Harish Escapes Hell

1^st Scene

(Yamalaya. Chitragupta And Vichitragupta were busy in collecting the details of the nominated people for today. Based on their Karma’s, Yamraj will take a decision whether they will be sent to Heaven or Hell. Now in the hall, there are four people standing, one of them is Harish. The other three are Mrinal, Amrit, and Nidhiram, respectively. Two guards were patrolling outside the hall door with their demon-like countenance. Yamraj had taken a short break, he will be here any time.)

Harish(annoyingly): Oh god. We have been waiting for a prolonged time. What the hell the Yamraj is doing?

Mrinal: Slow down your voice, idiot. If they listen, then it will be expensive for us.

Amrit: Yah, he is absolutely right. Don’t know we all are here for our Karmas? I am damn sure that we shall all be parcelled for the hell. At this circumstance, we must be very humble and polite towards them, otherwise they will extend our term of punishment.

Harish(laughing): You think so? Well I don’t know anything.

Nidhiram(in a whispering voice): Then what do you think? They invited us here to attend any party? Don’t act smart. Be ready to apologize to Yamraj for our deeds. He may pardon us and shorten our punishment.

Harish: Why the hell you are thinking that we must be named for Hell? Why don’t you think that we may have get a fair chance to be nominated for the Heaven?

Amrit(with an ironical smile): Because we are not stupid like you. Whoever knows you better than yourself? Can you recall any good deeds ever you done in your lifetime? It is not an easy task to get into Heaven.

(Outside there begins an announcement. His Highness is entering the Hall. Stand up and bow down to the honour of His Highness.)

Amrit: Stand up guys. Yamaraj is entering.

(Yamaraj enters. Chitragupta And Vichitragupta bow down and greeted him with a royal gesture.)

Yamaraj(sitting down to his throne): Excuse me everyone, I was a little late at lunch. (Staring at the four people) Oh, so they are those four people who have been nominated today for their afterlife judgement, well, Chitragupta?

Chitragupta: Yes, your highness, they are.

Yamaraj: Then why are you doing late? Start your business. Read out the details of their deed, one by one.

Chitragupta: Yes, your highness, here I am starting. Our 1^st candidate is Mrinal Basu, occupationally he was a pick pocket in the local train with a sharp hand. He was doing well, but unfortunately once he got arrested and was in imprisonment for several months. After coming out he left his old business and became a tea seller in Railway station. Eh, I have not found any remarkable good deeds that he had done ever. But I must admit that he had learned from his mistakes and never repeated it again.

Yamaraj: That’s well. But that doesn’t mean you have washed up all your sins completely. You have to pay for your deed. Do you feel guilty for your early deeds?

Mrinal(looking at the ground): Yes, your highness, every time every moment I feel ashamed for my past mistakes.

Yamaraj: Very good. Chitragupta, note down. From now, this man will be exiled to the Hell for 15 years. Observing and examining the conditions, future decisions will be taken. Well next?

Chitragupta: Your highness, our next candidate is Amrit Banik. In his childhood days, he had done a brutal crime. He was got into a quarrel with his elder brother over a bullshit fact. At the peak stage of quarrel suddenly he hit his brother by a sharp instrument. Subsequently, his brother died. After that Amrit was sent to the reformatory home where he had to suffer a prolonged time. That is all, your highness. Nothing more important to mention about his deeds.

Yamraj(turning his head to Amrit): Do you repent for whatever you did?

Amrit(In a tearful voice): Yes sir, every second. But sir, I swear, it was just an accident that was happened by my hand in that cursed day. I had no pre-planned intension to do so. You know I loved my brother a lot. Just that day the I lose my temper for a while, and this mishap took place. After that, your highness, I could never forgive myself for a single minute. Every time I wished God to give me a punishment for my deed. In every second I prayed for my early death. Now it is my time. Your highness, I am ready to bear with any punishment that is prescribed to me. I believe that it is the only path left to me for my salvation.

Yamraj: Well, keeping in mind the impact of your crime…umm..um..you will be placed to the hell for 25 years. After your term finishes, further decisions will come into action. Okay, Chitragupta, next?

