The Burden of Forever – Short Story

That immortal day is only a few hours away. As soon as tomorrow dawns, I will try out my greatest invention. I have a strange restlessness. After twelve years of continuous effort, I finally discovered the secret of immortality. Even though I presented my discovery to other scientists and doctors, they ridiculed me and dismissed it without even examining it. Remembering it gives me great pain.

My research was also tried last year, starting with small animals and ending with mice. The growth of those rats stopped from the day I gave them the medicine, and they are still healthy. However I feel that those clear results are not enough for scientists, and they dismiss my tests because I am still 34 years old. Even if my drug is tested using a monkey, it will take a long time to observe its results. However I have observed that the cells of the monkey that I injected with the drug regenerated rapidly. I strongly believe that my medicine is perfect.

My thoughts were interrupted by the sudden ringing of the front doorbell. It was just past eleven o’clock. This unusual sound startled me, as no one came to me even in the afternoon. I went downstairs and lit the lights and opened the front door slightly. I was seen by what could be called a young man of my height. His face was not clearly visible as he was wearing a cap, but I opened the door fully as I could see some familiarity from him.

“Yes,” I asked him in a questioning tone. The stranger slowly took off his cap and turned his eyes towards me. I took a few steps back. This is impossible. I stared at him in disbelief. The guest is a perfect reflection of me.

“Don’t worry. I’ll explain everything,” Hai called me in my own voice, scaring me even more. I did not hear what he said after that. I know very well that I don’t have a twin brother. For the first time in my life, I fainted. I, a man of science, had no reason to explain my own reflection calling to me in my own voice. I barely remember Hey catching me when I fell.

When I regained consciousness, I was lying on my comfortable sofa on my own verandah. Opening my eyes, I looked around to see if the person who scared me was there. Although I liked to think that it was all an illusion, I realized that he must be the one who brought me to this sofa. Confirming it, he came from my kitchen with a glass of water and came towards me.

“Don’t worry, drink this first. I’ll explain everything.” Kei Hae forced the glass into my hand and sat on the other side of the chair. Looking at him, I drank all that water and placed the empty glass next to it. Now my thoughts are somewhat clear.

It was clear to me that his appearance and voice were exactly like mine. His style of clothing also reflected my style.

“Who are you?” Finally, barely able to raise my voice, I asked the question that had been haunting me until then.

He smiled at me. “Haven’t you guessed it yet?......................................"

Read the complete story on my blog, Universal Stories - Best Short Story Collection.

• Sasindu Jayasri – Please keep the copyrights