The Valmot's Curse

" I reached. " a painful voice speaks out.

My theory of life failed in the practical world, and I failed in surviving,..... in the fantasy world which was cherishing and shiny bright, but never imagined that this brightness would dazzle me from my roots. My nights which were on their shine, now are in the darkest zone where hopefully no hope of ray is left.

"BEEP!" The little bell rings indicating the start of the recording on the phone, grabbed in her palm.

"I'm well aware that I'm getting into the fire where at last ,my ashes will be left. But,.. '' Ana, stands up with a deep sigh and words painted with diffidence under the midnight darkness.

" I will do whatever it takes to get my beloved ones,..I have to do but…….Just once, i'm leaving this recording as an evidence, that I messed up my life,...from the moment I lived her till the reason, why I'm ready to give away myself for them…it will be the proof why this place isn't worth living. Whoever gets this recording ,let people know that this place is an illusion…"speaking to herself with eyes filled by tears, which were on their voyage to roll down but...she held them together.

In the middle of the island, in front of a devastated castle, bracing herself to face her death,which is waiting for her behind the giant door of the castle . She grabs the old rusted chair around the stairs of the castle and sits in grief, while scrolling down some pictures on her phone.

" I never thought,..( shuttering) thought that this place will ruin me and my family. All the unforgettable moments which I passed here were the reasons for my life to fall apart ! To lessen my pain I will share each and every aspect of my life in Valmot. This cursed place! ...Let me share with you; my story. Maybe you can draw a conclusion about where I went wrong. However I don't hope that I will be alive to listen to them .I still have a couple of hours in my hand.

( chuckles), a couple of hours. " She scrolled up and suddenly stopped at one picture.

" This is my family. My mom,..Siya Rai, Papa; Jay Rai ,My little warrior ; my younger sister Camila. However, this was the start of everything, our first meeting with Valmot island". Ana closes her eyes while bringing the phone screen near to her chest, and recalls her memories.

It all started, from the day we shifted from India to this island. Valmot ,an island located in the Pacific Ocean between Asia and the North American continent . It's a small island but filled with different beautiful components of nature . However,things which were crowning glory of the island for the outer world were actually, the doors to get into the mysterious world of curse .

Scientists opine that the miracle of nature is due to passing of the tropic of cancer from the middle of the island which divides the island into two halves; but they are unaware about the history and magic of Valmot. But the question arises is ,if i was aware about it before, would have I stayed here?...and the answer now is, a No!.

The reason why? You need to know the whole story ,because these magic and miracles changed my boring life into colors ,but I can promise that you will not hate it. So let's start...My journey….Ana Rai's journey.

Eight months ago….

"Everyone fell for it and I was too on that list..,in the north snowy mountains are showing their greatness, where the temperature is always low and cold. And just in the south, it is sunny and covered with beautiful white sand beaches and sea." Our guide explains with the excitement he was holding at the moment.

The view wasn't witnessed by me in the early days ,it was the elaboration of our tour guide.

" It sounds impossible but when you see it ;you will get mesmerised by its beauty and wonders." The ship captain; who was the head of the ship who shipped us here…,answers while passing a smirk, which caught my attention.

As we arrived on this land through the waterway. The breeze was cold but refreshing and I greeted each and all unknown faces with a smile; Cause I was leaving my past at the Port of Valmot and welcoming my new chapter of life. With a deep breath inhaling the positive vibes inside, and my silent actions were caught by papa.

" How's the place?,..." Papa asked with exhaustion on his face as the journey was long.

" Wow……,papa, it's beautiful!!..... " ------

" It's an island, what is so magnificent about it? The weather sucks!,I just want to see our new house and my room." Camila,my younger sister interrupts between my words with her annoyed looks. My childish excitement was ruling me all over to start something new.

The first time, when I saw this island ,I was stunned by its beauty. However this masterpiece was not sufficient enough to impress my sister. I take a seat beside her ,on the deck with a soft smile which can comfort her.

" Camila,.."

" Hmm?"

" I know you're upset and annoyed but…,let's just think it's a new chapter or a new level as in your games. For family? You can do it, right?." I placed my words in front of her, cause she was totally against the idea to shift here. Honestly, we all were. But now it's like we accepted it as our fate.

