Her body was set on the pyre.She was gone-leaving behind postcard of memories. The fresh garland put on her photo frame will wither soon. Son, daughter-in-law, grandchildren , relatives- everyone came to give him their condolence, but soon they will all leave and the house would be empty like never before.
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One month passed had passed since then. Today his only son would leave for America with 'his family'.
"Don't worry dad, I'll try to visit as frequently as possible". he said as he bend down to touch his father's feet.
"You don't need to son. I'll be fine. No need to worry about me."
" Okay dad bye, i am getting late. If you face any problem just contact Ramesh kaka, I've already told him to make medical arrangements in case of any emergency."
He waved his hands to them as they motioned the car out of the lawn.
Closing the door , he advanced to his room. The bed was empty,the absence of the lingering smell of her hair , smeared in coconut oil broke him inside . He wished he could cry , but couldn't. He could clearly picturize her sitting next to the tea table engrossed in solving the crossword. At one corner of the room stayed her dressing table- the combs still cobbed in white hair, cosmetics, earrings, bangles and between them he found their wedding card. Memories started creating an action replay in his mind all over again as he recalled that day - their first date.
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He was stupified in silence as she took the seat opposite to him. She looked perfect in that pink coloured silk saree. Her face bore no sign of added extravaganza of make-up . She was simple and thats what made her more beautiful.
Her: Hi, there. Wanna order something.
Him: Just coffee.
His face was still not ready to meet hers.
Her: Are you always so shy. She smirked
Him: Not always , its only that I have never been on a date before.
She laughed trying to calm him down.
Her: So Mr........
Him: Arpan Nag.
Her: Yes Arpan, isn't it weird that we are dating each other, and one of us is hardly willing to talk.
Him: Let me tell you I'm pretty bad at this. I'm generally not very okay when I am in front of girls.
Her: Really? But you are okay stalking girls in social media and sending them friend request, asking them to go out?
Him: No no, dont get me wrong, you are the first one I had asked for.
Her: Really? You had never been with a girl before? She asked. Her face bearing an expression of surprise mixed with disbelief.
Him: No, its true.
Her: You are such a nerd. She couldn't help but giggle.
Him: Yeah, I had always been a nerd , since school and thats the reason I was always bullied. Perhaps that is the only memory I have of school.
Her: Hmm. Its strange that here I am dating a someone who has never been with a girl before. Perhaps I am his first choice.
Both of them sat silently for a while until he chose to break the silence.
Him: You never had any boyfriend?
Her: Nopes, it was just a fling sort of a thing, no serious relationship. I went on several dates. Most of them seemed to be so nice and gentle but when it came to marriage they freaked out. I understood that I was not meant to be a life partner for them and I stopped dating.
Him: So why did you come today. I mean why didn't you reject my proposal.
Her: I haven't accepted it yet. Maybe I was looking for a fling or something like that.
Him: Then I guess you have met the wrong person.
Her: What would you say if I said a yes .
Him: I would marry you.
Her: And how could you marry someone you have only been chatting with for the past two months.
Him: I understand you doubts. To find a soulmate in a crowd of 7 billion it is difficult, but sometimes God bestows his fortune on us which is only available in tiny moments. If we let them go, we can never get it back. It was in that moment that my eyes found you and I don't care if its two months or two years, I'm sure to start a life with you whenever you are ready.
She was much taken aback by the calmness of his voice.
Her: Arpan, do you really love me?
Him: And you are still doubting my feelings, because I had never known you better than a photograph, I had met you only one day and bored you with my fake flirting skills, and never uttered the three magical words which most couples really don't mean.
She sat there dumbstruck having no idea what to reply.
Him: If I am in love with you, I never need to say it but make you feel it first, which I had tried but have never succeded because I am always bad at this.
But if you can listen to the true sensations of an honest heart, then believe me- love at first sight do exist.
Emotions tried to surpass all boundaries but she somehow managed to control herself.
Him: I dont know what you had expected from your life partner and if I can really fulfill those. I may not understand romance like Romeo but I just know that, the most romantic love story is not where Romeo and Juliet died together but grandpa and grandma that grew old together. Now if your interview session is over, and now that I cant really wait to tell you this before I again say something stupid ,'Marry me Tridha'.
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Tears trickled down his eyes wetting the wedding card. She was gone, the truth was hard , but he had to pass his days somehow, recalling every sphere of life where she was constantly by him and will continue to until his last moment .