My Heartbeat

Marry?

Author's P.O.V

"It's true!" Vidya, Sia's grandmother said to Sia.

Sia just looked at her with dead eyes, a pale face, and trembling hands, as if she was there physically but not mentally present.

"Sia!" Vidya said, shaking her, but Sia didn't even flinch.

"Dadi! Please don't be angry with me. Please don't joke like this just because I didn't come to meet you. Please say it's all a lie," Sia said, her voice breaking.

Vidya stood up and hugged Sia, trying to comfort her. Sia didn't hug back; it looked like she was just a corpse.

"It's true, Sia. The doctor said I only have three to four months to live. I just want to see you in my last days. You will be there, na?" Vidya asked.

Sia's body trembled, and she pulled away slightly, her eyes wild with desperation. "No, Dadi, there must be a way! Surgery, treatment... anything! You can still fight this. Please, don't give up!"

Vidya sighed, her eyes filled with a sorrowful acceptance. "The doctors said the chances of surviving the surgery are... I don’t want to spend the little time I have left in a hospital bed, and I didn’t want to worry you."

"But Dadi, you can't just give up," Sia pleaded, her voice cracking with the weight of her emotions. "What if... "

Vidya shook her head gently, interrupting her. "Some things are beyond our control, Sia. I made peace with this a long time ago. I didn’t want you to worry unnecessarily."

Sia’s face is buried in Vidya's shoulder. "I don't know how to live without you," she whispered.

"You have to learn, Sia. For your sake and for me," Vidya said, stroking Sia's hair. "Life will go on, and you must go on with it."

Vidya pulled back slightly, looking Sia in the eyes. "Will you be there in my last days?" she asked again, and Sia nodded slowly.

"Will you promise me that you will live for yourself?" Vidya asked once more, but Sia didn’t reply. Vidya sighed, sensing the turmoil within her.

"I know you are strong, my child. Stronger than anyone I have ever known. But strength also means knowing when to let go," Vidya said. Sia's jaw tightened, her eyes betraying the storm inside her.

"Dadi, I... I can't lose you," Sia stammered. Vidya gently cupped Sia's face, forcing her to look into her eyes.

"You won't lose me, Sia. I will always be with you, in your heart, guiding you. But you must promise me to find your own path, to find joy even when I am gone," Vidya said softly.

Sia felt her resolve waver but remained silent, her mind racing with thoughts of unfinished business and the vengeance she had sworn to. Vidya kissed Sia's forehead softly.

"Remember, my dear, life is more than just pain and sorrow. It's also about the moments we cherish and the love we share. Don't let my passing be the end of your journey. Let it be the beginning of a new chapter," Vidya said. Sia swallowed hard, her throat tight with unshed tears.

"I will try," she whispered, her voice barely audible. Vidya smiled, a mixture of sadness and pride in her eyes.

"Will you fulfill my last wish?" Vidya asked her.

"Yes, tell me whatever it is, I will do it," Sia replied.

"I will tell you later," Vidya said. She held Sia's hands for a moment longer before releasing them.

Vidya's voice softened. "Sia, you must understand, life is full of uncertainties. We cannot control everything, but we can control how we react to them. You have to promise me that you'll keep moving forward, no matter what."