Ten days before the accident, I had a conversation with death.

It was a Saturday, we were at home and about to leave for a friends’ place. 
Suddenly I found breath eluding me.
I’ve never had asthma and last time I struggled for breath was due to bronchitis, over 20 years ago.
This one felt different. I was unprepared.
Visits to pharmacies proved futile- no prescription, no inhalers.
Later that night, things began to get worse. I was struggling to breathe. Could see my oxygen levels falling 
98..97..96..95..94..93
Had Covid a month before so this wasn’t Covid.
Called the health services and they said a specialist will call to diagnose. It might take a while.
It was at this point that I felt myself slipping into darkness. 
I sensed death’s dark energy, calmly standing next to me. 
I asked if it had come for me. If my time had come.
Death asked me what did I want.
I said ‘you choose what is best for me. I am okay either ways. Death or Life - I will accept whatever choice you make’
There was silence and darkness after that.

Then my oxygen levels started going up.
And the phone rang. The specialist arranged for a hospital appointment the next morning.
There I would be be nebulised, prescribed inhalers, diagnosed with asthma, and start getting better.

I thought death had made a clear choice that night. And that was the end of it. 
10 days later, death came back. 
We didn’t have time for any conversation this time.
Life just escaped.