Other side of the Mirror

Prologue

The idea of the existence of multiple universes has fascinated the scientists since long. There are questions like; Can we reach out to these universes? Can the dreams and aspirations of one personality influence its alter ego in another universe? What happens when two parallel universe coincide with each other?

Subi wanted to know the answer to these questions. But he was not the only one looking for answers. Ajay wanted some answers too……

Part-1

He woke up with a start. He was breathing rapidly and was sweating profusely. He went to the kitchen and had a glass of cold water, which always seemed to cool him down to his senses. He switched on the computer and started playing WarCraft. He knew he would not be able to fall asleep again tonight. It was not the first time that he had this dream. Ever since he could remember, he always had the same dream. He always saw a dimly lit room which looked like a lab, sparks flying here and there and then the scream, a horrible blood curdling scream of a grown man. This was the point when he would wake up and try, as he may, not be able to sleep again that night. The memories of the dream would haunt him through the night.
Ajay was a celebrated psychologist. He was the author of numerous bestsellers. He even had a TV show named “Ask Ajay” running in the prime time slot of a popular channel. He was the final authority in the matters related to psychology. So it was embarrassing for him to have this dream problem. The worse part was that he could not discuss it with anyone. Imagine the best psychologist in India suffering from a psychological disorder that he cannot solve. The effect this will have on his image will be catastrophic. The mere thought of the consequences of the leaking of this fact used to upset him a lot.
He had come up with many answers to explain this dream. Maybe it was a childhood memory of some movie etched deeply onto his mind. Maybe it was memory of a previous birth. Maybe it was not his memory after all; maybe it was the memory of some patient that he had treated. But he knew that these answers were merely speculative. Childhood memories are never so intense. And if he starts talking about previous births, he can kiss his career goodbye. But there had to be an answer and he was determined to find it. What he didn’t know was that very soon he was going to find the answer from a very unlikely source.

Part-2

The faint chirping of birds made him look out the window. He could see a faint line of orange in the morning sky. It will be morning in a few minutes. He had been working continuously since yesterday morning. A faint noise coming from his stomach told him that he was hungry. He had forgotten about his dinner last night. Ever since the time, he left home to go to college this was a common occurrence. After all, he did not have his mother to remind him about the dinner. And no one here cared whether he had his dinner or not. So whenever he was working on a problem, he used to forget his dinner. He decided to go to a nearby diner to have his breakfast. The fresh morning breeze felt good as it brushed against his face. He was now thinking clearly. He reflected on the problem he was working on. It was only a month since he started working on the problem and he was already ready. He knew he was good but this was even beyond his wildest dreams. A few more calculations, checks and rechecks and he will be able to start testing his machine, the machine that will take him into unchartered territory. He was going to be the first person to travel into a parallel universe.
It had been proved theoretically that there are possibly infinite dimensions and so infinite parallel universes running along our universe. Subi, during his research found that by using magnetic fields of particular intensity, it is possible to open pathways to other universes. During the last month he had made rapid progress and now he was ready to test his machine, which he lovingly called Aj (pronounced as ‘a jay’). During his school days the other kids did not play with him, so he had an imaginary friend called Aj. He had dedicated this machine to the memory of his childhood friend.
That night he was talking to Aj, he said, “In a few hours, we are going away. We will go to a place, where everyone loves us. We will be able to play with other kids and go to their parties. No one will make fun of us there.” He was crying. It was the first time that he had cried, since his school days.All the way through high school and college, Subi had kept himself busy in studies. He ignored the jeers of his ‘friends’. He had been lost in his own world, unaware of everything and everyone around him. Now he had a chance to make a new start, now he could forget all the mean things that people had said about him, now he was going to Heaven……

Part-3

Ajay used to keep himself free on Sundays. Although he was a busy person, he made it a point to entertain friends and guests at his house on the Sundays. As a child, he was an introvert. He kept aloof from the other kids and they ignored him. He still remembered the agony of not being invited to the birthday parties of his neighbours. All the children would be there, playing games, eating pastries and having fun. And he would sit at his window and listen to the music playing and the children laughing. He tried to shake off these memories. His guests were waiting for him. These parties that he organised at his house every Sunday was his way of getting back at those kids.
The shrill sound of ambulance rang out in the compound. He had given strict orders to the hospital to not disturb him, so we annoyed at this interruption. His assistant at the office came running towards him. He said, “Sir, I am extremely sorry for this disturbance, but this is a serious case. This morning, a person came to the hospital asking for you. He was in a shock and was talking about dimensions and something about kids. He was barely making any sense. He collapsed and we took him into the hospital. The tests showed abnormal brain activity and rapid development of a tumour in his brain, the cause unknown, someone suggested intense magnetic fields but it is unlikely. He woke up a few minutes ago and demanded that he be allowed to come here. He was dying, so we agreed and brought him here. But just as we reached the gates, he died. Just before dying he said, ‘I am happy that the doctor is in a party, I was never invited to any parties……’ . Sorry Sir, but I had to bring him here.”

Part-4

As Subi started the machine, the lights got dimmer; sparks were flying here and there. The magnetic field was too intense, he could not bear it and let out a horrible blood curdling scream. The next thing he remembered he was in an ambulance and going to a party. He knew Aj was listening to him, so he said, “Looks like finally we are going to play with the other kids. Finally we are invited to a party. Aj, we have found Heaven.” Aj did not reply, he did not have to, Subi was dead. Ajay did not have those dreams anymore……..

Epilogue

Ajay found a journal and an i-card in the dead man’s pocket. According to the i-card, it belonged to someone named Subi. He was a research assistant in some university. The journal contained references to some experiment regarding pathways to other universes. The last line in the journal was, “The experiment looks like a success, we are going to a parallel universe but I have miscalculated the magnetic field, it is too intense, I cannot bear it, I may be passing out…….”
Ajay realised that his dreams were not his own, at least not in this universe. They belonged to him in a different parallel universe. He finally got the answers to his questions.