Hope Prevails

May

If I dare be honest with myself, I have probably been trudging along this dark track for days now and still, I see nothing. No light and no other soul. I am completely alone in this place.

I am beginning to fear for my sanity. How long will I be able to hold on? My hope is diminishing by the day. Why is fate playing such a cruel joke on me?

I have no problem with dying but why should I be forced to reside in such despair just because I am dead? Now I wonder what sin must I have committed and be punished for this severely.

No matter how much I try to think about it, I cannot seem to recall anything. I have always been obedient and respectful. I have helped those in need and donated a lot to the underprivileged.

Even though I was just a high school student, I worked at a diner as a waitress. From my measly wages, I made sure to share with those who were destitute.

Not once have I been in a fight with anyone. I tried my best to avoid confrontations. Although my mother was horrible to me, I still respected and obeyed her. If anything, I longed for the day she would embrace me and tell me she loves me. That day never came through.

My life was that of misery and heartache. It was filled with nothing but despair and even in death, I am still shrouded in the same despair. Will this ever end? Is there any hope for this lost soul? I do not have the answers to my questions but I am still hopeful.

As long as my body does not feel tired, I will keep walking even though I now feel quite dispirited. I will walk until I find my way out of this darkness.

"Aaaaaaaargh!"

It takes me a while to realize that the scream is coming from me. At this moment I feel a sudden gravitational pull an indication of my falling.

What I dreaded when I commenced my journey finally happened. Somehow I stepped in the wrong direction and I am now plunging to my doom.

"So long May. This is probably the end of your miserable life."

I say this to myself because who else would if I didn't? I just wonder what happened up there. Did I step into a pit or was I at the edge of a cliff? Sadly, I will never find out because of the lack of light in this place.

It seems like I have been falling for a while now. Could I still call this falling or floating? Although I still feel the gravitational pull, it is so slow that I feel as if I am floating.

After a while, I feel myself land on a very soft surface. I then quickly snap my eyes open and lo and behold, I have finally reached paradise.

The vegetation is breathtaking and the birds are colorful and chirpy. This is heaven! It has to be. Which other place can be this beautiful if not heaven?

I am proud of myself for not giving up. My endurance finally paid off. Has I accepted defeat, I would have still been trapped in that dark space. I am so glad that I took the first step and a thousand more. It was worth it.

Suddenly, I feel thirsty and hungry. I dash towards the spring and quench my thirst. I have never tasted water this divine! There is something magical about this place but I cannot pinpoint it.

Just a few meters away stands a magnificent apple tree. The apples are red and huge. Without a second thought, I climbed up the tree and plucked an apple.

The flavor awakens my near-dead taste buds. It is as if the juice from the apple is some magical elixir. Just one bite and I feel revitalized and rejuvenated.

I involuntarily let out a moan of satisfaction. Whilst I savor the sweetness of the red apple, I greedily eye my next target. The strawberry bush is not far from here. I am going to have my fill of all the delicacies of this beautiful forest.

Then I will take a dip in the lake. After which I will take a long deserved nap. Not wanting to delay tasting the enticing strawberries, I gobble down the apple.

Jumping down from the apple tree, I am suddenly spoilt for choice. There are just too many berries and other fruits in this place. Not knowing where to start, I suddenly feel upset. I want them all but though I am dead, I do not have any magic. Thus, I cannot be in different places at the same time.

Suddenly I hear muffled giggles behind me. Startled, I yelp and miss my footing, and fall. I cautiously lift my head and come back to face with the most beautiful and enchanting face I have ever seen.

The woman looks ethereal. Her beauty can never be contested. My jaw hits the ground. Her long raven hair reaches the back of her knees. Her eyes are sea blue and I see nothing but kindness in them. She has this comforting aura about her that draws me to her.

"There, there, child. Do not fear. I am a friend, not a foe. Go take a dip in the lake and then we can have a chat."

Goodness! Her voice is like a soothing balm to my shattered soul. She has not said much but I swear I trust her with my very soul.

Afraid my voice would cause an imbalance to the serenity, I just nod and head straight to the lake. Only when I take off my clothes do I see the scars on my body.

I had not noticed that my clothes had been soiled with dried blood. I almost scream but quickly clamp my mouth with my hands. Why wouldn't I be a bloody mess when I died such a brutal death?

Dejected, I dive into the water, and the rejection instantly vanishes. If I said that lady's voice was like a soothing balm, then this water is a healing ointment!

As I hold my breath underwater, I feel my soul being restored. As if am being mended whole again. It is a magical feeling that I cannot find adequate words to describe.

A hope so bright is installed in me. Suddenly, my future does not seem so bleak anymore. All the suffering paid off eventually. I just feel it in my bones. There is hope after all. Even in the afterlife.