I could clearly see the policeman drag out every dead body one by one from the crumpled car. Mine was the last to be brought out. I had last seen the truck sway in our path at high speed after which there was all darkness. I felt up my head but couldn’t feel the gaping wound that appeared in my body that was laid on the stretcher. I could see the doctor unnecessarily checking on the pulse. I could also see the other members on the respective stretchers. My wife, my son, my driver, all covered in blood drenched white sheets. Somehow, I didn’t feel like grieving. Suddenly I could feel a lack of emotion. Nothing seemed to matter anymore. The prospect of being dead was something different. What next? I pondered. Heaven?
I kept floating in the air for some time. I could see the cities and gatherings from my lofty position. I had been part of that humdrum till some hours ago. Now it was all peace. I was on an automotive mode, getting driven to some unknown destination by some unknown force. A final journey to heaven probably. I fact, I deserved heaven, since all my life I had meticulously served people and extended all my help to the needy. I had also led quite a pious life, without addiction or greed or any other vice. I had always aspired to be on heaven asfter my stay on earth since my way of life guaranteed that.
I drifted through the clouds for quite some time before being viciously and swifly pulled into the mouth of a cavern. It looked an untidy piece of land, scattered with dirt and remains of human remains. The stench of rottten flesh and uncanny sounds emanated from the cavern. It had a pungent and repulsive atmosphere. “Why the hell am I here?” I thought to myself.
“Yes the hell is where you are.” The cavern seemed to read my mind and anser back.
“What?” I was flabberghasted. “The hell! What am I doing at hell?”
“So, what had you expected?” The cavern asked back.
“Well, I had done everything possible to be in heaven.” I said in a voice of protest. “Why am I being taken to hell?”
A guffaw of laughter ranged out of the walls and seemed to spread in all directions.
“Well, you believed in heaven all the while? How ignorant you all can be?”
“What do you mean?” I demanded impatiently.
“The tales of heaven and heavenly bliss is all farcical.” Sneered the voice. “This is the truth. You all are made to believe in the goodness of afterlife to keep the balance during your stay on Earth, nothing more. Everyone comes to me. Hell is the only truth.”
“And heaven?” I asked meekly.
“It is just an eternal lie.” Informed the voice. “Welcome to where you all belong….. To Hell!!