THE LIGHTHOUSE BY THE SEA

It was a clear weather in the sea side beach on the time of summer. I and my four friends were on
our vacation in this place. All of our colleges were off, so we all decided to take a trip in the sea
side. The weather was clear and we were looking forward to hit the sandy ground and splashing
water and the waves over it.
On the second day of our coming, we decided to spend the day only in the beach and have fun.
While Sonal, Rupsa, Rohita and Richick were paying beach ball, I and Ritban were lying
dormant on the shore of the water and relaxing. Small waves were hitting us with the cold water
and the striking rays of the sun touched our glasses.
Just as I looked around, a rather interesting thing came in my view. I took off my sunglasses and
saw it more clearly. It was a Lighthouse. It seemed very small as it was very far away. Even I
have seen lighthouse in TV or in the internet, but I never had seen a light house in front of my
eyes. I kept looking at it as if it was some rare thing that I was witnessing.
Hey Aakash, whats the matter? asked Ritban looking at me as I was staring blankly towards
something.
Take a look at that, I said pointing towards the lighthouse.
What is it? said Ritban as he also took off his glasses and joined me.
Its a Lighthouse, I said, But a very old one I guess
I didnt know this place had a Lighthouse, said Ritban.
Me neither, I said, What do you say we go and check it out tonight
Yeah, not a bad idea, said Ritban, In fact, we dont have any plan of going anywhere today.
Richick was saying that he was going to go to a nearest cinema hall for a movie. I guess this
Lighthouse will be better than that
Yeah, I said still gazing at the Lighthouse with appreciation.
After having fun in the beach, we came back to our hotels and got fresh. Then we went to the
have our lunch. Everyone was very happy. After a long time we were having a nice and
wonderful moment.
This is Life! said Sonal stranding his arms apart.
You are Damm right, said Richick, No boring exams
No boring Teachers, said Rupsa.
No all the time pocking around parents, said Rohita.
And said Ritban, No studying
As everyone rolled into laughter with many more topics, I suddenly remembered the matter of
the Lighthouse. Then I quickly rolled up in my seat to tell the others about it.
Hey guys, listen up, I said, Today in the beach, I saw something really interesting
Like what? said Sonal, Some nice UFOs and Aliens?
No, man, I said, A Lighthouse. I and Ritban saw it. It is not very far from here
Yeah, we can go and check it out, said Ritban, Come on, it will be fun

Yeah, why not? Not a bad idea, said Rohita.

Right, said Rupsa, Even we dont have anything better to go tonight
Then it is decided, I said, We are going to the lighthouse today
Yeah, said everyone in agreement.
It was the time of night. As it was decided, after having our dinner in the hotel, we all walked
through the beach towards. At night time it looked more beautiful. The sand was cold and wet.
There was cool breeze blowing in the place and the sound of dashing waves made the only
natural sound over their.
After sometime we arrive in front of the lighthouse. It was very old by both look and design.
Some places were broken from the sides. The glasses in the windows were also broken off. We
opened the door and went inside the Lighthouse.
It was very dark inside. A lot of spider nets were covered in the area. We felt a lot of furniture
scattered in the place.
I think it is out of use for many years, said Sonal.
Yeah, it is been left barren like this for a long period of time I guess, said Rupsa.
Suddenly as we turned around, we saw a girl standing in front of the starting of the stairs with a
candle. We all were shocked to suddenly see a girl in that kind of situation. But when we looked
at her closely, she looked like burning beauty in the candle light. She was so beautiful that even
we forgot where we were. But before anyone of us can start talking, Ritban went forward to talk
to her, I dont know why.
Who are you? asked Ritban strangely to her.
In a very low voice she said, My name is Shea
What are you doing in a place like this? said Ritban.
This is my house, said Shea, I live here
Ritban looked very much awakened at that time. I couldnt make out that he was nervous or
something else. Someway or the other he was acting very strange. I could not make out what but
I was sure that something was definitely wrong with him.
We are sorry, I said breaking the silence, We are sorry about coming inside your house like
this way
Yeah, said Sonal, We will go now
No, noplease dont go, said Shea, I mean, I I dont get too many visitors. Why dont you
guys stop for some tea please?
Yes, why not, said Ritban readily accepting the offer.
Thank you, she said to Ritban particularly.
My name is Ritban and these are my friends, said Ritban shaking hands with her.
I was not feeling good about the whole thing, nor did the others. But as Ritban had said yes to
her so we decided to stay for sometime. Then we walked upwards with the spiral kind of
staircase. When we arrived at the top most part, we saw the light projector of the light house was
broken and the window panes and glasses were also scattered into pieces. We all sat in a place.
Shea was sitting next to Ritban, very closely. Everyone was too uncomfortable with the situation.

