The Nightmare

When the mist atmosphere turned into a clear vision. Srishtika saw that her father, the King Harishan, was standing in front of her. Looking at his expression, it seemed like he was agitated. His eyes said a lot. Srishtika could clearly see the disappointment in her father's eyes, but she did not know what was the reason behind it. She asked her father in a concerned voice, “What happened, dad? Why are you looking so upset?” “I did not expect this from you, Srishtika!” King Harishan answered coldly. Srishtika was looking at him with confusion; she had no idea what the king was talking about. Looking at her bewildered look, he said, “All four of you had promised us that you all will save our heritage! But I don't see any kind of effort from you all. Why? Have you all forgotten your promise, your duties towards the throne or have you no interest in our legacy anymore?” “No! I haven't forgotten anything. We remember my promises. But as you know the kingdom is under the enemy's rule. And when a person becomes a king, he gets power along with the throne. The power to rule the kingdom as he wishes!” She answered. “But no power is greater than good intention, princess! The king is powerful because of his throne. Therefore, our forefathers used to appoint the king based on his merits and prowess. And people still believe in this term. If your intention is good then you can also go against the rules, made by the king, who is not worthy of the throne. The first duty of the king is to serve his subjects, to think about their well being and happiness before his own desires and needs. Moreover, if the king has forgotten his duty then he doesn't deserve the throne at all. You know very well that Tushyan and Shangir have betrayed us and the throne of our kingdom has been snatched from us. They are using the powers of the throne for their own selfish desires. And being the royal children, it is your duty to save our ancestry, but you, Parthan, Aparvi and Anishiv have forgotten it completely.” Said King Harishan. “We tried our best but did not stand a chance in front of those powerful kings. Right now, they are more powerful. We also have children and we can't put our children's life at stake; they are capable of harming our families. The king answered angrily, “Do you really think that your children will be proud if they found out about your past, that you didn't even try to save your kingdom and sat at home like a fool. Are the people of the kingdom not your responsibility? Is it not your duty to fulfil your forefathers desires?” “I'm not a fool!” She felt as if his words were ripping her heart apart. Her eyes became numb. “Will you let our heritage fall into the wrong hands so easily?” He paused for a moment while looking at her. He was looking for answers in her eyes that could give peace to his soul. However, he found nothing but perplexity. Srishtika couldn't answer his questions. She was standing silent. “My soul won't get peace until I see my kingdom in safer hands. I can't wait anymore.” King Harishan's voice broke down because of grief. He felt lump in his throat and couldn't speak anymore. King Harishan thought she would understand and would do something for her lineage, but Srishtika had nothing to say. King Harishan's heart ached and he harshly said, “Now, your children will witness the story of our kingdom and your past with their own eyes. Also remember one more thing, this will surely happen with not only your kids but also your brother's children.” “No! Please don't do that! They are just teenagers. They won't be able to handle it. I request you to not tell them anything.” “Royal children must learn to be strong. They should never forget their duties towards the kingdom. My grandchildren also belong to a royal family. They must have known the history of our kingdom. However, if you are requesting me so much then I will make it a little easier for you. So that you can get some time to think about it.” He took a deep breath and continued to talk again. “Your children will see your past as their previous life. They won't realise that whom they are considering as their previous life, is actually their parents’ past life. Those four children will make four of you realise your duties and your responsibilities as royal children towards your people. I was here to give you a reminder about your responsibilities. Goodbye!” He said and disappeared in the blink of an eye. On the other hand, Srishtika woke up with a jerk from her deep sleep and realised that it was a dream. She thought to herself, “Did the king want to convey something to me in the dream or was it my illusion?” “I have to discuss this matter with Parthan, Aparvi and Anishiv.” She mumbled to herself. After