Loop

01.blissfull ignorance

"I wonder if he would like my super special bento packed with pure love and care.........!!!!!!!!!" Ella excitedly told her not so interested cat, Mary, as she packed her lunch for their school trip. Despite waking up at 5 a.m., in the morning, to prepare the lunch and dessert, Ella was brimming with energy even as she was leaving her home for school. It was the day her class was being taken for a field trip.
As Ella tip toed to her school bus, it was not the trip that excited her, but rather the chance to go out with Chris, her childhood friend and all time crush, that made her the happiest. As soon as she saw her life long one sided love on their bus, she rushed over, hoping to sit next to him, not noticing Teddy, who had already taken her spot.
From her days spent in pre-school till the day they all joined high school, Teddy has been a self invited part of the group. Ella first met Chris when she joined her pre-school in the neighbourhood. It was love at first sight for her. Right after asking for his name, Ella introduced herself to him and confessed her feelings immediately. This made Chris confused and scared on his first day, and he ended up crying. That was when Teddy took things into his hands and came running to Chris's rescue. From that day onwards, Ella started to see Teddy as an obstruction to her love life. They have always been at each other's throats from then on.
As Ella hurried towards the seat next to Chris , she noticed that her lifelong nemesis was already seated there with a victorious grin on his face. This made her upset, and as usual, they both started arguing about who would sit next to him.
Chris, on the other hand, had always felt embarrassed about all these commotions in between Ella and Teddy. He never actually saw Ella in a romantic way. She was always the annoying girl who was always following him around. He remembered the instances where she confessed her feelings inside the classroom, during track and field, while he was playing football, at the park where he visits with his family, and so on. Despite rejecting her each and every time, she never gave up and came back more strongly like nothing ever happened.
As the fight between Teddy and Ella progressed. Chris got off his seat and went forward to sit with one of the faculty in order to avoid both of them. It was already time for them to start the bus, which resulted in Teddy and Ella sitting together throughout the ride as all the other seats were filled.
"This time, I am going to confess to him and surprise him with my bento," Ella thought to herself with a satisfactory smile on her face.
"You know he doesn't like you, right... In fact, he's got a huge crush on Vanessa. He's planning on confessing to her during the trip. Better give up before you get hurt." This statement from Teddy caught Ella off guard.
"Chris likes Vanessa..? That Vanessa!!!!! No way!! Are you trying to start a fight right now. !!!!" Ella started to feel an intense anger and hatred towards Teddy as she spoke these words.
"Ella, he has no feelings for you!!! Why can't you accept that fact and move on! Why are you so hung up on him?? Seriously! I can't understand your taste! Just look at that tacky bracelet. You really need to change!"
As Ella was about to respond back to Teddy's words, the home room teacher told everyone to prepare themselves as they were about to get off at their first destination. Teddy got off his seat and rushed to Chris's side as they were exiting the bus.
Tiana and Maya came over to Ella's side as she was getting her stuff. "Just what do you see in that boy?? Why are you so hung up on dating him. There are a lot of other guys who actually have a crush on you in our class itself, you know!!" Tiana was fuming as she spoke. "That's right, Ella!! Just give it up!" Maya also supported Tiana's statement.
Ella, as usual, calmly replied, "It's not gonna work if it's not him....."
Tiana and Maya always know about Ella's obsession with Chris. They knew she would never change her mind on this topic. They decided to leave things as they were and move on with their current task. Collecting as much pictures and information from the local people. This trip focused on covering places with historical values.
Pharos, a country known throughout the world for its historic values, battles, and riches, has always been in the headlines for the findings and discoveries of archaeology and gold at different locations. Many different religions, beliefs, and customs have emerged from this medieval looking place that it has attracted many believers and tourists alike throughout the years. People believe that if they die while visiting this place, they can attain nirvana. Even many archaeologists have emerged from Pharos, who has made a name for themselves. The field trip that they are taken to is also a part of an archaeological survey where they are participating as volunteers.
Ella was not exactly interested in the history or any kind of "mud digging activities" in her words. Her only interest in thus was to spend some quality time with Chris. They were brought to the town of Baal, where the most ancient ruins are said to be found. 'Karva' One of the first cave ruins found in Pharos 200 years back was the main attraction in Baal. As most of the expeditions were already done at this site, it was now preserved. Only some inspections were done from time to time, for which they would have high school students participate as volunteers. This time, it was Sacred High students who were selected for the expedition.
After surveying the towns people about the kind of activities that takes place there as an initial information collection, all 30 of them were taken inside the cave along with an archaeological team of 5 members who work under the government of Baal. The students were given proper instructions regarding what they must do and what should be avoided inside the cave.
"Just let us go in!!" John, one of the most impatient students, started complaining as Ms. Leona's instructions were taking too much time. "Ms. Leona! It is almost evening! Let's just go. " Robert and many other students also pitched in.
"OK, students, just keep one thing in mind. Do not under any circumstances, stray from the group!! Do you understand?"Ms. Leona reminded the students once again.
"It's kind of dark and scary in here!" Maya remarked as she made her way inside. "Booo!!" John creeped up on Maya. "Aahhh!!!" Maya cried out loud. The Cave got engulfed with the echo of her scream, making everyone shocked for a moment. Tiana gave a knock on his head. Ms. Leona scolded all three of them in the back. As all of this was happening in the background, Ella was looking at Chris, worried about what Teddy told her. " What if he actually likes Vaness! Will they start dating!! What should I do?! Maybe I'll confess to him here in the cave. Maybe Teddy was just joking." As she looked over to Chris thinking all this, she saw him smiling and conversing with Vanessa. They were walking together. She felt a rush of anger as she witnessed this. As she was about to walk over and get in between them, Maya came running and hugged her, complaining about what John did. Tiana also joined in. This made her come out of a trance. She knew that she would have done something very stupid if they hadn't come over. Robert and Don were making fun of Maya again. Piya, Robert's girlfriend, scolded him for that. They both knew that John had a secret crush on Maya, but the way he expressed this was wrong.
