I slowly opened my eyes, and the first thing I noticed was the overwhelming white. Everything around me—the walls, the ceiling, the floor—everything was pure, blinding white. It wasn't a hospital room, though. It didn't look like anything I had ever seen before. There were no beeping machines, no nurses walking in and out. Just… white. A lot of white.
I felt a strange sense of calm in the air, like time itself was suspended. But then my heart lurched. Where was Tengteng? My brother. My little brother. The truck… the pain… had we really—
"Tengteng?" I gasped, my voice trembling. I sat up quickly, my heart pounding in my chest. I glanced around frantically, desperate to see him. "Tengteng, where are you?!" I called out, my voice growing louder with each passing second.
I looked to my left and right, hoping to see his familiar face, but there was nothing. I couldn't see him. Panic surged through me, and I felt my breathing grow shallow. I didn't know where I was, but the one thing that mattered was my brother. He couldn't be gone too, could he?
"Tengteng?!" My voice cracked as I shouted his name into the empty space, my eyes scanning every corner of the room, praying to see him walk through the doorway. But he wasn't there. I felt something cold wrap around my heart.
"Hey, hey…" A calm, gentle voice interrupted my thoughts, and I froze, my head snapping toward the source. I saw a woman standing behind me, her hands resting softly on my shoulders. She was dressed in all white, her presence somehow making the room feel even more serene. Her long, silver hair cascaded down her back like a shimmering waterfall.
I blinked, disoriented. "W-who are you?" My voice trembled, but I couldn't stop myself from asking. My heart was still hammering in my chest, but I had to know. I needed answers.
She smiled, her expression kind and understanding, though her eyes were so deep, like they had seen everything there was to see.
"I'm here to help you, Narda," she said softly. "Calm down, everything is alright."
I looked up at her, my chest tightening. "Did you see my brother? Tengteng—he's… he's not here. Where is he? Please, tell me where he is!"
The woman's smile never faltered as she spoke. "Your brother is in another room, Narda. He's safe."
I took several deep breaths, trying to steady myself. 'Okay. Okay, he's safe. Calm down. Just calm down.'
My heart skipped a beat, and for the first time since I woke up, I felt a small spark of relief. He was safe. But what did that even mean? Where were we? What happened to us? I still couldn't wrap my mind around everything. Was I dreaming? Was this some kind of… afterlife?
The woman placed a hand gently on my shoulder, her touch warm and reassuring. She studied me quietly, and I noticed how peaceful her presence made me feel. It was like she was radiating calm, like her very existence was meant to ease the chaos within me.
"Are you calm now?" she asked with a gentle smile.
I nodded, still a bit shaky but managing to keep myself together. "Yes. I think so."
"Good," she said. "Narda, you and your brother are in heaven."
I froze, the words slowly sinking in. "Heaven?" I whispered, disbelief rising in my chest. "But... how? We—Tengteng and I—are... dead, aren't we?"
The woman nodded, her eyes soft with compassion. "Yes, you and your brother are no longer in the mortal world. You died, Narda. But it wasn't your time yet."
I just stared at her, trying to process her words. I didn't know how to feel. It felt so surreal, so impossible. One moment I was trying to save a life, and the next… I was here. Dead. In heaven.
But as I let it all settle in, something strange happened. I didn't feel sad. Or angry. Or even scared. It felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I felt at peace. And strangely… I felt proud. Proud because we had saved those elderly women. We had done something good. Maybe that was enough to make me feel better about everything.
The woman noticed my shift in expression, her smile deepening as if she could see right through me. "You're at peace now, aren't you? You saved lives, Narda. That is what matters."
I nodded slowly, not fully understanding what was going on, but feeling this odd sense of calm wash over me.
The woman's eyes sparkled as she spoke again, her voice filled with warmth. "Now, are you ready to listen to the rest of what I have to say?"
I was startled by her question. "Y-yes. I'm sorry. I'm ready," I stammered, embarrassed for not being able to hold it together earlier.
She smiled kindly, brushing a stray strand of hair from my face. "You don't have to apologize, Narda. You've been through a lot. You and your brother have already done so much in your short lives. Even though your lives were taken prematurely, they weren't taken in vain."
I blinked, not quite following. "What do you mean?" I asked softly.
The woman's expression turned serious, though it remained gentle. "You see, you and your brother didn't deserve to die when you did. It caused quite astir in heaven. Your kindness, your selflessness, didn't go unnoticed. The Lord God has decided to give you both another chance. Another chance to live again, to carry out your purpose."
My heart raced again, but this time, it was a different kind of panic. "What do you mean another chance? What… what do we have to do?"
"You are not only being given another chance to live, but you will also be gifted with abilities, gifts that will help you fulfill your purpose in the world," she explained, her voice quiet but firm. "The Lord God has seen the purity of your hearts, Narda. You and your brother have saved the lives of hundreds, even though you had so little. The sacrifices you made, the way you gave with nothing in return... That's why you've been chosen."
I stared at her, my thoughts spinning. "But there are other people… other heroes who've saved more than us. Why us? Why not them?"
The woman smiled, a soft, knowing smile. "Ah, yes. That's the question. The reason is simple. You and your brother are kind souls. You didn't expect anything in return. Most people do good deeds because they want something in exchange. But you two... you gave without hesitation, even when you had nothing to give. That is why you've been chosen."
I felt a rush of warmth in my chest at her words. It was hard to believe, but a part of me felt the truth in her voice. "It's just… what we were taught," I said shyly, feeling embarrassed. "People should help each other, right? Even if you don't have much, you should still share with others."
The woman's smile softened. "Exactly. But not everyone thinks like you. Most people act out of selfishness, only giving when it benefits them. But you and Tengteng… you are pure-hearted. That is why the Lord God chose you."
I felt a blush creep up my cheeks. I hadn't meant to make a big deal about it. But hearing her say that made me feel... well, good. It made me feel like, maybe, I had done something right in this world after all.
"Thank you," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "I don't know why we've been given this chance, but… I'll do my best."
The woman nodded, her smile wide and filled with warmth. "I know you will, Narda. Now, let's talk about the gifts you and your brother will receive."
I looked at her, my heart still racing, and for the first time, I felt like maybe—just maybe—I could do something more with my life. Maybe this second chance wasn't just a gift, but a calling.
"I'm ready," I said quietly.
The woman smiled again, and I couldn't help but feel a little lighter, as if whatever challenges lay ahead, Iwasn't alone.