" I know ,...the reason we shifted here. I play dumb but I'm not a fool, and for family? Yes I'm doing everything I can do. We left our society, our neighborhood, our friends, everything because we were left with nothing. Dad's business went into bankruptcy, we were in our worst and thanks to God!....one investment of dad in his friend's business gave us hope to live; and help us come out of the misery. And cut to here! Where the uncle's resort has been settled. Thousands of miles away. On this island! We have made a lot of compromises to reach here, I think, I have a little right to be mad on y'all, haven't I?" Camila puts her thoughts to her heart's content in front, where none of my words were ready to counter her ,cause each and every word was right. So I hold my words and she keeps her silence.

In reality, we were left with nothing to save. My dad's investment in a friend's business grew profits, but due to his health issues, he got paralyzed and the responsibility of the business got up on dad's shoulders. However, after getting enchanted with the profit ratio,the homesick dad plans to settle here .And this is how we were driven to Valmot island. Seeing its beauty and physical geometrical style, tourists visit during holiday seasons. This may be our livelihood now onwards.

We get in the car from Port ,and move forward towards the next step, to see our new neighborhood and our house which we have to make home. Passing from the unknown roads and houses, the vibes in that small car were too hard to understand. My mom and sister beside me were totally opposite of what me and papa were expressing.

The car and the truck carrying our luggage, stop In front of an anonymous house and the voice of our dad informed us that this is the place ,which we were going to call home from now onwards. Camila and I were captivated, and mom and dad, they were busy in their small talks which can easily lead to an argument.

"So this is our new house. Not bad…,the best room is mine." _____" Nope,...mine!. " Camila and I braced ourselves and ran in with our furious steps. This house was bought by the money from our old house which we sold, in the social residential area. In Natise street.

As compared to India this place was less populated, the houses were at a huge distance from each other and the weather was cold and cloudy.

And the first thing we did was, we went to meet Mr. Sharma. Dad's old friend and their family whose business will be under the care of my papa. Mr... Sharma's business was the responsibility which dad was taking over with a promise that forty percent of shares of every month income from the resort . And it was non-negotiable, as their condition was very poor to petty, as uncle was paralyzed.

It was the one and only family, of which we were familiar,it was my dad's friend's family, which includes his wife and a young seven year old son.

Uncle was not in good condition ,his health was deteriorating day by day. And after seeing him and the condition of his family ,we felt the real responsibility in this chance of reliving our life. It was hard for the women of that house to handle her husband and his business hand in hand with a child, her relief after seeing us was worth the effort we made to reach here.

After the meeting, we returned to our home , to settle everything and start everything from the ground. Nevertheless, things were pretty good. The wind carries the smell of nature and peaceful surroundings. Chaplin of birds and fresh air with greenery around everywhere , it makes one feel like they are in the heart of nature. Wondering how we got to a place which is better than our last place?…,Isn't it hard to find places which are away from the eyes of pollution and busy street life?

The house,if I come to its description, was unbelievably big and beautiful but quite old. A huge backyard with woods all around, and we did the most important work before anything else. We met our neighbors. Our neighbours were friendly as we met them ,they greeted us with a warm welcome. At the moment everything was perfect, It was like I was in a whole new world. And this leads me to him, it was the first time when I met him....

Returning to the real time from the memories,

"Maybe call it destiny, or my unfortunate fate, but this was the start of the pain and troubles, for whom I have opened the door willingly. After getting to know all of the characters, and the story ,...maybe….you pity me or hate me. Cause, I'm the reason ,to make this cursed island a reason to destroy me . Meeting them made me fall in love with the darkness of this land, and I kept myself in this danger, so I can't let them go away .Not for money, not for pride, the greed of love and friendship locked me up in this place , And may you swear me for being selfish. Yes, I have been selfish. But please, put yourself in my position so that you can understand that each and every step taken by me was just to achieve love, that cares touch, the loving gazes and their company. I put myself and my family in this living hell readily; despite knowing the blood and tears I will shower here. The true reality was before me, but the scariest part is now in front of me, when the most important person in my life is inside the Bailey of the castle. Even after I get backlash from the people with whom I've been careless, I'm not going to give up. I'm not that self-centered ,who can't even try to clear her mess. This castle is the start of the tsunami which carried away me, my family, my friends and many innocent lives on this land." As it is said;

"NOTHING COMES FOR FREE."

Ana's phone keeps on ringing , but she doesn't bother to pick it up even after acknowledging the number, saved as Mr. Rock….