some time, Parthan, Aparvi and Anishiv were sitting on Srishtika's sofa, because she called them to her place urgently. Srishtika was standing in front of them. “What happened, Srishtika? Why did you call us here in such a hurry, you look petrified?” Parthan asked. After taking a deep breath she answered gravely, “Soon our children are going to know everything about the Glass Palace and our past.” As soon as she uttered this statement, Everyone's expressions changed immediately. They all looked worried. “What? How? When?” Aparvi asked. “My father, King Harishan, told me. He came in my dream last night. He told me that we have forgotten our responsibilities, so he will show our children our entire past. I requested him not to say anything to our children, because they will be shocked as they are just teenagers. So he said that our children will not know that what they are seeing is their parents' past. They will comprehend our past as the story of their previous birth. They will not know about it until we ourselves tell them the truth.” Said Srishtika. “What is the point of doing this?” Anishiv asked. “So that we can get some time to think about our responsibilities and realise our duties towards them.” Srishtika answered. “How will King Harishan do all this?” Aparvi asked. “I don't know! He didn't say anything about it.” “It could be your illusion. After all, it was just a dream. We are not sure whether this dream is true or not.” Said Aparvi. “No, it can't be just a dream. King Harishan used to love the people of his kingdom. He was able to see people's pain through their eyes and became restless until he solved their problems. As we all know that Kushalraj and Madhuraj kingdoms are currently under the control of the ministers' children. They could have also taken over the Glass Palace, but as we all know, they can’t do that. However, they still have their evil eye on the Glass Palace. Those cunning people are just looking for the right opportunity, when they can take over the Glass Palace.” She said irefully. She took a deep breath to control her anger and further said, “So, just imagine how distressed my father's soul must be after seeing his people in pain.” “Srishtika, I know King Harishan's soul must be suffering, but what can we do? Luck is not in our favour right now! Otherwise, I have neither forgotten my responsibilities nor will I ever forget them in life. I can never see the end of my dynasty. I'm just looking for the right time and opportunity. However, King Harishan has told you that our children will witness our entire past, so he must have given it some significant thought. Hence let's wait to see what is written in our destiny.” Parthan tried to calm her down. Parthan thought to accept the situation the way it was. He had understood that King Harishan wanted to carry forward his legacy, therefore Parthan chose to respect his decisions and his feelings. “I am only worried for our children. You know how cruel and merciless these current kings are! We tried fighting against them. But failed miserably and got hurt and had to leave that palace.” Said Srishtika. “I know! But that one incident cannot break our courage. That's why King Harishan wants our children to know how royalty should present themselves and put their duties before their desires.” Unanimously they decided to wait and watch how their children find out about their past and not tell them anything regarding Srishtika's dream until then. After a few days, Sriha and Aravir went to their mother Srishtika and asked, “We have a holiday for three days. Can we please go to the beach?” “No! We can't go to the beach. We can go somewhere else.” Aravir insisted, “But I love water and would love to explore such places. I want to go there only. Please mom!” “I said no! If you want to go somewhere else then it's okay but we are not going to a place which has water, understood?” She said coldly and left. “I don't understand! What's wrong with her? Why does she never allow me to go to water related places? Whenever I talk about the beach, she flares up suddenly.” Aravir said to Sriha. Srishtika heard him talking to Sriha, she was standing outside the room. “I know you love the sea, but can't let you go to water related places. The same way I can't allow Sriha to go where wind flows faster. There are some certain things which you children don't need to know about, they are for your safety. You need to trust your mother.” After a few days Srishtika's restlessness was increasing but she couldn't say anything as all four of them decided against it. Days turned into weeks, but there was no sign about their children finding out the truth. Srishtika started thinking it was just an illusion and their children