Anil: A Son Beyond Tomorrow Chapter 4

 Anil closed his eyes, not looking outside. He travelled at light speed through the fourth dimension. Within a fraction of a second, he crossed it, and a flash of light appeared at the pod. As the light vanished, Anil appeared inside the pod. A heat wave was seen around the pod.

A group of scientists opened the pod using a button. Anil opened his eyes and saw the pod opening. He quickly got out and moved far away from it. Around the edge, he tapped his watch, and the suit retracted into it. Similarly, one by one, all four time-travel testers Vishal, Salim, and Godson performed the same process.

Pasapugazh said through the mic, “My dear guests please give a round of applause for our fellow testers who have successfully completed the time travel.”

The hall erupted with the sound of applause. Pasapugazh continued, “It was just a minute for us, but they spent days, weeks, and months in the past. For now, we will keep time travel in an isolation chamber and will publish the health results to the public within two weeks.”

A group of scientists in protective suits moved the time-travel pod to the isolation room. Pasapugazh continued his speech, “Now I am going to give you all a scientific explanation. How does the time-travel pod work? What is the pod made of?”

Godson, Vishal, and Salim were sharing their experiences with each other as they walked toward the isolation room. Godson said, “You know, guys, I saw people burning foreign clothes, biscuits, imported salt, and other goods. It was the Swadeshi Movement.”

Vishal said, “I saw the Sur Empire. I heard people saying that Humayun of the Mughals was going to come and destroy us.” Salim said, “I was in the Mysore Empire. It was a devastating period for the kingdom, the Second Anglo-Mysore War. People were cursing the East India Company.” As they were discussing their experiences, one person remained silent. It was Anil.

Anil’s mind was wrapped in various thoughts. Had the past changed? Did the VS Consultancy business succeed? Most importantly, was his father still alive? With these thoughts, he entered the isolation lab along with Vishal, Godson, and Salim.

The isolation room had four beds, a television, and a futuristic computer in one corner of the room. As soon as they entered, the scientists closed the door lids. Godson said, “Do they really need to follow this procedure? We have already done this test many times.”

Vishal replied, “Pasapugazh sir prioritizes our safety. Besides, staying here for three days won’t make much difference. We’re used to it.” Salim said, “Yes, but some of us spent days in the past. I spent three days there.” Vishal said, “I spent a week.”

Godson said, “Just two days. Hey, Anil, why are you so silent, man? How many days did you spend there?” Anil, who was sitting on a bed lost in thought, came back to his senses. He said, “Sorry, pardon me.”

Godson asked, “We’re asking you, how many days you spent in the past?” Anil lied, “Two weeks.” Salim asked, “Two weeks? Seriously? You spent that much time there?” Anil replied, “Yes. I was in Tirunelveli, my hometown, so I spent my time well there.” Vishal said, “I guess he treated time travel like a vacation.” Everyone nodded in agreement.

At that moment, a ringing sound came from the futuristic computer. All four of them moved closer. It was a call from Manimaran. Vishal accepted it. Manimaran appeared on the video call and asked, “How are you guys?” All four replied in unison, “We are good, sir.”

Manimaran asked, “Don’t any of you feel body pain, dizziness, or anything unusual?” Godson said, “Sir, are we doing this for the first time or what? We all know there have been no side effects so far.”

Manimaran replied, “I know that too, but we are dealing with time and space here. Tomorrow, when we make this public, we must consider every parameter. A single miscalculation could lead to a loss of life.”

Everyone nodded. Manimaran continued, “Okay, don’t worry about all this. Just spend three days there and follow the usual procedures. We will analyze your health and everything related to it. Also, your family members want to talk to you, so we’ve arranged that as well. Vishal first, then Salim, after Salim: Godson, and finally Anil.”

Everyone nodded again, but Anil felt hesitant. During the device inspection, he wondered whether anything would be detected, even though he had deleted the history.

Manimaran then ended the call. One by one, each of their family members called, and everyone had their conversations. The room filled with a range of emotions, happiness, excitement, anger, and slight fear over what they had witnessed. The time travelers also shared their experiences with one another.

One by one, Vishal’s, Salim’s, and Godson’s turns were completed. Finally, it was Anil’s turn. He took the seat and wore the earphones. As the call connected, Anil hoped desperately that his father was alive.

The call connected, and on the screen were his mother, Vani, and his brother, Shivam. Anil felt slightly confused seeing only them

Vani said, “Anil, what they showed on TV. Is that true? Have you really used that device so many times for testing?” Anil nodded.

Vani was shocked. “Whenever you said you were working as a tester, I thought it might be something simple. But seeing it today… a flash of light, you vanishing, and people standing outside it shook me completely. It’s far too risky!”

Anil said, “Mom, there’s nothing to fear. We’ve tested it every time. Every precaution is taken. The suit I wear protects me from any danger. And this isn’t the first time, Mom. I’m completely safe. Don’t worry; I even have clinical certificates to prove it.”

Vani tried to speak, “But Anil…” Shivam, sitting beside her, said, “Mom, he’s right. He knows his work well, so trust him.”

Vani took a deep breath and realized she needed to trust Anil. She said, “Alright… but by the way, which place did you time travel to?” Anil smiled and replied, “Our hometown: Tirunelveli.”

