisha, stop the car!" He shouted.

Sathyan got out of the car at once and rode away in an auto without uttering another word.

Nisha's face was red with anger on seeing him vanish.

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Sathyan got off from the auto and hastily climbed the stairs to see Dr.Akash in his room at the third floor of the building.

"You said it was extremely urgent to meet you. Any good news, doctor?" Sathyan was anxious.

"No, unfortunately it is bad news." Dr.Akash looked worried.

"What are you telling?"

"First, let me introduce you to Dr. Moorthy here. He is the top specialist heart surgeon in this hospital. What he told me is not so good for our research. First, let me describe to Dr. Moorthy about our research."

Akash started "It is a million dollar question as to how our thoughts appeared ever since human beings became civilized. As per principles of Hinduism and Buddhism, our thoughts remain immortal even after we die. In fact, this has been referred to as 'Soul'.  Religion considers thoughts as something indefinable by human brain. Whereas, nowadays, as advancements are made in science, it is believed that thoughts are in fact born in brain. Hence, it is opined that thoughts come to an end after our death. Nevertheless, both the camps consider their views are true but are unable to prove it."

Sathyan added "Yes, what Akash told is right. After the principles of quantum physics have been defined, even some scientists believe that thoughts could not have been originated from brain."

 Moorthy asked "How is that not possible?"

Sathyan explained "Can you see the three elevators outside your room? The guy standing in front of it can only get into one of the three before him, right? But the principles of quantum physics state that, there is a probability of finding minute atom particle present at the same time in all three elevators."

Moorthy said "So based on what you say, I understand that atom particles can be present at the same time in different places. However, this is possible only if the particles are as minute as atom particles, right?"

Sathyan agreed "Yes, this principle does not apply to huge objects that we normally get to see in our real life. This has been witnessed only in very fine and minute atom particles."

Moorthy said "If a particle can be in many different places at the same time, then the instruments in our laboratory cannot detect their presence and record it?"

Sathyan answered "No. When we human beings are able to sense the presence of atom particles in many different places by using an instrument, we perceive those particles in different places are in fact available in a single place."

Moorthy was confused "So, which among the two theories is true? Whether the particle is present in all three elevators or it is in a single elevator?"

Sathyan clarified "The answer to your question has not yet been found. By its nature, atom particles are available in different places(in all three elevators) at the same time. Yet, when we see them, we perceive them to be in a single place. We are not sure whether the atom particle changes itself to be in a single place or is it just our perception that it appears to be in a single place. We are still in search of a plausible answer."

Moorthy came back to the original problem "So, what has this got to do with thoughts?"

Sathyan said "The incidents we see are registered by our brain. Our brain functions via a network connection of neurons. Within this network, electron particles which are minuter than atomic particles travel and help us feel the incidents from outer world."

Moorthy concluded "So you mean to say our brain also functions according to the principles of quantum physics?"

Sathyan agreed. "Yes. As per quantum physics, the brain must also perceive that the atom particles are present in all three elevators. Then why does it signal us that the particle is present in only one among the three elevators? This remains an unsolved mystery. Is there some other mysterious force apart from the brain, making us feel that the particle is present in only one elevator? Or is there an unexplored part of the brain making us feel that way? This question still remains unanswered in science."

Moorthy was confused. "We human beings think that the atom particles in the three elevators are actually in a single elevator. Based on what you explained, whether this force (thought) appears from our brain or from something else inexplicable? This sounds like a truly astounding matter."

Akash chipped in "In order to resolve this mystery, I and Sathyan together are conducting a research. We both strongly believe in the fact that the origin of thoughts is from our brain. As this concerns both physiology and physics, it brought us together. Few years ago, a scientist named Dr. Stuart Hameroff  stated that  thoughts were formed in our brain neurons due to a proton polymer called microtubule. We are striving to prove this is as true; By Sathyan analyzing this from a physics point of view and I from a physiological point of view."

Moorthy asked "Supposing that thoughts are originating from human brain, then what will happen to it, when a person dies?"

Sathyan answered "It will also come to an end."

Moorthy paused for a while thinking. "If we want to know, whether your theory is true, then we have to visit a patient. Both of you come along with me to the patients ward present in fourth floor of this building."

All three of them entered the patients ward in fourth floor. They saw a man of approximately fifty years lying down on a bed.

"This man is Mr.Krishnan. He lost his eye sight completely. Yesterday morning he was admitted to the hospital on having a heart attack. But, he died within one hour of coming here. His heart and brain stopped functioning. So, as per our usual routine, we applied pressure on his chest to revive him. In a few minutes, he sprang back to life." Moorthy recollected the incidents of the previous day.

Sathyan recognized  what the doctor was telling him. "Yes, I have seen this in the movie 'Sivaji'."

Moorthy nodded "Yes. The things he spoke after he regained life are beyond belief. In fact, I insist you hear it from him directly."

Krishnan started speaking in a feeble voice. "When I died, I felt something leave my body the very next moment. I was able to see my dead body myself. I could see my wife chanting Rama Nama outside the room. My son who came from out of town was hugging her and consoling her. I could see the doctors working frantically to revive my life. Doctor Moorthy removed his yellow colour gloves and put on a blue one. I could see the number 56.8 in the machine behind me. Then suddenly some kind of force pulled me into a deeper darkness. At the very end of the darkness I slipped into a flood of light. There I saw my late elder brother. He told me 'Your time has not come yet. Return back to life.' At once, I felt like entering my dead body. The very next moment I got back to life. The doctors surrounding me rejoiced and buzzed happily."

