THE LAST LETTER: A LESSON FOR ALL PARENTS

This is the story of an Indian teenage girl Mehak who apparently committed suicide due to excessive parental pressure. This was the letter she wrote to her parents before she took her last breath.

Dear mom and dad,
You must be wondering why I am writing you this letter when we live under the same roof. I wanted to tell you a few things that I couldn't ever say to you face to face. I want to thank you for everything you have ever done for me. You took really good care of me. I remember the time when I topped in first grade. I can still see that trophy right in front of me. You motivated me to study hard. I am your only daughter and I know that you have always loved me. You did everything for me. But that wasn't enough. Now you must be wondering how can everything not be enough? 
        
        Read this sentence again- 'You did EVERYTHING for me'. You took all the decisions for me too. I was never given a chance to do anything for myself. I hope you remember my childhood. The routine was same for everyday. I woke up in the morning, went to school, came back from school and sat down to study as per your instructions. With great difficulties you granted me 45 minutes for playing outside with my friends. After those precious moments of freedom you called me from the middle of a game and stuck me to that dreadful study table again because apparently according to you getting good grades in exams was above all! Your motto was 'Academics is life'. Pardon me for correcting you- 'academics is just a part of life, not the whole life.' Like enjoyment is a part of life which by the way never occurred to you. You wanted me to be a geek and of course I had to pursue science. So I joined a coaching institute in order to get enrolled into one of the best engineering institutes. It was a matter of prestige for you. I was quite determined to study diligently and clear the entrance examination. Throughout these two years of high school I felt like a caged bird with its feathers cut off. I was suffocated. When I couldn't manage my academics with preparation for the big entrance examination, it was like I was losing a game. I had never lost before. Thanks to you I was accustomed to winning! No one taught me how to handle defeat. I was also trying to get over a broken friendship and relationship. You never approved of me dating anyone. In fact you punished me for dating a guy in high school. Remember the time you grounded me and took my cell phone away? Of course you do! According to you dating was a distraction for teenagers. I totally agree with you! But it is a part of life. Instead of constantly trying to refrain me you should have taught me how to deal with various aspects of life together. 

        Time of results was near. What I always feared happened although I knew it was coming. I didn't get into the top university. You said the utmost bitter words to me. You blame me and cursed me. Wasn't I upset enough? There is something all parents should understand. When your child fails all that is needed is some comfort from your side at that particular time. Was there any need for you to pile up on my existing grief and failure? To be very clear I didn't exactly fail the examination, I failed you. I failed myself. I failed life. You don't even know that I aspired to become a writer. You know why? Because I wasn't allowed to express myself. I was always put under the pressure of walking in your shoes. 

        Of course you loved me. But that love was too much too take. You were trying to hold on too tightly. I can feel my life falling apart right now. I have realized that to build a bright future, I have completely ruined my past and present. My smothered soul needs to be set free. I am exasperated from the shackles that have bound me to my cage and now I am ready to break free. You have always made all decisions for me, but this is the choice I am making for myself."

As she bled herself to death, another innocent soul wept along with many others caught in the undertow.

        

AN ENCOUNTER WITH LIFE

I was on my way home from work. I had a fight with my fiance, Marshall over the phone. My relationship was falling apart. As I was walking down the road, something came up in my mind. I went to the top of my office building and jumped off. The sun was shining bright up in the sky, but everything seemed dark and gloomy. It was a hot summer afternoon but it felt cold. I felt a twitch in my stomach. This is what I imagine death to be like.  I died. It was a painless death. The doctors tried their best to save me, but all went in vain. My body was so utterly shattered that I was better off dead.

And that's when I met someone.


"What happened?"I asked. "Where am I?"

"You died," he said.


"I remember falling down.. really down.. It was a never ending pit."


"That is true" he said.


I looked around. There was solitary. "What is this place?" I asked. "Is this what happens in the afterlife?"


"Yes," he said.


"Are you god?" I asked.


"Yes, I'm God", he replied.

"My family... my fiance, what about them? Will they be alright?"


"You just died and your main concern is your loved ones. I am impressed", he said.


"Do you honestly believe that your they can be perfectly alright without you? They love you unconditionally. Your fiance will be devastated. To be fair, your relationship was falling apart and you know it was your ego that ruined it. But he managed to love you anyway.

He looked in my eye. "The meaning of life, the reason I made this whole universe, is for you to mature, not to end your life when things don’t go your way. But since you ended your life now it's time for you to move on to your next life."


And he sent me on my way. As it happened started to regret my decision. How could I give up on my relationship like that? I missed him as I was dragged to a place far away. I felt helpless. Tears rolled down my eyes. I longed for Marshall. But I knew I couldn’t return. Feeling utterly guilty I closed my eyes in despair. Suddenly I heard a faint voice. It was Marshall’s. My family was calling me. I knew my relationship was falling apart, but suddenly I felt affection for my fiance gushing through me. Our life used to be mechanical, devoid of love. But all that began to fade away. I started to remember all his good qualities which made me fall in love with him and my ego which tore us apart. I suddenly felt sorry for every mistake I had ever done. The thought of losing my family filled tears in my eyes. But it was all over, till I realized that someone was holding me. The touch felt familiar. It was him.

“Honey, it’s 11’o clock in the morning, wake up. Is everything okay? Why are you crying?” Marshall asked.

“I love you Marshall. I never stopped loving you,” I exclaimed and hugged him tightly. He hugged me back intensely. This was a nostalgic moment, our unbreakable bond just like the old times.

“I love you too, dear. And I am not going away from you. It was just a rough patch in our life and it has passed. I am here for you, always and forever. You just had a bad dream”, he said and smiled at me, a smile to die for.

It took merely a single dream to make me realize how short life is and the importance of loved ones. That was the day I vowed to live my life with utter positivism and fill other’s lives with love and joy.