The last train to Earth
‘Congratulations! You’ve been selected for a 45-day course at Fantastasia. The course begins on 1st January 2020. Please note: 45 days on Fantastasia equals five years on Earth. Kindly send us your acceptance latest by 26th December to confirm your seat on the train to the Land of Mystery and Magic.’
Layla read and re-read the e-mail. This was something she had always wanted. This was an opportunity to learn more about the Powers of the Universe. Her answer would be ‘yes’ without a doubt. She was going to Fantastasia. She quickly placed a call to her mother.
“Mother... I’ve finally made it! I’m going to Fantastasia!” she chirped happily.
“Are you sure Layla? Is this what you really want?” asked her mother with concern. “You will lose five years of your life on Earth. And, you never know which other beings you will meet there!”
“I know, Mother! But just imagine the knowledge I will gain! And besides, I’m keen to know the other beings who exist in the Universe. Don’t worry Mother; the University Fantapolis will never call trouble makers. They make a complete background check of every candidate they invite to the University,” she tried to assuage her mother’s fears.
“Very well! If this is what you want. I can only say I’m proud to have such a talented daughter!” her mother said.
“Oh... thank you Mother! I love you! I promise I’ll keep in touch.” Layla continued excitedly.
“Ok Layla dear! Please take care! I love you too!” said her mother.
“Wow! This is awesome!” whispered Layla as she stepped out of the train.
The wondrous sight enchanted her. There was lush greenery all around. Trees with leaves of numerous sizes and shapes bore brightly coloured flowers. The fruits were extraordinarily tempting to behold. She could see butterflies on their multi-hued delicate gauze like wings flitting about among the flowers. Exotic birds sang sweetly. A soft, gentle wind lifted a strand of her hair and blew it across her face. Her eyes shone excitement. She was here finally- in Fantastasia!
“You must be Layla!” a voice was saying.
She looked around and saw a dwarf like creature with large ears standing by her side.
“Hello! Yes, I’m Layla!” she smiled warmly. “Sorry but I don’t know who you are!”
“I’m Lord Marcel! You will be pursuing your course under my guidance. I like to receive my students personally so that they feel comfortable while they stay and learn at Fantapolis,” he enlightened her.
“Oh... I’m so sorry, Sir! I didn’t notice you. I was lost in the beauty of this place,” Layla rushed on.
“That’s alright! I’m glad you admire the place. Come, let’s go or we’ll be late for class. You are the last student in my group,” Lord Marcel said warmly.
Soon Layla met the other scholars. She was the only Earthling and she felt proud to have made it. She was determined to make the best of the opportunity. She was lost in thought about the bright future that lay before her when ‘he’ entered the room.
He was born from the Sun; a bright aura announced that. His face was radiant. He exuded warmth, strength and confidence that likened him to a lion. Her heart skipped a beat! She was drawn to him like a moth to a flame. There was something irresistible about him!
“Scholars, I would like you all to be very attentive and receptive during these 45 days,” Lord Marcel was saying. “You are the privileged few who could avail this opportunity that comes once in a thousand years...”
Layla forced herself to focus on what was being said.
“... I wish each one of you a fruitful stay at Fantastasia.”
All the beings from different places in the Universe who had assembled there applauded their professor.
The days and nights just flew by. Layla tried her best to grasp each bit of information about the effect of the Powers of the Universe on life. She watched ‘him’ attending sessions, laughing, talking and answering questions. Though they worked in the same room he hardly seemed to notice her. She didn’t have the courage to speak to him. A month and more passed.
Lord Marcel had announced that today he would be dividing the class into pairs and assigning them a task. She entered the room and sat at her usual spot from where she could see ‘him’. Lost in her thoughts she almost missed hearing her name being called.
“Lyala and Leo...!” announced Lord Marcel.
Layla nearly fainted with shock. She was going to spend the next two days with ‘him’ in the wilderness, all alone. They were to obtain the ‘Peace Lily’, an extremely rare flower which blossomed only when ‘the time was right’, whatever that meant. She wasn’t sure how they would fetch the flower because she felt far from peaceful. She was on pins and needles.
