How much more time do I have left ? – I asked.

“Till this candle burns down”, said Death, and then he lit a candle by my side.

“Thamasoma Jyothirgamaya”, I said.

“Mrityorma Amruthamgamaya”, said Death.

“Doesn’t that defeat your whole purpose ? I don’t understand – “

Death said, “You never did any way. You chanted it for most of your childhood without even realizing what it really meant. Do you have any last wishes ?”

“I want to pray one last time”

Death laughed, “It won’t do you any good, where you are going, there is no faith, there is no life, there are no Gods”

“I believe in my God”

“You, your beliefs, your belongings, the very ego that made you say “I” and “my” will cease to exist.”

“Well, then I want to play my guitar one last time”

“You don’t own a guitar, you always wanted to learn, you never did, you always believed you still had time and now your time’s up”

“What do people usually do when you tell them that their time is up? ” I asked Death.

“They beg, they cry, they scream”

“How am I handling it so far ?”

“Not as good as your dad”

“How did my father handle it ?”

“He smiled, and walked with me”

“Didn’t he ask any questions ?”

“No, he was happy, happy people do not ask questions.”

“Why am I waiting for the candle to burn down?”

“You can blow it up now if you want”

And with a deep breath, I –