by J. J. Park
“A whole lot, but is Susan okay? Have you seen or heard from her?” Dyami asked.
“No, but something must be up because Susan is always here,” Bobby said, then he asked Dan, who was sitting next to him, the same question.
“Do you have any news about Susan? We’re just wondering about her not being here.”
“I don’t know. It’s a curious thing because Susan never misses church,” Dan also wondered.
They returned to their dorm with their burning questions unanswered. Dyami sent an e-mail to Susan inquiring about her absence but received no response. During the week, his thoughts kept hovering around Susan and Joe.
“I wonder what’s going on with Susan,” he told Gopan.
“You can’t stop thinking and talking about her,” Gopan remarked.
“It’s just upsetting to think that she has any connection with that guy. I hope she is all right,” Dyami said.
Meantime, they continued attending church and group activities regardless of Joe’s threat.
One Sunday, as they hoped, they found Susan at church. However, her demeanor changed from positive, kind, and outgoing to downcast and aloof. She appeared to avoid them.
“Is everything all right, Susan? Did you get my email?” Dyami approached her after the service.
“I am sorry. I have been preoccupied with things lately,” Susan said.
“Let’s go to brunch with the group and catch up,” Dyami suggested.
“I am not sure if that’s a good idea.”
“What do you mean, not a good idea. You used to like going to brunch with the group,” Dyami said, disappointed and surprised at the same time.
“I know, but things are different now. As I said before, I’m preoccupied with other things,” Susan repeated.
“What’s the problem? What changed?” Dyami persisted.
“It’s not safe for us to hang out together,” Susan said.
“Not safe? Why? Is someone threatening you about me?” Dyami said, fearing the worst. Susan did not answer.
“Then it’s true about you and Joe,” Dyami finally tossed the question. Susan looked surprised but kept quiet.
“It is true. I suspected it, but I was hoping that it was not so,” Dyami continued.
“What and how do you know about Joe?” Susan finally asked.
“I guess he didn’t tell you. I know Joe through personal experience, and it’s not pretty. I hope you’re not in trouble with him. Are you?” Dyami further ventured to find the truth.
“Things are difficult at the moment, but tell me, what happened between you two?” Susan asked.
“Joe has been harassing Gopan and me. He has difficulty having us around,” Dyami said.
“What did Joe do or say?” Susan asked.
Dyami told Susan about his first encounter with Joe and the fight and the police report.
“I am so sorry about that. You think that you know people, but you don’t know them. I knew Joe had problems with different people, but I didn’t realize it was that extreme. I have been trying to break away from him, but it’s been difficult,” Susan sighed.
At this juncture, Gopan and Bobby approached.
“We’re going to brunch. Why not join us and talk there?”
“I don’t know if it’s a good idea,” Susan said.
“Why not? It’s always a good idea to have brunch with friends,” Bobby chirped, not sensing anything particular. Gopan knew better, however.
“I agree with Bobby. It’s a good idea,” Dyami persisted.
Susan gave in and agreed to brunch with them but said that she would have to leave soon. They walked together to their favorite restaurant and enjoyed time together, though Susan appeared preoccupied and worried.
“Relax, Susan. All will work out well,” Dyami tried to console Susan.
“What’s the problem?” Bobby asked, and Gopan gave them a knowing look.
“Oh, never mind. Guys, it’s been nice, but I have to go home,” Susan said.
“If there is anything I can do, let me know,” Dyami said to Susan.
“Yeah, count me in also,” Gopan followed, even though he did not exactly know what he had agreed to do.
“Thanks. Bye,” Susan left in haste.
“She looks so worried. Is everything all right with her?” Bobby asked.
“I hope so. Susan is not saying much,” Dyami said.
The group soon dispersed and went on their way, and Dyami and Gopan returned to their dorm.
“It’s Joe,” Dyami said to Gopan when they were by themselves.
“You mean he is her boyfriend?”
“Yes. Susan has been trying to get out of the relationship for some time. It must be tough for her,” Dyami said sympathetically.
“I am sure you’re part of the problem,” Gopan stated.
“Perhaps. I wish I could do something about it. Joe is violent. I’m afraid for her safety. By her behavior and what she briefly said to me, she might be in trouble,” Dyami said, deeply concerned.
CHANGES
Dyami and Gopan found jobs at Wilder Ranch Park for the summer and made the same arrangement as the year before to return home before starting.
However, the carefree summer they used to have with two girls was no longer possible. Dyami found the dynamics between himself and Ela had changed as it had between Gopan and Chenoa.
Dyami and Gopan were often absorbed in thoughts of college, church, and their new posts, even when they were with them.
All of them felt the change. Chenoa and Ela became quiet, pouty, and sullen without realizing it.
“Things have changed between girls and us,” Gopan admitted when they were alone.
“It’s inevitable given all that has happened to us. It feels as if we’re miles apart from them even when we are together. Anyway, I’m preoccupied with the thought of the new job,” Dyami answered.
“What about Susan? Do you think about her often?”
“Sometimes,” Dyami said.
In reality, he often thought about Susan, though his feelings towards her were still amorphous and vague.