Sathyan said "I cannot believe what you are saying, even a bit. These are all lies!"

Moorthy said "No. What he says is absolutely true! I did change my gloves and the number he mentioned as shown in the machine was accurate."

Sathyan still looked unconvinced. "Then, he must not have been completely dead. Some part of his brain would have been functioning and observing everything going around him."

Moorthy disagreed. "No, he was completely dead. We ascertained the fact that there was no blood flow to his brain. Moreover, he has no eye sight. So, how is he able to tell everything precisely as though he saw those with his very own eyes?"

Sathyan could not come up with an answer and remained silent.

Moorthy went on "What he saw, was not through his eyes. You can call it thoughts or soul or whatever you like. But, this proves that even after death our thoughts don't die. Hence, we can conclude that thoughts are not originated from our brain."

A distraught looking Sathyan came out of the ward along with Akash.

Akash sensed Sathyan's disappointment and consoled him. "Don’t lose hope Sathyan. We will come up with something very soon. Remain patient till then."

Sathyan called it a day and came home.

While he was at the hospital, Nisha had called him several times and he had not answered. He now tried reaching her, but there was no response from her end.

                                                                                Delhi

Jeevan was engrossed in writing a story. His editor had instructed him that very morning to send this story to Kumudham magazine positively by tomorrow. His wife Sunita placed a coffee mug on his table and stood beside him.

"I have to talk to you about something important. Please stop writing for a while and listen. Yesterday when we were at the marriage reception of your cousin, your family members were speaking ill about us." Sunita said with a little hesitation.

"What did they say?" Jeevan asked in an irritated voice.

"Your mother and sister made snide remarks about the fact that we are childless."

"What is wrong in that? Don't they desire to see their grand child? Why blame them, when you are not fit enough to bear a child?" Jeevan accused her.

"Don’t talk too much! I underwent all tests and the doctor ruled me out of all problems. You are the one who is defiant about not taking tests to detect any issues with you." Sunita burst out in anger.

"Who is defiant, me? How dare you accuse me of having issues? You are the one who is infertile!" Jeevan shouted.

"You are only impotent!" Sunita hit him back.

Jeevan got highly enraged and threw the hot coffee on Sunita's face and stormed out of the house.

Sunita's body shook as she cried inconsolably.

As Jeevan left his home, his anger was its peak. He sat on an empty bench in the nearby park. He lit a cigarette and drew a long, slow puff. Jeevan got easily angered when anybody spoke ill of his parents. His father was a doctor. He had found Jeevan on the container of a lorry. But, he raised Jeevan like his own child. Jeevan got married two years ago. Due to his mother's possessiveness, there were small problems surfacing here and there.

He wondered, how many more days does he have to endure this torturous life with Sunita? He resolved to do something to sort this. Contemplating on his next moves, he began walking around the park.

                                                                                Chapter  2

 

"I don’t think we can be in this relationship any longer Sathyan. I think breaking up will do us both good."  Nisha spoke her mind.

"Please give me one more chance, Nisha." Sathyan pleaded.

"My dad is mad at you. He had postponed an important client meeting in order to meet you, the other day. He got pretty insulted when you did not show up." Nisha told.

"Today definitely I will meet him and apologize." Sathyan said.

"Leave him out of this! Even, I am having second thoughts as to whether our relationship is any good. I crave for the company of just a normal guy. Like... one who comments on my dress. I expect him to say I look pretty. Crack silly jokes with me. I don’t require a brilliant geek like you. Your mind is always entwined with your research. I am incapable of handling you, Sathyan." Nisha shrugged.

"Please give me two more weeks. I will wrap up my research for good. After that, I will join any software organization and become your average chap." Sathyan was desperate.

"Now what do you want me to do?" Nisha asked disinterested.

"Arrange a meeting for me with your father."

Nisha contacted her dad on mobile phone and spoke.

"He is free now. We can go and meet him. Later on he will get busy."

"Thanks Nisha."

Both of them rode in Nisha's car and came to her house.

They met Nisha's father on her living room.  Nisha's dad welcomed Sathyan with a smile. Both of them spoke casually for a while. He enquired about Sathyan's parents. Later, the talk veered into a serious direction.

"Let me come to the point, Sathyan. You say you are in love with Nisha. I have no issues with that. But, I want the person who marries my daughter to be a perfect match for her. He must be able to afford a lifestyle better than what I have provided her." Nisha's father made his point clear.

"I will be able to take care of her better, Sir." Sathyan assured him.

"By the way, what do you do? Oh! You are a scientist, right? I forgot that Nisha had mentioned it to me earlier. Are you the kind of scientist who blabbers something about Newton law, Einstein law and other incomprehensible stuff? I recall reading about these in my school.   But, will these help us in our day to-day life? For instance, look at me. I failed in my 12th standard exams. Nevertheless, I worked hard and built this 2000 crore rupees worth business empire. I am able to provide employment to 50000 people. So, can you now say who is more valuable to this society? Is it a scientist like you? Or a street smart fellow like me?" Nisha's father tested Sathyan's patience.

"What kind of business do you do?" Sathyan asked Nisha's father.

"I run a textile factory."

"I hope there are abundant machines inside your factory." Sathyan said calmly.

