Lost Childhood .....

Deja Vu !!!!

Aahil was feeling a slight dull throbbing pain at the back of his head at the point where the spine joins the skull.

The scenery was frustratingly familiar but still Aahil couldn't pin point it.

His eyebrows and lips twitched ever so slightly. His eyeballs darted in frustration. His hands clenched so hard that his knuckles turned white in anger. At a glance no one can say that there was any change in Aahil's behaviour but to those keen watchful eyes nothing got past.

In the car Yuma was behind the wheel alongside with Father Fernandez on the front passenger seat while Dr. Ruchika and Aahil settle in the back. In the next car it was Vikram behind the wheel with Brother Ashwin in the front passenger seat as Kady settled in the back seat.

One would think that they are merely enjoying the scenery outside but only upon closer look could it be understood how tensed the situation was. Aahil's every move even the slightest change was critical monitored by Dr. Ruchika as they all indicated that her plan for getting his memories back was working flawlessly.

Dr. Ruchika was a lady in her early fifties. She first met Aahil due to the recommendation from the neuro surgeon who saved Aahil back then. After he successfully completed the the surgery it was time to handover the case to a neuro psychiatrist . That when she stepped in. Dr.Ruchika was at the time country's best young neuro psychiatrist practising in NIMHANS ( National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Science) Bangalore. Currently she is the head of the neuro psychiatric society of India as well as the editor of International Neuro Psychiatric Journal.

After five more minutes of travel the car stopped at the road side.

" Let's go... We need to walk a bit " said Dr. Ruchika as she stepped down form the car. In the meantime Vikram and the others already stepped out there car. Both side of the road was filled with lush green forest but none could enjoy the nature stroll .

As they stepped down from the car a milestone on the left side of the road stating " Indian Forest Research Institute " was only seven kilometres ahead caught the attention stopping him in his tracks. Seeing the milestone a deep frown settled on Aahil's face.

" Familiar is it my friend??? " asked Dr. Ruchika.

Ignoring her question Aahil stepped out of the car and walked over to the milestone, crouched down and touched it. As soon as he touched the milestone a flash ran through his mind and he retracted his hand as if he was struck by an electric shock.

The others were just spectators of the whole process as Dr. Ruchika and Aahil worked out through his memories. Seeing Aahil's actions and reactions pained Vikram's heart to no end but he was tied down with a promise from Dr. Ruchika in order to help Aahil. Before he left this morning, in quest for Aahil's memories he promised Doctor and the other that he will not comment or react to anything during the process since Aahil during the process would be no good then a lunatic patient.

The place they were at the moment was a part of their childhood memories.

When Vikram joined the school as a boarder and became friends with Aahil and Aakash , Aahil's mom would bring him along with Aakash to the Nath Villa every friday evening and sent him back on sunday evening. It was a regular process which they did for about two years until she stopped when she realised that there was danger lurking at her back.

During their stay in those two year they made countless sweet memories in these parts of the forest as they would come and explore the forest with Aahil's mother and learn a lot of interesting things about the forest .

But their innocent lives soon turned upside down after the accident. Father forbed anyone from going into these parts as nobody knew who was waiting out here for Aahil's demise.

Vikram's face gave out his heart as he wore a complicated expression not knowing what to feel or think anymore.

Kady beside her husband was aware of what was going through his mind. She was made aware of everything during their last visit for she joined them after the accident.

" Just hang on Vikram..

We are doing this for his own good... "

She reminded him of his resolve as a form of her support towards him .

"This is the only thing we can do for him... " he said while thoroughly despising himself.

On the other side....

" Does this milestone look familiar to you?? " Dr. Ruchika asked even though she could easily guess the answer only to pipe Aahil to respond.

It was necessary....

" It really does feel familiar.. Like I have been here before many times ... I know this place ... but then again I don't know... And not just the milestone but the entire scenery of the distance we travelled... Everything feel familiar yet I don't recall anything at all. What is happening to me... I don't understand anything anymore "

Aahil said earnestly with no trace of his usual pride, arrogance or superiority instead his true vunerbility and confusion lay bare.

" Don't worry it's more than enough for you that you still feel the sense of familiarity ... Don't think about it so much and waste your energy for now it's not necessary..... "

There was complete confidence with a hint of authority as Dr. Ruchika spoke which gave Aahil both sense comfort as well as security.

' At least one of us know what's going on 'he thought as he himself thoroughly lost control over his mind. To make matters worse for him his pain was getting sharper with consistency.

" Aahil this morning when you left the school with us you actually signed yourself with us to travel back into your past. It is rare but in your case with Father and Brother's support we were able to restore the symbols of past that representsed your memories related to the symbols.

In our practice we believe a human mind never truly forgets anything. In case of loss of memory the person does not loss it completely but is only restricted to superficial memory . His memory is safely locked away in the subconscious mind. It is as simple as an encrypted folder in your google drive. There even if you loss the document in your computer you can always revive it in drive if you know the password.

Similarly the memories that are locked away in our subconscious mind "need symbols that will work as a password to trigger them back into the the superficial mind.

