Resurrected

by Natasha Nozer Mehenty

  “Oh Iveil, you are unwell. I didn’t even know that!” Merlin replied in a sad voice.

  “It is not a big deal. Don’t feel bad,” I replied with great pain.

  Merlin quickly called up her family doctor and told him to go to my house immediately.

  Merlin came back from the office, wore a beautiful black dress, placed the diamond ring inside her purse and left in her car. She reached my residence.

  My mother opened the door. Merlin saw tears in her eyes.

  She asked, “What happened aunty?” But she didn’t get any answer from her. She went towards my sister and even she was crying. Merlin got scared.

  She shook my sister and asked, “Is Iveil fine?”

  “No, the doctor told that one of Iveil’s lungs has become very weak,” my sister replied.

  Merlin called her family doctor and asked, “Doctor, what is wrong with Iveil?”

  “Merlin, I went to check up your friend. He was already suffering from high fever since a week. He had not at all gone to a doctor. His work subjects him to a lot of pollution and that could be the reason for his weak lung.”

  “Oh my God!” Merlin shouted, “But is there no cure for it?”

  “Fresh air. Though in a city like Mumbai, that is impossible,” The doctor replied. “But yes, if he goes to a hill station then the pleasant climate and medicines may work on him.”

  “Okay, thank you, doctor,” saying this, Merlin went towards my weeping mother and said, “Aunty, don’t worry. I have spoken to the doctor. He assured me that Iveil will be fine very soon.”

  She then came inside my room. I was restless. My eyes looked dull, body had also lost weight. On seeing Merlin, I sat on the bed.

  Merlin sat beside me and asked, “Iveil, are you a small kid? Can’t you take care of your health?”

  I smiled at her and said, “I had lost consciousness by the time the doctor had arrived. I am fine now; thank you very much for calling the doctor.”

  Merlin looked at me and scolded, “Do you know that one lung is in a very bad shape which is why you could barely breathe? You are not fine at all.”

  I was still at peace. I said, “Merlin, if I am destined to suffer then nobody can cure me. I will take medicines on time and pray to Jesus to heal me.”

  Merlin kept staring at me and said, “Medicines will help you but you also need outing. Very soon you will be going to the Himalayas for the pleasant climate.”

  Hearing this, I got scared. I said in broken voice, “No Merlin, my sister has got her exams within few days and so even mother will not accompany me. I don’t want to go there alone.”

  “Who is telling you to go alone?” Merlin said and smiled.

  “Then what, Merlin? Will you send your servants to accompany me?” I asked in a crestfallen voice.

  “No, I will come with you. You have always helped me in my life. I will repay it to you.”

  “No, Merlin. You will get engaged to Alex soon. You must now spend all your time with him. You both love each other so much. You need your privacy with him. I will take my treatment and get well soon.”

  “Iveil, we shall go to the Himalayas after my engagement. I have already spent years together with Alex. We know each other very well. He will have no problem if I accompany you.”

  “No Merlin, I feel that…”

  “Stop giving me excuses, Iveil. I can understand that you do not want to come alone with me. I will bring my parents along with us.”

  “Oh really… If my boss is coming then I shall surely go to Himalayas,” I said in excitement. Merlin gave me a smile and left.

  Finally, it was engagement day, and Merlin got engaged to Alex. Merlin was dressed in a beautiful red gown. She had worn a pretty hat and carried a purse which was covered with golden beads. Everybody including Merlin’s family, Alex’s family, their friends, and my family had gathered at Merlin’s house.

  Merlin went near Alex and asked him, “Can you describe my value in your life?” Alex looked at Merlin from top to bottom and then said, “Merlin, you are the most beautiful lady I have ever met. I am greatly pleased with your talent, attitude, smartness, intelligence, kindness, innocence and your love towards me. I will value your love till the end of my life.”

  After the engagement, a small party and lunch was organized, when the party started Alex was busy meeting and chatting with his friends.