Chitragupta: Well, your highness our next candidate is Nidhiram Patra, a fraudulent astrologer. Throughout his life time, he cheated thousands of people by his false fortune telling. Neither he had a valid degree, nor a proper method. None of his customers had got a proper treatment ever, instead he had earned millions of money.

Yamraj: Nidhiram, have you anything to say?

Nidhiram: Yes master, I do repent for everything. If I get another chance to live in Earth, I must rectify my mistakes.

Yamraj: Well, if it could be possible! However, Chitragupta this man should be banished to the Hell for next 20 years. Afterwards what should be happened will be notified later.

Nidhiram: Thank you Your highness, thank you.

Chitragupta: Well our next candidate is…(stopped and hiccoughed)

Yamraj: What happened Chitragupta? Is there anything wrong?

Chitragupta: Sorry your highness, I got little fainted. But from where I should start? Such a long list.

Yamraj: Let it be. You start reading.

Chitragupta(in a little voice): Okay here I am starting. Candidate name is Harish Chakladar. In his school life, one day a teacher punished him for some misdeeds. Next day Harish mixed a packet full of drugs in the tea made for the teacher. Soon after drinking the tea, the teacher started laughing terribly and had to be hospitalised. In high school, Harish was fond of football. In the final match of inter school tournament, Harish’s team had lost by a close margin. In opponent team, a boy named Raju was playing very well and scored two goals. As soon as the match ends, and Raju was on the way of returning home, Harish and some of his friends attacked on Raju and beat him mercilessly. After that Raju was never able to play football again. Police case was also lodged for this brutal act. In college, Harish was union leader. Everyone was afraid of him. It was heard that when election of the college was going, everyone but two in the college voted Harish in fear of him. Your highness, you can’t believe, from the very next day, the two students vanished completely. Never ever anyone in the college had seen them again. Not only that, the number of misdeeds he had done in college and after college is countless. After college, he involved into a group and became a notorious muffia leader in a few years. It is meaningless to mention how many murders, bankruptcy, wagon breaking, robbery, molestations and other kind of crimes he had done throughout his life. In short, he can be described as “King of Anarchy.” But this type of people can’t sustain for long. Harish was also killed by some assailant one day, probably sent by opposition.

 Harish also had weakness for ladies. You will be startled to listen the number of girls with whom Harish had dated. Countless number of lives had been destroyed due to Harish. But there is one thing where Harish failed to conquer every time.

Yamraj: What is that?

Chitragupta: A girl, your highness. Her name was Anjali Konar. She studied in the same college as of Harish’s. The girl belonged to a strong personality and value. She is the only one in the college who never cared the gun points of Harish. But Harish was determined to take her for granted. For this Harish left no stones unturned, but suddenly in a college programme, Anjali proposed another boy named Niladri Saha of the same college. Niladri was a brilliant student. Harish can’t digest the whole matter and started different types of conspiracy to break their partnership but without use. In fact, after college Anjali and Niladri eloped. Harish became more envious. But your highness, may be God was with them. No plans, no conspiracy worked against them. Harish never got to Anjali.

Yamraj: My goodness. Well Mr.Harish, I want to ask you a few question.

Harish: Speak it out quickly. I am getting tremendously bored.

Yamraj(angrily): You shouldn’t be such arrogant. You are in front of the great Yamraj…do you forget it?

Harish: Well I am sorry. But what is your question?

Yamraj: My first question, do you repent for your deeds?

Harish(in a casual voice): Well, not at all.

Yamraj: Can I ask you why?

Harish: Well, so many things left undone in the earth. You listened to this old fellow, so now you can clearly understand what I want to say. I was murdered. Two major things I must have to complete before anything occurs. 1^st, to take revenge on my murderer, 2^nd is to get back my Anjali forever.

Yamraj: You still think that what you had done was correct?

Harish: Is there anything for which I should change my views?

Yamraj: You are a very stubborn guy. Well I have another question. Since we all have now a clear notion about your attributes, but can you answer me why you kept Niladri alive?

Harish: Can you please elaborate, your highness?

Yamraj: Well we all know that you can reach up to any height to grab your goal. Here I astonished that you could take help of plenty methods to kill Niladri and get Anjali forever. You are so genius; nobody will get any trace or evidence. Still you were unable to do so. Was there any other plan?

