50 Years Later
October 15, 2073
TJ Road, Gulmohar
The doorbell rang, its chime echoing through the house.
"Coming!" Urmi's voice called out, muffled by the rustle of sheets as the now 80-year-old fumbled her way out of bed.
Before she could make it to the door, her grandson Abhay dashed out of the kitchen. "I'll get it, Dadi!"
Urmi waved him off, settling back into her chair with a smile.
At the door stood a delivery man, holding a small package. "It's a prepaid order, you just have to give me otp," he said.
Abhay took it and glanced at the box curiously. "Mom! Did you order something?"
"Yes," his mother called back from another room. "It's for Choti Dadi. Don't toss it around!"
Abhay frowned, turning the box over in his hands. "What is it, a new cup or something?"
His mother emerged, shaking her head with a knowing smile. "It's a new speaker. Her old one broke ages ago, but she never asked for another. We thought she might need it today."
Abhay nodded, his curiosity piqued. "I'll take it to her."
He found Siya in her room, her frail frame resting against a cushioned chair. Her silver hair was tied neatly, and her hands gently traced the dolphin bracelet she had worn for decades.
"Dadi!!! Choti Dadiii, we've got something for you!" Abhay announced, placing the box in her lap.
The now 73-old -Siya adjusted her glasses, her hands trembling as she opened the package. When she saw the sleek speaker inside, her eyes glistened with tears.
Urmi stepped forward, placing a hand on Siya's shoulder. "I thought you might need this today."
Siya smiled, her voice soft but steady. "Thank you. This means more than you know."
Abhay beamed. "Come on, Choti Dadi. We've got to leave soon, right? I'll wait in the car."
With slow, deliberate movements, Siya prepared herself. She picked up her scarf, donned her bracelet, and whispered a quiet prayer. As she passed Urmi, she embraced her tightly.
"Take care of everything, Di," Siya said.
"I will," Urmi replied, her eyes misty.
At the park, Abhay parked the car under the shade of an old Buransh tree. Siya stepped out, her gaze fixed on the tree as if it were an old friend.
"Come back in a while, Abhay," Siya said gently. "I need some time alone today."
Abhay hesitated but nodded. "Okay, Grandma. But no sitting on the ground for too long!"
Siya chuckled softly, waving him off. Once he was gone, she approached the tree, her steps unhurried. The wind whispered through the branches, scattering crimson flowers around her.
Her fingers traced the engraving on the bark, worn smooth by time but still clear:
Raghav Desai
November 5, 2000 - October 15, 2023
Siya knelt by the tree, leaning her head against its sturdy trunk. "Fifty years, Raghav," she murmured. "Fifty years since the day we made our promise. And fifty years since you left."
Letting out a little chuckles, "I hope you get to enjoy. The feel when someone waits for you".
She set the speaker down on the grass and connected it to her phone. Her hands hovered over the screen as she searched for the song-their song.
As the melody began to play, a breeze swept through the park. The Buransh flowers danced in the air, and Siya closed her eyes, letting the music envelop her.
The lyrics flowed, each word a reminder of their journey together. Siya smiled, her voice trembling as she whispered along.
Leaning back against the tree, she let the memories wash over her: their first meeting, the arguments, the gala dance, the stolen moments of joy, and the promises they never get to keep.
As the final notes of the song faded into the evening air, Siya felt a profound peace settle over her.
Only calm. Only the sweet serenity of letting go.
The rustling leaves above her whispered like a lullaby, and she closed her eyes, feeling the cool breeze against her skin.
For the first time in so long, her heart felt free, free from the burdens, the regrets, the pain that had defined her existence. She had loved Raghav so deeply, and now, with a final sigh, she was ready to let go.
"Raghav..." she whispered, his name leaving her lips like a prayer, a whisper of all the love she had carried for him.
And, she closed her eyes for the last time. This sleep is eternal, long and peaceful.
As the light around her deepened, she felt a shift. It wasn't fear that gripped her heart, but a quiet anticipation.
She blinks her eyes and is standing in the field of flowers, and looked for one person. And then, she saw him.
Raghav, he stood before her, bathed in a soft, radiant glow, his features glowing with the light of heaven itself. The familiar warmth of his smile, the one she had missed so much, was now more vibrant than ever. He was here. Here to take her home.
"Raghav..." Siya's voice was faint, but full of love.
Raghav's face softened with emotion, his eyes shimmering with tears that he no longer tried to hide. "Siya," he whispered, kneeling beside her. His voice cracked as he spoke her name, the ache in his heart clear. "I waited so long for this, for you."
She smiled, her heart swelling with the love that had always been there between them. "I knew you'd be here... waiting for me."
His hand gently brushed her cheek, the touch so tender, so familiar. "I'm sorry," he said, his voice breaking.
Siya shook her head softly, her hand reaching out to clasp his. "Raghav. You were there. And now, I want all my last to be with you"
Raghav leaned closer, his forehead resting gently against hers, as if he never wanted to leave her side. "And I always will be, Siya, forever."
Siya's eyes closed for a brief moment, and when she opened them again, she saw nothing but peace in Raghav's gaze. "Are we going together now?"
Raghav nodded, a tear slipping down his cheek. "Yes, together. Always together."
With a deep breath, feeling the warmth of Raghav's presence. Siya no longer felt the weight of her body or the ache in her soul. There was only the light- the light that beckoned her, that promised her eternal peace.
And for one last time, she softly sang his favourite song.
"Raghav....I have died everyday waiting for you....,"
Raghav's grip on her hand tightened, his heart full of love. "Darling, don't be afraid I have loved you."
"....for a thousand years, I'll love you for a thousand more", together the voice rejoys the flowers.
And with that, Raghav lifted Siya in his arms and together they walked into the light, their love eternal, sacred by time or death. As they walked into the light, they felt no fear, no regrets- only a love that had been waiting to bloom forever.
The love like theirs was one to see, where Raghav didn't pass on but waited & Siya waited her whole life to join him.
And they disappeared into the heavens, the world below was left with the quiet peace that only true love could bring.
"Happily Ever After is Not a Fairytale, But a Choice. We made it"