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"A literal warmth of love!"

― Priya Asthana

Darkness...

It was all I could perceive – no, how could I? How could one even see darkness? I couldn't see anything...

Huh.

This was different... The darkness that surrounded me was different.

There was nothing threatening about it, no – this was quite different indeed.

In fact, it was quite peaceful. A darkness that was peaceful? Huh.

I very much liked this.

Warmth…

How long could it have been if the first thing I sensed was the warmth embracing me? How long had it been since I felt anything, really? Had it really been that long?

Oh, it does not matter.

What mattered was how it enveloped me completely and wonderfully so.

It was quite comfortable...

Sensations...

Strange.

Wherever I was, it did not allow me much movement, but strangely enough, it did not bother me.

This was okay. I was okay.

It was a clear signal that I had my body back.

A body that was both weightless and surrounded by what could only be described as some form of liquid—not quite the consistency of water but close. This realization should have perturbed me, considering that's how my life had ended.

Yet, it did not.

But what were these slight lingering sensations at the edge of my fingertips?

Where was I, anyway?

Wherever I was, it was enough of a comfort since the majority of my time was spent in deep sleep.

Plus, the sound of what could only be my heartbeat didn't help much—listening to its deep, strong beating that surrounded me along with the darkness was what lulled me to my slumber.

It was a very pleasant thing to listen to. I didn't mind this at all.

Ba-bump. Ba-bump. Ba-bump.

There was no way for me to confirm it, but I knew, without a doubt, that I was safe—very safe.

But most importantly, I was loved here.

Here—wherever that was.

I couldn't tell you, but just like the first time I realized the darkness that surrounded me, I could sense it. It was a very strong feeling, one I had never sensed before while alive.

So warm, so beautiful was the feeling I received.

I inadvertently flexed my right hand as a sudden tingle shot up through my fingers.

Oh, that thing... It hasn't happened as often as it did when I first woke up, but it is no longer as bothersome as it once was. Not only had I sensed that feeling in my fingertips, but in different parts of my body, such as my feet and stomach.

Oh, my stomach. That's where I felt it the strongest.

Ba-bump. Ba-bump. Ba-bump. Ba-bump. .

Her name is Angel.

My Guardian Angel.

At least that's what I called the owner of that particularly soothing voice.

The first time I heard the voice was around the same time I realized where I was... wherever that was.

I can't say I hear her clearly or understand what she's trying to communicate, as it's all muffled from here; however, I can say that, despite all this, it's the tone of the voice, so tender and loving, that I loved listening to. There were other things I've heard, such as discernible voices and loud noises – it's all muffled, of course, and not all that interesting. But Angel's voice was the strongest of them all.

I tried to speak, but for some reason, I could not utter a word; I mouthed the words, though, but it wasn't much as I could only hear them in my head. I knew this should have bothered me, but, for some unknown reason, it was okay. I was okay with this situation.

Just as the heartbeat lulled me to sleep, so did the sound of her voice.

Interestingly enough, the only way I could catch Angel's attention was when I moved about in the darkness that surrounded me. Granted, I could not move as much as before since space was being restricted from me for some bizarre reason, but if I kicked my legs hard enough in the darkness, I could catch her attention. How she knew, I had no idea.

As at the beginning of my ethereal experience, I knew not to depend on time, as it had ceased to exist here.

Since the moment I became aware of where I was, I knew not to question things. Logical thinking was useless and time-wasting—why ponder things I would not get an answer to? I would rather let things be as they are.

I was content, safe, loved, and snuggled warmly in this little corner of my world.

This was my heaven, and there was nothing to worry about...

Ba-bump. Ba-bump. Ba-bump. Ba-bump. Ba-bump.