The Journey After Death

The Journey After Death(Asmita Majumdar) I opened my eyes and looked around. I was in a dark, wide corridor illuminated by torches. “Where am I?” I thought. The last thing I remembered was that I was standing on the balcony of my house, looking at the sunset…and then I closed my eyes. I looked down at my hands and legs. They were smoky and indistinct. “Oh”, I said as the realization crept in. I was dead. I was in the Underworld. I saw more souls appearing around me. They were all moving towards the other end of the corridor, following, who I assumed were Angels of Death. I started moving in the same direction. But as I took each step forward, I saw horrible things. People dying, crying for help. The world engulfed in flames. Demons and Monsters of all sorts. Then I saw myself, I saw my past. The mistakes I had made. The crimes I had committed. With each step, my mind was inflamed with pain, guilt, and regret. I wanted to stop right there and end the pain but something inside me, made me move on, A voice inside me kept me going. Each step forward was harder than the previous. I saw myself arguing with my best friend. The next day I had received the news that he hung himself. I saw myself ignoring my mother’s calls. Some days later I found out that she had been severely ill and had passed away. So many lives I could have helped and saved, if only I had made the effort to understand them. But regret could not save them, and repenting could not bring them back. “It is over now”, said a voice. All of a sudden, all the pain ceased, and the horrible images faded. My vision cleared and I saw an Angel of Death smiling down at me. Tears trickled down my face. “What is this place? Hell?” I croaked. “Yes and no”, said the Angel. “It is the darkest part of the Underworld, but it is actually all in your mind. This was a test. Those who pass are worthy of Afterlife. Those who do not”, he gestured towards the souls who had crumpled to their knees and were crying and shrieking, “they are stuck here. They repent.” “What is to become of me now?” I asked. In response, he opened a door behind him. Warmth and light flooded out, filling me with happiness and content. I stood there looking at the door. Was I really worthy of going in? I had been an enemy to my own loved ones. Did I deserve to be at peace after death? But maybe, just maybe I would find my friend there, and make up to him. Maybe I would find my mother and spend the time with her, which was lost. I was not worthy of forgiveness, but maybe, just maybe it would lighten my burden of regret. I took one last look at the dark corridor, at the repenting souls, and made up my mind. I was different. There was a reason I was deemed worthy. As I stepped over the threshold of the door, a memory surfaced in my mind. “What happens after Death?” asked my daughter. She was ten. I somehow could not respond to my daughter’s innocuous question. It was really unexpected. But now I know the answer… and someday… she will too.