The Cave had many branches inside, making it easy for people to lose their way inside. But as Karva was already inspected thoroughly, they had made proper markings inside to make sure no one looses their way. After almost half an hour of walking through many passages within, they reached an area with so much cave inscriptions and art.
Light rays penetrated through some of the cracks and gaps inside, illuminating the cramped spaces inside.
"Students, you can take as many pictures and notes from here. You need to submit a report regarding your findings today. You can now start exploring on your own now. You may not go beyond the places where they have tied the ribbons. You can do this individually or as a group, but everyone should submit individual assignments about their own findings." Everyone scattered around as Ms. Leona sad these words.
"Guys, look here!!" Tiana, who had her heart set at being an archaeologist herself, was already engulfed in all the inscriptions inside. Ella, with so many worries in her heart, absentmindedly joined them. As each team was splitting up and going further to each passage, she saw Vanessa and Chris taking a less crowded way together. "They are gonna start dating after this expedition for sure. Maybe this cave will be their love nest, " Teddy remarked, chuckling a bit.
Ella looked at him furiously and went after them. She suddenly stopped on her tracks as a gush of wind blew from one of the narrow cracks insight the passage they took. She then regained her composure and then proceeded to quietly follow their path. As she reached a deserted opening, she closed in to see that Chris and Vanessa were talking to each other inside.
"This is really a wonder! Right, Chris. These spaces are so beautiful with all the light rays coming in through the cracks.!" Chris smiled and agreed to Vanessa's remark. "Chris, are you and Ella dating right now." Both Chris and Ella were taken aback by this question. Chris quickly regained his composure and replied, "No. I have no feelings for her." As these words came out of Chris without any kind of hesitant, Ella suddenly feld her heart sinking. Her eyes also teared up a bit.
"You never had any interest in her?" Vanessa asked again.
"Never. I'm not sure why she is so attached to me like this, but at this point she no less than an annoying stalker." He said these words as he was looking at some blurred murals inside the cave. As he looked closely, it seemed like a man and woman holding hands with each other.
"Chris, actually, I really like you. I started liking from the first time I saw you during our high school orientation ceremony when you gave the speech on the stage."
Chris, with a little shock on his face, looked at Vanessa as she confessed to him.
Ella, who witnessed all this transpire, was hiding behind the cave opening, eyes full of tears, heart brocken. She started to run from that place, not knowing which direction to take. She just kept running, tears streaming down her cheeks, and stopped when she saw the cave opening to where everyone else was. As she was out of breath, she couldn't walk properly, so half leaning on the cave walls, she approached the opening.
"Krr!" came a sound from the stone she was holding onto while walking. It was the place she experienced a sudden gush of wind before. The cracks started to widen as the sound came from that side. The cracks were actually another pit that was partially closed by a large rock in its path. When Ella leaned on this rock, it moved and fell down the large pit, taking her along with it.
"Aahhhhhhhhh!!!!!" Cried Ella. She started falling down the pathway, which was more like a slide. Her flesh was getting cuts and bruises as she continuously fell down that pit cave, leading to Ella losing her consciousness.
As she was about to hit the cold hard ground, a sudden gust of wind formed beneath her with a strong force cushioning her fall.
When Ella came to, she was lying on the floor surrounded by cave walls completely filled with more inscriptions and murals along with many motifs and idols. A small stream was flowing through the cave, and there were lights coming through small cracks and gaps in the rocks. Ella slowly stood got up. Looking around, adjusting her eyes to the dim light inside the cave. The water flowing through the gaps in the floor was shing a bit. As she looked around, she saw a unique looking idol kept a little higher than other motifs, with shining water flowing on it from an opening close to it, almost like it was designed to be so. The serenity of that place kept Ella calm despite the situation she found herself in. The wind blowing into this device looking space through tiny pores made a flute like voice, calming her mind and body. Ella did not panick, neither did she cry, as she was almost engulfed by the atmosphere inside the cave.
"What is this place.. How did I end up here?!!" As Ella was thinking about her situation, she started to focus on the inscriptions and drawings on the walls. While going through some ancient depictions of God's and other beliefs, she noticed an image showing a symbol that looked very familiar. The notif was that of 2 leaf sprouts intertwined with each other. It was very similar to a birthmark Ella had, except for the fact that her birthmark also had an x mark on it. It has always been very unique because of its shape. This used to make her feel insecure as this mark was on her chest, stopping her from wearing any wide neck dress.
" I really need to call out for help, but I feel I should look around first," Ella told herself these words while looking a bit more into the spaces. She noticed an ancient looking mirror, which was completely dirty. She went closer to it and moved the wines in front of it. It seemed to have some cracks on it, but the design surrounding it was beautiful. As she inspected it, she saw the same symbol on the mirror frame.
Finding this intriguing, she looked into the mirror, locking her eyes with a strangers reflection in the mirror.
"Aahhhhh!!!!" Ella screamed and looked back to see that no one was behind her. When she looked back to the mirror, the same person was still there looking back at her. She had the same scared expression as Ella. Shocked, she took a few steps back, accidentally touching a stone carving behind her with her hands covered in blood from the cuts she got from her fall. As if getting sucked in, the blood vanished, and the carved inscriptions started to light up in golden shade. On seeing this, Ella's wide eyes shocked with fear started to change colour from green to a shade of gold. Her birthmark also started to illuminate, and her consciousness started to fade.

