OurWord

A Package Tour

Mohan Das stumbled out of his one room office. An apology of an office; with a weather beaten or shall we call it elbow beaten counter.

A glass partition on the counter now almost opaque by smudges. The office boy responsible for upkeep was a rare sight. The fan on a hot day at best with all its good intentions would spread hot air.

Lately, things were on the mend. A used air-conditioner was installed that worked when it wanted to.

A computer and a printer were installed for printing certificates and receipts. It was a different matter, though, that the office always ran out of printer cartridge and paper.

Mohan Das worked at the crematorium operated by the Municipal Corporation of Jindabad.

Mohan Das walked to the bus stand, wondering how long he was going to live in this rigmarole. It was a noble role he had of serving, grieving customers with the death certificates of the loved ones.  Not all were grieving he conceded. There could be reasons for how customers behaved. What was common was that they all wanted to get out of the premises in a pronto.

Mohan Das lit a cigarette, inhaled, and went into a calculation mode. Almost 60 bodies on average daily during his 10 hour shift were brought in for cremation. Mohan Das grimaced and decided not to calculate the death certificates he had issued over the years.

Mohan Das managed a seat in the bus. The bus hurtled on not so empty street, threatening to send many to the crematorium. Mohan Das could see printing death certificates, including one for himself.

Mohan Das considered himself a forgotten soul. Somehow, he had slipped through the crack. The universe had no clue that he existed. After all, he argued that his work contributed to the process of sending souls to paradise. Here, he was not having gone to The Paradise Cinema Hall for a movie which was on the next street. He had not taken his family for a holiday, ever.

Mohan Das remembered his mother’s sermon, to be grateful always. He wanted to, but life for him was akin to walking on a landmine. It was akin to walking on egg shells when he would want to slide in silently to his room without being detected by an irate Rina, his wife, and their twin boys . The boys’ antics were an antonym of civilised behaviour.

Wondering what domestic disaster was awaiting him, Mohan Das walked home from the bus stand.

Mohan Das heard his name being called.

“Mohan Das, do you have a minute?”

“Another salesperson.” MD muttered.

MD looked around. This fellow does not fit a seller’s image. This gentleman was big. A moustache that could hold lemons on both sides. His eyes that could stare a person to death.  The chest and the bulge suggested prosperity. The abundance of hair all over added to his intimidatory demeanour. Mohan Das’s mind raced with possibilities.

Is he a Don from the underworld? Is he going to threaten me with dire consequences if I do not print out dummy death certificates?

“Mohan Das I am Yam Raj. You can call me Yamji. You can call me Yam or Mr. Raj as well.” The man bellowed.

“What is this all about ?” MD enquired.

“Mohan Das can I have a chat with you?” Mr.Raj said firmly.

“Trust me, it is for your benefit.”

MD was not having any of it. He waved the big man away.

“MD” the man roared “come back.”

MD, startled by the imposing tone, stopped and reluctantly shook hands with the man who sounded too bossy for his liking.

“I am Yam Raj from the other side. I am the Chief Operating Officer from Global Services. We have a lifelong contract with Paradise Inc for guiding souls to the other side. We also bring back souls to earth if their time is not up.”

MD was a tired man. He apologetically interrupted the man.

“If you have a business proposal, please see a higher up in our company.”

“No sir, you have been selected for a 12 hour holiday to Paradise. It will be my responsibility to take you there and back to your body tomorrow morning.”

MD, a perpetual courteous creation of God, said  “Yamji  I do not have the resources to go on a holiday. Now, if you will excuse me.”

“Have you read about Yamraj in our mythology?” Yamraj questioned MD.

“Tell me about it, Yamji. Our friend Yamraj squeezes the souls out and sends those bodies for me to certify that they are done and dusted.”

Mohan Das replied with ‘been there done that’ tone.

“Exactly, MD. I am Yamraj, aka Yamdoot.”

“You thought that the universe does not care about you. We know everything about you in this life and many more.

I can tell you exactly the nature of your deeds or misdeeds. The dates and locations. Your innermost desires and the names of your college days flames.

If that sounds frivolous I can tell you your marks in school college. I can, for the sake of convincing you, MD, tell you the locations of moles on your body. You know I travel on my buffalow. Now look at this car and tell me what do you see.”

