Happily Ever After

-Go Away-

The preparations were done at the crematorium. We would take the bodies there in an hour or so. Friends and relatives flooded our home before we even reached Gwalior. My friends stood at the main gate to receive me. They took me away to my room and we are here since then.
No one has spoken a word. We are just sitting, sadness grimming our faces.

"So how have you all been?"

"Good." A reply came in unison.

"You say Arjun, how have you been? We didn't really talk in these two days right?" asked Pratyush.

"Yeah. A lot happened over the past two days."

"Yes." Aarvi muttered under her breath.

"Arjun, you need to tell us, we are your friends. Tell us how you feel. What is in your mind?" Rajat asked.

"I don't know. I feel hollow. I miss them. They were all I had, afterall. Life is such a bitch. Whenever something good is happening it pokes its nose in and ruins everything. Everything was going fine. My birthday, the revelation, the acceptance, I had finally begun to work with my head held high. I had just met Ahana. And now it's all ruined. It's all dest..."

"Who's Ahana?" Asked Shubhit.

"Are you guys talking about me?" I see Ahana standing on the door

"Who are you?" Aarvi asks her.

"I am Ahana. Arjun's friend."

"How come we don't know her?" Ana asks.

"We met two days back when I was coming home from school."

"Okay. And you didn't even tell us." Jay says.

"I didn't tell you all because there was no time. We met 2 days and then my parents met with an accident. How do you expect me to tell you about a girl?"

Everyone fell silent.

"Arjun, you have been called out. They are taking them away for cremation."

"He'll be out in a bit."

"Baby, you are strong. You can do this. We are with you." And we all walk out.

People were crying but I couldn't feel anything. I had just been numb. Then they ask me to sit down to remove my hair. This can't happen.

"No, I won't to get my hair removed."

"But, this is a ritual."

"I don't care. Mom loved my hair and she never liked when I did anything with them. They will be the same."

We perform the other rituals and sustoms and finally all the five are taken to the crematorium.

"Where are you going? Females are not allowed to go there. You girls wait here with us. We must stay home while men perform the rites."

"Excuse me? This is 2019 and are you really speaking this? I am very sorry aunty but I can't leave him alone. We know how he is." Aarvi says.

"She is correct. I'm not leaving him either. Do whatever you want to do with your customs. We will go." Says Ahana.

"Let go. I am saying let them go. Beta, take care of Arjun, all of you. Thank you."

"Kavita aunty and Shiv uncle always treated us like their own kids. This is the least we can do for them." And we all leave.

The fire signified end. The end of our family, the end of love, the end of everything.

The next few days can still be easy but what will I do the rest of my life? I have no one and I can't live with my aunty. I just can't. I don't want to leave my home. I have lived here for freaking 18 years. We made so many memories here. How will I live, alone?

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Maybe, we're nearing the end.

What are your views about the chapter, let me know in the comments section below. Thank you. :) ❤

© Anshul Maheshwari

#HEAbyAnshul
#HappilyEverAfter