"Yes. Everything is imported from abroad." Nisha's father beamed.

"How do you think those machines operate? Based on the same Newton law, Einstein law that you mocked. Factories would not have existed in the first place, if there were no scientists. And business men like you cannot make money too." Sathyan made his answer clear.

Nisha's father was clearly angered on hearing his answer. He remained silent for a while. Seeing his reluctance to speak, Sathyan understood he was not welcome anymore and excused himself.

Nisha trailed after him. "You ruined everything! Why are so egotistic? Why did you argue that your work is more important?"

"He was the one to accuse me that my work is not significant. So, I had to let him know my point of view." Sathyan explained.

"Only if he agrees, our wedding will go through. Why couldn’t you remain more patient with him?" Nisha scolded him.

"I am willing to be patient. But don't mistake that to lose my self-respect. I am leaving, Nisha."

Two days later Sathyan called Nisha on his phone.

"What did your father tell?" Sathyan asked.

"He is asking me to marry that other guy he chose. I am still unable to make my mind. Tomorrow I am flying out to Delhi. There is going to be an exhibition of all the art work I have created." Nisha spoke wearily.

"Why did you not inform me any sooner? Last year you were compelling me to accompany you to that art exhibition." Sathyan did not expect this from her.

"Look, I want to be left alone for a while. Don’t get me wrong, but do not try to call me when I am in Delhi. When I return to Mumbai after ten days we can decide about our relationship." Nisha remained firm on what she wanted.

----------------*************------------------

"Do you remember that today is my birthday?" Sunita asked Jeevan.

Jeevan, who was in the midst of reading a book, spoke nothing. Instead he handed her a cover. It had their divorce papers.

"Is this your final decision? You have given quite a memorable present on my birthday." Sunita said irritably.

Sunita packed her belongings and left the house. She decided to go to Mumbai, where her parents stayed and got inside an auto.

Jeevan couldn’t stand the stillness in his deserted house. He was badly in need of a diversion. It struck him that the art exhibition had started the day before. He walked out of his house in the direction of the art exhibition.

---------------*************--------------------

Nisha was feeling frustrated. She never expected such a low response for her paintings in the exhibition. Her aching head made matters even worse. She decided to have a coffee and went to the canteen. When she came back, she saw a man standing in front of her painting. The man did not feel her presence at all and was lost in relishing her painting.

"What a beauty!" Jeevan exclaimed.

 "Do you like this painting?" Nisha asked him.

"This is the best painting in this exhibition. What's your opinion?" Jeevan turned to face her.

"I feel my painting is definitely the best one." Nisha glowed with pride.

"Did you paint this yourself? You look as beautiful as your painting."

Nisha blushed to a deep red.

"My name is Jeevan. I am a writer. You must be Nisha. I came to know about you from the name in your painting."

"Are you the writer 'Jeevan'? I have read all your books without missing a single one. Your books are the first one in Tamil to have sold a million copies. I have never ever dreamt in my wildest dreams that I would meet you one day." Nisha was clearly very happy on meeting him in person.

"You are praising me too much. Can we go to a restaurant and continue our conversation over food?" Jeevan asked.

Jeevan had an attractive charm around him. Nisha felt that the same magical force was attracting her towards him.

They came to a restaurant and ordered pasta.

"Nisha, are you married?"

"No?"

"Are you in relationship with someone?"

"Yes. But I feel it is falling apart. Very soon we are going to break up." Nisha spoke the truth.

"Even, I am on the same boat. I have applied for divorce from my wife."

Nisha felt surprised that within minutes of introduction they were discussing their personal lives. She also thought this was all happening so casually.

"What caused you to separate from your wife?" Nisha asked.

"My parents arranged my marriage. I never expected my wife to be beautiful and all. I just wanted my wife to be my first and foremost fan of all my stories. But, Sunita was not like that. And to add to that, we were childless. That was a huge concern to her. Moreover, she did not get along well with my mother too. I felt burdened by all these family problems which hindered my writing and creative mind. I couldn’t stretch myself beyond a certain limit. How about your boyfriend?" Jeevan asked.

"Sathyan is a scientist. He is in fact a genius. But that was not what I wanted from him. I need someone who can understand my innermost feelings. But his mind would always be wandering around some equation connected with his research. So, it did not work out." Nisha said.

"Sunita was also a mathematics professor. She wanted to pursue her career after marriage. But I disliked it. So, she quit her job."

"Is it? I am highly allergic to mathematics related subjects. I wonder how these people are able to study it." Nisha wondered.

"Same here. So... Where do you stay here?" Jeevan asked.

"Woodlands hotel." Nisha replied.

"If you don't mind you are welcome to stay in my home. I feel very uncomfortable staying alone in my empty home. The silence in the house kills me. I feel good while chatting and getting to know you more." Jeevan said.

Nisha agreed at once.

Nisha climbed into Jeevan's car. She felt surprised as to how quickly she became close to some stranger.

She found that Sathyan had called her while checking her mobile. She ignored that hatefully and closed her phone. She was soon immersed in a conversation on Jeevan's latest book while the car reached his house.

--------------***************-------------------

Sathyan was in Akash's room having a heated argument about something.

"I feel the only way out is to drop our research, Sathyan." Akash said.

