If only you were here...

“Huh....huh...huh...ooofff....oh god...”

Aakriti was panting for breath. She wanted to reach to the top as fast as possible. The view of the city from the hill top was quite spectacular...but surprisingly very few came to that place. Maybe it is unknown for people here.

“Oh...at last! Yes....”

The feeling of ecstasy and achievement surrounded her mind. Why won’t it be?

She could see the spot where once she tried to jump from...to commit suicide....but there was Aman who saved her not life but her soul as well. Then time changed and her life as well.

Both became closer to each other eventually, like they were destined to do.

Her life was saved, her past cleansed and the future beaming gave her the push she needed. To live free, to be happy once again and yes...to be in love.

Aman was the most beautiful thing happened to her which she didn’t want to lose.

“I love you” she said

“What?....oh...that I already do” came the reply

And it was done. Her life felt complete, relieved. The thirst for love was quenched. Tears rolled down her eyes unlike the wide smile across the face of Aman......and then she kissed him.

“I don’t want to stop kissing you”

Aman chuckled and said “Who stopped you?”

Two years passed.....breezing past them.

They were ready. They had decided to be each other forever. It was only a matter of approval from respective families which they got eventually.....as if they cared!

Engagement followed and marriage dates were fixed....Both of their families were so happy.

Now time for wedding shopping....

Forum Mart...Manish Creations....Yes...I was there too!

“These would look great on us...let’s take a picture with them in background”

Aakriti searched for someone nearby who would take their picture and then found one seemingly looking at them....maybe judging them...but at the same time lost in his thoughts.

“Can you take a picture please”

After thinking a long time,the boy gave a forced smile and said

“Sure”........finally

Aman” “That guy is wierd no?”

Aakriti: “Yeah! Maybe it reminds him of someone”

Aman: (Chuckles) “Or maybe he likes you...”

Aakriti: (Smiling) “Maybe he does...”

They laughed and punched each other....they left the boy before taking their camera....the boy was lost in his thoughts again...watching them with the wedding dresses in the background...surely reminded him of someone...

Yes.....the boy....that’s me!

Rain poured an hour ago...sun has set in...the night jasmine had blossomed with its scent spread everywhere. Moonlight fell as spotlight with them walking on the road.

Aman: What if someday I am not there...what will you do? Will you love again?

Aakriti: “Yes and No”

Aman: “And that’s how?”

Aakriti: Yes...cause I will love you...always...and no cause that’s not necessary...

Aman: Huh? Not necessary? ......Loving me is not necessary for you?

Aakriti: No dumbo...Now that you would be mine forever; I won’t leave you out of my sight...ever.

They kissed passionately...Their marriage as near...Happy moments.....Start of something new!

Tears fell down from Aakriti’s eyes as she relieved those moments...

Aman was dead... hit by drunk truck driver while returning home that day. He was lost forever....and so was she...days turned to weeks turned to months....but the silence prevailed.

The edge of the hill was near. She leaned front and saw the whole city in front of her. The idea of jumping from the edge crossed her mind. It felt fair....for her everything is lost. She as incomplete again and the void seemed huge like a black hole sucking in everything inside destroying them and leaving no trace behind.

“Don’t be a coward....love life...face it upfront...be it anything, never bog down...if alone then try to be with  new people...be in love....what are you doing? Is this how you want yourself to be remembered?”

Aman said that to her the dasy he saved her.

If only you were you here....

As she backtracked her steps her phone rang...the call from Dr. Malhotra.

“Hello Aakriti?”

“Yes Doctor”

“Oh good...the pregnancy test report came...”

“and?..”

“Good news...it’s positive”

Tears rolled down her face again. This time it was of happiness...her life has found a new purpose....to relive it again.

“Thankyou Doctor.....Thankyou...”

A child....Aman’s progeny...the smile now returned to her face that had been lost for a long time.

If only you were here...

Kalinga Hospital...after a few months...

Nurse: “What name will you give to her?”

Aakriti thought for a while...

“ummm...I have many”

Nurse: “Choose the best....the girl is beautiful...so cute...has got it from you surely.

Aakriti: “She has her father’s eyes....”

Nurse : “So...the name for her? You decided yet?

Aakriti: “Yes I have decided the name for her....I don’t know if it is the best for her nor I know if she will like it or not...but I am sure if Aman was there we would have liked it...cause he proposed the name...

Her name we chose is....Anupriya.”

She looked through the window...the sun shone brightly...so was her daughter...beaming. She closed her eyes and said:

“Thankyou...”