Our English teacher had asked us to write an essay. Well, it's not exactly a homework assignment. It's for a competition - I think. Anyway, I wrote it during the holiday since I don't have anything else to do. (What the heck am I crapping about??? I was freaking busy!) Whatever, here's what I wrote:
The Best Things in Life
Lia was ambling along a dilapidated corridor. Somehow, her legs seemed to know the destination even though Lia had absolutely no idea where in the world she was. At the end of the decrepit corridor, her legs took a huge step out into the light and came to a halt. As far as she was concerned, everything was white.
Lia squinted through the blinding sun and was startled to see a woman clad in white. The light dimmed slightly and after blinking for a few times, she could look at the strange woman properly. She was beautiful. She had very fine features and flawless skin. She stood tall and elegant with an aura of confidence and poise that swirled around her.
The woman smiled at Lia, the sides of her full lips curving upwards delicately. Wordlessly, she raised a slender hand and motioned for Lia to come forth. Intrigued, Lia obliged the woman and obediently took a few steps forward. Am I dead? Lia mused. Incredibly, she was not the least afraid. Not if she was with this mysterious, beautiful woman. It was strange how she could feel that protected in the woman’s presence.
“Dear child,” the woman said, the perfectly red lips of hers enunciating each word slowly. Her soft, musical voice rang like bells across the cosmic whiteness.
“Am I dead?” The question had broken through Lia’s lips before she could do anything to prevent it.
The woman chuckled softly, her laughter tinkling like wind chimes. “What makes you think of that, dear one?”
Lia stared at the ground, shamefaced.
“I’m afraid I cannot answer that question, my child. But what I could tell you is; you’re going to another place. A place where nobody ever dies.”
“You mean I would be immortal?” Her eyes widened at the seemingly impossible prospect.
“That is exactly what I am saying. But you might not find it the way you expect. I offer you a chance to decline. Do you want to stay there? Consider well.”
“Oh yes, please!” she said without hesitating. She had always dreamed of being immortal. She would never die. She would have infinite time. She could do whatever she wants. Time will no longer be an obstacle. She does not need to consider. Why does she need to do that when she knows perfectly what she wanted? She wanted immortality.
Lia stared into those deep, impenetrable eyes of the woman. “Very well. Now, do as I say. Close your eyes – and it’s vital that you do not peep.” Lia’s eyelids closed dutifully. “And don’t open till I say so. Is that understood?” She nodded with her eyes still tightly closed.
“Open your eyes…” the woman whispered.
Tentatively, Lia opened them and gasped.
It was beautiful. Lush, green grass covered the ground. The sweet-smelling fragrance of lavender and orange blossoms greeted her senses. Birds soared care freely in the blue sky. The cheerful bubbling of a nearby stream. The great meadow that stretched endlessly before her. A beautiful, little cottage with a blooming garden that was clearly meant for Lia stood somewhere near the stream. Lia was about to exclaim her thrill when she turned to find the woman gone.
She looked around her. There was no one in sight...
A week had passed by quickly and Lia had walked as far as she could and she couldn’t find a single person. It seemed that she was the only human staying in the immortal world. No matter, she thought, I have a world of my own! Unlimited power! It’s as if I am God…
Gradually, a month passed and Lia was starting to feel uneasy but she ignored the feeling and continued her life.
By now, Lia had turned into an old woman. Countless years had passed. As promised Lia was immortal, but she was not granted boundless youth. Long, white hair tumbled down her back and her skin was rough and wrinkled. Her back hurt from time to time and she was sick to death of being alone. Every morning, she woke to the sounds of the chirping birds, the warm sun shining through her window. And every day she did the same thing. Her life was dull and monotonous. It was the same routine every single day, repeated again and again. It was tedious and she loathed it. Despite the dazzling beauty of the immortal world she loathed it immensely.
She wanted human companions. She wanted her family. She wanted people who love her instead of the vast emptiness that had stretched on endlessly. Most of all, she wanted to go home. Home, to her family. She would never want to be immortal again.
Mortality…It’s the beauty of life. Would you appreciate life knowing full well that you are immortal, that you possess eternal life? Would you stop and smell the little flowers, stroke its dainty petals if you knew you had a never-ending lifetime to do that? And last of all, would you love and value your life if it is endless?
Lia understood it now. And she cried for the woman to bring her home. She had learnt her lesson. She would never want to end up in this hateful place ever again.
The woman had come. Her exquisite face emotionless as usual but it seemed that her beautiful eyes had softened a little at the pitiful sight of Lia.
“You wish to go home?” she enquired softly.
Lia sobbed uncontrollably. “Yes, oh yes! Please take me home. I’ve learnt my lesson!” She begged.
“Are you sure? There will be no more second chances. Once you leave this place, you’ll never come back again.”
“I’ll never come back for all the riches in the world! Please take me home!”
Like the first time she got here, Lia was asked to close her eyes. She shut them eagerly, keen to leave the horrid place.
“Lia!” she heard a familiar voice.
Her eyelashes fluttered open at once.
“Mother!” she jumped out of bed and hugged her mother tightly, breathing in her sweet scent, enjoying the feel of her mother’s soft curls brushing her cheek. It was such a warm feeling. It had been ages since Lia encountered a human being. She had forgotten the warmth and joy of being in the presence of a loved one.
Lia was delighted to be home again; mortal and youthful. She fully understood the message the woman had tried to send her. She knows now that the best things in life are her mortality and the love of the people around her.