" What have I done!!!! How could this happen!!! I.... I killed him!!!"
Ella was crying with blood on her body and hands. She saw that Chris was lying on the ground covered in blood, lying face down on the ground. She suddenly kneeled down and started calling out to him, but he was not responding.
Ella started shaking him and turned him around to find that it was not actually Chris, but was someone else entirely. She suddenly got scared and moved away to the back, hitting a wall behind her. Her hand got cut by shards and pieces of glass. As she looked into one of those shards, she got a quick glimpse of herself. To her shock, the reflection looking back at her was of another person. She then noticed that the place she was at looked more foreign to her. Her appearance and the room she was standing in all looked medieval, as if she travelled to the past. Then, when she looked back at the man who was stabbed, he was no longer on the floor, but standing there staring at her, asking her why she did it..
"No....!!! No!! Please don't go!!!!! Aaaahhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!"
Ella suddenly woke up startled.

"Dear!! Are you OK?!"
As Ella looked to where the voice came from, she saw her worried mother and panicking father near her bedside.
They were visibly shaken by all that happened. Her mother started bauling her eyes out as soon as Ella looked at her. They were all worried. "Sweety, are you OK. The doctor will be here, " said her father, looking concerned and worried.
Just at that moment, her mother hugged her and took her hands asking if she was okay, Ella suddenly got a glimpse of a beautiful woman in the middle of a paddy field. A kind and gentle woman who always took care of her family and her younger siblings. When famine came, she fed her siblings even when she was hungry. But, unable to hold on, she got sick and passed. Like some movie scenes put together, these visions passed through her mind. Ella sat up silently and emotionless while having these visions.
It was when her mother shook her that she came to her senses and saw that the doctor, some nurses, Ms.Leona and one of the archaeologists were standing there. They looked very relieved that she was conscious.
"Ella, how do you feel now? Do you recognise these people?" The doctor asked, pointing to her parents.
"Yeah. Dad n mom, " she replied, looking at the doctor. Then the doctor came closer to inspect her. After thoroughly checking her, the doctor started talking.
"Ella, do you remember what happened to you?"
Ella started to think back. "I was walking in the cave. The wall I placed my hand on suddenly moved. Then I was falling. It hurt a lot! It was dark... " Ella paused for a moment. "That's it... I can't remember anything else!" Ella said as she looked perplexed.
She kept trying to remember the rest, but the doctor interrupted and told her not to strain herself. After telling her to take a rest, the doctor left the room with her parents to talk to them. Her home room teacher Ms.Leona came over with a worried expression.
"Ella, do you have a headache? "
"Mmmhm. My head feels like it's gonna burst!!" Answered Ella.
"Don't think about anything and just take rest. Everything's alright."Ms. Leona took a glass of water and handed it over to Ella, saying these words. She took the glass from her teacher and had a sip of it. She then looked at Ms. Leona with a curious face. "Ms. Leano, what exactly happened that day?"
Her teacher looked at the archaeologist standing beside her. She then told Ella the following. "Dear, we suddenly heart a big sound of something falling along with a scream. When we hurried over, we saw a pit at that position, which was never documented by them, " Ms. Leona said, looking at the archaeologist. "The we realised that you were mussing as we took a roll call. We were so worried so we called the fire n police department. It was their joined effort for almost one and a half days that saved you from there." Ms. Leona's eyes almost teared up when she said these words. "You were covered in bruises and extremely dehydrated, so you were urgently admitted to the hospital. You remained unconscious for 3 days straight. Today is the fourth day, and luckily, you woke up."
"I see.." Ella replied softly. She was feeling quite tired and drowsy, so she laid back on the bed and slept soundly.

"Ms. Leona!! Is Ella awake. How is she now??" Tiana asked her teacher impatiently as soon as she saw her at school.