I’m greeted by a soft, supple touch upon my lips. Through the darkness that enveloped me because of my apparent closed eyelids, it was hard to tell what would it be which was enveloping my lips.

(Wait, why are my eyes closed, to begin with?)

Such a question would surely have an easy-to-give answer, wouldn’t it? Then, why can’t I do so? No matter how much time passes as I pondered on the plausible solution, an unavoidable feeling of everything being amiss invaded me and wouldn’t leave my very being. In fact, the more I try to think deep in my memories, the only thing that comes into the light is…

Nothing, at all… A full blank slate, a void that wouldn’t show the way of how this situation began, what had I done and, most importantly at that…

(Wh-Who am I?)

The realization of memory loss stirred my heart so much, enough that every heartbeat could be heard on my eardrums to its fullest as anxiousness coursed throughout my body, making me leave a trail of cold sweat down by my nape.

Just when I was about to lose myself with the racing thoughts, a tender brush parted away from my lips, and that enough was enough to bring me back to reality, squinting my eyes to the impending brightness, the troubles that I had thought suddenly vanished as calm reigned once again in my mind.

Of course, why wouldn’t I be soothed down once I saw ahead of me?

Once adjusted to the ridiculous light that surrounded me, or rather us, it dawned upon me that a beautiful woman whose silver locks of hair dazzled me with utmost radiance rivalled to that of the area. I came to understand now what was holding onto my lips, bringing a hand up to them.

(I see, if I was kissing such a wonderful lady like her, then I… Wait, no.)

There’s no way I could’ve forgotten my life as a whole by her beauty, let alone a kiss. I would remember her to begin with as a matter of fact. Despite it all, I only see an unknown face.

“On normal terms, you’d be right young one.”

Instinctively, I turn around to face the source of the voice. To say I was surprised is farfetched, there was a loss of words once I saw the imposing presence of a titanic old man, one with unending radiance where his face would be and a beard that denoted age and wisdom.

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

Between the impression and my fear, it takes me a while to finally be able to stammer. – (So, y-you can hear…)

As if confirming my thoughts, the imposing figure lifted a hand, hushing me on the spot and continued. – “Yes, I can read your mind. Don’t fret, I’m going to let you in of your current condition.”

I couldn’t help but feel chills running down my spine, not only for having some loss of privacy of what would be my safest place but also because of the last few words which were spoken. Everything screamed ‘unease’ with this whole situation, it didn’t feel real.

It took a while before the old man could word everything together, and even if he tried to sound calm, I managed to feel a faint quiver behind them. – “Young one, I apologize to be the bearer of bad news. However, you are in your right to know that you have perished, and have come to the Afterlife.”

He wasn’t kidding. Every word was the cruel truth, I don’t think he’d gain anything for lying to me about such a matter.

(Perished? When – No, how?)

A silence grew, and the more it did, the more deafening and despairing it was. I want him to be proven wrong but, as I turn around, I notice that everything is the same, patches of clouds with a pearly gold hue to them, and that was it. No roads, no buildings, heck, not even a soul but us three, including the still vigilant woman from before. There was no denying it, I truly died.

“Your demise was caused by the fall of your planet, you weren’t the only one who passed away either. You managed to reach the Celestial Grounds because of the deeds you committed throughout your life, however…”

He trailed off and it seemed like he wasn’t sure on how to answer the next part. Just when I was about to inquire about it, the grasp of a hand against my shoulder made me jump, turning immediately to see the silver-haired lady, whose expression was filled with grief and uncertainty, as she continued for the old man.

“You were quite shaken after coming here, more than the rest, so I was tasked by my Lord to erase your memories first.”

Like he said then, these aren’t normal circumstances after all. It feels like being slapped senseless, leaving me in an estate of complete hopelessness with no idea what to do.

“Well” – The voice of the man whom I am to understand is God, resonated a tad more hopeful. If it was to reassure me or not, I don’t know. – “On most cases, we usually clean everything up from the passing souls. Knowledge, emotions, personalities, common sense, philosophy, and all in between. You, however, are an exception if you so desire.”

I was about to answer him with my thoughts, but there was something I wanted to confirm, since my memories are non-existent, then I wanted to hear my voice to see if I was correct. – “What do you mean ‘an exception’?” – High pitched, but not overly so, soft and strong enough to be heard clearly without repeating myself, hopefully, that was enough to verify that I am a woman.

“As I said before, you came here because of your deeds, and they were quite grand as well. You are one righteous soul despite the hardships in your given life. That’s why, you get to keep your essence because that represents you, and they can continue doing so if you also desire to either live here or being born in another world of your choosing.”

“P-Pardon, you just said ‘born’? Am I going to be reincarnated?”