Paths of Life

Part 2

After Neha went from their room, Yash sat near Kavita and started reading the letter which Nikhil had left for them.

Dear Mom and Dad,
        By the time you both read this letter, I will probably be gone from this world. But this doesn't mean I am leaving you both. Whenever you both remember me, just look at your surroundings and you will feel my presence. Even though I will not be physically present between you all, I will always be there in your hearts.
         Thank you for being world's best parents for me and Namit. You both gave us all the love and support any child can ever want. Its my badluck that I will not be able to serve you two when you both will be old but then don't worry oldies. Namit is always there. Mom dad please don't give up hope on life after my death. Please you two are wise and mature. Namit and Neha will need you. After reading this letter, I hope you both will smile looking upwards and I will know that I can always rely on you two. Neha is Young and I want you to convince her to move on in her life.
           Find a good man for her again who will treasure her like I did and respect her selflessness and innocence. Namit will need time to step into my foot but I know he is more strong than me. Give my love also to him. Keep smiling till we meet again.

Yash and Kavita both looked upwards and nodded their heads crying as if agreeing to Nikhil.

Neha went in her room after breakfast and an air of nostalgia hit her. This was their room - her and Nikhil's but now it's just her's.
Tears brimmed in her eyes again and her gaze fell on the letter kept on her bed. It was Nikhil's letter for her. Neha wanted to read it as soon as she saw it kept in her cupboard but she couldn't bring herself to read it. Opening that letter means accepting Nikhil is no more.

Even if she denies the fact but the reality can't be changed. Gathering the courage, she sat on the bed and opened the letter.

My beautiful wife Neha,
        Don't be sad. You know I like to always see you smiling. I know I broke my promise of lifelong commitments but when has ever our life gone as we planned. No matter how much time we had spent together, the fact remains that it was one of the most memorable time of my life. Neha as my last wish I want a promise from you. A promise to move forward in life. Life is lonely without a partner in it and you are still young my dear. I would be at peace knowing you are living your life happily and there is a man who is treating you as princess which you deserve to be. Take care of my family and yourself. I will always be watching over you all. I have not said it anytime to you but apart from Namit, you were the closest friend one could ever get. You didn't found the feeling of being in love with me but I hope you get a special person in your life very soon who will love you till infinity.

By the time Neha finished reading the letter, tears were flowing freely from her eyes. She clutched the letter close to her heart and asked Nikhil feeling his presence around her that why he left her alone in this damn world. Why he came in her life and made it a happy one for her if he was to go and take all that happiness away with him. She asked almighty why was she made a widow. What was her crime in her life that snatched her husband from her.

Namit was leaning over the window pane but his eyes were trained on the photoframe hanging on his room's wall. It was his and Nikhil's photo from his brother's wedding a year back. So much changed in this one year.

Namit still remembered the day when he wanted to go abroad to pursue his life and make his career in medicine. His parents didn't wanted him to go abroad but it was Nikhil who had supported his decision and helped him achieve his dream.

Neha's sister Megha was Namit's friend and it was through them that Neha and Nikhil were arranged to get married. Even though he and Neha were not very close but still they share a good cordial relationship. As he was not living in India after their marriage, still he knew he could rely on Neha as he does on his brother.

Nikhil was not just big brother to Namit but also his best friend and guiding source in life. He was more close to him than their parents. Losing Nikhil felt like losing a part of himself. Seeing his parents and sister in law so helpless and broken also broke him. If he could do something to bring back Nikhil then he would do it in a heartbeat even giving his life for it.

Wind blew in his room through the open window and Nikhil's letter flew and stopped at his feet. Neha had handed him the letter along with his breakfast. He took a deep breath and started reading the letter.

My champion brother,
        I wish I had more time with you. I never got a chance to tell you in person but I missed you the most when I came to know about my illness. I knew if I had told you about it earlier then you would have left everything behind and come running to me but my time was getting close to over and I didn't wanted to trouble you on my account.
       I won't be there to shoulder your responsibility or support you in person but remember I am always with you. Whenever you miss me, just close your eyes and you will feel my presence around you. Namit I have never asked anything from you till now but now I want you to look out for mom, dad and Neha for me. They all will be shattered from my death but you my brother are one of the strongest person I have known. You will pick up the broken pieces of our house and family and put everything back in place again.
      I know I can trust you. You be happy and take care of everyone else in our family. Be strong and take care.

Namit fell on his knees reading the letter. His brother left him alone. But for his sake he will do exactly the same as Nikhil expects from him. He won't let their family be broken by this. He will keep Nikhil alive in them.