MD as much as he wanted to see a car, was blown out of his wits. It was  a large, healthy buffalo he was staring at. Actually, it was the buffalo staring at MD. MD could imagine the consequences if this mode of transport nudges him.

Yamraj went on to convince MD that he was actually the Yamraj, the messenger of death.

Alarmed that his most intimate thoughts and minor skeletons in his cupboard were breached by this man; Mohan Das agreed to hear Mr. Yamraj out.

Mr. Yamraj laid out the process. Mohan Das was to go to bed at 8 pm. All he has to do was close his eyes and leave the rest to Mr. Yamraj.

” What about my family? My wife and the two goons would be looking to spend time with me.”

Yamraj smiled and said, “That has been taken care of.

Check your messages. Your wife and the boys have left for your in-laws. Your father-law is seemingly breathing his last. I have tweaked him a bit but the old man will recover. It is not his time.”

That night, MD waited for something to happen. If it happened, he did not have a clue. Was he talking to Yamji in his sleep?

Yamji held his hand and they seemed to be floating.

Yamji firmly advised MD to hold his hand and not let go.

“We are going to Kapadia Hospital. We have one more souls to guide to the other side.”

On the blink MD found himself looking over Gokul Babu lying on the bed.

Mr. Yamraj spoke softly,

“Gokul Babu it is time to go. There is no one in your room. You have led a very sedate life with no dramas. It would be a fitting end to your journey, an unsung hero.”

Yamji why was Gokul Babu unsung? MD enquired.

Yamraj explained.

“There are millions of Gokul Babu who have led an honest life. Accepted their responsibilities and fulfilled them. We appreciate such lives lived. Such karmas are profusely rewarded.”

It was in a flash Yamraj had transported MD and GB to the other side.

A pretty girl stood there waiting for the two souls. She acknowledged Yamraj with folded hands.

Yamraj blessed her and got straight to business.

“Rani the one on my left is Gokul Babu. He is dead. Please get Chitraguptji to process his this life records.

The one on my right is Mohan Das. He is not dead.

He is here on a tourist visa. Please get him an entry pass and MD you have to be always with Rani. The elders take a dim view of souls, not dead, refusing to go back in their bodies.”

Yamraj gave a thumbs up to MD with a smile.

” MD enjoy your visit. I will come and pick you soon.”

Rani took over and gestured MD to follow her.

“MD, look to your right,” Rani advised.

MD gasped for what he saw was overwhelming. There was a queue of souls waiting to be processed. The queue was spiralling over the horizon to nowhere.

Rani suggested ” Look carefully there is another queue not as long but growing every moment. This is where souls who committed suicide wait for processing. They wait in a separate queue because of not fulfilling their roles in life. The process is complex and needs many adjustments.”

“The souls need to introspect and be prepared to present themselves to the elders for reassignment.”

” Why is the suicide queue growing?” Asked MD

” Hopelessness is perhaps the main reason. Not meeting expectations, being too hard on oneself, rejections failures and a remorseless society.”

Rani suddenly was alert and motioned MD to accompany her into the room.

Rani whispered, “Chitraguptji has been here on this job for countless years. He and his team work every moment that exists. The souls are assessed here and sent for cleansing. The credits and debits are sent to the office of Elders.”

” Rani if your whispering with this visitor soul is done; Can we go ahead with Mohan Das’s application? I do not have any inclination to have a conversation with visitor souls. I have asked the Elders to stop this business of bringing not dead souls to our paradise. One has to be absolutely dead to be here. It puts my staff under so much pressure.” Chitraguptji lamented.

Looking at Rani, Chitraguptji continued, Rani, you know how it is. The epidemic, floods and wars have sent our organisation into a spin.”

Chitraguptji turned his eyes on MD.

” You Mohan Das I advise you to be with Rani always.

No loitering about. All visiting souls lose their orientation here. They cry and beg not to be sent back.

Remember you have a family waiting for you. Rani will take you to the edge and Yam will take you back. Do you understand?”

MD stood there realising that CG meant business. MD nodded and walked out of the room with Rani.

” Whew! CG reminded me of my maths teacher. His name was Meher Singh. He had no time for frivolous talks.”

” Meher Singh” Rani mused

” Rings a bell. I settled him in a school mentoring souls in mathematics. Mr. Singh was offered another life where he, as a student, would struggle in mathematics. He would also experience the pain of having a pencil pressed between his fingers. Meher Singh, in his life, believed in inflicting pain on students. He believed the pain would help students remember formulas.

