Help from the OtherSide

5: This Gotta be Heaven

"Did the both of you actually have feelings for each other?" Grant asked a forlorn looking Liam.

"Nope, nada. Maybe once upon a time I  had a teensy crush, just a teensy bit, since we spent so many conferences and parties in each other's arms even if it was to show the world. Funny thing is, even she wanted a way out of this engagement." Liam shook his head sadly. "She revealed later on, that she's not into men. . ."

We glanced at each other worriedly, not knowing whether he needed space.

After giving Liam some minutes, I realized something.

 "Guys do you see the pattern here?"

"What pattern?" Grant and the others turned, listening with rapt attention.

I took a moment to frame the sentences. 

 "The day you all were got here, something unfortunate happened. To all of you. Be it a fight with parents, classmates, losing a family member or even heartbreak. Do you think--"

"THAT WE'RE ACTUALLY DEAD? THAT WE ARE IN HEAVEN? OH MY GOD--" Amelia's shrieked and I  assumed that she was just being dramatic, that's when her face began turning red. Gravity of the situation hit me when I remembered her mentioning something about severe anxiety disorder she faced.

Without thinking, I pull her into a hug guiding her head on my shoulders feeling her laboured breathing on my neck. 

"Hey, hey It's okay. No one's dead; we're very much alive." 

Her panic stricken face looked up at me and I flashed my signature smile.  

It has an effect on people.

Amelia's features relax a little, and for the first time I see the beauty of the woman in my arms.

Her striking greyish-blue eyes captured my attention, in those eyes remained sparks of the dauntless fire. Making me wonder how many agony stricken days she had to withstand on her own, with no one to give her the help she needed.

"Ahem." Someone awkwardly cleared their throat. That was enough to snap both of us out of our reverie. I hastily withdrew my arms, subtly pushing her away while she made a show of straightening her top and moved to the other end of the sofa.

"Now if you're done." Grant chuckled wiggling his eyebrows at me. Liam efficiently covered his smile with the back of his hands pretending to wipe something of his face while Yumiko sat there louring at me.

What is that for?

"So back to the conversation at hand." Liam smoothly changed the topic and put on a
'I am all business' look.

Bet his diplomatic skills are at play.

Abruptly, I got a question in mind. "But what's on the outside?"

Others appeared confused. "What do you mean?" Liam asked.

"What I mean is, if this is a cabin or a house, there must be a main door right . . ?"

"Correct."

"So why haven't we left, or called for help? Shouldn't we I don't know, search around look for clues or something?"

Everyone looked a little deflated.

"We tried everything  Deccan. Everything. The first couple hours I spent here on my own, believe me, I did everything from trying to break the door, to screaming my head off. Then I found the map, eventually these three came along and we figured that we needed the exact number of people as the dots, for the door to open. Until you popped up, we didn't even know that the top floor existed." A shadow crossed Yumiko's face.

"Yeah, it feels like this house is growing. If that makes sense." Grant chimed in.

Yeah, I don't buy it. There's no way four adults couldn't break open a door. If not brute strength, then I'll unhinge the damn thing down.

All I need is a screwdriver.  Which I obviously won't find here. 

So plan B.

I got up to search the infamous door behind everyone's misery. 

"Where are you going?" Liam looked alarmed. 

"To snatch my freedom." I walked out of the living room and surveyed the place. Others hesitantly followed me.

 I forgot to ask for directions.

"There." Grant read my mind and pointed towards a narrow, feeble wooden barrier they call a door.

I scoffed loudly. 

"This? Y'all couldn't open this?"

"It wasn't budging when we tried. And probably won't even if you do. We're short of the sixth person remember?" Liam tried to hide their failure by reasoning with me.

Well I just put my reputation on the line by giving that unnecessary reaction. What's the worse that could happen if I didn't succeed anyway? 

I will probably get ridiculed a little, which will lead to no one taking me seriously ever again, making me the laughing stock; because of which people will overlook my hundred other qualities and remember me for this. And last but not the least, we'd still be stuck here waiting for the 'sixth' person to do all the rescuing.

So no pressure.

I took a deep breath an walked confidently towards the door. Ignoring the conclusion I had created in my head, I rested my hand on the cold metal knob and twisted it will all my might.

- CHTRICC -

The knob rotated to it's full potential, resulting in distinct collective gasps.

"HE DID IT! " Amelia shrieked. They came running towards the door grabbing me in a group hug while my hand was still on the knob.

No eternal shame. For now.

 "Moment of truth guys." I was determined. The cabin was silent now, huddling behind me, waiting for the grand reveal.

 I swung the door open to see the most picturesque setting I've ever laid eyes on.

"Wow"

"Is this for real?"

"No way."

"So Beautiful."

A bunch of comments from their respective candidates matched my train of thoughts. And those words do not do justice to the beauty of this place. 

In front of us lay a lush green forest with far-away woodland garden of exotic, rare quality flowers, coming in colours I never knew existed. Small versions of the regular kind birds flocked around, chirping in glee. Petite white rabbits hopped around. There was a different kind of radiance being emitted from the forest, apart from the regular rays of sunlight, there was a certain, dewy glow to it.

Amelia was right. This is heaven.

"The entire suspense was worth it. I'm glad we all got to see this together." Grant broke the silence and swung his arm around our shoulders, gathering us in a bunch. 

He wore an genuine smile, the kind you get from finally earning your freedom. 

Maybe we didn't need the sixth person after all.