Shivam said, “Don’t you want to go anywhere else? You could have gone to a foreign place.” Anil replied, “I’m Indian. If I travelled somewhere else without documents, I could end up in jail and be stuck in the past. We understand the circumstances and choose a place that’s safe.”

Vani said, “Okay, leave him. So, what did you do in Tirunelveli?” Anil lied, “I went to Kuttralam, the beach, and just roamed around Tirunelveli. Nothing more.”

Shivam asked, “Did you meet any family members, or see the past version of Mom and Dad?” Anil told another lie, “Rules, man. We have to follow them.”

Vani said, “Your father would have been happy if he were still with us. But what could he do? It’s that entire builder’s fault. He scammed us and ran away with the money.” Anil’s eyebrows rose in surprise. Shivam tried to console her, “Mom…”

But Vani continued, “You know, your father’s dream was to build a house in the village and have a small business. But none of that happened. He was such a hardworking man and died without ever enjoying his life.” Vani began to cry, and Shivam comforted her.

Anil realized something chilling; nothing in the past had changed at all. Even though he had spent years there, trying to set up the business, nothing had made a difference. Anil said, “Mom, please don’t cry. Vani replied, “It’s nothing, Anil. I’ve already cried for years and grown exhausted. These are just temporary tears.”

Anil felt tears welling in his own eyes, “Shivam, take care of Mom. I’ll be back home within this week.” Shivam nodded and ended the call. Anil sat there, unable to fully grasp it. No matter what he had done in the past, nothing had changed.

Anil was completely stunned. His mind raced, he had spent a whole year in the past, worked on VS Consultancy, and even ensured Surya took over the business. Yet, how was it possible that the business still failed?

No if the business had truly failed, his mother wouldn’t have said that his father died because of the builder’s scam. Something had gone wrong. Something had disrupted his perfect plan. But what could it be?

Anil began searching for any evidence of VS Consultancy in the past. He compared timeline maps, scoured old newspaper archives where he had placed ads, and even checked his and his brother’s social media accounts.

But everything he had worked for, the huge empire he had tried to build, had vanished into thin air, leaving no trace. There was no sign of VS Consultancy. His father had died exactly as before. His family had suffered in poverty, just like before. Nothing had changed.

Anil remained completely silent, his mind still racing, wondering what could have happened. His thoughts kept winding around the same question until afternoon. Around lunchtime, all four of them sat down to eat. Salim said, “Vishal, put on a movie. I’m in the mood for one.”

Vishal replied, “Okay, but I’ll pick a classic. How about Avengers: Endgame?” Salim said, “I’m okay with that.” Godson and Anil nodded in agreement.

The movie started playing as usual. Half of the population had vanished, and the Avengers were working to find and support the world. When the time-travel scene appeared, Godson said, “No one would think while making this film that after 20 years someone would actually bring real time travel and the time travellers would be watching it like science fiction.” Vishal replied, “Don’t disturb me while I’m watching the movie.”

The Avengers team got separated. Banner, Lang, Rogers, and Stark time-traveled to New York City during Loki's attack in 2012. Rocket and Thor traveled to Asgard in 2013. Barton, Romanoff, Nebula, and Rhodes traveled to 2014. Nebula and Rhodes then went to Morag.

Banner went to the Sanctum Sanctorum to get the Time Stone from the Sorcerer Supreme. The person holding this title at the time was the Ancient One. Bruce Banner was in his Smart Hulk form. He asked the Ancient One, “Where is Doctor Strange?”

The Ancient One responded, “You have to go five years earlier. He is currently performing surgery about twenty blocks that way.” She then asked, “What do you want from him?”

Banner pointed to the Eye of Agamotto necklace that the Ancient One was wearing. She declined to give it. Bruce Banner tried to take it from her by force, but the Ancient One struck him in the chest, and he went into his astral projection form. In that form, Banner pleaded with the Ancient One to give it to him.

The Ancient One then drew a line between them and explained that it represented the timeline they were living in. She said that giving them the Time Stone would create another timeline, where they would have to fight Thanos without time travel. The present timeline would continue as usual, or perhaps even better. Watching this, Anil finally understood what could have happened.

Anil remained silent, showing nothing on the outside. That night, all four of them went to their beds to get some sleep. Godson, Vishal, and Salim quickly closed their eyes and fell asleep. Anil, however, noticed that everyone was asleep and quietly covered himself with the bed.

Then he took out the paper he had been hiding and a pen. He drew a straight line first, then a circle, and on the left-hand side of the edge, he drew a slanting line. He marked the main line as the original timeline, the slanting line as the alternate timeline, the right edge of the circle as 2038, and the left edge of the circle as 2005.

Anil whispered to himself, “So I travelled to 2005, created VS Consultancy for Dad, and came back to 2038. In the original timeline, there was no VS Consultancy, and I never went back in time. So when I did, it created an alternate timeline. Dad might be living in that branch of the timeline as a wealthy person, just not in this one. My efforts worked, but the results showed up somewhere else.” Anil’s eyes glared with intensity as he squeezed the paper tightly.

He tore the paper and ate it, then sat silently, thinking about what to do next. He had to bring his father back and stop the tragedies from happening. But in front of him stood the entire barrier of physics. His eyes were quiet, sharp, and waiting like a predator stalking its prey. Only time knew what he was going to do.