“I think that’s what Ela noticed. Your mind is somewhere else.”
“I don’t know what you mean,” Dyami said.
“Yes, you do. You used to like Ela, especially. I always thought you and Ela would become a couple one day,” Gopan implied.
“I don’t know. Our lives are changing fast, and I’m too busy catching up with changes. I can only think about next week and next month. Anything further than that is unknown.”
Dyami felt the change within himself. He knew that Gopan’s observation was correct in part, but he also knew it was much more complicated than he or Gopan could understand.
He was firmly rooted in his community and loyal to its traditions and customs. He liked Ela and wished that she could be more open and curious about the outside world. Dyami found it more and more cumbersome to communicate with Ela now that his life had become complicated and broadened. He sensed their lives were about to take different courses.
Ela and Chenoa were understandably disappointed and unhappy about the unexpected changes in their relationships. Nonetheless, Chenoa persisted with her college plans while Ela doubted and hesitated about going to college.
It was a difficult period in their lives, and all they could do was hang on and keep going.
LIFE ALTERING EVENT
The fall semester came. Dyami and Gopan resumed their routine between classrooms and the library during the week and church on Sundays.
They saw Susan at church, but she remained distant and stayed away from most group activities. Notably, she appeared to avoid Dyami and Gopan, and they respected her wishes and stayed out of her way.
On one Monday afternoon, Gopan and Dyami saw an ambulance parked near their dorm. A group of students gathered around. A young man, presumably a student, stood surrounded by school guards and police officers in the crowd.
A close look revealed defiant Joe
in handcuffs. Dyami’s heart sank. He instinctively knew what happened and ran to the ambulance.
As he suspected, Susan lay on a stretcher with her face swollen and bruised. When Susan saw Dyami, she looked away and closed her eyes. It was painful to see Susan in this condition. She had been an inspiration to many with her liveliness and kindness.
The event shook up Dyami profoundly. Dyami had lost the revered elder Taza and his beloved horse in a short period and saw his new friend brutally beaten. In the face of painful losses and cruelty, he felt powerless.
Regardless of what was happening in his life, the indifferent world continued to spin, and all Dyami could do was persevere and carry on. He and Gopan continued the bible study and group activities in the church. Still, it was not the same without Susan.
Susan’s recovery was slow, requiring both physical and emotional healing. She felt responsible for the whole affair and blamed herself for not knowing Joe’s character beforehand. It took many months of remorse and self-doubt to accept and forgive herself.
Eventually, she fully regained her self-confidence. Still, her family decided that Susan would go to Italy to study and gain perspective. Dyami felt partly responsible for what happened and also sad about their budding friendship losing its momentum.
***
A surprising and positive change took place during this unsettling time. Gopan found God and decided to receive baptism during Easter service in the coming year.
When the Thanksgiving break came, Dyami suggested a vision quest to Gopan to divert themselves from recent tragic events and forget the painful memories.
They decided to call on Arion again for the vision, hoping that Arion would take them to where God dwells, now that they both have found God.
They headed to the forest one summery autumn morning, wearing eagle feathers on their heads and warm deer leather jackets passed down from their Grandfathers.
The colorful foliage was cheerful, and fallen leaves crumbled under their feet. The autumn scents stimulated their senses. They could see and feel life in the forest all around.
When they reached the oak, they sat down on the bed of leaves under the oak, and shortly, Dyami played three high C notes on the magic flute.
Through the rustling foliage, Arion showed his magnificent self. They jumped on his back, and Arion shot upward through the cloud tunnel toward a gleaming bright light.
14
DIVINE ABODE
“‘Come this way. Here to the east, there is a hole!’
They found that hole and entered. One by one,
they filed through to the other side of the sky.
And that’s how they reached the second surface
of the second world.” - Dine Bahane8
The light became brighter as they ascended. Arion soon passed the long cloud tunnel and soared into a refreshing and pleasant atmosphere. Ahead, a tower rose above the cloud.
“Look! Are we going to Heaven?”Dyami exclaimed, pointing at the apex of the castle.
“You’ll see.” Arion now slowed down and floated.
“It feels uplifting and wonderful. We went through losses and a tragic event since we saw you last time. We need a break from that and see the beauty of God,” Gopan remarked.
“That’s what you’ll see,” Arion affirmed, gliding through the lovely breeze.
As they came near to the rising tower, they glimpsed a soft glow around it, shown through the cloud.
When Arion reached the light, they saw the structure embedded with precious stones-chalcedonies, jaspers, agates, beryls, amethysts-below their eyes.
A winged lion and an ox faced human stood on each side of the massive gate. Many-eyed and winged creatures perched on the lintel. Arion passed above the gateway without stirring their attention.
Immediately, an expansive green field opened up stretched far beyond the horizon into infinity. They perceived grand mansions spread far out to the skyline and beyond.
Arion flew around above the green, then said,
“I’ll let you off here to explore.”
“Will you be around?” Dyami asked.
“I’ll be around, but you’ll have no need for me,” Arion said, letting them off on the fragrant grass.
They were adjusting to the change when Dyami and Gopan noticed a tall young man about their age, beckoning to them from some distance.
