Not the End!

Chapter Part 3

Dhruv started pacing the floor. And this time it looked as if Tanya might cry. He felt guilty about his previous outburst. He had been too harsh on her. She was quite young and probably sensitive too. Neither of them were exactly thrilled to be here. But life had taught him to be adjusting and adapt to every curve ball thrown at him. Tanya probably had an idyllic life so far. Nothing to worry beyond her latest crush or boyfriend woes or good grades. She looked like she was in college. Such a tragedy to cut short a life so early. Not that he had reached a ripe old age either. But at the very least he could say he had lived a little. Thirty five years was a solid time. In medieval times that had been the average life span. So not too bad really.

The Guardian looked at them with kindness. He was just a facilitator. It was not his place to lead them by the hand. This was something they needed to work out on their own. He could only nudge them towards the right path, but the discovery of the destination had to be their own. Just as they would have to tackle the hurdles on their journey by themselves. He could only observe and offer a few helpful hints. That was all. 

" Relax. Breathe. Focus. Think calmly. What attachments on Earth could possibly be holding you back. Pulling you towards them, even though you are no longer part of that world. Some unfinished business, some deep sorrow, some inviolable commitment, some deep passion or love... "

" Zorro! Oh my God! Its Zorro! Zorro is pulling me back. That's my unresolved issue!And the only way that can be resolved is by me being alive again. So Poof! Work some magic and send me back! Problem solved!"

" Zorro? Your dog is the deep passion and inviolable commitment holding you back?"

" Dog? Pooky? No. No! I said Zorro! Not Pooky! although my darling Pooky must be miserable without me as well."

" Now I am confused. If Pooky is your dog, who is Zorro?"

" Zorro is my boyfriend!"

" Does he wear a mask and carry a sword? And undress you with multiple cuts?"

" What? No. Not that Zorro! His name is Zorawar. That's quite a mouthful so we all call him Zorro."

" To his face? How heartbreaking!"

" Yes to his face. And he thinks it is adorable. Oh god! Poor Zorro! He must be in a state of shock."

" So, Mr Guardian, are we stuck here because of a faux Spanish amour? That's her issue, right? Why am I still stuck?"

" I cannot say what your issues are. Those are for you to realize, understand and make peace. You each have your own set. They may be intertwined or they may not. Only you can tell. But I am here to help you in whatever ways you may choose to reach a resolution."

" Great! So i choose to go back and be with Zorro. Problem solved!"

" There is no going back to Earth. Once your soul has shed the mortal form, it cannot go back in. I am sorry dear, but you are dead. And that is how you will stay. Think of other ways you can solve your problem."

" While she thinks of more insane ways, can we discuss what is holding me back? Because honestly, there is nothing unresolved. I mean, yes, i feel sorry for my parents. But my elder brother is around to comfort and support them. I have no female Zorro pining for me. There are no inviolable commitments that i need to honor before i die. In short, I am in the free and clear. So why can't I move forward. And its not as if Tanya and I died together. So we are not a package deal."

" There are no package deals. So think harder. Think back to the last thing you remember. The last moment that you recall. Think back to that particular time when you realized you were going to die.  That will give you a clue. The last thing that went through your mind as you lay there, knowing it was your last breath."