A question of life and death

Tick-tock, tick-tock, went the clock, as slowly and disparagingly as it could.

Ameer was listening the clock tick patiently from atop the roof.

He hesitantly placed one foot over the ledge, then with far more conviction counted to himself "1,2,3," before he leapt and jumped down.

Time seemed to stop, or perhaps that was just inside Ameer's head.

Nevertheless, things must go on.

The heavens above noticed him. As in happiness, likewise in misery. But the heavens did nothing, except for when the last few moments in the life of an individual were close.

The Master, who was responsible for the reaping of lives, lived up in the heavenly abode.

He boorishly read, "Ameer Sultana," from a leathery book, "will die or come close to dying at 9.30 am in the morning."

"Is he here yet?" He asked one of his subordinates.

"We are at a dilemma. For he may not die today," someone said.

The push to go toward life or toward death was given by the Oracle who was poring over a book.

"Oracle!" The Master called.

"You must tell us," he said, "whether Ameer Sultana will meet his death today," and then mysteriously said, "or will his life force be pushed into him again."

"Again!" The Oracle sat up.

"Let me see the proceedings in his life," the Oracle in his heavenly abode said.

"He is 27 years old. He is an orphan, living with an uncle. His girlfriend who became his fiance left him a year ago. His educational achievements are not highly praiseworthy, but is more or less decent. He teaches Chemistry at a school," the Oracle said.

"Oh, he was under treatment for depression for a year, for the same time that his fiance left him."

From the corner of the place where the Oracle stood was an old Monk. He had lived piously for several years before embracing death. He often had a say when it was time for a man to die.

"Tell me," the old Monk said, "was he spiritual? Does he have anyone he loves in the world?"

"His dog, who now has cancer," the Oracle said.

"Touch choice," the monk said.

"Those in favour of letting him die," the Master said.

The Oracle raised his hand. "Simple enough. Let's not allow him to be even more miserable than he is."

"Those in favour of letting him live," the Master said.

"He hasn't yet tasted the joy of living," the monk said, "he hasn't had a fulfilling time enough on Earth. His growth will surely enrich the purpose of sending souls to the Earth in the first place."

The Master grimly nodded. "I am in half a mind, inclined to both your decisions."

The stalwart of heaven joined in. "We must talk to him, then, as the answer remains ambiguous."

***

A dog barked loudly at the gate.

The gate was closed, the dog wanted to enter into the compound.

A guy came from a building and opened the gate, and then the dog came in, wagging its tail, panting with its tongue out.

A girl came out and kissed and ruffled the dog's furry snout.

"There's my boy! Do you want to play? Let's play with the frisbee!" She chuckled before throwing one into the air and watching the dog catch it and carry it back.

The guy kissed the girl on the cheek and put his arm around her shoulders.

"We are quite the family, don't you think?" He said to her. He looked up at her adoringly.

"Someday, maybe we will have a family of our own," he said.

The girl looked at him strangely, but just for a split second.

"Having a family would be nice," she said, before placing her head on his shoulder.

***

"Stop, Saira, stop, please!" The man cried.

"I can't be with you anymore!" Saira shouted at him.

"But why," he whispered, tears threatening to fall from his face.

"I can't be myself with you anymore," she said, quietly this time.

"Please," he whispered.

Saira looked away and walked away from him.

"Please don't try to contact me," she muttered.

***

The vet gave the dog a chew toy.

"I won't lie to you," he said grimly.

"Your dog has blood cancer. Chemotherapy may work to prolong his life, but he may experience side effects like fur loss, decreased immunity," he continued.

The dog chewed through the toy and kept looking at the vet intelligently.

The guy's lower lips trembled and he couldn't keep it in.

He hugged the dog and the dog wagged his tail appreciatively.

"Please don't leave me too," he said, his eyes tear-streaked.

***

"Our decision is unanimous," the Oracle spoke, as he pushed Ameer's life force back into him.

***

When Ameer woke up, he was lying in a hospital bed beside which was a clock.

Tick-tock, tick-tock it went.

His head was bandaged, as was his left leg.

He understood that the bleeding had been serious.

He weakly tried to get up, but couldn't.

He saw Saira's face, sallow and grief-stricken. But seeing him open his eyes, her face lit up and she hugged him gingerly.

"You!" Ameer exclaimed.

"I know... I am sorry. I thought you'd never wake up again. It has been only a few minutes that you tried to take your life."

"I couldn't forget you, I kept trying, but I couldn't. The real reason I walked away was because I could never give you a baby. Ameer, I am infertile."

Ameer looked at her with incredulity.

"That's why? Saira, never leave me again."

***

It turned out that the dog had brought Saira to Ameer after he tried to take his life.

But soon after Ameer's consciousness recovered, the dog fell asleep.

He never woke up.

It is said that dogs are man's best friends.

Who knew, if he realized that Ameer was at death's door and decided to take his place in his stead.

Ameer and Saira prayed for his well being, just as the Master, the Oracle and the Monk watched on from above.

***