chapter 18

"But listen, why do I feel that there is some other reason that you are hiding from me behind this demand? asked Prakash, continuing the conversation.At first, Kavita was hesitating but later she decides, to tell the real reason behind her demand. She takes a deep breath and starts," To be honest, I have become the wife of an army soldier now and I am aware of the fact that I will have to stay here alone and wait for a long time for your arrival and while waiting for you,  I will miss you so much............"With some sadness in her beautiful eyes, she continues," I took this promise from you only to get the strength to spend that long time waiting for you. The letters written by you will help me to feel your presence around me. And.......................... "Suddenly while saying something, she choked and her eyes became moist and she fell silent without completing the sentence. "And, what else? Tell me. Finish your sentence." Said Prakash lovingly,  while putting his hand on her head and patting her forehead lovingly.  "And, no one knows when the wait of a few months for a soldier's wife may turn into a lifetime..........." She said while hugging him tightly. He hugged her back and kissed her forehead.  In his embrace, she continued, "and in that case, those letters will indicate the presence of yours nearby me. I can  try to live with the feeling of being with you through those letters." When she was done he frees her from his embrace to take a look at her beautiful face. Her eyes had tears and some fear is visible on her face. When he looked at her in such a state his heart ached for her.  He didn't say a word to console her. He simply kissed her eyes and removed her tears using his fingers and then once again he pulled her into his arms lovingly. Prakash embraced her like that as if he was comforting her with his embrace. Because at this time he had nothing to say to Kavita, but he also knew that she was telling the truth. It's their destiny and no matter what they want but they have to bear the pain of separation from each other. "Well listen Kavita, I am ready to fulfill my promise but I have one condition." He said while playing with the curls of her hair.  "What condition?" This time Kavita asked in surprise."The condition is very simple and it's that in response to my letters  you will also have to write a reply for me." Prakash finished his talk."Me??? But why? I mean, how I....?" Kavita said in shock."What, why, how, I don't know. You have to write. I will not listen to yours any excuses. Because  I will also have to spend days without you, don't I need some strength to spend that period? Prakash said very lovingly to tease her. Kavita blushed at this and hide her face in shyness in his embrace. That night has passed but Kavita and Prakash are still keeping their promise made to each other on that night. They were writing letters to each other, even though they talked to each other via video calls, texts, and normal calls. But still, they are sending monthly letters to each other. While reading those letters she said, "Prakash, you know there have been twenty letters in total now which means that within these four years we have been away from each other for twenty months. Suddenly her eyes fell on one of the letters, at the end of which some lines were written. .*****************************Like jo khat tujhe.Ha, Teri Yaad me.Hazaro rang k fasane ban gaye. Sawera jb Hua to fool ban gaye. Jb rat ayi to sitare ban gaye. ( translation: I write this letter to you, in your memory. Have turned into thousands of dreams and emotions. When  the morning came they became flowers and in the night they became stars)Sorry, my dear.  I am not a poet, so I could not write anything myself and had to resort to this song. I hope you like it.                      Prakash. *****************************A smile came on Kavita's face as she read it. She was lost in her emotions, suddenly she heard  Ansh crying. she got up kept that file in its place, and rushed to him. Keeping all those memories and feelings to herself.