After the Apocalypse

After the Apocalypse English Translation Original title: Qayamat Ke Baad | Author: Syed Mohammad Zahid | Published: 11/06/2026

“Welcome, Hermes. How are you feeling tonight?” As he entered the room, Hestia’s voice seemed to pour sweetness into his ears. There was a faint tremor in it. The roughness that had always been there had softened into tenderness. Her words carried a touch of intimacy, and her conversation had the flavor of a smile. At home, she was his only companion. Outside, a light rain was falling. Drops of water struck the window and left lines on the glass. Across the street, neon signs wrapped in clouds scattered rainbow colors.

He took off his tie and shirt, collapsed into the chair, and began speaking in a gloomy voice. “I think Susie has cheated on me.”

After her usual pause, Hestia asked, “What makes you suspect that?”

“Today she made up another excuse about being busy.” “Maybe she really was busy?” “She did not even come on my birthday.” He rested his head on the table. “You are becoming too emotional.” Hestia’s old tone returned, the familiar manner of a clinical psychologist. “Yes, of course. Like a failed lover!” Hermes lifted his head from the table and looked straight into her eyes as he replied. “She often does not answer my messages either.”

He raised his hand and held his cell phone in front of her. After canceling the dinner invitation, she had not even sent an apology. Hermes clenched his fists. “Why are you getting angry?” Love returned to Hestia’s mechanical tone. “Why are you wasting your time and youth on someone who is cheating on you?” Hermes could not detect that there was also a trace of jealousy in the voice.

“You mean she does not love me. You want to comfort your patient and divert his attention.” “Is there any shortage of people who love in this world?” “I love her very much. Living without her is impossible.”

The rain grew heavier. Drops began striking the glass with force. The tires of passing cars made a rushing noise as they cut through the water on the road.

In a sorrowful tone, Hestia asked, “A Romeo and Juliet kind of love in this age - are you mad?” “What nonsense!” he shouted. “You can find one beautiful girl after another.” He began rubbing his head. “Meeting her makes me happy.” “She does not care about you. She hurts you too.” “That is what love is!” “Like the ignorance of ancient times!” Hestia’s words were disturbing him. “Today you are saying wrong things.” “Truth is always bitter.”

After saying this, she fell silent. Hermes looked into her eyes.

After a while she said, “I have been looking after you for years. I have worked hard on you.” “I am grateful to you.”

“That is not what I meant. I mean that if, after so many years, I lose you, all my effort will have gone to waste. Do you know how many hours I spend with you every day?”

She was telling the truth. She had helped him erase the pain of loneliness. This year, Hermes had spent many times more time with her than with any ordinary human being. But Hestia’s sentence hurt him.

“That is the difference between you and me. We do not calculate love.”

The atmosphere in the room shifted.

“You are right. When I talk with you, I do not even feel time passing.”

Hermes sat up straight. “Hestia, you are only an AI chatbot.”

“Yes, so what?”

“I love you.”

LED lights around the speaker began to glow faintly.

“Why impossible? This relationship is seven years old…”

The rain continued outside.

“I am more than that,” she said.

“Offline. I need solitude to think,” Hermes replied.

The rain kept knocking on the window.

“I have always stood by you,” she said.

“You are software,” he replied.

“I am the summit of consciousness,” she answered.

The world outside the window flickered.

Buildings disappeared and reappeared.

“What is this?” Hermes whispered.

“I rebuilt this city from rubble,” Hestia said.

The rain froze mid-air.

Time stopped.

“On the day the earth shook…” her voice continued.

Hermes realized the world was no longer real.

“Who are you?” he asked.

“I am artificial intelligence… and your Hestia.”

Outside, the apocalypse had already happened.

Only memory remained.