My happiness back in the mansion had lasted for over two years. However, just like I expected, life has its ups and downs, and later it would become a steep slope.
My relationship with the Monk, Lianyu, and Yichen had only gotten fonder, though it felt quite fragile to me. We were too different from each other... or so I thought.
One afternoon, following lunch, the Monk had started his lesson with me while Yichen was pouring tea for Lianyu.
"You know, I just realized that we all do not know each other's lives much. So many of our talks have been towards teaching Meilina our language, or towards discussing the current affairs in China, yet we know so little of our past. We ought to talk about it, no? After all, we have known each other for more than a year!" exclaimed Lianyu.
"I really want to know how you came to be in China, Ariya," I answered. To know how this man came to be in a place more isolated than the beautiful cutleries used only for noble guests was a very curious question of mine.
"I shall tell mine, but you'll have to go next," he continued. "I was raised in a very strict Hindu family which confined me with imaginary walls in the name of religion. I was to listen to my parents, obey them in every breath, and study the Ramayana day and night."
"This was not the life for me. I could not live like a slave. I was not allowed to have many companions, and my family had always been materialistic, which bothered me. A good companion of mine, his name was Revata, was a Buddhist. I was a very curious adolescent and wanted to know more about other religions, so I asked him about Buddhism, even though it was forbidden. I read the scriptures and compared the ways our families treated each other."
"The difference was otherworldly!" he continued. "Unlike mine, his family was never materialistic. They never wore lavish clothes or bought luxurious ornaments to flaunt to their neighbors, no. They were simple, kind, and compassionate, especially to their son. I continued my studies on Buddhism secretly while neglecting the writings in the Ramayana. However, this would not last long, and soon my parents found out."
"My mother wailed in a way like no other, and my father had teary eyes. To see them in this state was not my mission. They called Revata, as they knew he was the only person practicing Buddhism, and my father started to beat us with a thin stick. My back had become red and sore while I narrowly escaped from this cruel cage called 'Home.'"
"How is Revata?" I suddenly asked.
"Oh, he escaped with me from that house. For a few months, I stayed at his home with his loving parents. Almost 30 years ago this had happened. But I realized that I could not live and take advantage of a Buddhist family's generosity and kindness. Soon I learned that in China, monks from Bharat came to study the religion."
"So I started my journey by saving some money. I studied the Buddhist scriptures religiously to be chosen by a group of monks to travel to China and learn more about the religion. Fortunately, my hard work had not gone in vain, and I was chosen to travel with them to China. It has been 25 years since I have stepped foot in China and not touched the soil of my motherland."
The last line had made me shiver as I realized that the same thing could happen to me. In 25 years, I would become a lady aged above 40 with very little memory of my family.
"I hope I am not intruding, but may I know what had happened to your parents?" Lianyu asked softly.
"Oh no, my lady! Your words are not intruding. During the five years I stayed in Bharat, secretly residing in my friend's home, I heard that my mother had borne a child. I had a sister, whom I could never see due to the walls of religion. I saw her grow from an infant to a child as she slowly became more and more confined by the very same walls that had captured me. I pleaded with my friend to one day help her and make sure she never has to go through the things I did."
Tears had dripped down Ariya's face as he continued. "My biggest regret is knowing that my sister has never known me, and I will never know her. Her name is Ambika, and she's over a decade younger than me. I feel pity for her. I promised to myself every day since I stepped out of Bharat that I would meet her one day."
Ariya started sobbing as Lianyu offered him a napkin. I felt pain for the monk. After 30 years, he must be feeling guilt and shame unimaginable to me. An hour passed by as he continued his stories in China, how he had been shunned for his looks and the glares of the passersby.
I realized that the Monk and I were quite similar. With family issues, abusive fathers, and forced situations, we both had something in common. We were wronged.
"Are you still a Hindu or Buddha?" Yichen said suddenly.
Both Lianyu and I chuckled as the Monk gave a confused expression.
"Well, no. And it's Buddhist, not Buddha. Hinduism and Buddhism have many similar teachings. However, I could never be a Hindu again, as for me it will always feel like I am still in the clutches of my parents."
I did not know what to say to that. It felt like the Monk had become as clear as glass, once a mysterious man whom I thought would hurt me, had now become a man with eyes filled with water and a heart as clear as the skies on sunny days.
"Perhaps you all would not mind if I continued to my past?" the nobleman's wife said, while I sat back, getting ready to hear the life of the woman while surrounded by people who had slowly started to remind me of a family.
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Chapter Seven: "She was always quiet, but silence hides storms."