The Unexpected Treasure

The Golden Treasure

I’ll always be with you

Aaron hadn't touched his dinner. The loss of his grandfather had taken a toll over him. He felt alone and depressed. But the worst of it was, he didn’t have any souvenir of his grandfather to hold on to.

“Dad? I want to find Grandpa’s treasure” Aaron announced at the dinner table.

Mr. Milan stopped eating. He set his spoon silently on the table. 

“Aaron. I have told you many a times. There… is… no… treasure. Your grandfather was nuts, thinking there's treasure hidden somewhere….. He lived a wasted life. Don’t waste yours”

“He told only the deserving would be able to find it”, Aaron defended.

“THERE’S NO TREASURE, AARON!! Don’t waste your time over such superfluous things. This is the time for you to make a career, not finding something that’s never been there!!”

“It is there!! Grandfather left it for us. You were just never brave enough to go look for it”.

“ENOUGH!! I’m not hearing anything about this nonsense anymore. Tomorrow, you are starting your job at the Miller's. I don’t want to hear any excuses”

Anger raging in his chest, Aaron left his dinner and stalked out to his room. He tossed everything that stood around him.

After a while, he calmed himself. He went and stood near the window and looked outside. The street stood lonely, just like the way he felt right now.... 

Of the legend I speak,

For it is what you seek

Sparing lives is not in its history,

Clouded as is by fear and mystery

It holds not what you seek,

But what you need.

Not far does it lie, beyond the cursed

A cold and dark place, is where it unfurls

Lies beyond the cursed.... cold dark place..... 

Only one thing that the Milan family held was cursed: grandma's necklace. But it was currently on display at the National Museum.

When young, Aaron had tried peeping into the room that stood behind the show piece, but his father had always pulled him away.

But now…… he was a grown up man!! If he wished, he could visit it now!! 

The watchman of the museum was snoring lightly in his chair. Knowing the museum’s main door would be locked, Aaron searched for an alternate entrance. A window lay open on the top floor, just out of his reach. But there was nothing that could help him reach, except if the watchman helped him in giving him a boost. 

The walls of the museum had been decorated with horizontal ridges all around. Aaron’s eyes lit instantly. He threw his shoes into the nearby bush and tried to climb the wall, by balancing himself over the ridges. He fell instantly. He tried again, but in vain. Determined, he tried again. This time, successfully hauling and grabbing the window frame.

Once inside, Aaron immediately dashed to find the locked room. Using a tool pin he unlocked the door. He inhaled deeply.

This was it….

He slowly pushed the door open, excitement and fear tightening in his chest. He entered the room and looked around. It was empty.

This cannot be…

Not believing, Aaron searched the room.

This cannot happen…. He had failed his grandfather again… He had lost him forever this time….

Frustration filled Aaron’s heart. He dropped to the floor and let out a cry.

“Why? Why did you ever tell me there was a treasure? Why did you ever make me believe there was something hidden here?” Aaron shouted at the walls.

He laid on the floor, dejected.

You haven’t failed me, son. I will always be with you.

“Grandpa?” . No answer….. He looked around. No one…  

  

Aaron closed his eyes and stayed there.

I’m sorry grandpa….

 

Aaron managed to return home. He made his way to find his own cold and dark sanctuary….

Aaron suddenly stopped in his tracks. Cold and dark…? Sparing lives is not in its history…. The cursed necklace always caused death…. and fear…..Beyond the cursed…. Grandfather always told us to look beyond our fears…which meant….

Aaron rushed up to the attic. Not caring about the noise made, he searched the room for the treasure. And there it stood, on the top shelf, covered in dust. Aaron climbed the ladder and brought the box down. It was locked. Aaron traced the edges of the keyhole. It had an unusual design. It had the symbol of the Sun. Aaron removed the pendant from his chain and inserted it into the lock. A small click was heard and Aaron turned the key.

Instead of finding shining ornaments, he found his old childhood toys that he had used to play with his grandfather and grandfather’s last used spectacles.

It holds not what you seek…. But what you need…..

Tears brimming in his eyes, Aaron smiled at the treasure.