VI

“So sir, did Noah came that day to establish Noah publishing company?” asked Jeff with suspicion

The Publisher smiled a bit and said

“ What do you think?” asked the Publisher

“I think, now Noah is old enough to remember his story.” replied Jeff

The Publisher laughed again, this time too loudly. Jeff is thinking that the Publisher is making a joke of him.

“I am not Noah.” said the Publisher

“I had two sons. Now only one is left.” the publisher said

“What?” asked Jeff

“Noah was my son. I named the publishing company after his name. He was an author.” replied the Publisher

Both of them are out of words. Room smelled with an underlying aroma of cigar smoke. Room’s lights are glowing dimly due to the accumulation of smoke.

“ How are you connected with all of this?” asked the Publisher

Jeff is thinking, what type of question is this. Through his own story, he has already revealed his identity.

“I am the character mentioned in the diary.” replied Jeff

“Character?” the Publisher asked

After thinking for some time, the Publisher stood up out of the sofa and hugged him tightly. Even Jeff hugged him tightly.

“Are you Noah?” asked the Publisher while, throwing tears on his shoulders.

“No, I am Agatha.” replied Jeff

The Publisher is shocked. He sat down, in the same manner he stood up.

“I am born again for some reason.” said Jeff

“Then, where is Noah?” asked the Publisher, who is still in the state of shock.

“I don’t know. I thought you must be knowing.” replied Jeff

The Publisher is disappointed. It is because, what he thought was totally untrue.

“Before leaving Noah told me that, he’ll certainly come back home.” said the Publisher

“But he never returned.” The Publisher said, after some moments.

Both are disappointed and are in deep thoughts. Then, all of a sudden a voice erupted out of someone else’s throat.

“Dad, I was always here.” A sweet voice came

They stood up from their places, are looking around. But there is no one in the room except them.

“Have you heard the voice?” asked the publisher

“Yes” replied Jeff

“Who was it?” asked the publisher to Jeff

“I”, the voice echoed again.

The door which was closed earlier, now opened as if someone pushed it. The sound of someone’s coming inside, is being heard by both of them. After some seconds, a human figure is seen coming through the smoke.

When light fell on the figure, Jeff and the publisher came in shock.

“Anamika?” uttered Jeff

Anamika is Publisher’s grand-daughter. She is also the same girl in Jeff’s story. She has never told her parent’s about Jeff. She is the daughter of Noah’s younger brother Jack.

“Yes” “Though the body is different but the soul is same.” said Anamika, who was Noah in her earlier birth.

She hugged both of them tightly. Emotion of love is dripping out of their eyes. None, among three of them is in a phase to speak. Anamika broke the silence and started to speak.

“I and Jeff are born again, to fulfil the remaining part of our love story.” said Anamika

“I came to know about it, when we were in a relationship.” Further said Anamika

She told them that, the same black figure had reminded her about her past life.

“When?” asked Jeff

“ The same day, I told you that I was getting married.” replied Anamika

“At least, you should have told me earlier.” said the Publisher, while wiping her tears.

“I wanted to, but was afraid of the consequences.” replied Anamika

“Which consequences?” asked Jeff

“After your death, I was trapped in the cycle of karma.” said Anamika

“Cycle of karma? How?” asked Jeff

Jeff had learnt about the law of karma when he was in the monastery. But, he was not sure: how it works and also why it works.

“That day, I made a promise to you. That whatever I’ll learn, you’ll learn it too.” replied Anamika

“Then, what was wrong in that?” asked Jeff

“It is the rule of Nature. You can’t make promises with the dead.” replied Anamika, while holding one hand of the Publisher and the other of Jeff.

“I was reborn to fulfil my promise and to teach you.” said Anamika

“You should have told me directly.” said Jeff

“For reaching a destination, there are always two paths. One shorter, while the other longer. Nature, always prefer the latter one. Because, the longer path always leads through a lot of learning, observing and understanding. So, earlier you were not ready for the longer path.” replied Anamika

“What? I was not ready?” asked Jeff

“In order to understand karma, one must learn from self-experiences. It is a complex theory but it really exists. You were supposed to experience pain and sufferings, in order to become what you are today. Everything which happened in your life was supposed to happen.” replied Anamika

“What is the connection of pain and suffering with learning?” asked Jeff

“Nobody learns from happiness, but it is always the pain which makes them to learn.” replied Anamika

“Law of karma is based upon ‘cause’ and ‘effect’ that is, you create a cause and there is always an effect proceeding behind your cause. I intentionally made a promise. In the theory of law of karma: My promise created a ‘cause’ for both of us. But, I was unaware of the ‘effect’.” said Anamika

She knew that, he won’t be able to understand. So, she explained it in detail. Both Anamika and Jeff, were the products of cause and effect theory, which is the theory of karma. It is said:

“A person consists of desires;

As is his desire, so is his will;

As is his will; so is his deed;

Whatever deed he does, that he will reap.”

Jeff and the Publisher came to know about the cycle of karma. Both are still in the state of dilemma. Jeff is still asking her questions while the Publisher is silent. With age he has learned, to listen more and speak less.

“I was born again because of you?” asked Jeff

“No, I was born again only for you.” replied Anamika

“Intentions of an individual, always affects the individual. Unintentional actions do not have karmic effects. As I, intentionally made a promise to your dead body. So, I was supposed to fulfil that promise.” said Anamika

“You and I, are supposed to liberate together.” said Anamika