But Ritban was not feeling anything at all. In fact he didnt even seem to recognize our presence
in the room.
Whats up with Ritban? asked Sonal slowly who was just sitting beside me.
Thats a very good question, said Rupsa who was sitting beside Sonal, Because I was going to
ask the same thing
He is acting really weird, said Sonal.
After meeting that girl, I said then I turned towards the others, Hey Shea?
Yeah, said Shea distracted from talking to Ritban.
What do you do over here?
I dont do anything, said Shea, I just wait
You wait? For whom? said Rupsa.
For someone to come back, said Shea drift into through, Someone who promised me that he
will come back. He said me to wait. Thats why I was waiting
Who?
My husband, said Shea and all of us turned towards her.
Who is your husband, Shea? asked Ritban looking at her.
She firstly closed her eyes for sometime. Then she opened them and there were tears in her eyes.
She turned to look at Ritban and then both of them were looking at each others eyes. As if
something unknown and unheard was going one between them.
Tell us, Shea, I said but she kept looking at Ritban, Who is your husband?
Who? said Ritban slowly.
You, said Shea and she drift into cries.
We all were like shacked from head to foot when she said Ritban as her husband. Ritban was also
looking at her wide eyed. But the more shocking thing happened after that.
The moment started to change rapidly. Strong winds started to blow. A huge thunder storm grew
in and then it started to rain rapidly. We all got in our feat, so as Ritban and Shea. Both of them
were looking at each other. We all were shocked at the sudden change of weather.
What did you say? said Ritban.
That you are my husband, said Shea, Dont you remember
No I dont remember anything, said Ritban starting to look away.
It was a stormy night like this. The nature was at its peak. The gods were angry that day. Very,
very angry, said Shea fighting back her tears and looking out through the window. Splashes of
water and strong wind were coming through it. Suddenly the sea also got uneasy. The waves
started to grow higher.
Where were you at that time Shea? I said.
I was here just as I am right now. I was watching the sea like this from here, said Shea crying
more, Twenty-sixth of November. 1863
As the weather grew harsher, we watched and listened to her in horror. Ritbans face was full of
emotions and he was about to start crying too. I was totally confused at what the hell was
happening at that time.

I was here as were you, said Shea and turned to look at us and then she and Ritbans eyes met
with eachother, This is the place where I watched you die
Tears welled up in her eyes as she said the last words. Ritban holed her tightly to him as he
knows this as well. Both of them looked at one another.
Your eyes may have changed shade, but it cannot color the soul behind them. We have come
together in this life, this time. Only to meet in passing, said Shea and she starts to cry more
placing her hand over her heart, It is so heartbreaking to wait
I know, said Ritban and his eyes grow tears as well.
I miss you, she said and then both of them hug tightly.
We all watched the two of them. But then suddenly it started to shake and a roaring sound was
heard. When we looked out, we saw a huge tidal wave was coming at us. Our eyes were filled
with fear. All of us hold anything that we got to support. The huge tidal wave was coming at us.
But Ritban and Shea were still hugging each other and in one place.
Ritban? Shea? I shouted, Get away from there
But they didnt move. The wave came closer and I through that it the time for the end of our
lives. Then Ritban and Shea broke the hug and looked at one another holding each others hands.
I am sorry, said Ritban.
Now we will live, said Shea, Forever The wave slashed over us and my eyes turned into
darkest end cant ever be seen.
NEXT MORNING,
SAME PLACE
As the sunlight rays pulled over, I opened my eyes. I was lying on the grass field. When I got up
and regained some consciousness, I saw we were lying in field outside the Lighthouse. I got up
and looked around the place. Everything was normal. Nothing seemed too had happened. At
some distance I saw the others lying unconscious on the ground. I went and helped them get up.
After sometime we all when everyone was back to our senses, we again went inside the
Lighthouse in the bright daylight.
Guys, can anyone light me on the fact as what happened with us last night? said Richick.
Yeah, and there was a storm, said Rohita, And we were stuck by a tsunami
But where is Shea? Ritban said lastly.
Look guys, said Rupsa, Something really weird is going on over here. We must get out of
here
Yeah, she is right, said Sonal, Lets go back to the hotel
Even Ritban was not convinced but still we decided to leave the place. We all came out of the
lighthouse. Just as I put my hand in my pocket, I realized that I had left my cell phone in the top
of the lighthouse.
O! Shit, I said, Guys, I left my cell phone upstairs inside the lighthouse. I will go get it while
you guys go back to the hotel
Alright, but come back soon, said Sonal and as I again went inside the Lighthouse, the others
headed back to the hotel.

