Days turned into weeks, weeks turned into months and months turned into a year but nothing changed till one day, when he was lying on the bed, he received a call from an unknown number. He picked up the call and stood up after hearing the voice.
“Natasha?” he said while breathing fast.
“How are you, Rohit?” Natasha said in a low tone.
“I am fine? This is your new number? It’s been a year since we talked.”
“It is my second number. I called you and texted you but you never responded. You didn’t even attend my engagement and my marriage,” Natasha said in a low tone.
Rohit didn’t respond. His hands trembled and his eyes started twitching.
Natasha broke the silence, “I called you to invite you to a function. This might be the last invitation. I want you to come to this function. Promise me that you will not skip this one. Promise me!” she said while holding her tears.
“I promise. I will attend this function but what function is it about?” he asked.
“I have sent you the digital card in the chat.”
Rohit looked at the card and his heart felt heavy.
Somedays later, Rohit arrived at the function, the air buzzing with laughter and chatter. As he moved through the crowd, exchanging pleasantries, his mind wandered back to the past, to memories of those who once meant the world to him. And then he saw Natasha. She was standing across the room, her back turned to him at first, but he recognized her instantly. His heart skipped a beat as he took in the familiar curve of her shoulders, the way her hair fell gently down her back. It had been years since they last saw each other, but time hadn’t diminished the effect she had on him. He started to move towards her, drawn by an invisible thread. In her arms was a baby.
His breath caught in his throat as he watched her cradle the little one, her face soft and radiant with a motherly glow. The life she was living now was one he had once dreamed of sharing with her, but that dream had been left behind along with their past. She turned back, glanced at Rohit and approached her.
She came near him and hugged her tightly, “You knew you would come.”
Rohit hugged her back, “I had to keep the promise.”
Natasha’s eyes got wet. She wiped them and said, “You take some rest. I want to talk something personal to you after the function ends.”
Rohit waited for some hours in the bedroom. In the evening, Natasha entered the room with the baby and sat in front of Rohit.
“So, today is Aarvi’s first birthday! She looks just like her mother,” Rohit smiled.
“Rohit, you haven't changed,” Natasha chuckled, “You didn't attend my marriage and stopped calling or chatting with me.”
“Leave those old things, Natasha. You tell me how you are and how your marriage life is going on?”
Natasha looked at Rohit and said, “Nothing's going as I expected. Everything was going alright in the early months but then everything crumbled. Seven months ago, my husband and I were coming from a religious trip when our car fell off the cliff. I sustained some critical injuries but he died on the spot,” Natasha wiped the tear coming out of her eye.
“I am sorry to hear that. Please, be strong. Everything will be alright,” Rohit said while consoling her.
“Everything is not alright, Rohit,” Natasha stood up and walked toward an almirah. She opened it and took out an envelope. She gave the envelope to Rohit.
Rohit opened the envelope and read it. He felt like he'd been punched in the gut as he read the page. His heart sank, and his mind went blank. He couldn't believe what he was reading, “It can't be.”
He looked at Natasha who was standing in front him with her head down, “Natasha, I don't know what to say or do. I am feeling so helpless.”
He read the page again, trying to process it all. His eyes welled up with tears.
“I don't have so much time left. The doctor said it could be a maximum of three to four months,” Natasha said and sat in front of Rohit.
“This can't be happening,” Rohit held Natasha's hand, trying to comfort her.
“I am scared but I am more scared about Aarvi. She's only one,” Natasha started crying.
Rohit tried to console her. Natasha took control of herself and wiped her tears. She looked at Rohit and said, “I need someone to take care of her. You're the only one I trust.”
“Nothing will happen to you. You will live and see your baby growing,” Rohit said while holding her hands.
“Rohit, you aren't listening. It's the last stage and I don't have much time left. You promise me that you will take care of her,” Natasha put Rohit's hand on her head.
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