When an old soul wakes in an infant's body, the journey truly begins.
I was fading into darkness again, losing all sensation in my body. I guess that was just a dream, I thought. It couldn't be real, right? But deep down, I knew the truth. Damn, I think I'm really going to die this time.
Slowly, consciousness slipped away from me completely.
But even in that void, something stirred.
Flashes came—not memories, but something ancient. I saw myself in a grand palace, power thrumming through the air. But something was wrong. I was fragmenting. Breaking apart.
Then I saw her—the silver-haired goddess. Her golden eyes blazed with desperation as she reached toward me. "No," she cried out. "Not you."
Then suddenly, it all disappeared.
I opened my eyes slowly and saw a man and a woman. They looked huge compared to me. Seriously, I thought they were giants. Confusion hit me hard. What the hell happened? Why am I here?
Then it struck me—that dream. Damn, it was real. Seriously real.
And that silver-haired beauty… what did she say? Shit, I can't remember properly. Something like, "I'm going to make you reincarnate…" Yeah, that was it. Holy shit!
I was starting to get out of this confusion when I noticed something else. Those people aren't giants. They're just normal. I'm the one who is small now—I've become an infant, to be exact.
Wait. Then, Are they my parents? The realization hit me hard. They must be my new parents. This whole thing was very difficult to digest but I had no choice but to accept the reality.
I lay there, staring up at those two faces. The man smiled softly and gently reached out to touch my tiny hand. He was also good looking and was so happy. Then he gently lifted me and that's how I saw my house and surrounding area.
The house was looking like as if it came straight from some movie that is based on some history. I had become sure that I'm born in some old India. I just needed to know which year or century it is. I can't ask or know this right now as I'm just a newborn baby. And these people won't know about modern things so it's futile to expect anything from them.
But as the house's and surrounding's conditions are, I think this maybe 18th or 19th century. I can be wrong too. I also need to know where I'm born.
Then, My father carried me toward the window. I saw the landscape stretching out—endless fields of crops swaying in the wind. Farmers worked in the distance with oxen and wooden plows. Small villages dotted the terrain with their traditional tiled roofs. Smoke curled from chimneys. In the far distance, mountains rose against the clear sky. Dirt roads wound through the fields, connecting everything together.
This is definitely old India, I thought. But which part? Which region?
My mother came closer and gently stroked my tiny face with her finger. She whispered something soft in the local dialect. I understood the words instinctively. She was saying something about me being healthy and strong.
I couldn't ask questions. I couldn't reveal what I know. These people would think I'm cursed or something if a newborn suddenly started talking or showing awareness about things I shouldn't know.
I had to be careful. I had to learn. I had to figure out where I am, when I am, and most importantly—why the goddess sent me here and what she meant by that power she mentioned.
Whatever. I'll eventually find out somehow.
For Now, all I could do was adapt. Survive. And wait.
As I was thinking all of this, my new parents started saying something to each other. My father lifted me up and said, "My son is so beautiful, just like his mother," and then he kissed me. Or should I say, I felt like he was licking me or trying to eat me whole. But I had to endure it. This happens to every baby. Now I understood why kids behave so badly when you kiss them so much.
When my father said that, my new mother blushed and said, "Oh dear, you talk too much about me. I have told you so many times not to do this. I feel shy!"
Then my father laughed and said, "HaHaHa, then what should I say, my queen? My wife is so beautiful that I never get tired of praising her."
While this was happening, I was getting so cheesy feeling inside. I wanted to shout out that please don't do this shit in front of me or I'll puke!!! But I couldn't do it. Damn, whatever. They can flirt with each other all they want.
But why am I feeling jealous?
Maybe I didn't have a love life in my previous life, I thought. I guess that's why. I was so obsessed with politics and stuff that I didn't even pay attention to that.
Honestly, it was weird feeling this emotion now. In my past life, I was too focused on surviving, on fighting, on dealing with betrayal. Love was a luxury I never had time for. And now, watching my parents being so affectionate with each other, it stirred something in me that I didn't expect.
Okay, let's leave this topic and focus on the new life instead.
Then my mother said, "Pandit ji is gonna come soon, so give me munna."