are not going to know anything. As days passed, Srishtika, Anishiv, Parthan and Aparvi completely forgot about the dream. A month later, Sriha was standing in front of a beautiful mountain covered with greenery and flowers. There was a rocky path to climb the mountain. When she was passionately looking at that mountain when she saw two shadows coming towards her. She got scared and turned around to see. There she saw a man and a woman standing there. "You have to come for the rescue of your palace." A man said in his thick voice. He was not clearly visible. "I can no longer bear this deception and the pain it causes." A woman whined. Sriha was standing and listening to their conversation and was confused about what was happening. Both man and woman were pleading her to save them and their kingdom. Sriha was not even able to see their faces properly. The voice of the man and woman was echoing all around her. Those echoes were bothering her a lot. She could not handle the confusion. In the midst of all that chaos she fainted. She opened her eyes in a jolt and was breathing heavily. That is when she realised that she was on her bed and dreaming. It was a nightmare! A 18 year old girl named Sriha was sleeping when she had this nightmare. Which scared her. However, she did not take this dream seriously. She shook it off and got ready for college. This had never happened with her before. It was the first time when she had a strange dream. Sriha was a charismatic and charming girl. Everyone used to love her polite nature. She was the daughter of Srishtika and Anishiv. She continued her day to day life. She had a hectic day, she had her dinner and went to bed. But as she went into a deep sleep, those same glimpses started flashing in her dream, that vague vision, only one thing was visible but not properly. It was all foggy again. The same man and woman were requesting to save their kingdom. Their voices started echoing around her, so her eyes opened in a jerk again. Days passed like this. That dream had become a part of her daily life. Because of which she was not able to sleep peacefully. She had grown once a bubbly fun loving girl seemed lost. Her mother Srishtika was noticing the changes in her behaviour. One day, Sriha was sitting on her study table and twirling a pen between her fingers. Her eyes were focused on the idol of the lord placed on the corner of the table instead of her book. When her mother was passing by her room, she noticed her. She thought of asking her about what’s wrong with her and did so. “Are you Okay, Sriha?” As soon as she heard the voice, she looked at her and uttered, “Hm?” “What happened? For the past few days, I’ve noticed that your behaviour is changed. Where are you lost? Did something happen to you? Is your health okay? Tell me what’s wrong with you, Sriha?” Her mother asked out of concern. Sriha didn’t answer. She was determined not to mention anything about her dream to her mom until she clears all her doubts. Otherwise her mother will get worried. “Hey! You there where are you lost?” Her mother snapped her finger at her face to interrupt her. Sriha came out of her world and said, “Nothing mom, my exams are coming, that is why, I'm a little bit stressed, that’s it! You don’t worry, I’m fine!” Her mother thought, maybe she was overthinking. That’s why she nodded and left the room. She did not bother herself more to find out the truth. The next morning, as usual, Sriha went to college and sat on her bench in the class. She was lost in her thoughts trying to figure out about her mysterious dreams. A girl with Hazel brown eyes and curly hair entered the classroom with her cheery and bold attitude. She was of Sriha's age. The girl was named Ashmi, a dear friend of Sriha and the daughter of Parthan and Aparvi. As soon as she saw Sriha she ran towards Sriha and greeted her with a bright smile. “Good morning, Sriha!” She failed to get any response from Sriha, so Ashmi thought she must have not heard. Therefore, she greeted her again, “Good morning, Sriha!” This time a little louder. Ashmi was surprised to not get a reply again, so she went closer and placed her hand on Sriha’s shoulderand asked her, “Hey! What happened to you? Where are you lost?” Sriha suddenly came into her senses and asked, “Ashmi! When did you arrive?” “What!” Ashmi was confused. “I greeted you twice, but you were not replying. What happened? Is everything fine?” “Maybe!” She replied with a dull sound. “Maybe?” Ashmi mumbled, “Will you please tell me what does the matter with you?” She asked. “Even I don’t know what is wrong with me. I have been having the same dream for the last few days. That blurred vision and foggy weather. Someone crying and pleading for help in front of