The Mysterious Fruit

Niamat – "I guess something is written over here."

Robert – "Yes, you are right. But it's too small to read."

Listening to this Tom runs towards his study table and brought a magnifying glass.

Tom – "Look what I have got, a magnifying glass! I searched so much and then I got this. For a second, I thought of taking your magnifying glass, Robert. But then I saw your desk, and it was too messy, so I decided to bring mine only."

Tom takes that book and starts seeing its pages with his magnifying glass, trying to understand what's written in it. Meanwhile, Niamat and Robert looked at Robert's and then at that of Tom's. Tom's desk looked messier than Robert's desk. Robert and Niamat whispers among each other:"

Niamat – "Tom remains the same, but don't worry Robert, he is just a bit angry from you now. That's why he is behaving like this."

Robert – "I know... and I don't want to be angry on him either, but it's just that, I can't control my anger,"

Tom – "What are you guys whispering among yourselves? Well! I think the language used in this is some ancient language. Hence, I am unable to understand this language."

Robert – "It can be a language of some other country also know?"

Tom – "No Robert. It can't be possible!"

Niamat "Why do you say that?"

Tom – (Showing few words to Niamat and Robert) "You see these words. These are from a very old language on earth… 'Hieroglyphics'. Though very few words are used from hieroglyphics, but this is a proof, that it doesn't belong to today's date. I mean... this age."

Robert – "Then couldn't it be the language of Egypt?"

Tom – "Yeah! Hieroglyphic was the language of Egypt."

Robert – "Then simple. Let us use google translator to translate this book."

Tom – "Ha? How can you possibly use google translator to translate this book? I mean. I know there are few hieroglyphic words, but they count very less. Just 9-10 words in the entire book."

Robert – "Yeah! Then it might be the present language of the country."

Tom – "Robert, this can't be the language of the country, because the language of Egypt is Modern Standard Arabic."

Robert – "Ah! That means even this is waste. At least I can write something in that previous one, but what am I supposed to do with this tiny book."

Tom – "You are right Robert. Even I have nothing to do with this."

Niamat – "But this book is so tiny and cute."

Robert – "Then you take it!"

Niamat – "Really!"

Robert – "Yes."

Niamat – "Thank you. Well! Now you guys have nothing to fight on right? So, now I can finally say, for which I have came here."

Robert – "What do you want to say?"

Niamat – "I have a flight tomorrow. Actually, I am going to Florida for my further studies. I came here to say goodbye to you guys."

Tom – "But why Florida? Why can't you be here? There are so many good institutions in India."

Robert – "I completely agree with Tom! There is absolutely no need of going so far. Moreover, you only say know?... Our country is great."

Robert and Tom looks at each other.

Tom – "Sorry to intervene.... but Niamat, don't you think, that you are doing drama... I mean... you still don't know to lie!"

Niamat – "What drama...??"

Robert and Tom stares at Niamat.

Niamat – "I was acting... (sighs) oh no! (Aside). Ok fine.... Since I am one among the toppers so our hostel have given scholarship to all of us, as per our courses, we have to go to the best universities, because they don't want us to sit at home, doing nothing. So now you might be thinking... why Florida? I shall go to USA, for this purpose. Then you guys are correct. I am goi...."

Tom – " But Niamat, Florida is in USA only right?"

Niamat – "Ah! Yes. I meant the main region, like the northern parts of it, which is well known for good universities. Forget it. Focus on what I am saying. I want to go to Florida to carry out a research in Florida about 'Bermuda Triangle!"

Robert – "Bermuda Triangle?"

Niamat – "Yes! It's been my childhood dream to know about its secrets. I know I will find nothing over there. But just to give a try once."

Tom – "But Niamat... what about psychology and your scholarship? Moreover Bermuda Triangle... the name itself is so scary. What if you die. ?"

Robert – " Tom!" (In anger)

Niamat – "It's ok Robert! He is just worried. You know how dangerous that place is."

Tom – "I care about her too Robert! But the data about it all over the internet and the rumors don't seem to have a good news."

Robert – "I know Tom! You might think me superstitious, but... you should never speak like this. What if it turns true?"

Niamat – "Hm! Don't worry! You guys are thinking a lot! Robert, nothing will happen to me. Trust me! And Tom, don't worry... data can be wrong also!"