I know better then anyone that it's easier said then done. Everything that you are feeling right now is part of the process where both superficial and subconscious mind are trying their best come in sync with each other putting an emense pressure on your brain. It is ruthlessly painful but I must ask you to endure it.

Aahil when you first came under my care I wanted to bring back your memories, but given your condition and of what I heard regarding your mother's death I didn't. Father even requested me to keep away your memories from you for a period of time. I believe it was for your own safety, not just from your attackers but also in regards to your health; bringing back your memories would have created a mass stress on your brain and you could have died in the process.

Today your memories are resurfacing themselves natural, you are able to remember bits and pieces of your past on your own. This makes my job quite easier, but must I ask for your corporation and trust. Just like you did twenty years ago .

I want you to trust me completely and do as I say..

If you feel that you can't trust me at the moment then we can wait. But remember every second counts. The more you slack off, the more time your enemies get to prepare themselves to strike back at you. It will not only put Father's efforts in line but also hopes of many unknown allies in line. You are equally important in their cause as they themselves. The choice is yours. "

Father had informed Dr. Ruchika about his reasons before the start of this expedition.

" Also Aahil your trust in me can help you get answers to all your unsolved questions. Wouldn't you like that ? It would free you from your uncertainties and help you recover you roots. Isn't that what you were trying to do in secret for the past two years."

" Why are you emphasising so much Dr. Ruchika ? What's the catch? "

" Total control "

" For your sake I hope the psychological society has something to brag on "

Aahil was never the one to back out from a challenge .

Yes... A well presented white lotus style challenge...

The facts she stated were true but her words of emphasis were a challenge in disguise.

Thus even midst the confusion and pain were vurnurbility was common, Aahil displayed his true internal strength which was his backing that transformed an orphan boy to a living God of Wealth.

Dr. Ruchika was truly impressed . Aahil was no doubt a man of his title.

" It's good to know that you still have some control over your mind.... "

" This is where it all begins....

Fine...So be it ....

Let this battle begin...."

This was the infamous Aahil Oberoi's open declaration of war .

This also meant that he was ready to co-oporate with Dr. Ruchika's plan.

" If so then from here on forth everything represents your past .

Motive is to gain control....

But it has to be you gaining over your past and not the other way around.

Can you battle with your own mind... "

"Yes... I will "

" Use your conscience and your heart they are always known to overpower ones mind.

Also you must completely let go of your mind which means I need your absolute trust. You will see what want you to see , focus only to what I feel is necessary without a shadow of a doubt . You have to be a mere puppet in my hands, think you can do that??? "

" Rest assured you won't regret "

" Then let's get this show on the road "

On that note the quest to find the lost memories officially kicked off after two decade .

Vikram , Kady , Brother Ashwin ,Father and Yuma all breathe a sign of relief to see Aahil back on track.

Vikram was especially relived for he feared his friend might just go insane from the taurma but his around about come back deepened his admiration for him.

Father Fernandez and Brother Ashwin simply watched the events unfold as they never doubted Aahil's determination.

.....

Meanwhile Yuma was keenly observing everything that was unfolding. From Aahil's reactions to Vikram's expressions nothing missed past him.This was Yuma's first time visiting this place. He was actually driving as per father's instructions. Father believed that Yuma should be made aware of everything related to Aahil's past just like Kady , who knows when it might come in handy along with the fact that he had earned the right to know about his Master's past through his years of hard and dedicated service to Aahil.

Also once the past is revealed they will need him to settle scores with the concerned party.

Seeing everything unfold Yuma couldn't help but ask

" Father what is so significant about this place??? It's just a regular forest in the middle of some mountains. "

From the conversation between Dr. Ruchika and Aahil, Yuma could easily guess that the place is part of his Master's memory but couldn't find any link.

" You will be enlightened my child...But now is not the time or place.... Have patience just a little more " said Father with a simple smile looking intently at his student as if even God has placed his trust in him.

" You will learn everything in detail Yuma , nothing will be left out but first we must fix the source. Don't you agree??? "

Brother Ashwin added with confident look .

...

With renewed resolve and determination the team entered the forest which sided the milestone.

Brother Ashwin lead the team while Kady accompanied Aahil and doctor. Father , Yuma and Vikram ganged up together. After a little walk Father recalled Yuma's question about the significance of this forest and requested Vikram to narrate the tale in a hushed tone.

" When we were kids back then I joined the group as a boarder. From then on every weekend Nikita Aunty used to bring me from the boarding school to her home along with Aakash . The three of us had a blast at her place and also learned many different things from her. She even used to help me with my studies. I never felt the lack of my parents instead I used to hate going back home to my real parents.

As for the significance of this forest... It is filled with our childhood memories of camping , hide and seek , nature tour , bird watching and many more...

Aunty used to love nature , she always taught us to appreciate and respect nature. That's why Aahil is always so sensitive towards nature.

Those two years were the best time of our lives until that cursed night.

That night not only Aahil lost his mother and his memories but even we lost our childhood."