Tele consorts...Part 2

                     The peace that heaven was known for started having its effect on Alec as well. There was no more the strife earth prided itself in. Down below people spoke of boredom when there was nothing else to do, they searched for problems to solve all through their lives.When they had none they searched neighborhoods so that they didn't run out of problems. Some were funnier. They sought problems of others while they themselves were neck-deep in troubles. It was a trait humankind was born with. On the outside, they went around bragging that its opposites attract, but it was only true for magnets,not people. People had always found comfort in numbers, and the numbers meant that they had similar inclinations,similar fears and similar aspirations. They wanted bigger groups for themselves and hence created ways to increase their tribes.They married their own type of people,race,colour,religions,cast and creed.They created their own Gods,customs,ceremonies based on the places they lived and the things that were available around them. 

            Alec looked around,trying to familiarize himself with the things around. He knew the ones who ran the place would only compensate him to make him happy.It was unheard of to return from the dead after such a long period. They were obliged to make the inhabitants happy. His dejected look was an eyesore in the area.All were happy and had worked their hearts out to reach the place. The alternative was to send him to Hell across. But if the news got out that person who had toiled for the deaf, who had been the beacon for the likes of Helen Kellers  was assigned to hell in the afterlife it would take away the hope of the good souls who worked, prayed,donated and refused their carnal desires in the vague hope of heaven beyond. The dilemma was more of the ones who ran the place than of Alec. So as long as he kept the dejected expression on his face he knew he was safe and they would become more frustrated with time giving him more convenience than was permissible.Already he was told he could visit earth to see around once in a while, but it was a useless exercise as no one would be able to see him.He thanked them with a sombre face and refused to go and told them he may think about it later. That way he still could maintain an upper hand for future negotiations and they may price his happiness more.

                       Alec looked around and found a few souls moving around. What he found was that heaven was what he had dreamt of in his boyhood days. Quiet,peaceful and soothing, what he had written about in his letters. The faces he saw had a contented look,no lines of worry. Inspite of his dejected look no inhabitant came to ask why he was wearing that look. They went about their afterlife without bothering about other afterlives. On earth the scenario was different. Men and women preyed on each other finding strands of sorrows and depressed looks and words which they could then capitalize upon. Once they found the chink in the armour they then went about finding gratification in comforting or getting comforted. The comforting seemed more effective when the sexes were the opposite. Alec's own later love story was similar. He fell in love with his deaf student Mabel of whom he was the speech therapist was ten years younger to him. She was initially disinterested in him but he had coaxed her to grow fond of him by flattering her with things like her voice was naturally sweet. Later in love  he wrote things women found irresistible. On the day of their engagement he wrote"I am afraid to fall asleep, lest I should find it all a dream — so I shall lie awake and think of you." 
.........to be continued