The Waiting Room

This was unexpected. As an atheist, a non-believer, it was a surprise to Hana to end up in the waiting room for Heaven and Hell. It was a simple waiting room, much like the ones back on Earth. She didn't know how she knew, but it was the waiting room for Heaven and Hell. She knew she just passed away, she knew what happened. An accident... Ha... She shook her head, no, it can't be. Not wanting to believe it, she tried to reason with herself that it was just a weird dream. However, the strange feeling of knowledge over her death wouldn't go away.

She looked around, noticing a single door; the only exit in the room. She approached it, hesitantly reaching for the door handle. But before she could grasp the handle, a voice spoke up, "It's locked." 

Startled, Hana quickly turned around. She was shocked to see a woman in a chair, opposite of Hana, who didn't seem to be here at first. "Who are you?" 

"I... am the host," the woman replied. "But this isn't about me. It's about you, Hana Parker."

"Me? What about me? And how do you know my name?" Hana was in disarray, confused, scared. 

"It's okay." The woman tried to calm Hana down, "Everyone has felt the same." 

"Everyone...?" More and more questions started to pile up in Hana's mind, all of them unanswered.

"Yes, everyone... who passed away." 

Everyone who passed away? "So, you're telling me I'm dead?" Hana's eyes were frantic, searching for lies. She was still in denial.

A sad look was painted upon the woman's face. "Sadly, yes. But I suppose you already knew that." 

"I-I... do know... that?" Confusion was written all over Hana's face.

The woman gave a sympathetic smile to Hana. "How about you take a seat and I'll explain?" The woman offered. 

Hana sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. "Yes, please." She did as told and took a seat in front of the so-called host. She was skeptical, still scared, but she needed an explanation.

"This is... The Waiting Room. Here you will have to wait your turn until the judge calls out your name. When that happens, the door will unlock and it's your turn to enter. You will be judged; you can go to Heaven or you can end up in Hell." 

It was a very straightforward explanation and the first thing Hana felt after hearing it, was dread. But then again, how could she not? To find out she died and suddenly ended up in The Waiting Room where she will immediately be judged upon whether she can go to Heaven or Hell, was too much for her. 

A worried look crossed the woman's face. "I know it's a lot to take in, dear. Do you want to talk about it?"

"I-I don't... I don't know." Hana didn't know what she wanted. Her mind was a mess and she couldn't think straight. 

"It's okay." The woman's soothing voice calmed Hana down a little. "Take your time."

"So now, uhm, now all I have to do here is wait?"

"Yes, but don't worry, dear. It won't take too long." A short silence fell over the two. The woman was silent, giving Hana the time to think. Whilst Hana was contemplating what she wanted to talk about or whether she wanted to talk at all. However, she decided that she still wants the answers to her questions.

"Can we... can we still talk?" Hana's voice was soft. 

"Of course." The woman gave an encouraging smile, lessening the uncertainty Hana was feeling.

"Why... why did I die? Is there a reason for it?" 

"... There is a reason, dear. I can't tell you what the reason is, but... everything will work out the way it should." 

Hana frowned, she was living a decent life. Why was she the one that had to die? What reason could justify her death?

"I... died in an accident. Is there a reason for that too? And it had to be today?"

"I'm sorry to hear that, dear." She looked down. "But to answer your question, yes. How things happen and when they do, it's all destined. Fate, if you must."

Hana still had questions, but it would be no use if she couldn't get a proper answer. "Can we talk about other stuff?"

The woman understood why she wanted to change topics. She couldn't give the answer Hana hoped to receive. "I'm sorry. Everything will make sense once you go through the door. I can not tell you about fate itself, dear. I hope you understand."

"It's-It's okay. I understand." Hana nodded, albeit a bit hesitant still.

"What other things would you like to talk about?" The woman was smiling again, but a tint of sadness never leaving her eyes. 

Hana started talking about her past, reminiscing the good times. Her friends and family. She talked about the future, her plans. Everything she still wanted to do, but couldn't now. However, Hana would have never thought she would feel this relieved when she first came into the room. She believed the woman's words; everything will work out. Minutes passed and they were still conversing until they heard a 'click'.

Hana looked confused, but the woman's smile never faltered. "It's okay." Hana turned around, surprised to find the door open, but before she could do or say anything else, a new voice spoke up, "Hana Parker." 

The woman stood up. "This is it, dear."

Hana followed and stood up as well. "This is it, huh?" She didn't feel as dreadful as first, on the contrary, she felt comforted, relieved even. She would finally get the answers she wanted. A sense of peace fell upon Hana. Everything will work out.

"Whenever you're ready." The moment of truth was here.

She gave the woman one last smile, grateful for her kindness, her comfort, her words. "I'm ready." Now, all she had to do was walk through the door. And that's exactly what she did.