4. History, Herstory

She needed to ask Professor Neil; Mira made a mental note as soon as she woke up. The weather was cold when she got up. She prayed that it wouldn't rain today. That's the last thing she wanted right now.

As soon as she entered the kitchen, she smelled the scent of strong spices. Kris was cooking something. She leaned against the wall bifurcating the kitchen and the dining space and peeked. Looked like rice and lentils cooked like a soup with lots of vegetables. What was this called? Mira was not used to spicy food, but she always wanted to try all sorts of things, especially Indian cuisine. Kris saw her and smirked. Mira frowned and went to the refrigerator to find eggs, bacon and bread. She toasted the bread, fried the egg and bacon, and made orange juice right in time as Arabella reached just as she was done with it. She served these along with canned beans and cut fruits.

Kris didn't disturb them; he took his break to his room (which was until a day ago Mira's). Bella scanned him from tip to toe. Once he left, she leaned over and spoke, "I've checked the original too, it's definitely there. I tried to find more about him with the help of some friends. It's listed that he recently came from India. I have no clue what his connection is with your aunt, because this is his first time here and she never went to India. In his papers, however, her name's written in the guardian column. Did aunt ever adopt kids? "

" None that I know of. If she did, I'd have known and it'd have been in her will. "

" Umm.. It is.. Now. I don't even know how. "

" What can we do now? "

" I've talked to the owners of the apartment above the shop, and they agreed to hand it over in a couple of days. It might be shabby, but you could move in. We can get the renovations completed later on. "

" So I can't kick this person out?"

" Technically, no. But it's unsafe to stay under the same roof as him. We don't know him. It's too much of a risk. "

" Hmm. I've called Prof. Neil over for dinner. "

" No way! Your childhood crush!!? "

" Yes. He's married and has kids half my age now."

" So what. Crush is the purest form of love. "

" You should have been a poet, not a lawyer. "

" Anyhow, I'll redraft everything according to this will. You could decide what all belongs to whom et al as per that. It'd make things a tad bit easier. "

" Sorry for making you work so much. "

" That's ok, doll. I'm here for you. "

They chatted away for another half hour and then Arabella left for work. Mira freshened up and started for the shop too.

The day went by without any glitches, just like any other time. Mira could almost forget about the trouble at home. She left the shop a bit early as she wanted to prepare dinner in peace. She stopped by to buy some fresh vegetables, then she took the bus back.

Back at home, it was as if nobody else was present. Mira went and eavesdropped at her room's door. No noise from inside. Is he really there? She quietly turned the door knob. Empty. Nobody's here. Mira checked the entire house. Not a person. She panicked. Did he steal something? She checked for all the valuables she could think of. Nothing missing. She sighed and headed back to the kitchen.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

When Prof. Neil arrived, he handed Mira a bag of books as well as a bouquet of flowers. It was her favourite mix - pink and lavender hydrangea, white daisies, baby's breath and calendula. She smiled at his thoughtfulness. She invited him to take a seat as it was too early for dinner. He didn't drink alcohol or wine so she offered him tea. He was obsessed with different varieties of teas. He loved a good peach tea or a delicate jasmine tea over food, even.

They chatted merrily about life and new discussions that the professor had come across recently. Mira then remembered what she wanted to ask. "Sir, do you know the story of Krsna and Mirabai?"

The professor chuckled. "Why? Because you're Mira?"

Mira blushed. "No.. I've never really read about them. I don't know anything at all, in fact, but I keep dreaming about them. That too, in first person. It started a couple of days ago. I wake up feeling as if I'm two people in one body. I've not seen Krsna, but I keep getting Mirabai's perspective of the story. "

" Interesting. Sometimes, if you were to believe those old stories, they say you could get glimpses from your past when your psychic energies are at the peak. It's possible with you since you are somewhat...pure? I mean, you have no worldly attachments now and that helps to cleanse your aura and your soul. It accelerates the pace of spiritual cultivation. That's a possibility. Or else you're dreaming about something you've read or heard in the past. You'd know better whether it's A or B. "

"Hmm. Something about it really irks me. For instance, I looked it up today at the shop and at I realized that in my dream, the timeline is all wrong. According to the Vedas, Krsna lived in the Dwapara Yuga which was thousands of years BCE and Mirabai in the 15th century, but in my dreams, they are in the same age. Mirabai is there in Dwapara yuga and she's there in her original timeline too. It's strange. And then there's this present voice which talks to me as if I'm Mirabai."

" This is very interesting, Mira. Why don't you meet my wife one day? I think this is an interesting case. She's a psychoanalyst, so she will definitely be able to give you more insight. It's indeed queer that you remember it all vividly, too. I'd strongly recommend that you meet her. "

"Sure, sir. I'll meet Dr. Lais this weekend if she's free. I'll call the clinic and book an appointment."

"Or you could come home for lunch. I think that'd be better. Let's do that."

"Okay." Mira did not want to show her hesitation.

They proceeded to dinner; Mira had experimented with some stir fried noodles with vegetables and diced sausages, fried egg, lamb kebab, and tacos. She made caramel custard for dessert. The professor appreciated the effort. He ate his fill and asked for more too. He finished it all in the end. Mira was happy. It was in moments like these that she missed having a family.

"So, where's the guy?"

"He's missing since I got back from work. It's as if he was never here."

"This is not good. Did you check everywhere?"

"Yes."

"Do you mind if I confirm once more? Else my mind won't be at ease."

"Sure, please, this way."

They checked her room, the guest room and aunt's room upstairs and came down and checked everywhere else. They walked out of the door which leads to the yard outside. It faced the ocean from afar. That's the best part of the house, Mira thought. They turned back to the house and there, they saw him. Wearing only his trunks, he was on a chair, his body shining in the sun. He already had a tanned complexion and the sun made him look roasted golden brown. Mira could only stare at him. The professor heaved a sigh and went straight to the man.

"Excuse me, Mr. Nadet?"

No response.

"I'm Mira's guardian, Adam Neil. I'd like to talk to you regarding your stay over at this place as I'm concerned about her wellbeing. Is it a good time to talk?"

"Can't you see I'm resting? And I think, legally, I'm her guardian and you, we don't have anything to talk about. Mira can talk to me herself. I'm here for her." It was as curt and rude as it could be.

"Kris, how dare you talk to my professor like that. What right do you have?"

Kris got up swiftly from the chair and replied, "My right is here," and he held up Mira's hand. "We're betrothed." The chunky diamond sparkled as the sun's rays fell on it.