Harish: You got it right, your highness. Actually I never planned to kill that guy so directly. Yes I can have different methods, nothing will be proved, i will be declared innocent, but Anjali will never believe it. She will always think that it was none but me. She had such a strong value. So I had to take help of different types of conspiracies, techniques. If I were successful! One thing I must admit you, your highness. You can forcefully get a girl, but can’t achieve her love and respect. I always wanted the two things from my love, Anjali. Ah! She was the prettiest girl ever in the world.

Yamraj(laughing): Love & respect..Huh! Now four twenty peoples like you also care about love and respect. It is hilarious. Well Mr. Harish I have nothing to ask you, as I clearly understood that you will never change. So exemplary punishment is the only proper medicine for you. Can you suggest what to do with this evil soul, Chitragupta?

Chitragupta: Your highness, this bloody bitch must be exiled to the hell forever. He should be debarred from all considerations.

Harish: Well, your highness what happens in the hell?

Yamraj: You will know that very soon. Now no more words. Chitragupta, you are right. This evil guy should not get any privilege. Now everyone, listen carefully. Vichitragupta will prepare four separate letters for each of you where the verdicts will be scripted. Each of you will collect your respective letter and then my subordinates will bring you to the door of NARAK RAJ. NARAK RAJ  will collect letters from you and then he will arrange everything as per my order. Vichitagupta, have you prepared it?

Vichitragupta: On the way, your highness.

Yamraj: That’s fine.

Harish: Sir, can I ask you a question?

Yamraj: What is it?

Harish: By which way we have to go to the hell? How much time it will require?

Yamraj: How are you acting so cool, you rotten egg! Don’t you understand the meaning of your punishment?

Harish: Yah, I understand, but I was thinking another thing. Your highness, when I was alive, people used to say that muffia Harish can convert days into nights and vice versa. So as I am exiled forever to the hell as per your order, I was thinking if the same logic can be implemented to the matter of Heaven and hell. I presume that I may convert the hell into heaven and reverse. And if this became successful, I can easily get my salvation.

Yamraj: How dare you thinking such bullshits!

Harish: There is nothing impossible in the dictionary of muffia Harish.

Yamraj(screamed): Chitragupta!

Chitragupta: Your Highness!

Yamraj(half fainted): I can’t bear with more. Keep this evil soul out of my reach! my breaths get shortened! My head is spinning! Bring me ice.

Vichitragupta(trying to convince Yamraj): Your highness, don’t get so much excited! I have finished preparing of the letters. Here you can see it.

Yamraj: Ok,ok. Darwan! Prahari! Where are you? (Two guards entered the hall and bowed down to the yamraj). Here you are. Listen, they are the four people who have been decided to be exiled in the hell. They are now collecting their verdicts and after that you will bring them upto the door of the NARAK RAJ. Understand?

Guards: Yes Your highness. Jai Yamrajer Jai.

(In background there a chorus began, “Jai Yamrajer Jai. Yamrajer Jai hok.” Harish, Mrinal, Nidhiram And Amrit collected their letters. Guards pushed them and instructed to follow them).

                                             

 2^nd Scene

(Along dark endless tunnel. One guard was walking at the front, and the four were following them, and the other guard was at the last of the row. Darkness became more prominent with each step forward. )

Harish: Where are we going?

First Guard(solemnly): To a very nice place where you can live like a king.

Harish: Ah! Don’t mess. I was asking how far we have to go?

First Guard(in a rough voice): A little bit more!

Harish: I see! But here it is too dark. I can’t see anything.

First Guard: What will you do by seeing? It is not your National Highway or any uneven place where you can feel helpless if you have no vision. Just keep walking!

Harish: My goodness! Okay Prahari, then lets a little gossip! I am getting bored enormously from the very beginning of everything. Well Prahari, Yamraj was very angry with me and was not ready to answer any further questions of mine. You look very sensible, so can I ask you what is inside the Hell, and what happens there?

First Guard(angrily): You have so much interest.

Harish: No, look I have been exiled forever in Hell. So I have nothing to lose. But curiosity is a dangerous thing. Someone had quoted that,”Jotodin Bachi, Totodin Shikhi.” The proverb means that we should learn until our last breath. That is why I ask you.

