Nirvana

Some fish love to swim upstream. Some people love to overcome challenges.” Amit Ray.

Nandrianina and Litasoa walked down in the bustling wharfage, stinking of the lifeless fish and seaweed. They walked past the decrepit old fishing boats and their owners, all surrounded by wooden lobster pots and rope nets, before they noticed a body by the shore. His body was shivering; it was as though his blood was frozen in his veins. Before Listasoa’s boots were submerged in water, his skin was already rough with goosebumps, “How could he be alive?” he asked Nandrianina as they rushed to check on the man.

“How could he have survived the icy water? Surely he must be God’s favorite son”, said Litasoa as he tried to confirm the man’s pulse. Nandrianina was preparing himself to perform CPR if the man needed any form of resuscitation. The two used a commercialized tricycle as a major means of transport to ferry their fish. “He is alive, we need to take him to the old man”, shouted Litasoa as they dragged the man into their trike. The journey to the old man was filled with moments of silence, as their minds were clouded with scenarios that the man would have gone through. Nandrianana covered him with his old faded black jacket hoping it would elevate his body temperature. Litsoa pedaled across the bare land that it felt automatic, his body system rushed in the motion while his mind stuck at the moment. He knew he had only one job, which was to save the dying man. He wished he could fly. Not a helicopter was in his options, and the life behind his three-wheeled trike solely depended on him.

The old man was settling in for the evening routinely lighting his fireplace when the three approached. His old house with centuries settled foundation that brought a welcoming feeling to the landscape. The two strangers, waddled into his home supporting the unconscious man. The old man was popularly known, for his expertise in administering traditional medicine, rituals that could almost bring the dead back to life. He began clearing up the threadbare bed made from wood, framed with interwoven reeds between the four corners that created the sleeping surface. Litasoa narrated the episodes that preceded the current event as they laid him safely, before the miracle worker’s hands. The discussions went on until the man was fully dressed and wrapped with Hercules pattern soft warm blankets. The old man was hands-on with medical and healing tricks and soon enough the stranger could regain his conscience.

A whole week under the old man’s care, the stranger woke up, to the scents of the essential oils that filled the room. “My name is Lazid, who are you and what I’m I doing here?”, he uttered. Litasoa excitedly ran to him saying, “See I told you, he is God’s favorite son. I’m Litasoa and this is my mate, Nandrianina, we both saved your life. The old man right by the fireplace holding a Jadestone, even though his voice trembles when says hello, has never given up on life and has helped many live out loud. He brought you back to life. This is the Paradisa popularly known as the ‘Island of life’, the home of Mt. Hipoaka and oceanic lake Fanasitranana known for its healing abilities. This is an exceptional Island where life exists. We live simple traditional life unlike the ‘outside world’, no wonder they keep visiting in the name of tourism.”

Lazid lost in Litasoa’s words fell into deep silence and seemed caught up in a world of his own. “How did you end up fighting for your life in the water mass?” asked Nandrianina curiously. “I remember little,” Lazid said in deep despair. “I, however, reckon in fear that a dystopian future is looming with the various predicaments happening in our world today. The pandemics, human-created disasters, unaccountable systems we have created and much more. I dreaded going to work every day, and I was unhappy, knowing every sunset brought me closer to the graveyard. I went fishing as I contemplated on my contentions, and can hardly remember what happened. All I can see is the mountain from afar and the icebergs in the ocean. It is almost that nature is trying to send me a message that I cannot decipher.” Continued Lazid.

“This man is wired differently. He now speaks the language of mother nature,” Litasoa exclaimed facetiously. Nandrianina joined him in what seemed like a giggly party. The old man cringed with every single giggle and expressed what appeared like chronic dysphoria that is ignited by ignorance and arrogance. He then shared his reflections.

“Lazid, you are a very lucky middle-aged man. Like Litasoa has been saying, you are God’s favorite son. Unlike us, you live in a world full of constant choices, competition and always pacing to do something. Paradisa is composed of natives who lead a very simple life. We are not afraid of taking chances and we’re lucky that the influence of world trends is not as strong as in yours. Desperate to deliberate on your desperation, life has slowly slipped through. The Iceberg you see is a presentation of every single individual you encounter. Their identity is not attached to what they may hold such as your dream job, but you hardly can see what lies beneath their lavish elegant looks. If you look closely at the walls, you will see a mountain with various caged birds. When you mentioned the mountain, I immediately reckoned with the realities of the world. For a long time, individuals stay at the top of their mountains (your comfort zones) and admire the lives that others live through social media feeds. Like the caged birds, they admire the beauty of their cells. While they may have better melodies and much more, fear holds them behind. They are afraid of jumping off that cliff and finding their own landing.” Sullen silence befell the room.

“On the walls, you can see an empty canvas which is my favorite piece of art. Every day is like a blank canvas. I have a choice to select an artist. It can be myself or spontaneous events and people. I choose to allow myself to craft the masterpiece. You may not have an idea how you got to Paradisa, but I hope you found the reason. In a few days we will let you go back home because family and friends must be worried about you,” the old man concluded as he handed him the jade stone.

Clenching on the precious stone, Lazid thought of the healing powers attributed to it. “I may not know how I got here, but I have found my epiphany, my nirvana”, he whispered as he looked at three newly found friends.