“I am Mark. Who are you two? I have never seen you before.”
The young man said when Dyami and Gopan reached him.
“My name is Dyami.”
“I am Gopan. Where are we?”
Gopan asked, encouraged by the young man’s friendly nature.
“Heaven!”
Mark declared and started to walk, leading them through the meadow.
“I knew it was a unique place. So, then Heaven is real. It exists. It’s not a dream world.”
Gopan reaffirmed what he heard, walking after Mark.
“You might say that it is a happy dream that continues into eternity. You never wake up from it,” Mark said.
“You are different from people who are here,” Mark remarked.
“Really, how so?” Dyami asked in surprise.
“You seem heavier as if a chain is weighing you down,” Mark described.
“On the contrary, we feel unusually light, but you’re right. We don’t live here. We’re from Arizona, the United States,” Dyami said.
“How did you get here?” Mark continued his question.
“Arion brought us here,” Dyami said.
“Arion brought you here?” Mark repeated in disbelief.
“It’s a long story, but Arion responds to three high C notes on this flute. It has magical power and has been in my family for many generations. My Grandfather gave it to me for my vision quest,” Dyami said, encouraged by Mark’s interest.
“Vision quests? Magic flute?” Mark appeared a little baffled.
“Yes, it’s our Native American custom that we seek direction from God when we reach a certain age,” Dyami explained.
“How did Arion bring you here?” Mark inquired.
“He flew,” Dyami answered.
“Which means you didn’t die before getting here. Hum, that’s not how people get here normally,” Mark remarked.
“Understood. Our presence here is unusual. What about you? What is your story?” asked Dyami.
“I had a motorbike accident. After I died, I arrived here,” Mark answered.
“And you were not hurt from the accident?”
Gopan asked, wondering at Mark’s perfect physique.
“I was badly hurt, but here I have a new body. I feel so light; I could fly.”
Mark explained his state of being in heaven. They had already noticed Mark’s light way of walking and had been admiring it.
“We noticed that. It must be a nice feeling. Just imagine flying around above this place,” Dyami said enviously.
“How long have you been here?” Gopan asked Mark.
“I am not aware of time here,” Mark disclosed.
“You mean that you live outside of time?” Gopan asked, astonished.
“Since I came here, I never thought about time. It’s either time passes beyond my detection, or time is irrelevant in Heaven. That’s the only way I can explain it.”
FLOWERS, BUTTERFLIES, BIRDS
They strolled through the meadow chatting until a whiff of fragrances made Gopan and Dyami look around. All at once, splendid beauty struck them. They were among blooming flowers and fluttering butterflies.
“Wow, could you have imagined this?” Gopan had no words to express his surprise and pleasure.
“I am pinching myself. I could have never imagined this beauty!” Dyami said,
“What a sweet fragrance. Which flower is it coming from?”
Dyami asked, noting the distinctive exquisite aroma among pleasing flower scents. Walking along, he located the source of the heavenly perfume.
“Look, Kadupul flowers!” Dyam
i shouted with excitement.
Delicate and ethereal Kadupul flowers trembled in the breeze at the base of a mahogany tree, perfuming the air with divine fragrance.
“The flower prepares to bloom for a year, and one day, under a full moon, it opens pedals, as if by magic, only to wither away by the next morning,” Gopan said.
“It must be heartbreaking to see the beauty withering in front of one’s eyes,” Dyami said.
“I understand why Sri Lankans believed Kadapul came down from Heaven. Only Heaven can hold its beauty.”
Gopan said, affected by the delicate beauty and nature of the celestial flower.
As they moved on, they saw a white Ghost Orchid attached to tree bark. It floated in mid-air as though beckoning at them.
On the rocky ground, bilobed violet Gibraltar Campion swayed in the breeze sweetening the air with a subtle fragrance.
Further down, the rare Middlemist Red Camellias displayed ruby blossoms, and a fiery Parrot’s Beak radiated warmth in orange, yellow, and red.
Nearby, the Lycaste Orchids’ unique cinnamon scent tickled their noses, and the Silversword plant shimmered in the sun dangling its dense purple rosettes.
***
Above flowers, butterflies floated.
Morpho’s iridescent blue wings, an optical illusion, glistened as it lapped on fallen papaya fruits.
Owl butterflies’ giant eyespots gazed at Dyami and Gopan while feeding on fallen fruits.
Question Mark butterflies sucked on tree saps, and Chimera Birdwings attached themselves on hibiscus and tulips for nectars.
A group of Zebra Longwing butterflies creaked from flowers, threatened by Dyami and Gopan’s presence near them.
Foxglove plants, Jewelweed, deerwood, honeysuckle, milkweed spread about, and thumbnail-sized Palos Verdes Blues, Spicebush Swallowtails, Monarchs, Common Buckeyes hovered above flowers.
The sought-after Ceylon Rose waved glorious black-white flowery wings, drifting slowly. Next to it, Bhutan Glory’s crimson-red spotted wings fluttered.
“Look, Bhutan Glories! Look, Ceylon Rose!” Gopan shouted, pointing up.
Dyami looked up and shouted,