  Merlin wanted Alex to spend time with her but he was busy with others. She went and stood at the balcony waiting for him to be free. At that time, I arrived at the party and went to greet her. I said, “Congratulations, dear Merlin. Finally, you have got Alex as your fiancé and soon you will be his wife.”

  Merlin smiled back but her face was not lit up. She tried to hide it by smiling. I could notice her hidden emotions and asked, “Merlin, why are you sad?”

  “No Iveil, I am very happy,” Merlin said and turned away her face from me.

  “Don’t lie Merlin, you are not happy at all,” I said looking at her.

  “How did you know that?” Merlin turned her face towards me.

  “When you are happy, it shows in your face and your eyes. Now I have noticed that you are smiling too much but neither your eyes reveal happiness nor your face shows any signs of happiness,” I said, staring at Merlin.

  Merlin looked outside the window and said, “Yes, I get very upset when I do not get enough attention from the person whom I love the most.”

  I took a deep breath and said, “Look dear, even God has loved us unconditionally. He also wants us to spend some time of our day by praying to HIM, but we prefer to waste our time on meaningless things and avoid our gratitude towards God. Does God become sad and upset with us? No, HE forgives us every time and still protects us every day. So follow God, when HE doesn’t expect anything from humans then it is sensible that we must not expect anything from anybody.”

  Merlin looked at me and said cheerfully, “Iveil, you are the best person I have ever met. Thank you for always understanding my mind. Anyway, honestly tell me your views about me. What am I according to you? Describe me.”

  I looked at her delighted face and then looking outside the window I said, “I will compare you with a rose. The rose is a beautiful flower and has sweet fragrance too. Similarly you are a pretty maiden and a person who will bring immense happiness in others’ lives by caring and loving them. Rose also has small thorns which protects it from dangerous people. You have a very sensitive nature of taking every small incident straight to your heart. You get upset with people and hence distance yourself from all the unimportant people who bring stress into your life just like the thorns of the rose who spare the flower by pricking the person trying to pluck it.”

  Merlin looked at me and keeping her hand on my shoulders said, “Iveil, I truly appreciate you. You have not only pleased me but also spoken to me of my negative quality in such a way that it didn’t hurt me. One more question, what do I mean to you?”

  I smiled and said, “Merlin, you mean to me as much as I mean to you.” We looked at each other and then started laughing.

  After few minutes I said, “Merlin, I will leave now. Enjoy your party and please do not be upset by taking up unnecessary events of heart.”

  Merlin got worried and asked, “Why are you going now? Go after lunch.”

  I started breathing fast. I said, “Merlin I am not well. I cannot stay active for long time. My health is not supporting me. My family is over here so you won’t feel my absence.” Saying this I went quickly towards the door. I left the house but Merlin’s eyes followed me till I could no longer be seen on the road.

  In the evening, after everybody had left the house Merlin called up at my house.

  “Hello Iveil, how are you?”

  “Hi, I am fine. Hope you have not been sad.”

  “No Iveil, I managed myself.” Merlin replied, smelli
ng the rose she had in her hand.

  “Very good, my mother and sister enjoyed the party. They couldn’t stop praising the delicious lunch.”

  “Oh, so glad to hear that. Anyway, we are leaving for the Himalayas after two days. Hope my dad has already spoken to you about it.”

  “Yes, my boss has already spoken to me but I think you should cancel the trip. I am feeling better already; even Alex won’t appreciate this idea.”

  “No Iveil I have already spoken with Alex, he does not mind my going with you. He trusts me a lot. My parents are also there with us so don’t worry,” Merlin was a stubborn person to change her decision.

  “Okay Merlin, I shall pack my clothes for the trip. Thanks a lot for being so concerned about me. God bless you.”

  Finally, Merlin, her family and I left for the Himalayas. We reached in the evening. We took a hut on rent. The atmosphere in Himalayas was very peaceful and calm. At night, we ate the food which was sent with me by my mother and went to sleep. There were two small rooms in the hut. One was for me and the other for Merlin’s family.

