First of all, what the hell? The house looked ready to fall apart, and one would think thrice before calling it a building. Are the Gods going through some recession or something?
The hut was in the middle of a forest, and I could definitely feel a strong sense of calmness washing through me.
"It's the change in energy."
Alberto said, seeing the small smile on my lips. I didn't comment on the dilapidated infrastructure after that, since it didn't feel so important anymore. They could even have a shed covered with tarpaulin for all I care and I would still enjoy the serenity this place offered.
"Shall we go in?"
Alberto knocked twice on the wooden door and pushed it slowly, causing a creaking sound to disrupt the peacefulness temporarily.
"I thought you ran away with that soul, Noah. What took you so long?"
I wonder how the lady could be in such a bad temper amidst all this positive energy. It's a good thing that she isn't a human.
"I apologize Elize. Noah had to attend the emergency meeting, and he requested me to fill in. The soul woke up halfway through and we got delayed."
"The soul woke up?"
It was the first time the old lady behind the desk looked up from the stash of papers and peeked at me through her horn-rimmed glasses.
The inside of the house was just as I expected, and the ground was made of cement. The only furnitures it had were a table, two chairs and a book shelf that was stacked with records and papers.
"Come here, girl."
I looked at Alberto for some assurance and made my way to the vacant chair after seeing him nod enthusiastically.
"Give me your hand."
Although the woman sounded as if she was going to beat the hell out of me, her eyes were so soothing. Maybe that's how my mother would have looked at me while she was angry.
Just like how Alberto examined my wrist when we first met, Elize gripped my hand and closed her eyes for a few seconds.
Once she finished checking whatever it was, I could see a hint of sympathy in her orbs. Was I going to hell? Is she feeling pity for me now?
"Okay soul, you are eligible for another life and you will be transferred to the after life realm until you are ready to be born again."
Somehow, it felt like I just got appointed as an intern in an MNC. I won't be going to hell or heaven and I could even live again. That's amazing.
"Does that mean I was not a bad person before?"
Again, I saw that hint of sympathy returning to her eyes, but she covered it too soon for me to grasp it.
"You weren't either a bad person or a good one. But the deeds you have done for others have helped them a lot and you have gone through some human sufferings. Hence you are eligible."
Elize rummaged through the papers and took out a stapled set of records among them. She tore it in two and tossed it inside the almost full waste box.
"There goes your third life. Now, where was I?"
I wanted to ask her what she meant by third life but didn't get a chance as she was busy opening a stuck drawer and asked for Alberto's help as the object was adamant in not budging.
A white box of chocolates emerged from the arrogant drawer, and Elize extended it for me to take. The sweets looked too expensive to come out of a broken chest, and my mouth watered on seeing the delicacy.
"Will it transport me to the after life?"
I asked, taking one from the parchment paper.
"After all this journey, you think our transportation facilities are that boring and inexpensive? We may be low on income right now, but we will never compromise on the standard of our services."
So I was right. The Gods are indeed going through recession. I bit the inside of my cheeks to stop myself from laughing and squeezed out a sorry for offending her.
I thanked Elize for the chocolate and popped it into my mouth. The taste was unique and exquisite. It was the first food I had after being dead and even without the memories; I was certain that I have never eaten such a masterpiece before.
"Was that a welcoming gift or something?"
Alberto shook his head in amusement.
"No. The faces you might remember from your world are all erased now. Even if you see a celebrity in the after life realm, you won't recognize him/her."
I nodded my head in understanding. This was all so fascinating. I might even end up befriending Hitler and talk bad about him without us actually knowing that it's him. It's so sick but super cool.
"Please go through the rules and regulations. Once you are done, press your thump impression on the bottom of the page."
Elize pushed a clipboard and an ink pad towards me and carried on with her work. Alberto too was busy going through some random papers, so I just took the board and started reading.
RULES AND REGULATIONS TO BE FOLLOWED IN THE AFTER LIFE REALM.
THE CONTENTS ARE STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL AND THE SECOND PARTY IS LIABLE TO FOLLOW EVERY ONE OF THEM.