” Meher Singh has avoided pain by opting out of a life again. It cannot be long before the Elders would be interviewing him.”

Rani smiled, ” CG has been at this desk forever. He is privy to all the information that a soul carries when they come back.

He has a firm exterior but soft inside. I remember on a soft moment he said that his job is so meaningful. His compassion for the souls has no boundaries. CG that day opened up. He said the souls with their stories remind him of himself. CG was offered this role after he had lived countless lifetimes.”

MD noticed a change of scenery. They had travelled while conversing, to a sea of houses.

Anticipating MD’s question, Rani said ” These houses are for all the souls who are waiting to be reset. The souls here are waiting for an interview with the elders. The interviewed souls are then sent to the resetting centre.

I will take you to the centre for you to have a brief chat with the elders.

MD hesitantly asked ” Raniji can I meet my loved ones if they have not moved on?”

Rani smiled softly. ” MD if you were fully dead, your loved ones would be here to receive you. Since you are not dead, I can get you to see them from afar.”

“Do my loved ones know I am here?

Of course they do. They are waving at you. The issue is that they are permanent residents, and you are on a visitor’s permit. The im- compatibility rule does not allow for close quarter meetings. It would be possible if you were dead. Moreover, you have to be back to the edge. Yamji can be very intimidating if we are not punctual.

By the way, how are you finding it so far?

MD murmured, ” I am absolutely mesmerised by the tranquillity of this place. Are these clouds for real? The trees are so green. The squirrels never seen them so healthy. Look at those birds; amazing colours and musical chirps.

MD noticed some children playing in the park.

“Aren’t they happy playing.

What about their loved ones left behind?”

Rani solemnly replied, ” The loved ones must be remembering these children every moment of their lives.

The souls are enjoying their moments here, but they are not oblivious of the loved ones on earth shattered by the loss. All these little souls in their subtle ways assure the loved one that they are happy and safe.”

How did you die Rani? MD enquired hesitantly.

Rani spoke without any hesitation.

“Many lifetimes ago. I was the only child of my hard-working parents. My father educated me . He wanted me to be a doctor. I chose instead to fall in love with a doctor. The doctor, with immense repute, chose to marry a rich lady. I was pregnant with him, and I could not have faced my father then. Those days getting pregnant outside of marriage was an irreversible sin. It still is in many societies.”

Rani smiled with a murmur ” It is a cliched story. I killed myself by plunging into a cascading waterfall. The elders were not amused by my reckless act. I have since then been on duty to receive  the dead and guide them. The elders want me to appreciate that a life needs to be preserved and lived to the hilt.

MD, who had begun to like Rani enquired about what lies ahead for her.

” The elders at some stage would have an appraisal of me and decide if I am prepared to live a life again.”

“Ok let us go to the Reset Centre. Can you see the large structure ahead? We are here now.”

MD was amazed that he blinked and they were already at the centre. Boy he thought these souls have no concept of distances.

Rani started her description of what happens in the Reset Centre.

“Every soul who has been selected to go back to another life needs to cleanse itself of the remnants of previous life. You acknowledge your negative actions and what could have been done better. Your karma accumulation over your many lifetimes goes into a Karma Bank. 

Do not get startled by the sounds you hear. Souls here cry in agony when they realise the extent of misery they caused to mankind and nature.

You will hear souls begging for pardon for all the atrocities they committed in their lives.

You will  hear souls laughing loud. Most of the time they are laughing at themselves for being stupid in life.”

Rani continued,

“MD, I know you have many questions, but remember you are on a visitor’s permit. You can not be privy to all the information because you are not dead. You have a life to live.

We will now visit the Elders Council building. The Elders are very compassionate. They can be funny as well. Do not attempt to fool them. The Elders know exactly the number of times you have inhaled and exhaled. And how many breaths are you left with. Do not worry. Your simplicity is your strength. Be truthful with your answers.”

It happened again for MD. Did he walk with Rani to reach the building? Was this just manifestation? Rani was briefing him about his impending interview with the Elders and the building appeared. MD looked at Rani for explanations.

Rani smiled, “We as souls can manifest anything. Manifesting materialistic gains is not something we strive for. As far we as souls are concerned; we strive to manifest our compassionate side of it.

