Ever since I was a little kid, I had only ever seen struggle, my father, my mother and my elder brother.
They all struggled to send me here to the prestigious University of Oxford.
In hopes that I would break the cycle and free my family from poverty.
However, I too was struggling to make it through my studies. It was true that I was a brilliant child when I was young, and even up until I first joined this institute.
I got in through a scholarship. That rarely happens for the poor, especially those of colour.
The joy my parents felt that day was priceless. Even my brother was happy for me, seeing me achieve what he had once wanted but was unable to achieve.
It was one night under the full moon that I came back to my dorm after finishing my part-time job at a restaurant nearby.
My father would kill me if he knew I was working instead of focusing on my studies all the time.
But I had to ease their burden a little, because they were sending most of their money to me, to make my life comfortable.
That night, I sat on my study table, and for some reason, all I could think of was the impermanence of life. I thought that I would one day die, as will my parents and everyone I know.
I became scared tremendously. What does death feel like?
How much will it hurt? I did not want to feel it, and that was when I heard it.
A voice called out to me as I looked around, finding nothing out of the ordinary.
Looking back at the table, I closed the books and stacked them on the side before getting into bed.
"I am just tired. I am sure when I wake up, I will be filled with positive thoughts."
Thinking that to be true, I closed my eyes, and a few minutes later, I was asleep.
Then I remember waking up, panting wildly as I shivered, under the open sky.
I was no longer lying on my bed but rather on something hard. I looked to either side. On my right was a railing, and on my left was a two lane road.
Turning to my side, I placed my hands on the ground and stood up.
A thick fog surrounded me as I walked towards a street light.
Shivers ran down my body; the cold was getting unbearable.
Under the streetlight, I looked over the railing and saw an endless pit beyond.
I was on a bridge that hung God knows how high up in the air.
Immediately, I looked to either side, and I knew for a fact.
This was not London, and I was not alone.
From my right, I could feel something getting closer, and so I was ready to run to the left.
I had even turned and gotten in the stance to run, but stopped in my tracks when I heard a man's voice. "Hari sharnam!"
Within me, no longer existed the desire to run away as I slowly turned around and looked at the figure that came through the fog.
A fifty something year old man, wearing nothing but a yellow cloth wrapped around both of his legs individually, like how one of my Indian friends, Akshay, wore a piece of clothing called a dhoti on certain festivals.
On his upper half was a single layer of yellow cloth wrapped around his body.
A tattered cloth bag hung over his right shoulder.
In that moment, the man walking toward me was barefoot, and his hair and beard were long and frizzy.
If it had not been for my friend Akshay, I would have never known who was before me.
'Hate to admit it, but thank you, Akshay.'
After thanking him mentally, I joined my hands and bowed to the saint before me.
"Sant dev ko mera pranam." My Hindi was still weak, but I could form a sentence.
But it seemed to do the trick as the saint stopped before me.
He raised his hand and spoke in clear English. "I accept your pranam, Jacob. May you live a long and prosperous life."
That was my name; he knew my name.
My head shot up in shock, but before I could ask, he spoke to me.
"My child, I know you have many questions and are scared. But you have nothing to fear, head north and you shall find the purpose for which you came here."
His finger pointed in the direction he came from, and I just looked there in silence before turning to the saint one last time.
"Thank you...Ummm, what is your name?"
"My Gurudev calls me Harli."
The way he spoke made it clear that it was a soft a that was spoken like an e, as was the case with the i.
On his face was a pleasant smile as he looked past me. I was about to look where he was looking, but stopped when he turned back to me.
"I must go now, I have to get the Bhiksha to my Gurudev."
Now, I knew not to bother a saint too much, so I simply bowed with my hands joined and let the saint pass.
For about five minutes, I stood there watching the direction in which the saint left.
It was indeed true what Akshay had said, that true saints possess a glow inside them that steals anyone's attention and mesmerises them.
That reminded me of another thing he said when we were out at night. It went something like, if you ever encounter a true saint and he tells you to do something, you should do it, because it will only lead you to something beneficial.
Even if the command or request seems odd or wrong at first, it would end up benefiting you, even if it seems like a misfortune.
Recalling those words, I made my way in the direction pointed by the Saint.
The length of the bridge was incredible; I must have had to walk nearly three quarters of a kilometre to reach the end of the bridge.
My feet were killing me, as I had to walk barefoot; this made me think, how was the saint so happy while he was also barefoot and only wearing a single layer of cloth around his body?
But then I remembered that was a man devoted to God, what could bother him?
Sadly, I was not like him.
However, for me, the end would soon come as I saw a sign before me.
"The Adventure Guild."
Written in bold letters, upon a doorway that led to a five story building that looked awfully like a mixture of some medieval building with 1920s English architecture.
By the looks of it, there was light inside, so I knocked on the door and it was soon opened.
That was how I came to Paneria.
The first person I met was a man of God.
All things considered, that was a good sign that I had a Second Chance, here in Plied.
"Any questions, son?"
"So you are from the Hero's world?"
After hearing all that, the kid remains focused on the Hero. What can I do? This child is mine, after all.
I picked him up from the ground and sat him on my left thigh.
Today, he had turned six, and with the emergence of the Hero, I thought this was the time to tell him about where I came from.
Honestly, everyone that I came across was taken aback at first, because in this world, I may as well be the only black man.
Well, two to be honest, but my son is mostly dark brown, so I am unsure if he counts, all thanks to his mother. Speaking of her, where is she?
I did not see her anywhere in the house.
"Father, are you looking for Mother?"