First Guard(laughing): Last breath! Yah you are quite right! As you will be there in hell forever, you always think that actual death is far more peaceful than it!

Amrit: Stop that nonsense, Harish! Are you gone mad? Several times I had asked you to behave yourself in front of his highness, but you listened to none of mine. Do you know what will happen with you afterward?

Harish: I am also questioning them the same question again and again, but they are not prepared to answer me.

2^nd Guard: Actually it is forbidden to disclose what happens inside the Heaven and Hell before one view it by his eyes. NARAK RAJ has a strict policy about it. Only I can say that it is going to be a nightmare for you all.

Nidhiram: Hey Vagwan! I never imagined that I have to face such a dreadful afterlife!

First Guard: You are all here for your Karmas. There is a law in nature, that is Nature loves symmetry. The sin you committed during your lifetime, has to pay back exactly the same in the afterlife.

Amrit: I don’t care. His Highness our god Yamraj has given me the punishment of 25 years. I will leave no stones unturned to fulfill this act. I will obey each and every order given to me. Thus, once I will be free from all sins and will get salvation. After that when I shall go to Heaven, I will meet my elder brother, he must be living there now. There I shall fell before him and beg to apologize from the core of the heart. If he forgives me, that day I will achieve my complete salvation. After that.

First Guard (stopped Amrit): Don’t be optimistic, you poor guy. Suffering in Narak is not such an easy task that you will fulfill it in a second and get salvation. You are sentenced for 25 years but a little of people can get salvation without further extending the term of punishment.

Harish: Listen! In the very beginning, I understand the place is not for any honest and gentleman guy. They will force you to go round and round! If any day his highness Yamraj dies, I recommend to parcel him to the Hell at very first. He is the best candidate for Hell, I presume. Not only that, but I also recommend that titmouse to parcel with him! The old rascal!

First guard(angrily): Stop your mouth forever, you asshole! You don’t know about whom you are using such languages!

Harish: I will speak that which I think correct. Yes, they two are intrigued! Intriguer! Intriguer! Intriguer!

2^nd Guard: Shut up!

1^st Guard: I will kill you if it would be possible. But now there is no time to argue. We have reached the end of the tunnel.

(In front there is a vague outside scenario. Probably caused by a dense layer of smoke. It is impossible to imagine what is on the other side.)

Harish: Is this the hell?

2^nd Guard: Not that! We have to go through this smoke layer.

Harish: Impossible!

1^st Guard: You don’t imagine what is waiting for you on the other side. So don’t argue, silently follow our instructions.

Harish: What if I don’t go?

1^st Guard: Then I will throw you into the smoke. After that, I will complain to NARAK RAJ about you. Then You’ll understand. NARAK RAJ isn’t an easy kind of guy, we know that very well. He may increase the daily dose of your punishment! If you don’t want that, don’t be such obstinate!

Mrinal: Harish, from the starting you are in backfoot. Don’t be many fools. Please, stop arguing and keep moving!

Harish(disappointed): God! As we are the passenger of Hell, we shall not be given a minimum privilege. I had an allergy in smoke, that is why I was hesitating. Well, there is no result of crying in the forest. Let’s go.

First Guard(laughing): Don’t worry brother, you are beyond your earthly existence. Whatever problem you had ever faced with your immortal body will not matter here.

(They started walking through the smoke layer. No one can see the other. After walking straight for nearly about 20 days, the dense layer started to become thinner. Slowly the front scenery became clearer and more prominent, after walking more than 10 days, the front scenery became clear as daylight. Everyone startled in a huge astonishment)

 

3^rd Scene

(Who will say that it is the doorway of Hell? None can imagine if there is a more beautiful place than this on the earth. Small mountains with a bluish touch surrounded the whole place, Rainbow has covered the whole sky with its thickest ever appearance, the sun is rising with its most beautiful look ever, a transparent river is flowing through the midst of this valley, inside which colorful fishes are dancing and the whole place is covered with lush green grasses. Only a poet can describe the whole scenery of his own words. In the front there is a mountain cave into which something is there.)

Amrit: Wow! Such a nice place!

Nidhiram: Is this the Hell?

Harish: If this is Hell, I am ready to stay here forever.

1^st Guard: Not so quick, you optimist poor guy! This is nothing but an illusion. Real Hell is inside that mountain cave. Let’s go there.