Tom – "But your psychology?"

Niamat – "Arre! I will take an admission at 'Florida State University. I am sure they would offer psychology course also. Moreover, the scholarship is given to us saying, that we have to use it in our further studies, and research is also a part of studies, isn't it? After all, I am helping people overcome their fear from Bermuda Triangle. By doing so, I would make them psychologically strong!"

Tom – "Such a dumb idea!"

Niamat – (Smiles at Tom) "Only dumb ideas has the potential to bring smile in our faces. We all know, how chaotic our lives have been, right from our childhood! A new environment can bring a change in our lives. I don't know, this plan of mine is right or wrong. I just know that I will be living my life, at least for some time. (Grinning and said) Also, I can do a research on Bermuda Triangle."

Robert and Tom simply smiled at Niamat.

Niamat – "Goodbye, take care and please don't fight again."

Saying this, Niamat goes back home through that pass. She takes that little book along with her as no one needed it.

In the midnight, that book started glowing bright. This broke Niamat's sweet dream and she woke up. As if someone had poured fluorescent water on it. To her surprise, she saw the photo of a couple, holding one baby each in their arms.

Niamat felt that it is against the ethics to look at anyone's photos without their permission and hence, she kept the book inside her bag and slept, as she had a flight the next day.

The next day, as Niamat was waiting for

her flight in the airport, she suddenly saw towards the entrance door, and was surprised. She saw Tom and Robert.

Niamat – "Tom... Robert... I am… am I hallucinating? I guess yes... wait does it means that I have become a schizophrenic patient. No. it can't be possible. Our brain projects only what we think of or what we want to see. Yesterday seeing these two idiots fighting, I was late to hostel and because of this I slept late and my sleep wasn't completed, I guess, so only I am hallucinating. Yes, this can be the reason. But, why are their size increasing. My hallucination is so clear." (Aside)

Tom and Robert – "Hey Niamat!"

Niamat – "Oh my god! Now I can even hear them. Am I seriously turning schizophrenic now? Oh no wait, they can even be real right? Might be, they had come here to say me goodbye!"

Tom and Robert comes near Niamat and says…

Robert – "Hello Niamat..."

Tom – "Guess why we have come here. Oh! You couldn't guess, it's ok, I will say…"

Robert – "But you haven't even given her time to guess."

Tom – "Don't worry Robert. Stop being so anxious..."

Robert – "Me? Anxious?" (Aside) "Ah! Never mind!"

Tom – "Ah? What never mind? Its ok, I was saying that anyhow, she can't guess this. Ha! Ha! Ha! (Seeing at everyone) No laughs! Fine.. it's completely fine. Well! I was saying that.. I and Robert are coming to Florida!."

Niamat – "What?" (Bewildered) "Seriously. But..."

Tom – "No buts. Anyhow I and Robert have holidays now, as the academic year in India don't start now. Also, who knows, my dream of going to an adventurous journey gets its way!"

Niamat – "Thank you guys!"

Robert – "No Niamat. Thank, you. We thought of what you said yesterday and because of you, we just realized, that it's been so long living our lives for ourselves. What we our doing have a purpose and is cultivated through our past events. We will do of what we have thought of doing. But till then, we want to live our live for ourselves. Even if, it is for few days, few months, or even for few hours " (Smiles)

Tom – "Well! I shouldn't be saying, but it's such a dramatic scene!" (Aside)

Niamat – "What guys… you made me cry! Stop being so sentimental. But Tom, what about your mom? You go to meet her every weekend. Don't you?"

Tom – "Don't worry! As Robert said, we will be living our lives for ourselves for a while. About my mom you might have forgot that, we are in 21st century, and I do have a phone. I will video call her."

Niamat – "But Tom how can you video call her? I mean your mom won't be having phone, right?"

Tom – "Ah! Yes. But, I had asked the doctor to give the phone to my mom whenever I would do video call. Anyhow, she barely remembers me! And even if she did… she would've wanted me to do, what I am doing right now. "

Niamat – "It's ok Tom. Everything will be fine. Besides, you did the right work."

There is an announcement made about the arrival of the flight to Florida.

Niamat – "Our flight have also arrived. Let's go!"