I went upstairs and looked every where. After searching for about 10 to 15 minutes, I finally
spotted it. It was kept in the top of a book. Just as I took it, my eyes were stuck in the cover of
the book. It was a diary and on it there was a name engraved. It was, Shea Sen
I immediately realized that it was the diary of Shea. I took it and quickly came down. As I went
out of the Lighthouse, I saw that the others were still present their. They were talking to a person
whom I later recognized as a native of that place. I ran and joined them.
Hey guys, I said, Whats the matter?
This person is a native of this place, said Sonal, He says he knows something about the past
of this Lighthouse
What do you know? I asked him.
Sir, this Lighthouse has a very deadly and dangerous past, He started, It was made many
years ago, before I was born. A man made this for his wife. She loved the ocean. So her husband
made this Lighthouse for her. My grandmother use to work at that time in this Lighthouse. She
said that both of them use to love each other very much
What happened then?
Then a terrific tragedy occurred. In a year, a huge storm came. It was by far the most defrosting
hurricane ever. Everything was going astray. And here inside the Lighthouse, the couples were
having their last anniversary. The sea water was rising rapidly. There was no way out for the two
of them from the Lighthouse. Then it is said that the husband died by a lightning in front of the
wife. Watching her beloved husband die, she also chooses not to live. Then a huge tsunami came
and washed the whole thing off. Ever since then, this Lighthouse is like this, barren and broken
When this huge Storm did occur? said Rupsa.
On 26th of November, 1983, He said.
What was the name of that girl? I asked.
My grandmother once said that her name was Shea, He said and then he left the place.
We all watched each other in absolute silence. None of us couldnt say anything. We didnt have
an explanation to what happened with us last night.
Then suddenly something fell from inside the diary which I was carrying. I picked it up and saw
it was an envelope. I opened it and found a picture. When we all saw the picture, our faces turned
pale with fear and astonishment. But it was Ritban who was more stunned than we were. Our
eyes couldnt believe as to what we were seeing.
In the picture, two persons were standing in front of the same Lighthouse we were now seeing.
One was Shea and another one was Ritban. Both of them were wearing very old types of cloths
and the picture was black and white.
What the Hell is this? said Sonal.
Ritban do you know this girl? asked Rohita.
Not in this life, said Ritban slowly.
I think it is Ritbans past life, I said and everyone looked at me wide eyed except for Ritban
who seemed to understand everything.
Are you serious? said Richick.
What are you saying? said Rupsa.

Just here me out, I said, I think before this life Ritban was the husband of Shea. She is not
real. Last night what we saw was fragmented by her. She was staying over these years in this
Lighthouse. She was waiting for Ritban to come back. Last night her wait was complete and she
was released. Her soul is now free to go
But what are you saying is not possible, said Richick, I mean, this happens only in stories and
films. Not in real life
Then how do you explain this picture? I said and no one had any answers.
Ritban? said Sonal, What do you think?
I think sometimes god doesnt do well with good people, saying this Ritban left the place.
We all watched him leave and then again looked back at the Lighthouse. I wondered how strange
life is. There are so many stories, so many emotions that are hidden some where in this world
which are yet to be discovered and unfolded.
At times, I almost dream. That we too have spend a life the sages' way and tread once more
familiar paths. Perchance we perished in an arrogant self-reliance an age ago and in that act, a
prayer for one more chance went up so earnest, so instinct with better light let in by death that
life was blotted out not so completely. But scattered wrecks enough of it to remain dim
memories... as now... when seems once more... the goal in sight again.
What happened to Ritban that night was in his destiny? I dont know. But I do know that even if
we are leaving this place now, but our memories stays buried here. Up the glowing sand, beyond
the rising waves, where lies a Lighthouse by the sea.

By:Aakash Mitra