Celestial Bond

10

Sita🌻

I woke up to the sound of my phone ringing endlessly, but I couldn't immediately reach it.

Arjun and I were lying on our right sides, his arm wrapped tightly around me as he spooned me, holding me close.

With great effort, I managed to grab my phone and saw that it was Raghav Chachu, Arjun's younger father, calling.

"Hello, Chachu. Is everything okay?" I asked quickly, my heart racing as I noticed it was 2 a.m.

"Rukmini Maa... Rukmini Maa has been admitted to the hospital," he said, his voice low and heavy with tension. "The doctors... they're saying she doesn't have much time left. You and Arjun should come immediately. She's asking for both of you."

His words hit me like a blow, and I felt tears stinging my eyes.

Rukmini Dadi, Arjun's maternal grandmother, was the backbone of our marriage. Though I hadn't met her often in person, we had spoken frequently over the phone and built a bond, especially during our wedding.

"Arjun, wake up!" I said, shaking him urgently.

Arjun groggily opened his eyes, squinting at me before they widened in alarm at the sight of my tears.

"What's wrong? Why are you crying?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.

How could I tell him that the person he cherished most was slipping away?

"Arjun, it's Rukmini Dadi," I said, my voice breaking. "She's been admitted to the hospital. We need to go now. The car is already waiting downstairs."

I grabbed the bag, tears streaming down my face, as Arjun sat silently, processing the devastating news.

I didn't push him to speak-I knew he was trying to hold himself together. Grabbing his jacket, he followed me downstairs where the car was waiting. The air outside was cold, biting against my skin, but the chill inside the car felt even worse.

The drive to the hospital was suffocatingly silent. I glanced at Arjun, who stared blankly out the window, his jaw clenched so tight I worried it might hurt.

"Arjun," I said softly, but he didn't respond. His grip on his phone tightened as if he was bracing himself for the call no one ever wants to get.

When we finally reached the hospital, Raghav Chachu was waiting for us at the entrance, his eyes red and swollen. "You're here," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

"How is she?" Arjun asked, his voice cracking slightly.

Raghav Chachu shook his head, tears threatening to spill. "She's conscious but weak. She's been asking for you both."

We followed Chachu through the sterile hallways, the smell of disinfectant heavy in the air. I could feel Arjun's hand brush against mine, though he didn't take it.

I looked at the figures Shanmugam papa,Arjun's father and Gautham waiting outside the room.Worried.

Arjun's hands tremble as we stand before the fragile figure lying still, her body entangled in wires and tubes. The sight is overwhelming, but I must hold it together-for him, for her.

"Dadi," I call out softly, my voice betraying the strength I'm trying to muster. Her eyes flutter open with visible effort, and the pain in her gaze cuts deep.

A wave of regret crashes over me. I should've visited her more, pushed past her reassurances that she was fine.

"Sita, Arjun," she murmurs weakly, her voice a faint whisper, "have you come to see your Dadi for the last time?"