The Pain

Hold on! The last scream I heard.

The flickering light of the torch was overpowering my eyes. Strangely I felt no glare. My sight was now poised. Gradually my vision was diverging to a new spectrum.

Suddenly all vanished! I could see only darkness. It was not the existential darkness, but it was limitless. I was staring at the unfathomable darkness. No, I was unable to navigate my direction with my will. I was moving…

A faint blob of light was seen. It was getting bigger. The light was gradually approaching towards me. Now I could see a full celestial panorama of the brightness all around me.

“Look up my friend!” a divine voice resonated from the back.

I looked back. A divine man was staring at me. His eyes were wistful & glorious. His entire body was suffused with a magical aura. The radiance of his face was vivacious. I had never seen the man before.

“Who are you?” I said.

“A traveler like you!” he replied.

“A traveler?”

“Yes!”

“But how do you know me?” I asked.

“Here everybody knows each other. Because everybody is a traveler here!” he said.

“I don’t know where the path leads,” I said.

“The path is never-ending here,” he said.

“But I have to find the right path to return,” I said vehemently.

“Follow me!” he said with a smile.

I followed the divine man being completely unaware of the intervening path. Suddenly he paused.

“I have to return! My chest is soring with pain.” I cried.

“The pain is momentary my friend. You can cure it,” he said.

“Please guide me to find the path,” I said with a whimper.

“You still have to fight the battle,” he uttered emphatically.

“Battle?”

“Yes.”

“No, I just have to return. My chest is soring uncontrollably.” I said.

“Your pain is your battle,” he said.

“Please! Show me the way to return.” I cried.

“Follow me!” he said again with a smile.

I followed the divine man again. A deep chasm appeared. We stopped at the highest point.

“You can’t proceed further,” he said.

“Why?” I asked.

“Because you still have to fight the battle,” he replied.

“But I have to find the path,” I mumbled.

“Your freedom is your path.” he quibbled.

“How can I seek that freedom?” I asked.

“Chant my name silently,” he answered.

“What is your name?” I asked.

“Time,” he replied with a smile.

Suddenly all vanished! I could see only darkness. But my eyes were closed. I opened my eyes.

An arid battlefield appeared. I was lying amidst the countless dead bodies. A man was shaking my hands frantically. I looked at him. “The liar shot a bullet through your chest!” he cried out.

But I felt a tingle at my chest, like an ice-cube placed there!!!!!!!