Paths of Life

Part 1

The sun was shining brightly in the sky like every other day but the silence in Saxena mansion was like a mourning. It's been just a day since the elder son and the light of the house Nikhil Saxena left this world.

Nikhil was the first born of Yash and Kavita Saxena and big brother of Namit Saxena. He was a jovial person who never failed to bring a smile on other people's faces. He got married to Neha Sharma last year. Even though it was an arranged marriage for them, Nikhil made every effort to make Neha happy in their married life and also succeeded.

Recently he was diagnosed with last stage brain tumour which quickly took his life and he left the world yesterday with a weak smile on his face leaving his family behind in tears.

Kavita and Yash were sitting in their room each lost in their thoughts of their son with tears streaming down their faces. It was shock to them how quickly Nikhil left them. If they could trade their lives for him then they would surely do it but somethings are not in a person's hand.

There was a knock on the door bringing Yash and Kavita out of their thoughts. Neha was standing at the entrance of their room clad in white dress holding a tray of breakfast in her hands. There was no expression on her face. Seeing her so dull and looking her in colorless clothes instead of bright clothes again brought tears in Yash and Kavita's eyes.

Neha gulped the tears threatening to spill from her eyes and went in her in-laws room. For Neha this family and this house was more dear than her own before marriage. Yash and Kavita treated her like their own daughter rather than considering her as their daughter in law. This house was very near to her heart and marriage brought all the happiness in her life which any girl could ever wish for.

Loving and caring in-laws, understanding and loyal husband and a friend like brother in law along with a beautiful house like Saxena mansion. What a girl could ask more. But it's like when everything is so perfect in life then there is something wrong going to happen to break this bliss. The same happened with Neha when just after a year of her marriage, her husband left her in this journey of life alone.

Neha kept the breakfast plate on the side table and forwarded an envelope to her father in law.

Neha : Papa Nikhil asked me to give this letter to you if something happened to him. At first when I asked what will happen to him, he just laughed it off and I didn't dig more. I wish he would have told us about his illness earlier then we could have done something to save him.

Saying so, she broke down into tears. Yash kept a comforting hand on her head and asked her to stop crying.

Yash : Don't cry beta. Nikhil would not like any of us crying and being miserable for him. He always lived his life making others smile. Now we won't disrespect his memories by crying. He was my first born, my pride and it kills me to even feel he is no more but I know wherever he is he must be watching us . Nikhil was always like that. He never told anyone about his pain and problems. He never wished us to be sad or worried for him. I pray to God to give my boy eternal peace.

Kavita nodded still sniffing : Yes Neha your papa is right. We cannot do anything to save Nikhil but we will definitely honor his last wish of remembering him with a smile whenever we think of him. Please beta be strong. This tough time will also pass from our lives.

Neha wiped her tears and nodded agreeing: Yes ma you are right. We will not let our Nikhil down. He will always be there with us in our talks, smile, memories even if he is not physically present. Nikhil was, is and will always be a part of our lives. He has left letters for all of us. I just gave letter to devarji along with his breakfast. He has not eaten anything from yesterday.

Kavita took Neha's hand and made her sit on the bed along with her : No one had eaten anything including you dear. You brought breakfast for all of us but what about you. You also need to eat Neha.

Neha gulped the sob and turned her head away from her mother in law : You have your food. I will eat later.

Yash called the maid and asked her to bring another plate of food for Neha. She was not feeling like putting a morsel of food down her throat but for her in-laws sake she ate a few bites and made them have their own.