T minus 5 years

Remembrance of the future

"Monastery?" Rajit asked. Both of them met for lunch after Rajit suggested Vikram go back to the office. Vikram got a few questions as to how he looked but he covered them by saying it was because of the fever. Nobody bothered enough to put two and two together.

"Yes. I am not sure what Monastery. He just said Monastery" Vikram replied. He narrated the entire memory back to Rajit. "He is named Harish or it could be what I call him"

"Where were you going in the end?"

"It was a room, I could sense that. It was guarded and was marked private. When we came near, the guard just nodded and opened the door. Like we were there many times before. Like he knew us a lot"

"I think you're reading way too much about this" Rajit said. He was having his own doubts since the de-contamination center and nothing about this felt like there was going to be good now or anytime soon. Or possibly never. What do I get involved in?

"Doesn't it make sense, Rajit? I got involved in something dark and dangerous. Why else would I have a conflict with an act? You yourself told me I'm very dedicated"

"Yes, Vikram. I remember what I said. That doesn't mean you have done something bad. You also said that sometimes ends justify the means. So, an act may not be bad in itself, right?"

"Rajit, I'm gonna have this conversation in the future anyway. I don't want to have it right now" Vikram said. "I need to figure out where this monastery is and when do I need to go there" he said.

Their lunch arrived as they talked. "What's the next plan, Vikram? Are you going to wait for more visions? Or just try to do something?"

"From where do I do anything, Rajit? I remember but I can't recall"

"Come on, Vikram. Weren't you sent on a mission? You gotta do something" Rajit said.

"I was, Rajit. But what do I do? It doesn't make sense. As long as I don't figure out what it is that I am supposed to do, I don't think I can do something. We can spend our entire lives, these entire 5 years and fail at what we were supposed to do"

"Oh, come on, Vikram. Do you really think that is true? You told me you were sent back to change the future because you're the one. They put their trust in you. Do you really think that someone would do that if they thought you weren't capable? When you meet them in the afterlife, is this what you'll tell them? That it didn't make sense?"

"..." Vikram felt speechless. Rajit struck a chord and he remembered a time when he had the same conversation with Rajit in the other direction. "..." Vikram did not have an answer to Rajit's question.

"I understand this is hard, Vikram. But the guy I knew never let not knowing something stop him from acting. Maybe you've changed, Vikram. I don't know who you've become 5 years from now. But I know something. That this determinism towards taking an action is something you haven't forgotten. It sucks not to know but you know what sucks more? Not doing the right thing because something stupid as not knowing something stopped you."

"But, Rajit. I am still figuring out what it is that I have to do"

"You think just trying to remember would help? We can't keep waiting for the visions to come to help us, Vikram. Can I suggest something if you're interested in listening?" Rajit asked.

Vikram leaned forward and replied, "Yes. Of course. I need help, Rajit. Right now, all I know is to stop your death. But I don't know what caused it in the first place"

Rajit just closed his eyes for a moment. The detail in which Vikram described his death ran a shiver in his spine. Being burned alive is a nightmare. One that he shared with Vikram. "Data, Vikram. Pictures, emails, chats. All of these are stored on the mobile phone you had with you. All you need to do is find the right one."

"Yeah. That makes sense, Rajit. The phone is at my place, though" Vikram replied.

"I'll drop by in the evening. We will check them?"

"Sure" Vikram said. "But that may take a long time. Can we find something else as well? Maybe some vision will come to me before that and that can help us"

"Maybe, Vikram. But I am not taking a chance on maybe. It doesn't make sense when we may have the answers to all we need on the phone. Why did we not see that phone so far?"

"I forgot to charge it. I'm worried about the issues that can come up because of the timeline difference. You see, the technology doesn't exist in this time and I'm worried if that may cause any problem"

"I see. Fine, just try charging it, Vikram. It is not as big a deal, I feel. Anyway, I need to rush to the office. So, I'll talk to you later?" he said. Vikram nodded. He walked with Rajit to the bike and waved him goodbye. There must be a way to get a vision. I need to think, he thought to himself. There must be some way I can get a vision and not rely on the phone.

Vikram spent the rest of his office time trying to get a vision but also ensuring he did not pass out from the pain when one comes. His memory flashed the same thing it did before and nothing else. Then came a flash.

Harish. Can you help me practice today? Vikram asked. He was in an open ground. The ground was primary of grass and stone. There were bamboo sticks in the corner of the large ground. Vikram held a bamboo stick that was half broken. He walked towards the side where there was another pile of sticks. Vikram threw away the stick in his hand and picked a new one, ready in a fighting stance, and walked back to where Harish was.

Why do you need me, Vikram? There are others in this monastery that are better than me. Don't you think so?  Harish dropped his flow to Virak, a straight hit from the above. Vikram was able to stop it in the nick of time but his stick was very near his face.

I want to practice with you, Harish. I also want to know about the cause you were talking about earlier. Vikram pushed the stick and Harish as well. Harish took a step back and held his stance. He was ready to strike again.

You do remember rejecting my offer. Why should I offer it to you again? Vikram rotated the stick around him to show off. Harish's face remained calm during this time. His presence for longer in the monastery told him one thing. Looks are deceptive. Even in war. Especially in war.

I thought it over, Harish. Vikram charged towards Harish with his right hand forward. Harish waited until Vikram was close enough and then moved to the left and hit the back sending Vikram into a tumble. Vikram fell down, face first, and turned around but did not get up. 

Harish put his stick to Vikram's chest. That's a beautiful reason, Vikram. But why should I believe you?

I thought it over, Harish. I believe your cause is genuine and I feel I am connected to it. Harish slowly put the stick away 

Yes, you are. Which is why I asked you first. However, you refused my offer and why should I offer it to you again?

The memory faded leaving Vikram with the question - What did Harish offer?