The Enigma of Past Lives

The college bus took us to Ambika Palace in the morning. I'm seated next to Dev. Trisha was close to Abhishek. On the other side of the river stands the Ambika Palace. We moved in the direction of our library by going over the bridge and into the bush. The light of nature's splendour filling the streets is mesmerising our brains. Trisha was using her camera to record these incidents. These experiences will be a priceless asset in my life. Since my childhood, I had never experienced such bliss. What Abhishek had said to me the day before escaped me. But, I would recollect them in a dramatic way that made it impossible for me to accept them.

As far as the Place's front main gate, we could see the old fort battling with nature to meet history as if it were standing until the end of time to confront the apocalypse and the front row of sky-touching pillars. Behind the gate, there are the remains of the former palace garden. The garden, though, has nothing else to say. It is now the jungle's home. Throughout the entire stone path, the border of ferns and algae appears to have a generous green carpet for travellers. Daylight revealed a canopy of trees that appeared to be attempting to block the ground's light in order to provide a refuge for the little creatures.

A bustling sight that appeared to be trying to keep us from entering by enveloping us in a murky isolation and isolation fog. Yet in my head, it appears as though a spark from an electric bulb is painting a picture on the phoney dream's black-white-grey canvas. This location felt familiar to me. I moved down this uneven path as if I were bound to the garden's vine by some unknowable relationship. I sat in the Watch Tower, which was located above that enormous pillar, and I enjoyed the view of the lovely mountain river in the distance.

The long chamber of the royal palace's court is still inside the fort. All around are spiderwebs and dust. On one side of the court, two steps led up to the higher floor. The entrance of Andarmahal was on one side (Inner palace). Even though the door was in disrepair today, it served to divide the two halves of the castle from outsiders. The shattered pieces of antique furniture were thrown throughout. This fort is almost a century old. Yet, it appears to take millennia. The dusty and wet weather makes this fort appear like a haunting mansion from a novel.

"Be careful Trisha, nowhere does any ghost fall in love with you again," Dev mocked and said to Trisha.

I, Trisha, Dev and Abhishek, have been together almost all the time. I have been feeling strange connections since I came to this place. Every way, every door seemed to want to tell something to me. It's like the lantern hanging over my head also knows me. But I had no real reason for this attitude.

Be careful guys, we have already come far from the group. The walls and the atmosphere don't look safe to me, I got a chilly feeling that we were being watched.

"Yeah, It would be the girlfriend of Dev. Most beautiful witch of this ruins" Trisha said.

Amidst their playful banter, I tried to put an end to the nonsense. However, my words seemed to fall on deaf ears as I realized I was now alone. Dev, Trisha, Abhishek—none of them were in sight. A sense of unease washed over me, and I called out their names in desperation, hoping for a response.

Feeling suffocated, I sought a clearer path and felt an inexplicable force pulling me towards one side of the hall. I followed the mysterious tug, which led me to a large, thrilling room at the end of the hall. My instincts took over, and without much thought, I entered the dark room. The silence and darkness enveloped me, rendering me blind to my surroundings. Yet, the feeling of being watched persisted, sending shivers down my spine.

Fear wasn't something I experienced often, but in this place, it was different. It felt like I had been here before like I had walked these very halls in a distant past. Memories, however, remained elusive, leaving me uncertain and questioning the validity of my feelings.

In my search for light, I stumbled upon a window and struggled to open it. A feeble ray of sunlight managed to pierce through the darkness, illuminating a corner of the wall. There, I noticed an old dusty curtain hanging, veiling something mysterious behind it. Filled with excitement and curiosity, I approached the hidden object, wondering what significance it held.

With trembling hands, I pulled the curtain aside, and as I beheld the picture before me, a surreal sensation washed over me. At that moment, my thoughts and consciousness seemed to vanish, leaving only the image of myself staring back—a reflection as if looking in a mirror. The revelation was baffling. How could this be possible? This was a century-old palace; how could I find myself portrayed within it?

Lost in this realm of uncertainties, I contemplated the possibility of past lives and the mysteries concealed within the depths of this ancient palace. Why was I drawn here? What hidden truths did this place guard? As I grappled with these enigmas, I couldn't help but sense that Ambika Palace held more revelations—revelations waiting for those who dared to unlock its secrets.

But suddenly I was startled by the sound of footsteps. I saw three people entering the room by the door. I knew one of them. He was Abhishek. And with him two other people, who were hiding their faces. They were wearing red long turbans and robes. Cover their faces behind the hood.

"Yeah, all that seemed pretty crap, I know that. But it's true. This was a picture of your previous birth. Princess Soumili Singh of the Mahesh royal family. We have been waiting for you here for many years" Said one of them.