"Not necessary. I am going to approach this from a different angle. Even though we can say that brain is not the originating place for our thoughts, as they continue to exist even after a person dies; for the time a person is alive, his thoughts definitely requires brain. What I mean to say is thoughts use brain as an instrument. After a person dies, thoughts leave the brain and exist on its own. I am going to relate this theory with quantum physics and conduct my research. And I strongly believe that I will be successful in this venture." Sathyan said confidently.

"All the best Sathyan."

Sathyan bid bye from Akash and went to the nearby park. He found an empty bench and sat there.

Something struck him and he took the research papers he had, writing something on it.

He lost track of time while writing when he noticed a paper was missing.

 That is when he saw a woman standing in front of him holding a paper.

"I believe you must be searching for this." Said the woman giving him a paper.

"Yes. Thanks."

"This paper came flying to the place where I was sitting. Please do not mistake me, by what I am about to say. I found an error in the equation you have written and I have taken the liberty to rectify it too. I think you have missed it due to carelessness." The lady informed him.

"Yes! I was confused for a while when writing this piece. I guess I overlooked this small error. You seem well versed in mathematics?" Sathyan was surprised.

"I was a mathematics professor. But I resigned after marriage."

"I am Sathyan. And you are?"

"Sunita. Are you preparing for some exam? You seem lost in your writing without noticing anything around you." Sunita asked.

"No. I am a scientist. This is my research." As she seemed interested, Sathyan started describing about his research.

Sunita came to know in detail about Sathyan's research.

"I am not able to fully comprehend what you just said. I am not a geek like you, I guess." Sunita sighed.

"You are capable of rectifying my equation, are you telling me you are not able to understand this?" Sathyan mocked her.

"This is not rocket science. Even an average college student can find the error in this equation." Sunita said.

"Are you accusing me that I am less knowledgeable than today's average college student?" asked Sathyan.

"No. No. Not like that." Sunita said

"Don’t worry, I was kidding. Please don’t think I am nosy, but there is a wound in your neck. What happened to you?" Sathyan asked with genuine concern.

Tears welled up in Sunita's eyes.

"Did I ask anything wrong?" Sathyan did not know what to do.

"No. I don’t mind sharing it with you. This was caused when my husband threw hot coffee on me angrily." Sunita confided in him.

"What is the problem between you two?" Sathyan asked.

Sunita updated Sathyan about her marital problems and that she was being served divorce notice.

"Where do you stay here?" Sathyan enquired.

"At my parent's home. Are you married?"

"No. I was in a relationship with a girl. But, it did not click."

Sunita was filled in on the details of how Nisha had ignored Sathyan for the past few days.

"Where is Nisha now?" Sunita asked anxiously.

"In Delhi."

"Even I have to return to Delhi in one week's time. You seem like a good guy. Shall I talk to Nisha on your behalf?" Sunita offered to help Sathyan.

"Why? I don’t think that is necessary. In fact, it may cause additional problems." Sathyan said.

"Come on. Let's try. It's time for me to leave. My mother will be expecting me. We will meet again tomorrow." Sunita left the park to her home.

                                                                                Chapter 3

Nisha did not know how time flew as she was chatting with Jeevan in his house.

"It is now 1 P.M. I did not realize it has become so late while talking to you. Better I go to sleep now, Jeevan." Nisha said

"Sure. You can sleep in this room." Jeevan led her to his bedroom.

Jeevan made the bed and organized pillows neatly on the bed.

"Good night."

Jeevan then closed the room and went to the other room.

Nisha tossed and turned on her bed unable to sleep in a new environment. She went to fetch some water in the living room. She was surprised to see the lights in Jeevan's room was still on. She went to his room and found the door ajar. She peeped inside to see Jeevan writing.

"Do you write even at this hour?" Nisha asked.

"Oh Nisha! Have you not slept?" Jeevan was startled to see her.

"I couldn’t sleep well in this new place. Do you often write this late in night?" Nisha asked.

"Not usually. But today I feel invigorated to write. It flows so effortlessly that I couldn’t stop myself from writing." Jeevan confessed to her.

"Why so?"

"Don’t know. It may even be because of you. When we meet or interact with few people, it has a profound positive effect on us, right?"

"What are you writing? Can I see it?"

Jeevan was of the habit of writing directly in his computer. Nisha huddled close to Jeevan while glancing at the monitor.

"Wow! Your style is so unique. I love it!" Nisha praised him.

Her words had a soothing effect on him. He felt intoxicated by her face that was close to his, barely touching each other, by her hair strands caressing his shoulder ever so gently.

Out of the blue, he grabbed Nisha closer to him and planted a kiss on her sweet lips. He pushed himself further with little or no resistance from Nisha. He embraced her in a tight hug and kissed her neck. One thing led to another, he carried Nisha to his bed and placed her on the bed like a gentle flower.

Finally they got undressed and were in for an exhilarating experience.

"Nisha, please stay with me. Do not leave me and go." Jeevan felt at peace.

"I promise to stay with you, if you never let go of your embrace." Nisha said playfully.

Jeevan felt catalyzed. He tightened his grip around her, ready for the very same adventure all over again.

 -----------***********-----------------

"You promised to meet me today, Sathyan. I am waiting for you in the park for the past half hour." Sunita called Sathyan exasperated.

"I am having fever since morning. I don’t think I will be able to make it." Sathyan spoke in a week tone.

"Fever? Give me your address. I would like to meet you." Sunita said.

One hour later Sunita was in Sathyan's home.