Ok, we are now entering the building. If you look around, there are many souls waiting to be interviewed by the elders.”

Are these souls here by appointment? Queried MD.

“Yes, they are.”

“In that case we will have to wait for eons.” MD was anxious. He did not want to annoy Yamji by being late.

Sensing MD’S anxiety Rani assured him. ” You are not dead so you are in a express lane.”

“So there is elitism in paradise too” MD smirked.

Rani nodded her head.

“Not based on being wealthy or a celebrity. The elders fall head over heels for souls that have made a positive difference in other souls.”

Rani continued, “The Elders admire if you help push a broken down car. They will nod in approval if you open the door for others. You are a winner if you offer your seat to an elderly person. Your thoughts, intentions, and actions are clinchers for a good life, this one or the next one.”

Rani paused expecting a call from the assistant soul at the door. The assistant must have signalled Rani to come in. Rani held MD’S hand and walked up closer to the stage.

MD noticed there were no chairs. MD realised that he had not sat at all in Paradise. Maybe souls do not sit at all. MD concluded.

MD could see seven shadows overlooking him.

MD followed what Rani did. She bowed as a mark of respect.

A kind but firm voice rang out.

” How are you, Mohan Das? We hope you have enjoyed your trip to Paradise. We know you are bubbling with questions. We encourage that but it is not for you to know everything. We do not want you to get bogged down with theories that beggars belief. You will know all when the moment arrives.”

MD could notice mirth in the voice of another Elder who spoke softly.

“Mohan, how is your married life? As far as we can understand, you love your wife immensely. Your close ones have been advising you to plan your family. We feel you should have a baby girl this time. The girl will tone down the electrical storm in your home, created by the two lovely boys.”

MD shivered at the thought of another mouth to feed. It is all good sitting in Paradise these Elders can suggest adding another member to my family.

One of the Elders with a touch of softness spoke, ” We know what is going on in your mind that these Elders can suggest anything sitting here on their thrones without a thought for the person who has to provide.”

MD repented thinking. How could I forget? These Elders are masters in reading thoughts. He could, from the corner of his eye, see Rani suppressing her smile.

Rani knew the Elders would play around with souls suggest projects for their (souls) next life, which may sound preposterous.

A soft spoken Elder spoke to Rani.

“Rani, I understand you are eager to go back to another life. You have been serving the Paradise well. Chitraguptji has suggested that you will do better in your new life. We hope you will not cut short your purpose this time. You will be informed of your journey soon.”

Seemingly the senior most Elder spoke out.

“OK, my friend Mohan Das I am afraid you have to go back to your body. Yamrajji is on his way back. He is bringing many souls with him. He scowls if others are not punctual. Be good to others, Mohan Das, and enjoy your life. It is the greatest gift one can get.”

Rani held MD’S hand and the next moment they were at the edge waiting for Yamraj.

MD looked at Rani,  his growing attraction towards her left him confused.

MD loved his family, but Rani was attractive by her personality. Her calm demeanour, maybe or was she good-looking? Did it matter? Rani was a blurr anyway.

“Rani I am going to miss you always.” MD blurted out. His emotions flooded out.

Rani, in response, smiled and let go of MD’S hand. It was not the first time that a visiting soul had said that. MD, she thought was genuinely a good soul. His emotions were understandable, but soon, she would be a distant memory.

Her thoughts were intruded by Yamraj’s booming voice.

” Rani I am happy you are punctual. You will not imagine my workload in the last few days. Accidents, wars, ethnic cleansing, fires and tsunamis are killing people. Their souls are queueing up to be transported. The death department it seems has gone overboard in its drive to lighten the pressure on earth.”

Yamraj turned his attention towards MD.

” Come on Mohan Das it is time to go.”

Yamraj held MD’s hand and spoke softly ” Go Mohan back to your body and your family. We shall meet again.”

Mohan Das was woken by his wife.

MD looked up to his wife. He was dazzled by her beauty. She smiled mischievously and remarked.

“What is wrong with you? Have you not seen me before? “

MD recovered his bearing and enquired about his Father-in-law’s health.

“Oh! Father is fine. It was some kind of a bug. He has recovered well.

I have something to tell you Mohan. I tested the other day and it was positive. I am pregnant.”

“I hope we have a girl.” MD recalled the words of the Elder.

“A girl will bring balance in our lives. And please be advised, Rina, I am going to name her Rani.”

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