The Scars ✓

Thirty

"Yeah, tell me, what happened?" Vrinda asked.

"You were right." Kiara stated as she sat down next to Vrinda.

"About what, sweetie?" Vrinda questioned with a confused look on her face.

"About Grandpa."

"What do you mean?"

"He told me that he heard whatever you were saying to him two nights ago."

"What?"

"He told me that I have to let him go and that does not mean that I'll be losing him. He promised me that he'll come to meet me as much as he can."

Vrinda looked at Kiara with an astounded expression which forced Kiara to tell her about her dream and the conversation she had with her grandpa. She talked with a small smile on her face and also told Vrinda that she wasn't hurting that much anymore.

Hearing Kiara talk about her father like that, Vrinda felt relieved that wherever he was, he was happy. She couldn't ask for more from God than to rest her father's soul in peace. She could not believe that he actually heard her and responded.

***

2 days back...

It was a cold, windy night and Vrinda sat in her balcony. Everyone was sleep in their rooms so she came out to have a little alone time to talk to her father. The sky above, was clear and stars were clearly visible. She believed that the the binary stars were best to look at and talk to, since they were the closest to earth. She believed that they could take her message to her father. She sat down and stared at the stars for a while and didn't realise that she had started crying.

"Hey Dad, I hope you are well. I just wanted to talk to you. It feels like I haven't heard your voice in forever." Vrinda sniffed and wiped a tear that had escaped her eyes and continued, "I am scared, Dad. I feel like I'm going to forget your voice with time and I don't want that to happen. I fear that one day, you'll just fade away. I really want you to tell me that it'll be okay and that you still love me and are with me. I'm suffocating, Dad. I need you."

"Mom? What are you doing here?" Kiara cut Vrinda off between her monologue as she stood at the door, rubbing her sleepy eyes.

Vrinda carefully wiped away the tears and spoke, "Nothing, baby. I just wanted to get some fresh air. Come on, let's get you warm and cozy inside. You want some hot chocolate?"

"With those tiny marshmallows?" Kiara added.

"Yep, with them. Then you can go and sleep." Vrinda said. She received her reply through an enthusiastic nod and a big goofy smile.

When Vrinda was sure that Kiara had gone to her room, she went to close the door of the balcony and looked back at the same stars and said, "Later, Dad. I love you and I miss you."

***

Kiara, on the other hand was unsettled. She could not sleep peacefully at night and often woke up in sweat and tears. She was shattered and kept thinking about his death. She could not imagine that he was not physically there anymore.

She often sat with her grandfather's picture in her hand and talked to him on hours at stretch.

"I know I told you that I will let you go and I promise I am trying but it is very hard. I cannot seem to let go of you. Whenever I try, it gets suffocating and I feel like I cannot breathe. Help me get through this."

She put up a brave face in front of everyone but there were countless times when she used to spend hours in the washroom, crying. She felt like she was at an all time low and there was no one who she could talk to, in her family too, since they were all dealing with the same problem. She thought it'll be best if she let time heal the void that she had in her heart.

It is shattering to experience the death of someone who is attached to you through the seven invisible chords. It does feel like you are suffocating and everything around you makes less sense, but time plays a pivotal role in healing the wounds that nothing else can. You cannot simply replace the person who created the void but time does help in lessening the pain that one feels. Kiara wished for the same thing.

***

Some months later...

"I want the purple suit mom, please... it is much better than the yellow one, moreover my lehenga is of the same shade of yellow as well and I don't want to repeat any of the colors, please..." Kiara said with hands folded.

"Okay, okay fine. Take whatever color you like..." said Vrinda.

Kiara, Vrinda and Alia had gone shopping for Indian traditional outfits that they had to wear very soon. It was the wedding season.

Two of her cousins were getting married with a gap of a single week. Two in a row!

That meant double shopping! She was very excited to attend weddings of her cousins; after all they were the first weddings in her family that she was going to witness.

Kiara's family was huge. She had four aunts and eight cousins and they always had fun when it came to a family gatherings. They prepared dances to preform at the weddings and had a family night every weekend. Kiara had slowly started getting back to her usual self though she had few times where she broke down.

Indian weddings have an enthusiasm of their own. So many rituals, so many colors and so much energy; the whole wedding is full of love and excitement.

Anyone who crosses that area can tell that there is a wedding in that house. There is a whole week of different rituals before the wedding day. During these days the whole place is decorated with flowers, lights and warmth. There is positive energy all around and everyone is happy.

Couples give blessings to the newlywed couple once they complete the last and the most important ritual – The Seven Vows. These vows bind two souls into a relationship that would last long for their entire life. They become one for as long as they shall live. Their love becomes eternal. Kiara could not wait for another fortnight for the festivities to begin.

-------------------------x----------------------

Don't forget to hit the star! ❤