No Place Like Home

Now that all the festivities are over, the temple has returned to its quiet self and the nuns are carrying on their daily duties like before.  Most of the time they go to bed after watching the evening news on TV and I also go to bed early. When I can't sleep, I do some meditation but some nights are really hot, so I toss about trying to sleep.

One such night, I was surprised to see HD and PH come floating in.  I hadn't had much time for them during the festivities and was quite pleased to see them.

"Vege Cat," said HD.  "We want to talk to you."

"Sure," I said.  "What have you two been up to?"

HD frowned.  "Why do you think we've been up to something?  Anyway, we want to tell you that we are homesick."

"What?"  I asked, surprised.

"It's not what you think," interrupted PH.  "We are truly grateful to Head Nun for giving us a home here at the temple but we kind of miss our old hometown and the folks there."

"Oh, you mean you want to "balik kampung" (go home)," I said.

"Yes," said HD.  "But only for a few days or so.  We want to see what's happening there since we died."

"You're free to come and go as you please, you know.  The other souls in the Palace wander about freely too without bothering to seek permission from anyone." 

"Great!" cried HD.  "We shall be off soon.  See you!"  And they both disappeared in a puff of smoke.

It must have been about two or three days before I saw HD and PH again.  They had returned from their trip and I expected them to be happy and excited but instead they looked quite forlorn and sad.

"So what happened, guys?  Didn't you both enjoy your trip home?" I asked.

PH shook his head.  "I went back to see my old flat and it was in shambles.  All my photos and souvenirs were gone, also my favorite armchair.  The couple who live there now do nothing but gamble and play with their phones.  I went round to see the neighbors but some had moved out or had died. Those who still live there have suddenly grown very old and are going about like zombies.  They don't even remember me when I whispered my name in their ears." 

He sighed and said sadly, "What a shame.  We used to be like one big family."

"What about you, HD?" I asked.

"You'll never guess what happened," he said.  "I went back to my apartment too and was surprised that the For Sale sign was still there. Nobody had bought it since my wife died.  I decided to go inside and was about to float through the window when horror of horrors, I saw her sitting inside in our old rocking chair!"

"You saw who?" I asked, not sure that I had heard him correctly.

"My wife!  Or rather her ghost!  She was sitting there staring into space with bloodshot eyes. Of course my first thought was to run!  But she had sensed someone was there and she shouted: "Who's there?  Is that you, my dear late husband?  I've been waiting for you!"

I quickly flew into the empty apartment next door before she came to check the window and hid there until the coast was clear.  Thank God I managed to escape from her clutches!"

"Then what happened?" I asked. 

"I wandered around the neighborhood and heard gossip about a ghost in an apartment waiting for her husband to return! Shit, why can't she leave me alone! When she was alive, living with her was sheer hell, now I certainly don't want to live with her in death!"

"Oh dear, I am sorry you both had such unpleasant experiences but as you know, the temple is your home now and you can stay for as long as you wish."

"Thanks, Vege Cat," said HD. "Are we glad we're back. We are very fortunate indeed to have a  place here.  Not only is it rent free but we also have free meals (offerings from devotees).  What more do we want?"

With that, they both melted into the night.  

Poor HD.  I hope his wife will never find him and leave him in peace.  Amen.