"Did you eat anything? Your house seems to be in a mess." Sunita looked around the house.

Sunita buzzed around the house and tidied up. When she finished cooking food, both of them sat down to eat at the dining table.

"You cook very well." said Sathyan after eating a morsel.

"As you are having fever, I reduced the spiciness and salt in all dishes."

"Everything is perfect, Sunita."

After their dinner, they stayed awake for a long time, talking about various things. That led them to discuss about science and scientists in general.

"I have heard about Einstein that he used to write mathematics stuff even on his pay cheque. He used to walk everyday from his university to home. Sometimes, he would forget his daily route too. Do you have any weird habits like these?" Sunita quizzed him.

"I used to dream a lot in night. But mind you, there will be no objects in my dream. Just numbers and equations. This was right from the time I studied in school. How about your dreams?"

"I used to dream about a little girl, right from my childhood. Every day some incident connected with that girl will appear in my dream. As I grew up, so did that girl. Now she is of my age." Sunita told about her weird dream.

"Wow!  That seems incredible." Sathyan said.

"At first, I got frightened by these dreams. My parents brushed this aside as silly. But my grandmother instilled courage in me. She explained that the girl in my dream was from my previous birth. And that all these dreams were happenings of my previous birth." Sunita added.

"Do you believe in what she said? I think this reincarnation and stuff are just big fat lies." Sathyan gave his opinion.

"Yes. I do believe in them. In fact, you will be surprised that the answer to your research lies in this. I strongly suggest that our thoughts remain alive even after our death. After we die, our thoughts choose another life and stay alive. I guess this is what our ancestors called re-incarnation." Sunita elaborated on her point of view.

"It's completely a humbug! If thoughts were to choose another life after we die, then the thoughts and characteristics of both the incarnations should be the same. But, in real life, we see those are actually two different people with nothing in common." Sathyan argued.

"I can provide an answer to this question based on scientific approach. Assuming thoughts to be a form of energy, you can easily arrive at the solution. You know that energy changes its attributes according to the object it flows within. For example, energy flowing as electric current through cables, morphs into light when inside a bulb. Similarly, thoughts also change its attributes according to the figure it chooses to be in." Sunita explained clearly.

"Wow! You must be born a scientist! I have never spoken such things to Nisha. Do you know how relaxed I feel each moment I spend with you? If there is such thing as re-incarnation, I pray to God that we must be able to acquaint with each other just like this." Sathyan blurted out.

Sunita stayed silent.

"Did I say anything to hurt you? I feel like wanting to spend each and every second of my life with you from now on."

Sathyan held Sunita's hands in his. For a moment, Sunita gave in too. But, suddenly she yanked her hand and left his house hurriedly.

----------------****************------------------

Nisha was feeling very bored. Jeevan was out meeting with a publisher. He had informed her that he would be back, late that night. Nisha thought of various ways to kill time till he came.

She strayed into Jeevan's room. Her eyes wandered around the room and stood fixed on his laptop. She booted it and read some news online. Then out of nowhere, she started reading Jeevan's new story.

Jeevan had refused to let her read this new story he was writing. He was adamant in not letting her read till he completed the story. She rejoiced secretly as she read the story, defying his orders. Plus, the story was simply great. The characters in the story and the way the tale was woven was extraordinary. But, unfortunately he had not written the ending.

Her mind raced as to what would have been the ending that Jeevan imagined. She started writing as a continuation to his story what should have been the ending to his perfect story. She was very anxious to see what Jeevan thought of her writing, whether he would like her ending or not.

The door bell rang and caught her attention. It must be time for Jeevan's arrival. She shut down the laptop and left it the way she found it. On opening the door, she saw Jeevan's excited face.

"I signed the contract with my publisher. They have given me one week's time to complete the story. I should get back to work immediately as I have just the ending to the story incomplete. And, I have a brilliant idea. Could you make me some coffee please?" Jeevan spoke excitedly.

Nisha smiled at him.

"Why are you smiling smugly? Did you do anything mischievous while I was away?" Jeevan asked her.

Jeevan booted his laptop, when Nisha placed a coffee mug on his table. Jeevan opened his file and got to work at once. Nisha's heart was fluttering as to what he was going to say on reading her ending.

Jeevan's face turned red with anger while glancing at his story file.

"Did you read my story while I was out?" Jeevan demanded.

"Yes. So what?" Nisha replied casually.

"How can you do that without my permission? On top of that, you have written something on your own in my story. Are you a cultured person or not?" Jeevan shouted at her.

"I wanted to surprise you. That's why I wrote the ending. I was anxious to see your reaction when you read my ending. Why do you have to blame me for not being cultured for such a simple matter?" Nisha was taken aback by his strong words.

"This is my story. Writing my story is like performing a penance. You do not have rights to even lay your finger on this." Jeevan was bursting with rage now.

"If I don’t have any rights, then who am I to you? Just your partner in bed? You are a selfish person! Now I am able to understand the torturous life your wife Sunita must have had with you." Nisha retaliated.

Before finishing her words, Jeevan slapped Nisha across her face. Nisha did not expect this blow at all. Tears started streaming down her reddened cheek.

"You are an animal! That too of the lowliest kind!" Nisha gathered her belongings and left Jeevan's home.

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It was two days since Sathyan saw Sunita. His mind was troublesome. He couldn’t hold it any longer, so he called her.

"I apologize for what happened the other day. I want to meet you." Sathyan said.

