The Forbidden Door!

       “Have you ever entered that door before?” Claira asked as I closed my bedroom door.         “What door?” I questioned, trying desperately to figure out what she was referring to.         “The oak door that illuminated a white light beneath it.”

       Oh! 

       She was referring to the forbidden room. The room with the inconsistent door. The room that mother told me never to enter. Ever! The room was filled with mysteries. “Oh, that room…No,” I answered, plopping down on my bed, bringing the soft pillow to my face. 

       “Why not?” Claira questioned. She seemed to be quite interested in the strange room. Why was that? “Because my mom said to never open that door. It was always prohibited. Why do you care?”

       “Because I know where it leads.”

       The mischievous smile that graced her lips worried my obedient mind. Slowly, she made her way over to the bed, crawling closer till her lips were lightly pressed to my ear. With her breath fanning my face, my cheeks became rosy. Dear god! I’ve never had a woman this close to me before, let alone one that I was a tiny bit attracted to. 

       “Tell me, Anderson, have you ever wondered what was behind that door?”

       The way my name rolled off her tongue was enticing. My cheeks burned in her presence. “Yes,” I whispered weakly, “Ehem… Yes. But mother was very clear about never entering that room.”

       “So?”

       “So? So we’re not allowed in there.”

       “You’re no fun, Anderson,” Claira commented with a pout, scooting away and lying back on my bed. Staring at her still form, I wondered what she could know about a door, in a house, that she had never been in? What could she possibly know about the forbidden room, and more importantly, how did she know? And why was she lying on my sheets, lips tightly sealed, not a drop of information leaking from them? This was quite fishy. 

      “Where does it lead?” I inquired, a bit more demanding than I intended. Raising one perfect eyebrow, she smirked at the desperation in my voice. “You know the door is right there, we can always take a peek inside.”

       “I told you, we’re not allowed in there,” I reminded, frustration ringing in my voice. 

       “Aw, you’re such a bore, Andy.”

       “Don’t call me that.”

       “Why?”

        “Just tell me what’s in the stupid room!”

        “Someone’s getting angry,” Claira teased. Unfortunately, she was right. I never liked games, and she seemed dead set on playing them. “Claira,” I pleaded softly, “Just tell me. Please?”

       Her eyes softened as she realised that this was no longer fun and games. This door has mocked and taunted me my entire life, and now, there was someone who was finally willing to give me answers. My interest was once again piqued. I had to know what was behind that door without disobeying my mother’s strict command. 

       “Anderson, I would love to tell you, I really would,” Claira whispered, taking my hand in hers, “ But I can’t. Not unless you go against your mommy’s orders.”

       “Why?”

       “Because you would never believe me if I told you. You would only believe me if I showed you.” Silently, I debated whether the mysteries of the forbidden room were worth disobeying my mother’s orders. Was it worth whatever she fought so hard to keep me away from? Then again, when would I ever have a spontaneous girl in my bed, offering me the answers I desperately wanted? I mean, how bad could it be?

         “Okay, let’s… let’s go into the forbidden room.” Cheering at my change of heart, Claira jumped off the bed, pulling me along with her. 

        Silently, we snuck out of my room. Ensuring that the coast was clear, we made our way to the strange door. I swiftly turned the handle, pushing the door open, and we advanced toward the blinding lights. Shielding my eyes, I felt the regret weighing on my shoulders. But as I pulled my hand away and scanned the room, I realised it wasn’t a room. I had stepped into an entirely different universe. 

       Another version of me stood in a grassy, spacious backyard, chasing a little girl, her laughter filling the warm air. On the far side of the yard was a little boy curiously digging in the dirt alongside a large dog.

       “Have you ever wondered why the door was ever changing?” Claira questioned, smiling at the sight before her. Nodding slowly, I refused to look away from the picture before us. “You know how they say every choice you make can alter your future?”

       “Yeah,” I whispered.

       “That’s why.”

        My head snapped toward Claria. What the hell did that have to do with this?

       “Andy!” a sweet, yet familiar voice called. I saw the older version of myself look to where the voice came, and Claira was standing in the doorway of a white house. Only in this alternate universe, she has a large, round stomach and swollen feet. As I, the forbidden room version, stood, I caught wind of my bearded and aged face. A proud smile that reached his joyous eyes graced his face. He walked up to the pregnant Claira, kissing her tenderly, rubbing her belly.

       Beside me, Claira gently slipped her fingers through mine. With shock evident on my young face, she leaned in once more, lips grazing my ear, her breath fanning my face, “ Welcome to your future… Andy.”