(They reached the door of the cave. Outside there two fierce-looking guards were patrolling. They stared at this group with an interrogating eye. We are denoting them here by Narak Prahari)

1^st Narak Prahari: What’s that?

1^st Guard: Well they are today’s nominee who is exiled here. Here are their verdicts. (Staring at the four), Please convey your respective letters to them.

(The Quadro submitted the letters to the 1^st Narak Prahari. He looked over the verdicts for a while and passed it to the 2^nd Narak Prahari)

1^st Narak Prahari: It’s all okay. (staring at 2^nd Narak Prahari) you convey those letters to the NARAK RAJ. (turned towards the group) Well, hence your responsibility finishes. NARAK RAJ will soon send the confirmation to the Yamraj. You may exit now.

(Two guards turned to go back. Harish was also about to turn back. But Narak Prahari stopped him.)

1^st Narak Prahari: Hey halt! Where are you going?

Harish: Well, you said to exist now.

1^st Narak Prahari: I have told them(pointing to the guards), not you. You follow us. Until Narak raj arrives and prepares your tasks, I shall guide you to the Narak and give you a brief overview of it!

(They entered inside the cave. Inside there is a sky-high front gate, designed with the different shapes of fireballs, hungry lions, and many other fierce looking countenances)

1^st Narakguard: Here the journey begins. Welcome to Hell. Please follow me.

(They followed him and entered through the gate. Inside there is a completely contrary scenario to the outside. Here and there sculls and skeletons are scattered. Thousand year’s hungry flames are dancing violently. Everywhere one can listen to the violent screaming sounds of the sinners. It is quite difficult not to be frightened for them who had entered here 1^st time.)

Amrit: How scary!

Harish: So, this is the hell, chum?

1^st Narak Prahari: Yes. Now listen. As you all know, the final destination for all sinners is the Narak or Hell. Now the next question is what is done with them here. Friends, here our NARAK RAJ judges the impact of all your deeds and assigns you the tasks until your term ends. You may be drowned into burning oil, or you may be kept in front of a hungry lion, or you may be imprisoned in a haunted outhouse, well it is his choice. But the main thing is that you never imagine how much pain one had to bear here. You will be paid the same amount of anguish that you had given to the people when you were alive.

Harish: I have a question.

1^st Narak Prahari: Yah! Speak it out.

Harish: Just now you have mentioned that in terms of our punishment you may keep us in front of hungry animals. What should we do then?

1^st Narak Prahari(laughing): Well, what do you think that you should do?

Harish: Well I must run.

1^st Narak Prahari: Well, it is your decision what you’ll do. But remember, you should run for an unlimited time for your survival. If you lost to the animal then it’ll be a nightmare.

Harish: Well, will I die then?

1^st Narak Prahari: No, this is the biggest irony of Hell. You’ll suffer the pain of death, in each moment, but you’ll never die. You have to endure everything.

Harish: Is that so?

1^st Narak Prahari: Have you any doubts? Thus, after your term ends, you will be examined. Two things will be checked, 1. Whether you successfully endure and perform your tasks, 2. How much your mindset gets changed. Based on that two factors, it’ll be decided whether your term will extend or you’ll be kept in hold or you’ll be directly shifted to the Paradise.

Nidhiram: Is the dosage of punishment same for all?

1^st Narak Prahari: No, that’s not. Already I have mentioned it. Likewise between two people, if one had a term of 50 years and another one had 10 years, then the dosage of punishment must vary. The worst-case occurs for them who are exiled forever here.

(Everyone stared at Harish)

1^st Narak Prahari: Yes, the tortures are merciless for them. For others, there is a chance you may escape. But for them, the privilege isn’t given. Likewise, you may be put into the cage of a hungry tiger, from where you can never flee. Or you may be pushed from a height of 10000 feet, or you may have to walk through a blast furnace. Among you who is that poor guy?

(Everyone indicates Harish)

1^st Narak Prahari: You(laughed)! I must guess it earlier. Now you are advised to wait here because NARAK RAJ is engaged with the other sinners. He will be free after about thirty minutes. He will give you more detail. Till then you may roam here and realize where you are now. I am going to the gate, there may be new candidates for today.