  In the morning, Merlin told her parents, “I feel so fresh as if I have woken up after many years.”

  “Yes my child, this is because of the pure pollution-free environment over here,” Merlin’s mother replied while patting her shoulder.

  At that time their eyes went on me. I was placing pots outside the hut. They called me. I looked at everyone with a smile and said, “Good morning, everyone. I have just taken out the pots. I will go and fetch water. Here we will not get sufficient water from the tap,” saying this I went out of the hut.

  “Wait Iveil,” Merlin stopped me. “I will come along with you. You are not keeping well. We can’t burden you more.”

  “No Merlin, thank you but I will manage it. You stay here with your parents,” I argued.

  Merlin looked at her parents and asked, “Is it okay if I go with Iveil and fetch water?”

  “Yes, you can go.” Merlin’s father replied smiling at her.

  Merlin got up quickly and picked up the pots kept on the ground. I took them back from her by saying, “It will be too heavy for you to carry them.”

  I was not sure from where to fetch the water so kept moving ahead. Finally, we saw an old man with a long, white beard. I rushed towards him and said, “Good morning!”

  “Good Morning, young man!” the old man greeted.

  “I want to fetch water for my family. So where should I go?” I asked. Merlin was standing beside me.

  “Young man, go straight till the path divides into two roads. Take the one to the right. At the end of it there is a lake.”

  “Uncle how much time will it take to reach there?” Merlin asked. Looking at her, the old man said, “It will take at least one hour to reach there.”

  I turned toward Merlin and said, “Please stay with your parents otherwise you will get tired.”

  “No Iveil, I love roaming in such a peaceful place,” saying this Merlin started walking ahead of me.

  On reaching the lake, I started filling the pots with water. Later I tied all the pots and kept them on my head.

  Merlin said, “Give me I shall carry them for you.”

  Hearing this I started laughing. Merlin shouted, “What is so funny?”

  I looked at her and said, “Merlin it reminds me of a story in which a thin girl called Bertha had carried pots of water on her head from the lake but as she walked a few steps ahead she fell down and all the pots fell on her.”

  Merlin looked at me angrily. She came and pinched me. I said, “Stop pinching me otherwise I will be facing the similar situation like that Bertha.” Hearing this we both started laughing.

  While we were heading towards the hut, Merlin stopped. She said, “Look at this place.” We went near left side of the parted road.

  I said, “These are monks. It is the place where they pray. Let us go inside.” When we went inside, a monk came towards us; I kept the pots aside and joined hands as mark of respect towards the monk. The monk blessed me. Merlin touched the monk’s feet to seek his blessings. He blessed her and said, “God bless you child.”

  Looking at the pots the monk asked, “I shall be very grateful if you give us one pot of water. One of our colleagues is ill. So we can cure him by applying the mixture of Tulsi powder and water.”

  “Yes surely,” saying this I handed over the pot of water. We then went back to the hut.

  The next day again, I and Merlin went to fetch water. When we were about to reach the end of the road, the same monk came and stopped us. We both bowed down and took his blessings.

  He told, “Take your pot. I am extremely grateful to you for helping us yesterday.”

  “I am feeling privileged to help you out. I am fortunate to have done this small deed of kindness,” I replied and my face was shining with happiness.

  The monk lovingly patted my shoulder and asked “Son, I think you are new to this place. I have never seen you before.”

  “Yes, I have come over here to try cure my weak lungs. I had been told that the pure environment of the Himalayas might cure my illness. My friend Merlin and her kind family brought me here.” I said, looking at Merlin. Merlin smiled back.

  The monk blessed Merlin and said, “You have done a wonderful job. When you help somebody then God will help you even without calling HIM for help. It is because of our good deeds that we receive immense happiness in life.”

