Awakening

She was lying in the Mahogany coffin when she heard him say, "I am happy that she died." The flowers arranged in the wreaths suffocated her with their fragrance. Her husband had put lilies all around the place. She felt like sneezing. She always hated lilies. And he knew that.

A very familiar scent approached her coffin and she heard a more familiar voice addressing her. "I’m happy that you are dead." She could not stand it any longer. She opened her eyes to scare him.

He smiled and spoke to the lifeless, open-eyed body in a harsh, commanding voice, "You’re dead. And there’s no need to glare like that. I’m glad that you are no more alive. You were such a trouble."

She smiled and replied, "I’m also glad, glad that I’m dead, no more alive. Now I am the master of my own self. I can do whatever I want to without you and those little devils around me. Tell them that mommy is really happy. I know that I’ve gained nothing by losing my life. But at least I’m leaving your damned house. Good Bye."

Her eyes closed and she never opened them again until she heard the alarm. It was already 5.30 in the morning. She got up and rushed to the kitchen. While filling the kettle with water her eyes strayed out through the kitchen window. Night was giving way to the first streaks of dawn. In the midst of the things emerging out of the fading darkness were some lilies with their gaze fixed upon her.