(exits)

Amrit(helplessly): Oh god! Harish, do you realize now?

Harish: You are quite right. The whole matter is very mysterious.

Nidhiram: Now you can never escape your punishment! It is all over.

Mrinal: You still had a fair chance to go back to Yamraj and beg pardon until you enter the Narak dwar. Why don’t you?

Harish: Ah! Don’t panic. Let me think about some news.

Amrit: Let him do whatever he wants. We are tired of convincing him.

Nidhiram: Yah! I also think so. But whatever the Prahari told, is that true?

Mrinal: Why he will lie to us? Keep patience, we will all be okay one day. Now let NARAK RAJ come in, then it will be all clear.

Amrit: You seem to be getting confidence.

Mrinal: Look we can’t escape. So better be prepared. Areh, who is it?

(someone enters)

Harish: Wait, I can recognize! Areh, it is our Niladri.

Amrit: Niladri? Means whose fiancée…”

Harish: Ah, stop it, don’t remind. But why he is here? As far as I know, he was a real gentleman. Wait, I just have to talk to him.

(Harish approaches Niladri. Niladri startled.)

Niladri: Harish! You are here!

Harish: Well I must be destined for here, there’s nothing to be a wonder. But I astonished to see you here. What happened?

Niladri(in a solemn voice): Well, as per Yamraj’s verdict I have to go to the Paradise but before that he gave instruction to me to visualize the Hell at first. It is a protocol of here, to visualize the Paradise isn’t successful without visualizing the Narak at first. It is also an alert to all Heaven goers as if any of them is found guilty or they don’t behave properly, they will be rusticated from Heaven and will be exiled here.

Harish: Well Niladri, here I get 3 friends, Amrit, Mrinal, and Nidhiram. Meet them.

(They greet each other)

Harish: Now friends, I have a request to you three. Niladri might be my foe in the Earth, but it is also true that we were collegemates and known to each other for a long time. So, I want to talk to him a little privately. You carry on roaming, and if NARAK RAJ arrives then inform me.

Niladri: But I don’t want to talk to you?

Harish: Are you still angry with me? Well don’t worry, I am not like the previous one. (Staring at the three) guys please!

Amrit: Move on Nidhiram, Mrinal we shouldn’t interfere in their private matter. Let them handle it.

(walks away from Harish’s reach. Harish dragged Niladri to a darker place.)

Harish: Ah, now that’s all fine. So Niladri, say, how are you? And how did you come here?

Niladri(angry): Why are you so interested on me?

Harish: Ah, Niladri, had you forgot that we are in the afterlife? Whatever jealousy, enviousness I had on you, now there’s left nothing. I am here who is suffering for nearly 500 years.

Niladri: Is that so?

Harish: Why I will lie you? After all, I have to achieve my salvation.

Niladri: Wait, wait. You are saying about 500 years. But how could it be..

Harish: Ah, don’t confuse. The time scale here isn’t similar to the Earth. You will soon learn it. It is different. According to that, I am living here for 500 years and suffering my punishment.

(weeps)

Niladri: Okay, okay just be cool. But tell me, how much time is left for you to get your salvation?

Harish: That’s what I am gonna tell you. Yes, I have completed the 500 years period of my punishment and now I got a clean chit from the Narak Raj. Here I am waiting for him, as after getting a permit from him, I will be nominated for Heaven. Niladri, I had spent so many painful days, oh what I say to you. It was so pathetic.

Niladri: What you have to do here?

Harish(in a flat voice): It is a long story brother, I’ll tell you the other day. But you haven’t told till now, how you came here, and how is Anjali now?

Niladri: I was returning from the office in my private car, unfortunately, it collides with a lorry. I became spot dead. Anjali was waiting for me at home. I don’t know how she is now. She loved me a lot, you know very well.

Harish(chuckles): Ah! It was so tragic. But tell me, what happened in the court of Yamraj?

Niladri: Well, Chitragupta read my story and Yamraj gave verdict.

Harish: Ah! Did that old fellow mention my name?

Niladri: Yes, he mentioned that the foremost obstacle of my life was you.

Harish: Anything else?

Niladri: No, nothing more! But why?

Harish: No, nothing important. (thought something) Well, there is a big confusion, old chum.

