Species Of Life

53. 🌲Memories And Mending(Updated)

Sid stepped into the back garden of the restaurant. It was dark—too dark for a public space. Not a single light flickered on. He called out, hesitant and confused.

"Is anybody here? Hello?"

There was no reply. Just silence.

He frowned, whispering to himself, "Someone's definitely pranked me... but why is it completely dark? Strange."

Just then, all the lights lit up at once. The sudden brightness made him squint. As his eyes adjusted, he found himself in the middle of a beautifully decorated garden. Right in front of him stood an artificial tree, adorned with memories—pictures, chocolate wrappers, medals, and more.

He walked closer, his curiosity growing.

A smile unknowingly crept onto his face. He began looking at each photograph, each item bringing with it a rush of nostalgia.

One photo captured a moment when Jannat was blushing while talking to Faisu on the phone. As soon as the call ended, Sid had teased her by mimicking her. She had laughed, a little embarrassed.

The next was of Jannat scowling in anger—Sid had eaten her last piece of chocolate. He remembered how long it took him to earn her forgiveness.

He chuckled when he saw the next one. Jannat was fasting, and he had teased her mercilessly by sipping juice in front of her. He'd enjoyed that way too much.

Another photo showed her posing in her favorite dress, only for Sid to photobomb her shot. That day, she chased him around for ruining her perfect picture.

There was one of a solo trip they'd taken together. A spontaneous plan that turned into one of their most memorable getaways.

And finally, a picture from the gym. Sid had dragged her there against her will, and she had sulked through the entire session. Convincing her to exercise had been a battle in itself.

As he reached the base of the tree, his eyes landed on a small teddy bear, nestled under the branches. Beside it was a card. He opened it. Three simple words were written inside:

"I am sorry."

Startled by a soft voice behind him, he turned.

"I'm sorry."

It was Jannat, standing there with her hands on her ears, eyes pleading.

"Akshu?" he whispered, surprised.

She walked closer. "I'm sorry, Sid. Please forgive me for everything I've done. I know it's not easy, but I'll do anything to make it right. I've hurt you. I know that. But I'm here now, asking for your forgiveness."

Sid didn't respond immediately.

"Do you really think everything you've done can be forgotten just like that?" he asked quietly.

She shook her head, knowing better than to expect easy forgiveness.

Later, the two sat in silence on a bench. Sid gazed at the sky, trying to find the right words.

"Why didn't you come to talk to me? Why did you just believe what you heard and assume the worst? Didn't you trust me?"

Jannat lowered her gaze. "I wanted to come. I really did. But..."

Sid turned to her, finishing her sentence. "But Shekhar's words stopped you."

She looked up in shock. "How do you know?"

"I didn't ask you to stay away from him for nothing. I knew what he was capable of, what he was feeding you. But what hurt me most wasn't him—it was that you believed him instead of me."