"Fine. Come to my home, then." Sunita replied.

"Won't your mother feel bothered if I come to your home?" Sathyan raised his doubts.

"No. She will be fine. Come to my home."

Sathyan found Sunita alone in her house when he reached there. They talked about nothing in particular. Later he came directly to the topic that made him restless.

"Sunita, I wish to marry you." Sathyan could no longer hold it within himself.

Sunita sat still and did not reply.

"I know that you are married. But, what a hell of a life you have been through? You say that Jeevan has beat you on several occasions. How can you spend your entire life with such a person?" Sathyan demanded answers from her.

"What have you decided about your relationship with Nisha?" Sunita asked him.

"I am sure Nisha is going to marry the guy her father recommended. It's been a week since she left to Delhi. In spite of calling her several times, she did not attend my calls." Sathyan explained the situation.

"So, you want to fill me in the place of Nisha?" Sunita asked.

"No. I am not saying like that. We are compatible with each other in our characteristics, thoughts, the things we like, etc. I felt that we are made for each other ever since the day I first met you, Sunita." Sathyan said from the bottom of his heart.

"I cannot leave Jeevan and come with you as easily as you think." Sunita remained stubborn.

"I thought you are a forward thinking woman. But, never did I think that you will turn out to be an ordinary woman who stays with her abusing husband, just for the sake of marriage." Sathyan was upset with her reply.

Sathyan was frustrated and stood up, preparing to leave.

 "Sit down, Sathyan. Read this." Sunita said.

Sunita handed some medical reports to Sathyan.

"What is this? Are you feeling alright?"

"I am pregnant with Jeevan's child."

Sathyan was stunned to hear that. He recomposed himself and talked after a while.

"I don’t consider this baby as an issue. I am willing to take care of the baby as my own child. That child doesn’t deserve a bad father like Jeevan." Sathyan made himself quite clear.

"I am not convinced with what you say. Still it will remain Jeevan's prodigy. It can never become your child." Sunita remained adamant.

"I never expected this from you Sunita." Said Sathyan hopelessly.

"I am wife to a man. Now, I am going to become a mother to his child. An unmarried person like you cannot fathom the meaning of this." Sunita replied.

"So, what are you planning to do now?"

"I am returning back to Delhi tomorrow. I am going to meet Jeevan and tell everything. The main problem between us was childlessness. Now, I can only hope that he has a change of heart hearing that I am pregnant with his child." Sunita laid out her plans.

Sathyan sat silently thunderstruck by her words.

"You should also come along with me to Delhi. I believe Nisha is still there in Delhi. I will meet her and explain everything on your behalf. I will do my best to change her mind. This seems to be the best option for both of us." Sunita said

"I feel my relationship with Nisha cannot be mended again." Sathyan replied.

"It should work out well. It will work out. Who knows when someone might have a change of heart? Till then, we should not stop our efforts. I have booked tickets for you too. Please forgive me for doing so without consulting you. I did this because I am truly concerned about your welfare. Please be there at the airport by 8 AM tomorrow." Sunita pleaded.

Sathyan let out a sigh of exasperation. He collected his ticket and left Sunita's home.

                                                                                Chapter 4

Sathyan travelled to Delhi with Sunita. Sunita was on her way to meet Nisha, getting her hotel address from Sathyan.

Sathyan also left to rent a car. That time, he got a call on his mobile phone. He was pleasantly surprised to see it was from Nisha.

He could hear Nisha sobbing on the other end.

"Nisha what happened? Why are you crying?" Sathyan was concerned.

"I miss you, Sathyan. I want to see you. I am coming back to Mumbai tomorrow. Please come to the airport without fail" said Nisha in between huge sobs.

"I am in Delhi only, Nisha. I have to attend to some work now. I will meet you at 9 tonight. My friend Sunita is on her way to meet you." Sathyan informed her.

After hanging up, Sathyan guessed from what she spoke that Nisha was again in love with him. This little separation from each other made her love resurface again. What Sunita said was indeed right. Time is capable of changing one's mind. Sathyan was delighted on the prospect of seeing Nisha again that night.

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Sunita had arrived at the hotel where Nisha was staying. She found her room and knocked her door.

As soon as she set her eyes on Nisha, once the door was open, her first thought was Sathyan was a lucky guy. Nisha was extremely gorgeous. But her face was red from crying.

"Are you Sunita?" Nisha asked her.

Sunita was surprised to see that Nisha knew her name.

"How do you know my name?" Sunita asked.

"I spoke with Sathyan just now. He informed me that you are coming to meet me." Nisha replied.

"Did Sathyan call you?" Sunita's face was clouded.

"No. I called him. Please come inside." Nisha let her in.

Both of them sat on the sofa.

"May I know for how long you know Sathyan? Because, he has never mentioned anything about you." Nisha looked puzzled.

"I know him only for the past one week. He told me about the problems existing between you two. I promised him that I would convince you to be together with Sathyan again." Sunita said.

"Why should he send you? Will he not talk to me?" Nisha chided.

"He told me that he tried reaching you several times. But there was no response from your side."

"Yes. You can blame me for that. I have not been my usual self for the past one week. I have committed a great blunder." Nisha was on the verge of crying again.

"Please don’t get emotional. I can sense that you have been crying lately. Think of me as a well wisher to you both. I can understand your feelings as a lady myself. You can feel free to share whatever is bothering you with me." Sunita consoled her.

