The Blinded Love — Gowri Priya Raj

Gowri Priya Raj, Grade 9, AECS MMPS, Bengaluru

I didn’t know how dangerous a lunar eclipse was until I visited my grandparents last summer. It was the first day of the holidays when my mom came running into my room just as I was about to wake up.

“Wake up Alesia. There is good news come down.”

“What is it, mom?”

Without an answer, she strode towards the dining area. I freshened myself and went down. I found a large wooden box on the table and my naughty sister’s head right into the box.

“What’s in this box, dad?” I asked as my mom kept a plate of pancakes on the table.

“Oh, this was your grandfather’s. He was exactly like you when he was younger, right into astronomy.” said mom.

“Wow! I never knew that grandpa was interested in astronomy.”

Whenever I visited my grandparents, I always spoke about it, but my grandpa didn’t bother to hear.

“Yeah, no one knows why he stopped his research about it. The good news is that we will be going to your grandparent’s house tomorrow!”

Was I excited about it? Maybe, yes? I don’t know. Now I was just curious to know my grandfather’s life history.

I never liked to sit in my house during summer. I grabbed my backpack and slammed the front door behind me. And I skated all around the street.

Once I was back, I saw my parents packing all of my stuff.

“Aren’t you guys coming?” I asked

“No child. We will only be dropping you at their house as we will have to take your sister to your uncle to find a solution to your sister’s allergies,” Dad said.

“Oh, ok, then I will finish packing.” It was pretty painful that I would be away from my sister.

The next day, we boarded my luggage into the car and started our journey that was nearly 10 miles away.

“Oh, darling! It’s been a long time!” said my grandmother as she squeezed my ribs.

Then it was like heaven, with all the delicious food you can in the world. And the warmth of my grandmother’s hugs.

After a week or so, I was roaming around the house, seeing all those pictures of my mom’s childhood that were hung on the wall. I entered my grandparents’ room. It was strange. I found a picture of a little girl on the bed. It was neither my mom, my sister nor me. It definitely couldn’t be my grandmother as I had already seen her pictures. I couldn’t conclude so decided to ask my grandma later.

That’s when I heard about the upcoming lunar eclipse on television. I was excited because it was the first time, I was going to observe one and write an article on it.

Surprisingly, my grandpa smiled hearing the news. I had never seen him do so. Now, I started having a feeling that indeed he had an interest in astronomy.

“Off you go and sleep, darling”, said my grandmother as I helped her to clear the dishes. I wanted to ask her about the girl but was hesitant.

I went into my room and sank into my bed. I couldn’t fall asleep. I felt as if a voice deep inside me kept informing me that I knew the girl in that picture. Then I saw it which I assumed to be an ornament attached to the wall. A journal. It must be my grandpa’s.

I felt my heart becoming heavier by the minute A sense of regret and unhappiness. I didn’t know why I felt so. I approached the book with caution. I had to climb up the dresser to get to the book which was close to the ceiling. It just fell onto my hand as I touched it.

“My love” I read out aloud. It was in bold gold letters on the black leather background.

The book was all about advanced theories and calculations in astronomy. The notes were messy. Towards the end, it was all about the energy which was produced during a lunar eclipse. The calculations were all about reviving someone with these powers. I couldn’t connect the dots at the movement.

The first thing I did the next morning was to ask my grandma about the girl.

“How did you know? You shouldn’t ask. Never.” she replied. I didn’t understand. Then she burst out crying. “I am so sorry, Alesia. Your grandfather is going to kill you. Run away. Please.”

“What? No, no. He won’t. Why would he?”, It was more than I could bear.

“It is a long story, so listen close,” she said as she wept. “Your mother had an elder sister, Sofia. She was such a wonderful girl. She is the girl you saw in the picture. Your grandpa and Sofia both conducted experiments about the diverse matters of the universe. That’s when your mother got married, and you were born. Sofia loved you a lot. When you were five months old, one of Sofia’s experiments went seriously wrong. There were consequences. She demoralized. During a lunar eclipse, she decided to end her life. But your grandpa knew it. It is still a mystery, Alesia. The energy that left her body got transferred to you.”

“To me?”

“Yeah. Your grandpa only wanted her back. Every time he failed, he kept believing that you were the reason for her death. And he started to hate astronomy. But he continued to research in secret. And he thinks he can revive her through you, but it might cost your life.”

I was blank. I never thought my grandpa was antagonistic. There were just so many questions. But I ended up collapsing on my bed. I was so worried, knowing that my death was near.

The eclipse was on the next day. I had to do something. But couldn’t make anything out. All I did was to wait for my death. But the results were unexpected.

Just as my grandpa had planned, I waited for the lunar eclipse. He set up some instruments on the clearing outside the house and made me stand in the middle. I had no objections. I politely stood there listening to his orders.

The eclipse had started. I felt something swirling inside me and I collapsed. I saw her. My aunt, Sofia in me. She smiled like she was happy to see me. Then she diffused herself outside my body. My grandpa was astonished. He hadn’t expected her so early.

“Dad, it’s okay. It wasn’t your fault. Neither was it of Alesia. I did it because I couldn’t get over the dreaded incident. You will have to accept the truth. I know deep down you love Alesia as much as you love me.” she said with her pleasing voice. “I will be leaving now. Forever.”

She faded away and my grandpa cried. I ran to console him. “I am so sorry, Alesia. I was blinded by hatred.”

“Grandpa, it’s okay.” After a couple of months. She came back.

“Hello Alesia,” said Sofia. “I need your help.” ……………