  Then the monk turned toward me and said, “Don’t worry, in the evening, after our prayers offered to Lord Buddha, we help every person to get healed from his illness. We will treat you.” I touched the foot of the Monk and said, “Yes, I will surely reach here in the evening. I will join for the prayers and healing process.”

  We then started moving ahead. Merlin looked at me and asked, “Do you really think that you will get cured?”

  “Merlin, I am sure I will get cured very soon. I have faith in God. I have also met the saintly monk to help me out.”

  In the evening, Merlin and I joined in the prayers of Lord Buddha. After the prayers got over, the monk took me to a huge room. There he taught various asanas and breathing exercises. “These will help strengthen your lungs so that they can pump in fresh air and pump out the used air, more comfortably. Do them every morning, without fail.”

  “Thank you for your kindness,” I said, touching the monk’s feet and went away.

  Every day we would attend the prayers and healing sessions in the morning and evening. I regularly consumed the prescribed paste made by the monks. Even after reaching the hut, I would get involved in deep meditation. I would also help Merlin in every household chore. I would take care of Merlin’s parents. Merlin’s parents would often tell, “Iveil, you are like our son. We are really happy with your presence.”

  After a month, it was time to leave the Himalayas and return to Mumbai. I and Merlin took blessings of the monk and headed back to Mumbai. When I reached house, mother and sister hugged me tightly. My sister said, “My brother looks so young and happy.”

  Mother asked, “Did it really help you?”

  I kept down the luggage and said, “Mom, the trip to the Himalayas was a wonderful experience. I never felt any pain or any tiredness even after doing more of physical work over there. My sister is correct. I feel younger and happier.”

  In the evening, I visited the doctor for my check up. The doctor looked surprised he said, “Congratulations Iveil, you have been cured. Your lung has been healed. Both your lungs are functioning well.”

  “Thank you very much doctor,” I said with tears of happiness. I immediately called Merlin. I felt that it was Merlin who was the main reason to get me cured. I took sweets and went to Merlin’s house.

  At Merlin’s house I saw Alex speaking with Merlin. I went and offered sweets to her parents. They blessed and wished me all the best for the brigh
t future.

  At that time, we heard Alex and Merlin fighting loudly. Merlin’s parents and I went towards them. When we reached there, we heard Merlin saying, “Alex, I do not want to be with you anymore.”

  She took out the ring and handed it over to him. I came running towards Merlin and said, “Merlin please don’t do this. You and Alex love each other a lot, don’t break up.”

  Merlin looked at me and said, “I am breaking up because Alex has no faith in me. In spite of my parents accompanying me, he still feels that I have done a wrong thing by making you stay with us. He feels bad because even after I was engaged, I still stayed with you at the Himalayas. He is more bothered about what people will say. If he truly loved me then he would have never suspected my love nor been afraid of answering to the world that I am honest.”

  Hearing this even Merlin’s parents took her side and said, “Alex, you have done wrong. My daughter had always loved you in spite of always being traumatized by you. She changed herself for you and your likings but what did you give her in return? Allegations? Blame?”

  I looked at Alex and begged, “Alex, please ask Merlin for forgiveness. She is a very kind hearted girl. She will immediately forgive you, she only loves you.”

  But Alex was in no mood to ask for forgiveness. He said, “I have told Merlin my views and opinions. I cannot be sorry for saying something that is in my heart.”

  I joined hands in front of Alex and said, “Please Alex, please ask for pardon.”

  But Merlin stopped me. She looked at Alex and said, “Alex if you cannot trust me, you cannot live with me. I hand you back the ring which you gave me on engagement.”

  Merlin gave the ring back to Alex and he gave her the ring which she had given him on their engagement. Alex left the house in anger.

  I looked at Merlin and said, “You must not take any important decisions of your life in anger.”

  At this Merlin’s father said, “Iveil, you are correct but I feel that Merlin has taken the correct decision. There is no meaning of living a life with a person who can never understand you and give the liberty to live life according to your way.”