The Labyrinth

I opened my eyes, the world around me was a blur. I sat on my bed wrapped in my sheets. I got out of bed to use my bathroom. I couldn’t find the bathroom’s door. I looked around and it was not even my room. ‘How did I get in here?’ I thought. Last night I was in my bedroom, I remember sleeping right after setting up the alarm. Right in front of me, I could see a signboard on the wall that read “You have an hour get out of the labyrinth. Do not touch the walls.” I didn’t understand. But intuitively I started walking where the path took me. The walls around me were sketched with strange drawings. The script looked ancient and the drawings resembled occurrences of the past. I kept following the trail, counting my lefts and rights.

“Labyrinth is a maze with a unique path from centre to the outside world. Each one in the labyrinth has his own path.” The inscription on the wall read. I saw a woman come my way, I said, “Hello ma’am. How long have you been searching your way out?” I asked. “It’s been a long time I have been searching my way out, but now I kind of like it here. I have my kids waiting for me, I have to drop them to the school.” She said. “What there is a school in here?” I said confused. But the lady hurried away before hearing me out. I went down the path. ‘People find alternatives in their quest and make labyrinth their way of life. They say there is work out there, money and all the good things labyrinth can give you.’ A quote read on the wall.

A man was walking towards me and had a worried look on his face. Beads of perspiration had formed on his forehead. I said, “Sir I want to find my way out of this place and ...” “I don’t have a time for all this I have an all-important business deal. What path are you talking about? Money is all that matters.” He said and walked off. Then a group of cheery girls came walking down the path. “Hi, I want to find my way out of the labyrinth. Do you know where should I start, It seems I am walking meaninglessly.” I said. “What path are you talking about? But you can use GPS, we all use it.” She said and they all walked away smiling.

‘God has a unique path for everyone.’ Another quote on the wall read. I was walking past a group of junkies. “This labyrinth is bliss, I can feel it.” A guy said as he looked lost in some sort of ecstasy. “I am trying to find my path, can you help?” I asked. “What path? Have this stuff dude you will find your path right here.” The guy said and others started laughing. I walked away from there.

“I have solved the code jam questions, it got accepted, runtime was 0.93 secs.” A bespectacled guy said. “That is great, I solved the same question a day ago.” The other guy said. “Excuse me, I am trying to find my way out of the labyrinth. Can you help?” I said. “What way? What labyrinth? Go for higher education. You will find your place here.” The bespectacled guy said. “Okay, thanks. But I am not too sure.” I said.

‘Guru – dispels the darkness.’ The inscription on the wall read. I found a pair of boy and a girl walking hand in hand coming towards me. They seemed to be happy and relaxed. I was sure to find an answer here. “Its been a long time, I am trying to find my path out of here. Do you know the way out?” I asked. “We know the way to the Cinema hall, We don’t know about the path.” The boy said and they walked away. ‘I think I need to find a Guru.’ I thought. I was walking down the path, the clock was already ticking. ‘I need to hurry.’ I thought. I saw a sadhu meditating. I went to him. I asked, “Swamiji How can I find my path out of the labyrinth?” “Come visit my Ashrama. Keep this card.” Swamiji said as he stepped into his car and went away leaving behind a trail of dust. But how do I know the authenticity of the entire thing? I thought

I was walking along the path, with only a few minutes left. “Face your fears therein lies your peace.” I heard a voice from behind. “Everyone tries to find their path here in the labyrinth. You think its here. But it's not here. You ask people for advice but they don’t have a clue themselves. You make labyrinth your home.” The old man said. Suddenly a voice echoed in the surrounding. I put my finger into my ears but it was getting louder by the passing second. And then there was sudden pulling. I had a strange feeling of traveling through a vacuum. I heard the old man’ words echoing ‘face your fears therein lies your peace.’ I felt I was thrown away somewhere, but the surface was quite soft and comfortable. I opened my eyes to find myself wrapped in my sheets and lying on my bed as the alarm kept blaring. ‘What a dream!’ I thought.