Niladri: What is that?

Harish: I had been exiled here for a long time, but never seen any Heaven goer visiting the Hell at first.

Niladri: Well I told you that..

Harish: Yes I do remember, but don’t you think the whole matter is very fishy?

Niladri: Why are you saying that?

Harish: No, I just want to mention that whoever visits the Hell at first, that wouldn’t go well for them.

Niladri: But..but why? Yamraj himself told me to visualize…

Harish(solemnly): Niladri, I am staying here for 500 years. I know all their businesses. You only followed Yamraj’s words, but don’t think the other side.

Niladri: What do you mean?(frightened)

Harish: Well I will elaborate. Yamraj told you to visualize the Hell because it is necessary, isn’t it? But if I say, he indirectly sent you here so that you have to suffer punishment?

Niladri: Why he will do such? And with me? Impossible. What wrong I have done in my whole life?

Harish(shook his head): I will say you a thing, you may not agree. Think about a good student, who always tops in his class. Is there any guarantee that he will certainly get a good job?

Niladri: Probability is high, isn’t it?

Harish: Probability may be high, but it couldn’t be cent percent. Agree with me?

Niladri: Yah, of course.

Harish: Similarly, a bad student will certainly be jobless, that’s not always true.

Niladri: Yes.

Harish: The whole matter depends upon luck. Luck governs our destiny.

Niladri: But why Yamraj had made such blunder with me?

Harish: I will tell you, they all are intriguers. In the court of the Yamraj, sometimes this type of blunder occurs for which many people had to suffer. You are the most unlucky one so that you had been fetched here.

Niladri(overwhelmed): Oh no! What should I do now? (started weeping)

Harish: Don’t be sorry, my old buddy! Yes, now I can remember. Nearly about 200 years ago, a guy looking very gentle had come here. I asked him about his punishment terms. He slapped me and told that he had been nominated for Heaven, not for Hell. Well, I thought that he might be true. But you cant imagine, in the next moment, Narak Raj came and called his name. He tried several times that he hadn’t been exiled, he had been named for the Heaven, but who cares. NARAK RAJ picked him up and threw him in a cage of a hungry lion.

Niladri(shivers): Oh my god! Oh my god!

(Stops. Thought something, then aggressively jumped upon Harish)

Niladri: What if you are trying to befool me? If I say nothing such happened ever? I know you very well.

Harish(trying to get rid of Niladri): Well I am telling whatever I had witnessed for this long time. You may disagree with me. But that is none of my business. Now there is no jealousy in my mind, I told you before. Few minutes left, then I will get my salvation and reach Heaven. I have immense respect for you, my brother, since when I realized my guilt. I wish my all anxiety proved to be wrong, and you reach Heaven. All the best.

Niladri(trembling): But isn’t there any way? I cant suffer at Hell for thousand years, at any cost! Have you any idea to rescue me?

Harish(thought a little): If you say, then I have a plan.

Niladri: Plan?

Harish: Yes, what if we interchange our position?

Niladri: How could it be possible?

Harish: It is very easy. Remember we are just souls. Souls can interchange their getups very easily.

Niladri: Then do it fast.

Harish: Put your hands on mine, meditate by thinking only about me, my look. I also do the same.

(They put their hands together. In a few seconds, Harish’s look changed to Niladri’s look and vice versa.)

Harish: Ah! Now that’s all okay.

Niladri: Does anyone notice it?

Harish: No, those three are on the other side. None have noticed us. The place is totally safe.

Niladri: Your getups exactly resemble to mine. You are changed to Niladri.

Harish: Yes you also look like me.

Niladri: How can I thank you, you have done such a big sacrifice for me. Can you endure my punishment for your own?

Harish: I had conspired a lot against you in lifetime. Now I must have to atone. Live happily forever in the Heaven. Certainly, you will meet your fiancée there one day.

Niladri: Thank you. Thank you so much! (weeps)

Harish: It's ok, it's ok.

(Meanwhile, announcement began, “NARAK RAJ is entering”)

(NARAK RAJ came.)

NARAK RAJ: I was a little late. Well, among you, you are probably Niladri, right?

(staring at Harish)

Harish: Yah I am. So may I go now?

NARAK RAJ: For sure. You must have watched the scenario of here, don’t you?