My father said, "Yeah, take him." Before handing me over, he said to me, "Did you hear this, munna? Pandit ji is coming to name you. You're gonna get a proper name. I'm so happy."
Munna!? I was thinking, Who is this munna? Me!? No way, seriously. They are calling me this! Just how did they come up with this name?
Sigh, whatever.
But wait, they just said Pandit ji is coming to name me. Now I'm glad that this name 'Munna' is gonna disappear from my life. Thank god!
My mother carried me carefully, preparing for the naming ceremony. She cleaned me up gently, wrapping me in a fresh cloth. My father was buzzing around nervously, arranging things in the house. I could sense their excitement—this was an important moment for them.
Now, let's wait for Pandit ji. I'm actually excited for the new name!
Then my mother finished getting ready and adjusted her saree. She looked beautiful, honestly. She finished getting me ready too, wrapping me up in a fresh cloth. My father saw her and his eyes lit up. He suddenly lifted me in excitement and said, "My little son is so cute! And his mother is looking gorgeous too!"
Then he started kissing me again—on my forehead, my cheeks, everywhere.
Oh no, here we go again, I thought, cringing internally.
My mother saw what was happening and her face turned angry. She walked over and punched him on his shoulder, shouting, "Don't just kiss him, you idiot! Give him to me! And go get ready too—guests will be coming soon!"
My father yelped in pain, "Ouch! Ouch! Okay, okay, my queen! Here, take him!"
He quickly handed me over to my mother, rubbing his shoulder and pouting like a child. My mother snatched me from his hands, muttering something about him being more of a baby than I was.
These two are absolutely insane, I thought, but I couldn't help finding it funny.
Then my father transferred me to my mother.
In Actually, I was very happy that I got a mom and I could be with her. But I was also a little sad that I didn't remember my previous mother and couldn't do anything for her.
As I was thinking this, my mother told my father, "Honey, please close the windows and doors, and the curtains too. And get out of here."
I thought, Why is she telling him to do this and even driving him away too?
Then father asked, "Why?"
My mother said with an irritated face, "I have to breastfeed him. So get the hell out of here. Right now!"
Then he said while running, "Okayyy, my queen," and just like that he disappeared.
Wait, wait, wait. I was panicking. Breastfeeding!? But that's only for kids, isn't it? Oh right, I'm a kid too but I'm also... not a kid.
I wanted to scream. I wanted to tell her, I'm an adult! I'm probably older than you! I don't need this! But all that came out was a tiny whimper.
My mother smiled down at me lovingly, completely unaware of my internal crisis. She adjusted her clothing and I felt my face burning with embarrassment. This is so awkward, I thought desperately. How is this my life now?
Just like that, my little tummy filled completely and this was a whole new experience for me. Not a pleasant one.
After a while, my father knocked on the door nervously. "Is it done yet?" he called out from outside.
My mother shouted back, "Give us more time, you impatient man!"
I could hear him sighing dramatically outside. "But the Pandit ji will be here soon!" he complained.
Then my mother muttered something under her breath that sounded like an insult, and I almost laughed despite my embarrassment. These two are something else, I thought.
Don't want to say anything more. So forget it!
After my tummy was full, my father came back and said, "All the preparations are complete. Come and see it for yourself."
My mother replied, "Oh really? Then I'm coming. Wow, the decoration is very nice, dear."
He smiled proudly and said, "Yeah, they did a great job. I'm glad I gave the decoration work to these people."
Then she leaned closer and whispered, "Dear, it didn't cost much, right?"
He looked at her and said confidently, "No, I can do this much for our child, right?"
She smiled softly in response.
Just by looking around the house, I could tell their financial condition wasn't very good. Still, they were happy—even with little, they went out of their way to make this moment special for me.
That thought made me feel warm inside. My father was truly a good man, kind and caring toward his family. It was comforting to know I was with people who loved me, even if I hadn't fully earned it yet.
Before the arrival of Pandit ji, it was time for the grand coming of relatives.
I could already hear the commotion outside—voices getting louder, footsteps approaching. My father looked nervous and excited at the same time. My mother adjusted my clothes one last time, making sure I looked presentable.
This was it. The moment my new family would introduce me to everyone.
I had no idea what to expect, but one thing was certain—my quiet morning was about to become very loud and very chaotic.
To be continued...