My Strong Secretary (Riansh ff)

Chapter 28

Riddhima

I had reached my house and the place where I was born and raised, my hometown. Near me, Elisa seemed to be looking upset, probably because this trip meant last. I sighed and slapped her out of her trance, not really harshly, just like a little pat or tap on the face, so that she would look at me.

She gave me an incredulous look, that must have hurt, but I meant that. "What did I tell you?" I asked annoyed, like come on, if the person who was dieing wasn't being hysterical or upset that meant she was ok and probably happy to die.

It's an inevitable truth, really, one can never change it. A person who has been born has to die, that's why people in the ancient times whenever asked for immortality were flat out denied, because that was like playing with the circle of life and death, and trust me, she doesn't likes being messed with.

Death is inevitable, if you accept it, you are a clever and wise person, if you cannot, you are not exactly a dumb person, but definitely scared and care too much about everything. I entered my childhood home, where I grew up and where I will.. probably, uh, die too. My mother stood there. Her eyes were red, but the air around her was stiff. As always.

My brother and father, the more expressive ones in the family, were, I should not say this but, pathetic situation. They were sniffing, I would have laughed at them, but this just shows how much they care for me and would miss me. Probably, way too much.

My brother was looking towards the sky, trying to stop his tears from flowing and failing miserably. His eyes were red too. My father was in a more broken condition. He was sniffing but no tears flowed from his eyes. His eyes were red and puffy too. Probably because of crying way too much, I felt bad for him.

His eyes, it felt like there were no tears to show, like it had dried out, I know he has totally broken down. He treated me like I was a porcelain doll. I was his princess. He would bring me anything I demand. He used to say, "Your wish, my command, princess." I looked away. Ah, nostalgia always hits hard, specially when you know it's the last.

My dearest sister-in-law, who was a really good friend and understanding person I had ever met, was looking in a distance, lost. However, something about her didn't seem right. Her hands, more like her palms rested on her belly. It clicked, she was pregnant, but she was not happy. Not because of anything else, but my disappearance.

This was my breaking point. I had imagined the day she would get pregnant and I had always told her that I would spoil them with everything. My mind drifted off to the moments with her and how on a very fine day we were discussing her children. We were sitting exactly where she was sitting. I had told her, I would be the cool aunt and help my niece or nephew, I was more excited for their children than anyone else.

I wanted to experience that, I really did. 'Oh shut up, you're going to have your own children too! It's not like you will not' she had said and I, extremely seriously, told her, 'I will not, I do not wish to pass this curse to my potential heirs. I have suffered the inevitable fate and I know how harsh it was. My mother would argue telling me that this is not a curse but a blessing, but at what cost? My whole childhood?! No way am I going to do any of that. Living to save others is cool and feels nice, but when everyone around you is in potential danger because of one wrong move, always pestered me. I never had a normal childhood.' I had told her my motive.

And I never stepped back from that, I did not wish for anyone to go through what I went through, so I decided not to get married or have childrens. I did, at a point of time, think about adopting, but I kept it for later. Not knowing I would be dieing. One of the many reasons, I never had a single boyfriend, except my crush on Kabir, or any physical relation with anyone. I just couldn't risk it.

No words exchanged, but we all knew what was going on. I sighed. I will spend the last of my days happily. I will talk to the embryo, well my niece or nephew and make memories with them. I took out my phone and started video tapping. "Hey little one! I am your aunt, well, when you do come in this world, you will not see me, because I won't be here. I will be, ummm...." I went near my sister-in-law and rubbed her belly, smiling at it. Struggling to come up with something that helps it understand better.

I could feel their eyes on me, all of them were looking at me, my brother, in shock and denial, he looked away. My father in realisation and sadness lingered in his eyes. My mother's gaze lingered on me and my hand on my sister-in-law's belly and back to me, then turning away. They knew my resolutions. They didn't want to face it. But I will face it head on. "Among the stars, yes there. I wanted to be there with you for every of your moments"

"Don't get me wrong, I really wanted to, but not everything works according to your cool aunt. I will miss you and I will be always there for you. I love you, immensely. If your parents become mean, look out the window and complain to me, I will teach them a lesson, ok?" My sister-in-law chuckled lightly and so did my brother and Elisa. That was progress.

"If you ever want to talk to me or want to meet me, you have albums, but if you want to feel my presence, then feel your heartbeat, I will be always there to comfort you, help you, make you smile, listen to you, ok? Don't forget me, I think we will be the best partners in crime, ok? We'll play all kinds of pranks on everyone and do all the naughty stuff, ok?"

"There will be seven days starting from today and just like this video, I will stay all the seven days and hours with you, ok? I will stay by you everytime. Remember that little champ. I'll tell you all about my life and what all I wanted to do with you when you were in this world. I'll tell you how badass and cool I was." I cried while saying all that and everyone started crying too.

Brother, father and Elisa, just looked away and sobbed quietly. My mother disappeared somewhere and my sister-in-law burst out in sobs and hugged me tightly. I hugged her back. Oh, these days were going to be hard now.