Shree's mind swirled in darkness, an endless void where time and space had no meaning. He had no sense of where he was, or even who he was—just a numbness, a void. It felt like he was floating, drifting, until gradually, something pulled him from that abyss.
He awoke, feeling an overwhelming sense of calm, as if he was being cradled in the warmth and safety of his mother's embrace. For a moment, he just basked in that feeling—the sensation of being cared for, protected, with no worries or pain. There was no stress, no exams, no pressure to succeed. Everything felt perfect, as if nothing in the world could hurt him.
It was almost too good to be true.
But as time passed, reality began to creep in. The comfort faded, and with it, a growing curiosity. Slowly, he tried to open his eyes. They felt so heavy, as though they had been shut for an eternity. But despite the exhaustion pulling him back, Shree's determination pushed him to fight against the weight that held his eyelids shut. With great effort, he managed to pry them open, though his surroundings were still blurry.
His mind raced, recalling the events before everything had gone dark: the bear, the cave, the disc... the last memory of his friends' worried calls. Did I die? he thought, a sense of panic welling up. He wanted to make sure they were alright. His body was sore, and there was an unfamiliar sensation of something being off. His chest tightened as he realized how much was left unfinished in his old life.
"Have I... died young?" Shree muttered to himself, a sinking feeling in his stomach. What about my parents? I didn't even make them proud yet... His thoughts ran wild. What about my party with my friends ? I haven't even planned it yet. My novels, mangas, and games... I didn't even finish maxing out the hardest difficulty! And... Shree's eyes widened. What about my girlfriend? I haven't even had one!
In a fit of frustration, Shree let out an exaggerated groan, his head sinking into the soft surface beneath him. "Ahhhh, nooo..."
For a few minutes, he allowed himself to stew in those thoughts. The reality of the situation felt like a bad dream. But then, as he took in a deep breath, something changed.
The weight on his chest slowly lifted, and as his mind cleared, he found his thoughts calming down. He pushed himself up, despite the lingering fatigue, and his surroundings gradually came into focus.
His surroundings were breathtaking—unlike anything he had ever seen in his world.
Before him stretched a serene waterfall, cascading down with a peaceful yet mighty force. The cave he was in seemed to glow with the soft light filtering through the mist, and there, standing tall amidst the mist, was a plum blossom tree. Its delicate pink petals drifted gently to the ground, swirling in the breeze like the dance of snowflakes. The air was fresh, almost ethereal, as if the entire place was bathed in a soothing tranquility that Shree had never experienced before.
He looked around in awe, his heart still racing, but now for a different reason. The beauty of the scene in front of him took his breath away. Where am I? he wondered, overwhelmed by the sight. But then, something inside him shifted. The panic and worry seemed distant, fading into the background.
A quiet realization crept into his thoughts. Maybe... maybe it's not so bad to die after all... he thought as he gazed at the waterfall, the plum blossoms, the mist that seemed to fill the air with peace. This... this place is beautiful. If I have to go, maybe this is how I'd want to go.
He let out a soft sigh, almost content with the situation for the first time since he woke up. Maybe he hadn't died. Maybe this wasn't heaven... but it was something else, something special. He closed his eyes for a moment, simply enjoying the moment of peace, the beauty of the world he had found himself in. It was so different from everything he had known, and for now, he decided to accept it.
Shree couldn't help but smile. Well... if this is the afterlife, I guess it's not so bad.