The Sky Above My Head

When I opened my eyes, the first thing I saw was… clouds.

Not normal clouds, like the ones you see from your terrace. These were too white, too soft, like someone washed them in Surf Excel and hung them to dry. For one second, I thought maybe I fainted in a film shoot. Some director shooting a Heaven scene forgot to shout “cut.”

Then I saw them. People in white gowns, glowing like tube lights, walking slowly as if life was in slow-motion.

“Bas, this is it,” I muttered. “Either I’m in Heaven… or at a really boring fashion show.”

Before I could laugh at my own joke, a deep voice boomed behind me.

“You are not on Earth. You are dead.”

I spun around. A tall man stood with a giant golden book in his hands. Silver eyes. Serious face.

“Dead?!” I yelped. “Excuse me? I just came back from shopping. My mom is waiting at home. And I didn’t even finish my K-drama episode! Who dies like this in the middle of a cliffhanger?”

The man didn’t blink. “I am Lord Ezra. Keeper of Records. You died at 9:47 p.m. Car accident. Internal bleeding. Case closed.”

“Case closed?” I folded my arms. “What am I, a police file? 9:47? Are you sure you opened the right ‘Jaspreet’? Maybe some system error. Even Netflix hangs sometimes. You guys clearly need better Wi-Fi in Heaven.”

Some angels nearby actually giggled. Ezra shot them a glare but I caught their smiles.

“Listen, God ji,” I said, pointing my finger. “I had plans, okay? Three kids, a dog named Simba, one London house. Shaadi toh abhi hui thi. You can’t just stamp ‘game over’ and send me here. I’m not ready.”

Ezra sighed like a tired teacher handling his naughtiest student. He opened his book again. His eyebrows twitched as if something wasn’t matching.

I smirked. “See? Galti ho gayi. Admit it, Ezra ji. Rabba made a mistake.”

He snapped the book shut. “Silence. You are dead.”

“Silence?” I raised an eyebrow. “You don’t know me, do you? I’m Jaspreet. Silence and me are from two different planets.”

The angels laughed harder. Ezra’s jaw tightened like he wanted to staple my mouth.

And suddenly.. flash. A memory hit me.

(Flashback)

I was a bride. Red lehenga, heavy dupatta, eyes burning with kajal. My cousins whispered behind me, “Wah Jaspreet, lucky girl! Doctor, NRI, London life!”

I smiled, but it felt painted on.

Then he came. My groom. Dr. Kian. Tall, handsome, everyone’s dream man. Except mine because he didn’t even look at me.

The priest read the mantras. He repeated them like he was dictating a medical prescription. His hand brushed mine. Cold. I slipped my fingers in, hoping he’d hold me. He pulled away casually.

My heart cracked right there, but I told myself: “It’s fine, Jaspreet. He just needs time. One day, he’ll see you.”

But deep inside… I knew he already belonged to someone else.

(Back in Heaven)

The flash faded. My chest hurt.

Ezra looked at me quietly. “You loved him very much.”

I gave a small laugh. “Love? I gave him everything. My yes, my heart. And now you’re saying it’s over with one sentence? Just like that?”

Ezra pressed his forehead like he was already tired of me. “Why do I feel you’ll give me more trouble than the rest of humanity combined?”

I tilted my head and grinned. “Because I’m Jaspreet. Punjab di sherni. Heaven ki entertainment package. Aur mainu koi rok nahi sakda.”

The angels burst out laughing.

And poor Ezra? He already looked like he regretted letting me in.

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