Sleep Paralysis

By Shravani Shetty

"Hello doctor how is she now?"

"All the external injuries have been treated and all the bullets in her body is removed but....I am afraid to tell you sir that I have very rarely witnessed such cases. I have researched on behaviours of the patients but the behaviour that was seen in her during the operation and is seen now is something very rare. I guess she is having sleep paralysis and to confirm it I checked her medical reports which was provided to me by you and it is clear that my assumption about her situation is very...very accurate. Now if she gets sleep paralysis in the next 24 hrs and doesn't wake up from her dream.....I am sorry but I don't think we can save her...."

I couldn't see anything, I only remember that I was on a mission and I got shot by that Mafia. 

I could hear someone's footsteps, by the sound of it I can say that it was no ordinary human being but a giant beast. I don't even know how to describe his horrific features..... Ten Crimson eyes filled with rage and lust, teeth and claws sharper than any sharpest knife existing. Body was so giant that he could easily lift and balance ten huge mountains on his fingertips. Getting in contact with his body meant hammering yourself with nails, as his body hair were as spiky as a nail. It was clear that I am fighting something way more horrifying than death with no powerful weapon.

"Go for it my child, I have your back."

I heard someone utter these words.....it felt like the time froze. I turned around and a bright beam of light came straight to my eyes and I saw a beautiful woman in an Indian attire sitting on a lion holding all the power that I needed in life. I could say that the Goddess appeared right in front of me to help me in this situation. The calmness in her eyes comforted me, her beauty amazed me, her aura gave me goose bumps, her voice was deep and she sounded bold. I with all the respect and devotion that I had bowed down to her, touched her feet and I was kneeling down....... and in a very soft voice I started the conversation.

"Mother, I salute and bow to you"

"You remembered me my child, so how can I not come and help you? Tell me my child, what do you wish for?"

"Mother... please guide me, how can I get out of this problem?"

"Get out of this problem, you mean you want to run away from this beast. My child you come from a land that gave birth to great warriors and even you know that your ancestors were one of them. Instead I can only guide you to kill this beast, that is end this situation cause if you run away once, this beast would chase you for life, but if you dare to kill him and succeed, you won't even spot him around you, but if you try hard to kill him but don't succeed, you will at least die with dignity and with no regret. So tell me what do you choose? Getting out of this problem or ending this problem?"

I was too stunned to speak but still I grabbed my courage and said,

"Mother, I would go for ending it forever and I wish to maintain the legacy of my ancestors, I will fight my problems and won't disappoint you and my ancestors. O Mother, I want you to bless me and guide my actions."

"Vijay bhava, Putri "(blessing for victory)

A sword appeared right in front of me and now I was dedicated and fearless knowing that someone has my back. The beast came back to his senses and rushed towards me. I very calmly tightened my grip with the sword and then slashed him three times but it didn't cause any damage to him. He got more aggressive and he attacked me but I survived somehow. This went on and on for a very long time. I tried again and I failed but I still kept trying but there were no marks on his body ... he's body was regenerating and he healed just in a few seconds....I was about to cry for it but I was holding my tears back...I was in extreme pain with over hundred scratch marks on my body. Now, I was at the peak of my patience....I was almost about to lose my mind..... So before that beast came towards me again...I rushed towards him...with the tightest grip on my sword and slashed him right in the middle and it actually tore half of his body apart and I continued to slash him so that he could not regenerate and to my surprise I realised that I was slashing his body with the speed of light making him unable to regenerate his body or attack me in any way.

"In the Holy name of Goddess Durga, I shall PERISH you!!"

And saying that I killed him with my last slash filled with all the rage and grudge I was holding against him.

And after this I finally came to my senses.

"Hello ma'am, I am glad you are awake."

"Where am I? And who are you?"

"I am the doctor who treated you and did your operation."

"Oh... thank you for the help doctor"

"Well I have to admit you are great."

"What happened exactly?" I asked out of curiosity.

"You were shot on the shoulder but there were some external injuries near the head. These injuries might also sometimes effect the thinking of the person. I won't say that you were in coma because the human body does move a bit when it is in coma but you were in your senses but all your focus was drawn to your dreams due to your sleep paralysis, and I guess that's the reason why your body didn't show any movement, which never happened before.... in any of the cases that I witnessed or learnt about, so a big thanks to you as well as I got to witness and learn something new."

"Oh....I didn't realise it was a dream."

The doctor laughed and said "People rarely realise that they are having a dream...it is just that the dream feels very real"

"I guess I can agree with you."

"We are so glad you are okay....now heal quickly your missions are piling up and waiting for you champion!" One of my teammates exclaimed.

After that I can say that I never had sleep paralysis....it is kind of rare for such things to happen but I guess I have the blessings of the Goddess. I finally was able to overcome my problem and all I want to say if I can overcome my problems, then anybody can ....with belief in God and in one self, determination and courage. Now, moving on to my next mission.....    

By Shravani Shetty