Back in Paradise

I’m running down Long Street, as usual, I’m late. Most of the time, I don’t mind, but today… today I  would regret it. For my birthday, I received a voucher for a journey beyond the boundaries of  reality. I’m thrilled; I’m a collector of atmospheres and I love traveling. I’ve probably been everywhere in this world, and I’m drawn to go somewhere else. That’s why my friends bought me an  inner expedition, an absolute novelty. Instead of physical relocation, I’ll travel mentally.

“Relax, you’ve got time,” smiles the travel agency worker with the grand name “Beyond Body and  Place.”

“Good afternoon, I’m Kael, and I should have a reservation for…” I gasp for breath.

“Yes, we’ve been expecting you,” she opens the door to a room with a gray couch and gestures to it. “Make yourself comfortable.”

I lie down and look around the room.

“So… where will it be?” she asks, placing a thin band with electrodes on my head.

“What do you suggest?”

“Well, where do you want to go? The far side of the Moon? Into the subconscious? Lucid dreams or…” she starts the computer.

“What would you recommend?”

“Hmm… right now, going back to ancient Rome, into the mind of Augustus, the first emperor, is quite popular.”

“No, that wouldn’t interest me,” I shake my head. “I’d like to visit my own dream world and experience something I’ve never experienced before.”

“All right! Close your eyes. Launching the program. Enjoy!”

Her voice fades, I feel a tingling on my forehead, and I get the sensation of falling into a deep abyss. In  my mind, I read text, like opening credits to a movie.

“Welcome to the world of Kael, where nothing is measured, weighed, compared, or counted. People aren’t divided by wealth, education, achievements, or abilities. There is no inferiority or pride. Happiness is unconditional; it arises from simply living in the moment. Trees aren’t wood but living beings. Animals aren’t food but companions. Rivers, mountains—everything is perceived as a living entity with which one communicates. Nature is an equal partner, not a resource. Nothing is analyzed; it is simply experienced. There are no borders; the entire world is a shared home. Life is lived in the present; each moment exists by itself. Relationships are fluid and free, connecting and disconnecting based on feelings and the natural flow of life. The day begins with gentle awakening, without the constraint of hours—just opening your eyes when you feel like it.”

Naira and Kael met by a river that had no name because, in this world, places weren’t labeled. The river was known for its cool flow and the whispering wind singing over its surface. Naira stood in the  water, watching small fish. Kael approached from the other side, carrying a bundle of fresh fruit he  had picked in the forest. Their eyes met.

In that moment, a kind of connection formed between them, unnamed. It wasn’t love, as even that had no definition. It was the simple harmony of two beings who felt the presence of the other as  a  natural part of their day.

Naira and Kael decided to stay together, not out of duty or expectation. No one in this world needed to own anyone. Their connection was free, like the flowing water of the river. They wandered through forests, gathered fruits, built shelters from branches and leaves, and when it was time to rest, they lay down beside each other on soft moss. They rarely spoke because words were unnecessary. They looked into each other’s eyes and understood all they needed to know.

One evening, as the setting sun painted the sky gold, Kael took Naira’s hand and pointed to the horizon.

“Do you see that star?” he asked. It wasn’t a question expecting an answer. The star was merely a  symbol of the moment unfolding, something they shared. Naira smiled, and the star ceased to be just a star. It became their quiet moment, needing no name or meaning.

“Wake up, Kael,” she says, removing the band from my head.

“Oh no!” I feel a pang of sadness for leaving such a beautiful vision.

“How was it?” she asks with a curious smile.

“It was… like… paradise.”