24

I do not hear him enter the room. I am too engrossed in my thoughts to hear anything.

My guest clears his throat to get my attention. I look at him but the sun streaming in from outside makes it difficult for me to see his face. But I know who he is.

'You do not have more than 24 hours to live. If there is anything you have left incomplete, finish it today.'

He waits for me to reply. I remain quiet. I am not in the right frame of mind to say anything. He leaves a few moments later.

My guest talked about things that I must finish. He knows very well there is nothing I can do. In 24 hours my people will mourn. Some will grieve; some will wish it had not ended this way.

I am sad that I cannot do anything for my son. He will be orphaned in 24 hours. He is too young to understand why I have to leave him and the circumstances that led to it. I hope he does not hate me for not being there when I should.

20 hours left. 4 hours are over already. All my life I wasted time on frivolous things when I should have set my priorities. I hope somebody will take care of my son. After having lost his mother's love, he will now have to live without his father's protection.

I wonder about reincarnation. Will I return? Will I go to heaven or will I go to hell? Can anybody tell me? I never thought my life would end so quickly. All the plans I made, all remain unexecuted.

The silence of the night weighs heavily on me. On one hand I want this night to end quickly. On the other...

I try to rest a while, but the irony refuses to let me. I am going to rest forever, after all. My mind plays back the images of my life. The places I went to, the people I met. Will they remember me after I am gone?

8 hours left. As much as I do not want to think about it, the reason for my being here keeps coming back to me. That fateful day, that long drive, that careless turn. The accident was fatal for the victim while I suffered severe injuries.

I have been here for almost a month. There was never going to be a way out even though the doctors gave my well-wishers plenty of hope. Now everybody has given up on me. So have I.

The last hour. I sense a presence in the room but I cannot see anybody. I do not feel alone, even though I know I am alone in the room.

My life on this planet nears its end. Did I achieve my purpose in this world? I don't think so. Achievers do not go out like this. Perhaps I will return. Perhaps...

My thoughts are interrupted. I see him, my guest, again standing by the door, exactly 24 hours after his last visit. 'It is time to go', he says softly. I nod my agreement.

He takes my hand and leads me out of the room.

I pause at the door and turn around to look. To look at the mortal remains I am leaving behind.