chapter 19

It was a bright, sunny day. The sun blazed down, indifferent to the world below, but for Suhas, those rays felt like punishment—a relentless reminder of his unbearable guilt. As he sat by the window, staring out at the bustling city, he could barely feel the warmth that surrounded him. The world had moved on, but Suhas remained frozen in time, trapped in the nightmare that had begun seven years ago.Suhas, now 60, lived in the city with his wife, their home a shadow of its former self. Once filled with laughter and love, it now echoed with silence and grief. The walls that once echoed with Shrii's laughter now reverberated with a silence that was deafening. Seven years had passed since their world shattered with the disappearance of their beloved daughter, Shrii.Shrii had been their everything. She was a bright, compassionate, and intelligent girl, her kindness and charm touching everyone she met. Suhas and his wife had always been so proud of her, basking in the admiration she drew from others. She was the light of their lives, their pride and joy.But that pride turned to despair when Shrii fell in love with Maan, a boy she had known since high school. Their love had blossomed quietly, kept hidden from their families until they were ready to stand on their own. Maan was accepted into Suhas’s home as Shrii’s best friend, and they all adored him, never suspecting the depth of his connection with their daughter.After five years, Shrii and Maan were finally ready to reveal their relationship. They had worked hard, secured good jobs, and were eager to build a future together. But before they could confess their love, life threw them a curveball—Shrii discovered she was pregnant. The news hit them like a storm. They were unprepared, caught in a whirlwind of fear and uncertainty.Desperate and scared, they sought medical advice, but the doctor’s words only deepened their despair. Due to Shrii’s fragile health, an abortion was too risky. Maan, overwhelmed with love and worry, couldn’t bear the thought of losing Shrii. He urged her to keep the baby, vowing to take responsibility for both her and their child. But for Shrii, the weight of it all was too much. She withdrew into herself, unable to cope, barely eating or speaking. Shrii's vibrant spirit was gradually dimming, her once bright eyes now hollow, filled with a fear and sadness that Maan had never seen before. He watched helplessly as she faded, the life draining out of her, one agonizing day at a time. Every night, he held her close, whispering words of comfort, but the distance between them grew with every passing hour. She was slipping away, and there was nothing he could do to bring her back.