me. They have been betrayed. Maybe that's why they are requesting me to save them. I don’t know what’s happening with me!” Sriha was looking perplexed. Ashmi was listening to her while adjusting herself on the bench beside Sriha, but as soon as Sriha's words fell into her ears, she got numb for a while. She slowly moved her gaze to Sriha and asked in shock, “You also?” Sriha turned her head towards Ashmi, with a bewildered look on her face. She asked, “What do you mean by you also?” “I mean I’m also having the same nightmare for the last few nights and the same blurred vision, foggy weather and those crying faces!” Ashmi answered. Both the girls gasped with wide open eyes. They both were looking at each other in surprise. This thing left them both flabbergasted. “Then why didn’t you tell me before?” Sriha asked her. “I thought it was just a dream, so I was ignoring it!” The girl sitting on the bench behind Sriha and Ashmi was listening to their conversation carefully. Her name was Risha. Risha was a gossip queen and love to interfere in people's lives. Spreading her gossip everywhere was her favourite passtime. All her classmates used to call her a ‘Running gossip queen!’ Also, at that time she interrupted Sriha and Ashmi’s conversation. “It’s okay guys; there is nothing new if you had a dream. Dreams are a visualisation of our own thoughts. What you think in your whole day, you see that vision at night. As simple as that!” She commented. “Oh! Is that so? Thank you for sharing your precious knowledge with us, Risha ma’am! We didn’t even know that!” Ashmi said sarcastically. “We were also avoiding the dream by thinking that it was just a dream, but we both are having the same dream every night, it’s not as simple as you are thinking.” Said Sriha. Risha grimaced her face and moved back. Ashmi and Sriha also turned around. After that, Ashmi leaned a little towards Sriha and whispered in her ear. “Let her go, Sriha. Just remember one thing, don’t utter a word about our dream whenever she’s around us. Otherwise, she will add her own spice and create a rumour and spread in class. You already know what kind of girl she is. Be careful!” “Yes, you’re right! I’ll be careful next time.” Just then Miss Sarati arrive, she was her teacher. Her name was Miss Sarati. All the students stood up to greet her the morning. Miss Sarati started with the class. Sriha and Ashmi held their books across their faces so that the teacher couldn’t see them talking. They were drawling. “Could this be happening to Aravir and Sarath as well?” Ashmi whispered. “I don’t think so! How could four of us have a similar nightmare? I don't think it is possible.” At that mean time, both the girls didn’t realise when Miss Sarati came and stood behind them. Miss Sarati was paying her full attention to listen to their conversation. However, both the girls were almost whispering. Therefore, she could barely hear the last two words. She was trying to hear more but the other girl who was sitting next to Ashmi, hit her foot slightly to Ashmi. Ashmi immediately looked beside her. The girl then signalled to her through her eyes that Miss Sarati was standing behind them. Sriha also noticed her signal. Both the girls got scared and stood up immediately while looking at Miss Sarati. “What were you both talking about?” Miss Sarati suspiciously asked. “N…Nothing ma’am!” Sriha stammered while answering to her. Miss Sarati was about to ask them something more, but the bell rang. It was their break time, so everyone left the classroom including Ashmi and Sriha. Both the girls almost ran out of the classroom. Miss Sarati moved two steps ahead while thinking. “Similar nightmare!” She mumbled. “I have to keep an eye on them.” Those were the only words she had heard. On the other side, Ashmi and Sriha came out of the classroom and sighed with relief. “Thank God! The bell saved us.” Ashmi said while breathing heavily. “But, don’t you think Miss Sarati was acting weird? I mean how curious she was to know what we were talking about. That’s strange!” Sriha was suspicious regarding Miss Sarati’s behaviour. “It can be, but forget it. I don't think she would have any interest in our matter. I just want to talk to Aravir and Sarath right now.” Ignoring Miss Sarati’s behaviour Ashmi left and Sriha also followed her. Here, Miss Sarati heard everything. She was listening to their conversation from a distance. Her doubt turned into confirmation. ‘There is something fishy! Those girls definitely know something about that mystery. I have to find out the truth. If whatever I’m thinking is true then It’s the right time to take them to that place.’ Miss Sarati thought. She didn’t realise that both the girls had left when she was busy with her thoughts. She wanted to know more, that’s why, she slowly leaned a bit to see them, but found no one there. “Oh no! Again I missed the chance.” She banged her fist on the pillar in frustration. Aravir the elder brother of Ashmi and son of Parthan and Aparvi. Sarath was the son of Srishtika and Anishiv and an elder brother of Sriha. Aravir and Sarath were best friends. So all the four children were first cousins as well as neighbours. Since childhood they have shared a deep bond. Aravir and Sarath were 2 year older than Ashmi and Sriha. They had no idea that they were related, all they knew was they were neighbours. Their parents wanted to hide their real identity from their children, that's why they never told their children that they are royalty. They all were living a normal and simple life just like other people like all the other people in town. Both the girls were searching for Aravir and Sarath. When Sriha’s gaze caught Aravir and Sarath talking under the broad Banyan tree on their college ground, she tapped her hand on Ashmi’s shoulder and pointed her finger towards the boys. Ashmi also turned around to see the boys and both of them ran towards them. But as soon as they overheard the boys Sriha and Ashmi was stunned and looked at each other and said they too! The boys had not realised that the girls were standing behind them and were listening to their conversation. They continued talking about, “Last night also I had the same nightmare which I have been having for the past many nights. Initially, I thought It was just a coincidence or maybe I needed to go to see a doctor, but I was wrong! I don’t know what’s happening with me.” Bemused Sarath said. “Even I don’t know. The same thing is happening with me as well. Therefore, I also shared my nightmare with you.” Aravir was looking worried. “Not only you two guys, since so many nights we are also going through a similar situation.” Aravir and Sarath turned around immediately as soon as they heard Sriha’s voice. Aravir looked at Sriha by narrowing his eyes just for the clarity, and he asked, “Blurred vision and...” “Foggy weather!” Ashmi completed his sentence. They all were dumbfounded. “Why didn't you tell me before, Ashmi? We are living in the same house, but still I don't know.” Said Aravir. “Because I was not sure about it. By the way, you also did not tell me. If you would have told me, I wouldn't have been so shocked today.” Ashmi answered. “Okay fine!” Sriha and Sarath looked at each other. Because they didn't share anything with each other also. After that, Aravir turned towards Sriha and Sarath, “Did you guys know about each other's nightmares?” Sriha and Sarath both nodded negatively. Aravir folded his hands and said, “Don't you wanna ask anything to each other?” “After watching you two talking about dreams and getting surprised like this, I don't feel like asking anything at all.” Sriha answered. “Why?” “Because if we ask, our situation will be the same as you both guys. Our curiosity has faded now.” Said Sarath. “Yes! Now we should focus on finding the reason behind these nightmares.” Sriha suggested. They all agreed with Sriha and they were now clear that it was not a coincidence. Something strange was happening with them. All of them had different thoughts. According to one this could be magic. The other thought it to be fear. All four of them were trying to analyse this situation with a different perspective. But none of them were able to solve the mystery. At last they got disheartened. “So, what will we do now?” Sarath broke the silence and asked. “I think the nightmare is connected to something. This could be indirectly related to our life. Someone wants to tell us something, I guess!” Ashmi expressed her thoughts regarding the nightmare. “But how will we find out?” Sriha asked. “Now there is only one way left.” Aravir answered. “What?” Everyone asked together. “Just follow your dream, as simple as that!” Aravir replied by raising his shoulder. “You’re right! Till today we were only witnessing the painful voices of a man and a woman including that blurred vision and foggy weather. But now we all four are together in this matter, so maybe our dreams will unfold more chapters of this mystery.” Sarath said. “Okay but, do remember one thing; not a single piece of this mystery should go out of our group until we solve the whole puzzle. Especially that running gossip queen shouldn't know anything about our nightmares. Otherwise she will take the mic and announce in the whole college about it.” Ashmi articulated and everyone agreed. “Okay then, until the night comes let’s complete our homework. We can’t let the nightmare affect our studies.” Said Sriha. They nodded and left for their respective homes together.