"Yes, I am. Where is she?"
"She is out in the market. I think she will come in about an hour or two."
"I see, is your Masi (Mother's Sister) coming to look after you?"
He nodded, and right on cue, someone knocked on the door; it was probably her.
I sat Nathan down on the sofa and walked over to the door, opening it slightly as I peeked out, and it was indeed his aunt, my Saali (wife's sister).
"Sherly, how are you?"
"I am good, Jacob. Leanor asked me to be here before you left for work. Glad to see I made it in time."
Opening the gate fully, I let her in, and immediately, she was on her way to Nathan, and the boy himself was ready to jump into her arms.
"I will get ready for work."
Informing her, I went to get dressed and once that was done. I walked back into the living room and walked over to Nathan.
Children, you just love them beyond measure.
So this is what Dad felt every day. In all the years I had spent in this world, I constantly found myself thinking about my family, yet every time I would end up being happy instead of sad.
Funny, isn't it?
Pushing these thoughts aside, I kissed him on the forehead and left for work.
It was a short walk to the City Hall from where I was living. Which was perfect, because today I had to go there to clear up some issues for the City Watch.
Who would have thought that in just eight years of coming to this new world, I would have a home of my own, a wife and a kid.
Here I was faring far better than on Earth. Could things get any better?
Just a few metres away from the stairs to the City Hall, I saw what felt like a painting brought to life.
Climbing the steps was the most beautiful person I had ever laid my eyes on.
Raghav Surynashi.
From him, I felt a warmth, and within him, I saw the glow, the same as the night I first came here.
On Earth, men were considered to be handsome while women were beautiful, and Raghav was the pinnacle of both.
He felt like the red sunset seen from the peak of a snow covered mountain, with perfectly lined trees overlooking a calm blue ocean.
No one could match him in terms of beauty; that was something I would say if I didn't see the person beside him.
Aurelia Reid.
The Princess of the Istreid Kingdom, of which I am a subject.
The news had mentioned that she was travelling with the party, but seeing it for myself, I can without a doubt say that she is the only one who can stand shoulder to shoulder with him.
I stood there for a good eight minutes, just processing what I saw.
By the time I came out of my mind, they had come out again, talking amongst themselves and away from the City Hall.
All I could do was just carry on with my task and made my way towards the City Hall.
Images flashing in my mind of Raghav, I was drawn towards him in a way that I could not describe, yet if I had to describe it.
It would be familiarity and a fulfilment, mainly peace.
A mixture of all the positive emotions in a way.
But now I had to face the dull paperwork, or so I thought, as I walked inside the city hall, the mood had completely changed in the building; the left side was reeking of despair.
"Looks like Princess Aurelia and Raghav did a number on them."
"You do not know the half of it."
Ori came from my right, making me turn towards him. "Really, what exactly happened?"
Leaning in, he looked around, taking a breath with an open mouth, so I leaned in as well, putting my ear close to his mouth.
"Remember the commission given to the adventurers?"
I nodded gently, which made him chuckle. "Well, it was called back in last night, apparently the Hero's party caught them in the forest and told them to leave it alone, and right now the Princess came and told them to stop it together and inform the King and the Duke of this."
"I take they did not take well to it?"
Hearing my question, Ori could not hold his laugh as we reached his office and he opened the door, guiding me in.
"They were abusing the living soul out of each other, by 'they' I do not mean the Princess and Raghav, I mean, before they came, the entire council was crawling up each other's rear. The abuses that flew in there."
He stopped to whistle while shaking his head. "They dragged each other's bloodlines through the mud. I heard that Baron Mali threw a newspaper at the Count."
"Ain't no way. He did that?"
Ori just nodded, and I looked back towards the council wing and shook my head. "Then it really must have gone up in flame."
"It did, anyway. What brings you north of the rift? How's my Bhanja (Sister's Son)? I am sure he will be thrilled to know that his Hero is in the city."
The realisation hit me, I would have to go home and tell my son that Ragahv is in town.
Oh boy.
I rubbed my lips and leaned back. "Yes, he is well. I told him about how I came to Paneria, but his mind was focused on Raghav."
"Can you blame the kids? They grew up with the stories of the prophecy, and now they are witnessing the prophecy happening in flesh."
Ori relaxed into his chair, and I pulled out the file from my briefcase, handing it over to him.
"The City Watch requires a clearance on the pension funds for Captain Lank of the Park District, who retired last week."
His demeanour changed completely as he read the request and smiled, signing at the bottom of the page and stamping it.
"Here."
He handed the papers back to me, and I happily placed them in the briefcase and stood up, shaking his hands.
"Thank you, Ori, you always come through. See you at dinner."
"Looking forward to it, Jiju (Sister's Husband)."
Without further delay, I walked out of his office, and as I was headed for the main gate, I was stopped by the Count's guards as the Count walked out from the council and towards the main gate, his head hung low in dejection.
Anyone could see the tension in his eyes as clear as day; he was not even trying to hide it.
Normally, I would have smirked or found it amusing, saying to myself that he got what was coming for him.
But a glimpse of Raghav emerged in my mind again, and I found myself in a state of stillness, which was for the best.
After the Count, I too made my way out of the City Hall and stood on top of the stairs, feeling the warm sunlight on my face, looking up, I again recalled the memory of Raghav and smiled to myself.
The comfort I felt was unlike anything else; the warmth from the sunlight felt natural with what I was envisioning in my mind.
I would have stayed in this moment for a long time, had there been no one relying on me, so I stepped forward to carry on my duties.