The sun dipped low on the horizon as the college van bumped along the winding dirt road. Inside, the group of postgraduate doctors filled the space with chatter, their curiosity about the case turning into a mix of jokes and mild apprehension.
“Professor, which hospital we are going?” Asked Priya. “ We are not going to any hospital. We are going to the patient’s residence”
“What?!” Several people shocked.
“A young man without consciousness, with feable vital signs not at hospital but kept at his residence? His family members must be cruel or low wits”
Several doctors nodded.
Usually at certain cases integrative approach needed at that kind of cases. Siddha or other ayush doctors would go to the allopathy hospital to give their opinion. They all thought that it was that kind of a case. But seems not.
“I still don’t understand,” Nila groaned. “Why are we going to some mansion instead of a proper hospital? Who treats patients in the middle of nowhere?”
“Maybe it’s a VIP case,” Raghav quipped. “Some eccentric millionaire who doesn’t trust regular hospitals.”
“Or maybe,” Nila countered, her voice dropping dramatically, “it’s a ghost story.”
Azhini sat near the window, half-listening to their conversation. Her eyes were fixed on the scenery outside, the dense trees casting long, creeping shadows across the road.
“Hey, Azhini,” Nila teased, leaning over. “You’ve been awfully quiet. Thinking about someone special?”
Azhini shot her a sidelong glance. “Yes. About a special group of annoying people I’m stuck with right now.”
Their laughter was interrupted as Dr. Shivaraman, seated at the front, turned to address them. “This isn’t your average case. You’ll understand soon enough, but for now, focus and observe.”
The van rounded a bend, and the mansion loomed into view. Isolated and imposing, it seemed to rise from the surrounding wilderness like a relic from another era.
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
“Wow,” Nila breathed. “Is this a house or a fortress?”
As the van came to a stop, the group stepped out into the cool evening air. Their initial awe turned to unease as their attention was drawn upward. Perched on the mansion’s roof was a sleek, black cat. Its fur was so dark it seemed to absorb the fading sunlight, and its golden eyes gleamed like molten gold.
“What’s with the cat?” Raghav muttered.
“Maybe it’s the mansion’s guard,” Nila joked nervously.
But the cat wasn’t looking at them all. Its gaze was locked unerringly on Azhini. The intensity of its stare made her skin prickle.
“Why is it staring at me?” she whispered.
“Clearly, you’ve got a fan,” Raghav teased.
Azhini tried to shake off the unease as they followed Dr. Shivaraman and the elderly man who had greeted them inside. The mansion’s interior was an unsettling blend of grandeur and technology. While the walls boasted intricate carvings and antique decor, they were also lined with monitors, machines, and wires that snaked across the floor.
The patient lay in the center of the room on a massive metallic cot, surrounded by softly glowing equipment. His pale face was striking, with features that seemed almost sculpted.
As Azhini and her colleagues stepped closer to the patient lying in the strange cot, their footsteps echoed through the eerily quiet mansion. The soft hum of machines was the only other sound, an almost haunting reminder of the sterile environment they found themselves in. She could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on her, the unease of the unknown creeping in.
The old man who led them into the mansion had silently stepped back, watching from a distance.
“Alright,” Dr. Sivaraaman began, adjusting his glasses. “We’ll start with some history taking first.”
He motioned for Azhini to begin.
“Name of the patient?” Azhini asked, pulling out her notepad. She had a serious expression on hes face, but there was a hint of curiosity in her voice, ready to listen, when the response came: “Kavin.”
The name hit her like a jolt. For a moment, the world seemed to slow down around her. Kavin. The name was so familiar, and yet—so distant. Her thoughts wandered involuntarily, taking her back to the emails that had, at one point, brought them together. Kavin, the brilliant yet reckless game developer, who is so interested in her studies. She never able to forget that fateful day when she read his first mail.
---
Kavin’s first mail,
Dear (Shall I?) Dr. Azhini Nadarajan,
I hope this email finds you well. Let me introduce myself—I’m Kavin, a game developer with a relentless drive to create something extraordinary.
I attended your presentation on suspended animation and metempsychosis at the conference, and I’ll admit, it completely turned my world upside down—in the best way possible. Your ability to connect ancient wisdom with modern science was remarkable, and it sparked an idea I can’t let go of.
I’ve always believed in chasing the impossible, and one of my dreams is to push VR and AR technology into uncharted territory. Your insights into consciousness transfer made me realize just how close we might be to achieving something ground-breaking. It’s not just about creating a game or a technology—it’s about creating a new dimension of experience. But for that to happen, I need your help.
I’m seeking a deeper understanding of the principles you presented. How can suspended animation be achieved in a practical sense, and what role does it play in transferring consciousness? How far does the concept of metempsychosis extend beyond theory, and what does its applicability truly look like?
I know this sounds ambitious—reckless, even—but I’ve always believed that true innovation requires a bit of audacity. I also know the value of collaboration, and I want to assure you that your role in shaping this vision will never go unrecognized. Even if this endeavor leads to something patentable in the future, you will be rightfully credited.
I hope you’ll consider being part of this journey. Together, we might just redefine what’s possible.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Warm regards,
Kavin.