“Here... I think we should camp here!” said Leo stopping and looking around.
“Oh... Alright! It’s a pretty spot! There are lots of flowers around. Maybe one of them will be the ‘Peace Lily’ that we’re looking for!” said Layla hopefully.
“Not very wise, are you?” laughed Leo. “The ‘Peace Lily’ blossoms under extraordinary circumstances. And, our task is to learn what that is and obtain the flower so that we can help others to experience peace which is extremely elusive.”
“Are you questioning my presence in Fantastasia?” questioned Layla, annoyed.
“Who am I to do that?” Leo shrugged his shoulders and set about erecting two tents. “I must warn you to be careful of various illusions and dangers. It’s getting dark and we’re in the Enchanted Forest. Don’t go anywhere without me.”
“Yes Sir!” said Layla gritting her teeth.
The moon shone brightly. Layla heard a soft music. She peeped out from her tent and saw a glow a little further off. ‘The ‘Peace Lily’ blooms to accompaniment of divine music and glows softly’... hadn’t the Ancient Book said that? She set out in the dark following the fireflies.
A mystical sight greeted her just around the bend, behind the dense bushes.
“The Peace Lily!” she whispered. She stretched out her hand towards the sole, delicate blossom.
“Layla! No!”
She stopped and turned with a startled cry as Leo slashed the flower with a saber. The flower gave a terrible screech and withered in an instant.
“Layla... are you alright?” Leo asked in concern rushing to her as she swooned.
“Layla...? Layla...? Open your eyes.”
She struggled to open her eyes. She felt stiff and her whole body ached.
“Layla... Thank God you’re alive! Are you that stupid!” scolded Leo. “Couldn’t you recognize the ‘Illusion of Desire’?”
“Leo... I... I... I’m sorry...” Layla tried to sit up on the grass bed in her tent. She winced with pain. Her eyes filled with tears and lips trembled.
“Layla... Silly Earthling! Stay where you are! You’re weak because of getting so close to ‘Illusion’.” He held her close to his chest and looked down at her pale face. “And, stop looking at me like that.”
“Like what?” mumbled Layla.
“Like... you want me to kiss you! Damn it, Layla! I have wanted to kiss you all these days and hold you in my arms.” Leo’s voice sounded pained.
“You wanted to? But you hardly noticed me!” said Layla in surprise.
“You bet! These days have been hell! But I can’t and mustn’t!” growled Leo.
“You mustn’t kiss me? Like this?” asked Layla, raising her lips to touch his gently.
“Layla, stop it! I’m warning you! I want to more than just kiss you and I mustn’t! If you tempt me...” Leo spoke harshly.
“...then... I want to tempt you!” said Layla softly touching his lips with her fingertips.
“Layla...” groaned Leo crushing her lips against his and her lithe form against his hard body.
Somewhere in the Enchanted Forest a ‘Peace Lily’ bloomed, waiting to be picked by them.
“I must congratulate you two!” gushed Lord Marcel beaming at Layla and Leo. “You’ve managed to do what no one could accomplish in over ten centuries.”
Layla blushed. She looked at Leo. She had made up her mind that she would confess her love for him today. She would tell him she wished to accompany him wherever he went.
“Thank you Sir!” said Leo loudly and bowed. “That was sheer dumb luck. We’re lucky to be alive. Layla nearly had us killed. I wonder why you encourage Earthlings at Fatastasia! Silly creatures!”
“Leo...” whispered Layla, stunned.
The train whistled loudly. Layla boarded the last train to Earth. She felt incapable of any feeling. Silent tears trickled down her cheeks. She felt broken. She was leaving behind a part of her. Little did she know she was carrying a part of the man she loved with her, in her womb.
The Powers of the Universe were at play!
The end was definitely unexpected. The story had me engrossed till the end. I saw a glipse of planetism (kind of racism and discrimination) in this story which resonates with the present scenario. Its just amazing how you are able to translate the issues experienced by our society and take them on a magical land and explain them through the most innocent medium of fairy tales.