1. Should not engage in physical fights.
2. Wasting of food is prohibited.
3. Should always be answerable to your superiors.
4. No praising of any dark entities.
5. No new religion or political parties should be formed.
6. Individual differentiation will not be tolerated.
7. The guardians are to be respected appropriately.
6. Lying is a punishable offence if caught.
7. The guardians can give you any punishments if you violate any rules.
8. Harming someone would send you immediately to hell or extend the period of your stay.
9. The second party is responsible for their cleanliness and their surroundings.
10. The assigned duties must be performed without fail.
11. Trying to escape the realm is punishable.
12. Second party could select his/her choice of food, but should not force others to follow the same.
13. Women will not have menstruation once they enter the realm.
14. Entering marriage with another party is prohibited.
15. Initiating an affair with a guardian is considered highly offensive.
Note : Your next life form will be decided based on your behaviour in the realm. So be careful of your own actions.
"My next life form? Wouldn't I be a human when I reincarnate?"
I had multiple questions in my mind, but the note caught me off guard.
Elize pushed her glasses back to the top of her nose and shook her head in exasperation.
"If you behave like a human inside, you will be born again as a human. But there are souls that tend to behave like animals often. They will be reborn accordingly. Although your memories and past life are wiped out from your brain, there are some characteristics that will stick to you even after that. Either you can change it to be better or embrace it and face the consequence. Like I said, it's all up to you."
Why do I feel like I am being sent to a juvenile detention center? If the waiting realm is so strict, then what about hell? And I don't think heaven will let you do anything you want either.
"I don't have any other choice but to sign, right?"
I asked, already knowing the answer.
"Actually, you have. If the dead doesn't want to be reborn and cannot enter hell or heaven, as in your case, the soul can be destroyed into star dust. Do you want to select that option?"
I blinked thrice, waiting for the two supernatural beings to either laugh at their own joke or mock me for believing them. But nothing happened. Elize was still waiting for my response and I could see nervousness in Alberto's face.
Not waiting any longer, I took the ink pad and pressed my thumb hard before copying the impression on the paper.
I heard an almost inaudible sigh escaping from my guide's lips, and I knew that I narrowly escaped my extinction.
Elize took the papers from me and arranged it into a thin file before taking the receiver of an old telephone that was placed at the end of the table. I didn't see her circling the numbers, but from the looks of it, the call was already connected. What kind of network do they use?
"Shall I send VR6792?"
I heard static coming from the other side, and Elize shuffled through the papers absentmindedly.
"Okay..... Hmm.... Name? I didn't put one... It's a woman... Bethany?.... Alright son."
She placed the receiver back, and for the first time, I saw a smile playing on her lips. The other guy must be super close to her.
"From now on, you will be called as Bethany. You are twenty-six years old. You will stay in the realm for six months, but that would be more than half a millennium in the human world. Hold this file and show it to the Angel standing outside the gate. Any questions?"
I was still processing 'half a millennium', but didn't want to sound like a fool by asking it out loud. Of course, I already knew that the time zone was different from Alberto.
I thanked her and accepted the file with both my hands. I do not know if I would see her again and wanted to give a goodbye hug, but my common sense came to my rescue. It's the freaking energy that is making me think so irrationally.
Alberto guided me to outside and just when I thought that I could breathe again, Elize walked out of the house with a full waste box. She didn't even turn our way and headed to an empty space near a large tree. Was she going to burn it? Nah, it would definitely cause a forest fire.
My eyes widened when I saw the pile of papers that was dumped on the ground vanishing and instead a small plant broke out from the ground.
"Isn't our recycling method amazing?"
I responded to Alberto's question with a thumbs up and watched Elize getting back to the house. She didn't even wave at me or even glance our way. Although it did hurt me a little, I reminded myself that this situation must be new for me, but not for her.
"This way, Bethany."
I smiled shyly on hearing my new name and followed him to the middle of the forest. After walking for some time, a small hut became visible. It was so small that I doubted if it could fit a sleeping man without having to bend his knees.
"Get in and close the door shut. Count from one to twenty four and open the door again. You will be in the other dimension. It was nice to work for you Bethany."
I grimaced on hearing that we have to part ways. He was the first person who talked to me after I was dead. How can I not feel that connection?
"So, I will not see you again?"
Somehow, the thought made me sad.
"Of course, I will. We have permission to visit the realms often and I would definitely see you."
My face brightened up and out of excitement, I threw my arms around his shoulder and hugged him close.
"I don't know about you, but for me, you are my first friend. And I am glad that Noah couldn't make it. No offence though."
Alberto laughed and patted my back with care.
"I consider you as a friend too. Now go in and be a good girl. I will visit you."
I squeezed Albert for the last time and slowly climbed the wooden stairs. Once I was inside, he waved at me and I waved back before closing the door.
After life realm, here I come.
.............