"I cheated on Sathyan. These past ten days I was in an affair with another guy. But, now I have realized my mistake. I know how worthy Sathyan is now." Nisha said.

Sunita was not prepared for this blow. She was reminded of the love which Sathyan had for her. When we are separated we need a caring shoulder to cry. And our mind is fooled into believing that the same person is the new love of our life.

"May I know who that guy is?" Sunita was piqued.

"His name is Jeevan. He is a famous writer." Nisha said.

"Is it Jeevan?" Sunita's face became pale.

Sunita's head was spinning out of control with the shocking news.

-----------------------****************-----------------------

Ever since Nisha left Jeevan's home, he felt like he was going crazy. His eyes were blazing red from lack of sleep from that day.

He tried to finish his story. The words which where flowing like a clear stream with Nisha's presence were stumbling now.

He thought of contacting her on her mobile. Later, he decided against it, thinking that she would still be mad at him. He left his home, driving his car to meet Nisha in her hotel room.

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"Do you know about Jeevan?"

Nisha was puzzled on seeing Sunita's reaction on hearing Jeevan's name.

"Yes. I know him very well. Courtesy of living with him in the same house for two years." Sunita sounded defeated.

"Oh! How can I be so stupid? He had told me he had a wife named Sunita and that he was going to divorce her. I never even matched that to you." Nisha realized her grave mistake.

Sunita stood up angrily, preparing to walk out of the room.

"Please, can you listen to me for a moment? I have committed a sin. Now, I want to pay for it myself. Would you mind listening to what I am about to say to better your life?" Nisha tried consoling Sunita.

"What are you going to say?"

"Jeevan is an animal. It is better that you leave him. You have to marry Sathyan and settle down." Nisha said.

"What rubbish are you talking? I am Jeevan's wife." Replied Sunita fuming.

"Jeevan is not fit to be your husband. Whenever I spoke to you about Sathyan, I could see a spark in your eyes. It clearly depicts how much you are in love with him." Nisha said.

"You are telling me something which is impossible. Moreover, I am pregnant with Jeevan's child now."

Nisha sat transfixed unable to come up with an answer.

Suddenly there was a knocking on the door.

She wondered who could it be, at this time of the day. She went near the door and peeped through the lens and found Jeevan standing outside her room.

Frantically, she dragged Sunita to her bathroom and said "You hide inside here for a while. If Jeevan sees you, he will cause further trouble. I will handle him and send him out first."

After Sunita hid in the bathroom, Nisha opened the front door. Jeevan came inside and closed the door behind them.

"Why have you come here so late in the evening? Whatever it may be, we can talk about it tomorrow morning. I insist you leave immediately." Nisha spoke to him sternly.

"Nisha, please forgive me. I couldn’t stay in my home without you even for a second. Please come with me to my home." Jeevan begged her.

"No, I am not coming anywhere. We can talk about this tomorrow morning. Now leave." Nisha repeated what she said.

"I am telling I couldn’t stay in my home without you even for a second. Don’t you crave the same? You slept with me. Did that make you contented enough to forsake me now?" Jeevan was getting irritated.

 "Don’t talk like an idiot. Now, leave me alone." Nisha said.

Jeevan burst in rage and violently caught her neck. Nisha somehow tackled him and ran to the corner of the room.

Jeevan caught hold of her tight. He abused her by slapping repeatedly. Suddenly, in the midst of beating her, Jeevan screamed and fell down. Sunita was standing behind him with a blood stained knife.

"Sunita, what have you done? Now what are we going to do?" Nisha was horrified by Sunita's action.

Sunita had made up her mind. Her face showed her inner determination.

"I will handle everything here. Now, you have to leave at once. Go to Mumbai with Sathyan tomorrow morning, catching the first flight out." Sunita instructed Nisha.

"How can I leave you with this?" Nisha was not prepared to go anywhere.

"Here, take this. This is Jeevan's car key. Now, get out of here." Sunita thrust the keys in Nisha's hands.

"Sunita, how can I leave without you?" Nisha asked.

"Get out, Nisha!" Sunita barked.

Nisha drove Jeevan's car. Her mind was mulling over the incidents that happened today. That resulted in less attention towards driving on the road. When she was trying to overtake a car, her car was hit by a container lorry from the opposite direction. Her car flipped several times and came to a standstill in the middle of the road. Inside the car, Nisha was soaked in a sea of blood.

---------------**********----------------

Sathyan was ecstatic. His heart was throbbing to meet Nisha after a long time. But, this horrendous Delhi traffic was testing his patience. His car was moving in inches. He took a detour from the main road and traversed a narrow street. There were no other vehicles apart from his own. He could see a small crowd of people assembled in the middle of the street. He thought there must have been some accident.

Someone from the crowd, signaled Sathyan to stop his car and he slowed down.

"Sir, a person is battling for her life. The hospital is nearby only. If we can get her to that, we can save a life. Please can you help her get to the hospital, sir?" A person from the crowd asked his help.

Sathyan was confused as to what to do. It was already 10 o'clock. He had promised to meet Nisha at 9. He felt disinterested as to why take this trouble when Nisha was waiting for him with a changed mind.

"Sir, what are you thinking about? It's a lady who is seriously injured. That too a very young lady."

"Can you step aside? I will help you move her into my car." Sathyan offered to help.

