In the days that followed, Aarav struggled to come to terms with what had happened. The police had arrested Rajan and dismantled his criminal network, but the cost had been too high. The old man was gone, leaving behind a void that Aarav didn’t know how to fill.
At the old man’s funeral, Aarav stood by his sister Aarohi, who had returned from school as soon as she heard the news. They both wept silently as they said their final goodbyes. The old man’s cane, a symbol of his strength and perseverance, was laid to rest beside him.
As they left the cemetery, Aarohi took Aarav's hand. "Dad always believed in us," she said softly. "He gave everything to keep us safe. We have to honor that by living our lives the way he wanted us to."
Aarav nodded, though the pain in his heart was still raw. "I just wish I could have done more… been there for him when he needed me."
Aarohi squeezed his hand. "You were there, Aarav. You were always there. And that’s what mattered most to him."
YOU ARE READING
Silent Sacrifice
Short StoryThere are some sacrifices of which we are unaware of and we will never be knowing.
