Science Fiction - The Return

Chapter 1: The Rhythm of a Simple Life ​It was an ordinary morning in the year 2399. The holographic calendar marked September 15th. Solman Sulican opened his eyes precisely at five o’clock. He hadn't needed an alarm for years; for the past five, he had woken at this exact hour, every single day. ​Weather information floated across the transparent screen on his bedroom wall: a sunny day, with a temperature of 22 degrees Celsius. ​Solman rose, showered, and headed to the kitchen. The Automated Kitchen System illuminated at the sound of his footsteps, immediately beginning to prepare breakfast on three plates. The Artificial Intelligence had long since memorized his family's preferences. ​"Rahat! Sabiha! Wake up, my darlings," Solman called out, his voice imbued with paternal affection. ​Seven-year-old Rahat and five-year-old Sabiha rushed into the kitchen. ​"Baba, what new books have arrived at the library today?" Rahat asked eagerly. ​"You'll have to go and see for yourself. I suspect the new installment of your favorite Space Adventure series is waiting." ​Sabiha touched her father's face with her tiny hand. "Baba, are we going on a picnic today?" ​"Yes, my little one. It's your outing day." ​After breakfast, the three boarded the Air Transport. Soaring over the city, Solman watched the busy stream of people below, hurrying toward their work. ​Chapter 2: The Library's Enigma ​At the heart of New Dhaka City stood the Mahajnan Library (The Great Knowledge Library). A colossal, crystal-like structure whose walls offered a view of the azure sky. Within its confines lay millions of books, holographic educational systems, playgrounds, and all manner of cutting-edge facilities. ​"Baba, do you know who built this library?" Rahat asked. ​Solman paused. It was a question he had often asked himself. Nowhere in the library was a name inscribed, no information on its founder. ​"I don't know, son. But whoever built it surely wanted children to learn freely and independently." ​Standing by the entrance was a middle-aged woman, her eyes holding a certain mystery. ​"Mr. Solman, may I have a word with you today?" ​Solman looked at her, startled. How did this woman know his name? ​"Who are you? How do you know me?" ​"I am Dr. Nirmala Sen. I am, you could say, the overseer of this library. I have an urgent matter to discuss." ​After Rahat and Sabiha went inside, Dr. Sen led Solman to a quiet corner of the library. ​"Mr. Solman, do you remember your wife, Lubni Sulican?" ​Solman’s face went ashen. "What are you talking about? My wife... five years ago..." ​"She died. Yes, I know. But what if I told you that death is not final? What if I told you that science has reached a point where..." ​"Stop! What exactly are you suggesting?" Solman's voice trembled. ​Dr. Nirmala produced a small hologram device. A picture flickered onto its surface: Lubni Sulican. Vibrant, smiling, alive. ​"This picture was taken this morning." ​Chapter 3: The Unbelievable Truth ​Solman stared at the picture, stunned. It was his Lubni. The same face, the same smile, the same playful glint in her eyes. ​"This is impossible. You must have generated this image with some AI program." ​"Solman, I want to show you something. Come with me." ​Dr. Sen led him to a secret elevator within the library. The lift descended, plummeting many floors below. ​"This library is not just a library, Solman. It is the clandestine headquarters for 'Project Resurrection'." ​The elevator doors opened. Before them lay a vast laboratory. Hundreds of scientists were at work with state-of-the-art equipment. ​"What is Project Resurrection?" Solman asked. ​"The project to bring the dead back to life. The ultimate fusion of quantum physics and neuroscience. We can reconstruct a person's memory, consciousness, even their very soul." ​Solman's legs felt weak. "What... what have you done?" ​"We have brought Lubni back. Completely. All her memories, emotions, love—everything is as it was before." ​Behind a glass partition, Solman saw a chamber. A person lay on a bed inside, though too distant to identify. ​"However, this process has certain... side effects." ​"What kind of side effects?" ​"Those who return are not always stable. At times, they suffer from delusions. And... and the biggest problem is, their lifespan is tragically short. Only a few months." ​Solman could not stand. He sank into a chair. ​"Why have you subjected me to this cruelty? I had finally begun to overcome the grief of losing my wife." ​"Because, Solman, you don't know that Lubni came to us before she died. She wanted to return to you and the children, even after death."