When the person stepped back, Sathyan stepped on the accelerator and veered away from the accident scene. His conscience pricked him at the thought of having committed something wrong. Yet, he consoled himself thinking someone else would definitely help that poor girl. After some time, he reached Nisha's hotel. He thought it was unusual to see a huge crowd assembled in front of the hotel. He grew more suspicious on seeing a lot of policemen in the area. He saw a glimpse of policemen arresting a woman and bringing her down the stairs. He felt curious to see who it might be. He was shocked to see it was none other than Sunita who was with the police, her face covered by her dupatta.

A conversation between two policemen nearby fell on his ears.

"The person who is dead is a famous writer called Jeevan. Two women have committed the crime together. Seems there was some kind of relationship problem going on amongst them. One of them is arrested. While, the other one escaped. But she met with an accident en route her escape. Hurry, we have to move to the accident spot."

Sathyan couldn’t believe his ears. Did he hear that the other woman had met with an accident? Then, was it Nisha who he had seen while coming here? Immediately, he drove his car in the same route he came from and reached the accident spot.

He pushed the sea of people aside and went inside. His heart skipped a beat when he saw the policemen load Nisha's dead body on their vehicle.

Sathyan covered his face and cried uncontrollably. He started running away from the place like a mad man. He came to a stop on the bridge. He did not think twice before jumping off the bridge. His body was seen floating in the river water.

A small crowd had now gathered over the bridge.

"He is not completely dead. He has to be taken to a hospital immediately." People screamed for help around him.

People blocked a car on the way and took Sathyan to the nearest hospital.

Sathyan was brought inside the operation theatre of the hospital in a stretcher. A team of doctors worked hard throughout the night. Even though Sathyan had life, he was in a coma stage in which his brain was not functioning.

Next day, Sunita got special permission from police and visited Sathyan in the hospital. She requested the people accompanying her to see Sathyan in private for a few moments. As there were police women on duty, they agreed to her request.

Sunita went inside Sathyan's room. Sathyan was seen sleeping there. She could see his heart was beating from the ECG monitor. She sat beside his bed and ran her fingers through his hair. Later, she placed her hand on Sathyan's forehead and stared at him without flickering her eyes. It was then, that Sathyan's lips quivered. He held Sunita's fingers lightly.

"Doctor! Doctor! Somebody come here soon!" Sunita screamed at the top of her voice.

On hearing her scream many doctors and nurses entered the room and busied themselves at work. Sunita was watching everything with worry from the corner of the room.

She watched as the ECG showed that his heart beat was dropping drastically. In a few minutes, the ECG recorded that his heart had indeed stopped. Sunita cried uncontrollably covering her mouth with her palm.

Yet, the doctors did not lose hope and applied pressure to his chest as a last chance of reviving him.

Meanwhile, Sathyan could feel 'He' was being separated from his dead body. The thoughts which got separated from his body could sense that the doctors were doing their best to revive him to life. He saw Sunita crying inconsolably in a corner. He wanted to go near her and brush her tears aside. At the same time, Sathyan's thoughts were attracted by a supernatural force. His thoughts travelled through a deep darkness before reaching a flood of bright light. At the end of the light, his thoughts came to a place which was completely dazzling in white. He could make out a figure standing at a distance. As he approached the figure, he could see it was none other than Nisha.

"Nisha, how come you are here? What happened to us? How did we end up here?" Sathyan was bewildered.

"Sathyan, we are dead. We are now in a new world. But, you cannot stay here for long. Return back to where you came from." Nisha said.

"I am responsible for your death, Nisha. I had an opportunity to save you when you were hurt. But due to my foolishness, I caused you to die." Sathyan grieved.

"My time on earth had come to an end. Hence, I had to leave. Nobody could have stopped that from happening. I was foolish not have understood your true love for me. I will take this as my punishment for cheating on you." Nisha confessed.

"Whatever! Now I am happy that we can be together in this new world, Nisha." Sathyan said.

"No, time has come for you to return back to life. You have to reach your body soon." Nisha disagreed with him.

"No, I am not going to leave you one more time, Nisha." Sathyan felt guilty.

"Sunita! You have to go back for her." Nisha said sternly.

"Even Sunita would have suggested I stay together with you, Nisha."

"Sunita will go to prison soon. She will give birth to a child in a few months. How can she raise a child in her pathetic situation? You must be with her to support her and her child. You have to consider her child as our child and raise it." Nisha placed her request.

"Nisha! How can I go back? I am already dead!" Sathyan wondered.

Sathyan held Nisha's hands and stood there for a while, not wanting to leave her.

"Go, Sathyan! You have to leave!" Nisha prodded him.

Once again a mysterious force pulled Sathyan's thoughts into darkness. Sathyan's hands broke free of Nisha's hands at once. He remembered seeing Nisha's face for one last time.

The next moment, Sathyan's thoughts entered his human body. He slowly opened his eyes.

"He has got life! He is alive!"

The doctors in the room were shouting excitedly.

Sunita ran to him and held his hands. Her face was brimming with joy. Sathyan smiled at her weekly.

The police women entered the room and forced Sunita to leave immediately.

Sunita left the room with a heavy heart. She paused for a second and looked at Sathyan from the door before disappearing from the room.

Sunita seemed to understand what Sathyan's eyes were telling her. "Don’t worry. I am will always be there for you for everything you need."

                                                                                                THE END

Reference:-

SCIENCE AND THE NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE – Chris Carter