Harish: Yah!

NARAK RAJ: Then you may go. Tell the Praharis, they will guide you the path of the heaven. Here is your letter. (Harish collects it)

Niladri: But, NARAK RAJ, I am Niladri, and this is Harish. And, and…

NARAK RAJ(angry): Are you trying to befool me? No fraud business. Let's the go-ahead to the hall where you will be assigned punishments.

Niladri: But, but…

Amrit(whispering to Nidhiram): It must be his plan to escape from here, what do you think?

Nidhiram: You are true.

NARAK RAJ(in a harsh voice): Shut up! Chop! No more words. Come with me.

Niladri: I will not go. This Harish deceived me, he is a cheater…(weeps)

NARAK RAJ: You must go. (Dragging Niladri with his powerful hand)

Harish(kisses at Niladri): All the best brother. Have a good day.

Niladri(crying): I will kill you… you must have to pay price…

(NARAK RAJ and others disappeared from there. Harish came out of the place and the Prahari bow down to him. Then they left)

4^th Scene

(Again, a dense layer of smoke. Harish and the Prahari started walking through it. After nearly about a month or two, the dense layer became weaker and behind that what was waiting? None can imagine it. Never anyone had dreamt ever that a place could be such beautiful. To its beauty, even the front scenario of the Hell also faded. Nowhere in-universe there is an artist who can design it. It is nothing but a creation of God. All things here are golden colored, the trees their fruits, the soil. The crests of the high mountains also looking golden. The river which was flowing in the midst of the city is so transparent that one can easily think of it as a mirror. Colorful fishes were playing into it. Anyone must think that they might get entered into the land of Fairy tales.)

Harish: My God! Such a nice place!

Prahari: It must be. Not everyone gets the scope to get into here. You are fortunate.

Harish: I know.

Prahari: Halt here. I have to submit your permit to the guard. Then you may enter. (exits)

Harish(made a soliloquy): Ah! Finally, I visualize Heaven. It is a lifetime achievement. (closes his eye)

Prahari(came back): You have just done. Go ahead and enter Paradise. You are welcome.

Harish: Thank you very much.

(Prahari went back. Harish entered Heaven. He couldn’t imagine what to do. Sometimes he danced, sometimes he merged his hands into the transparent water and sometimes he lied down to the soft rays of the Sun. He just went mad.)

Harish: I must sing now. Ah, If there is anyone. I am feeling so alone. I don’t think here anyone lives. I must go to the other side.

(Harish started walking to the golden mountain. After some time he stopped. Someone was there behind. He turned back. Someone was coming towards this way)

Harish: Ah, what it is? Ah, it is human! More specifically, it is a woman! I must go to her! (Harish arrived at the woman). Areh, it is Anjali.

(Anjali stared at him. She screamed)

Anjali: Niladri! It’s you!

Harish: Yes, my world! How are you? How did you come?

(Anjali embraced Harish in her soft arms. Harish was overwhelmed)

Anjali: Nil, you know that day when I listened to your news, I thought it was all over for me. I couldn’t eat, couldn’t sleep because you were everything for me. How could I live without you? That is why I jumped from a highrise that day, to finish all bondages with my earthly existence. I believed always that we must reunite one day in any other world. Nobody can separate us. And see, it becomes true.

Harish: I wanted your whole life, my darling.

Anjali: I am forever of you.

(Anjali put her head on the chest of Harish. Harish smiled.)

Harish: You will never leave me, you will always be mine, promise?

Anjali: Promise!

(They both remained silent for a few minutes. After that Anjali broke the silence)

Anjali: Niladri, what happened with that evil guy, do you know?

Harish: Of whom are you talking about?

Anjali: Why, our inborn enemy, that rascal Harish!

Harish(hiccoughed): Well Harish? Umm.. he might be somewhere.

Anjali: He must have been exiled to Hell, don’t you think?

Harish(in a weird voice): Yeah, maybe. Yes, he should be there.

Anjali: Now he will never disturb us. He will never come between us.

Harish: Yes, baby. Let's stop thinking about him. Now in this world, only you and me!

(Anjali and Harish put their hands on each other. Then the two lovebirds started walking to the horizon, where the golden ground mixed with the first rays of the Sun.)