I Miss You

Rishi's POV

I was looking at the picture of my childhood album when i saw one of my favourite picture. It was a picture of Me and My best friend, Aryan we  were smiling at each other and his sister was tying rakhi on our hands.

I took that picture out and kept it on the pictures which are kept  in a pile.

While keeping the pictures, a picture fell down from the album on to the floor. I took the picture and my eyes got filled with warm tears.

It was my last picture with him. I still remember it was his engagement on that day he was so happy.

In the picture, Me and him both were back facing the camera with a big smile on our faces. 

My face turned into a big smile remembering that day.

I kept the picture inside the pile again when my eyes collided with the frame I was trying to ignore the most. 

His frame with a Garland on it.

My eyes started to water and my heart suddenly felt empty remembering his death. 

Flashback

I clearly remember it was just a week after holi, he got engaged. After celebrating with the family he went to Mumbai the next day because of some emergency work. While I decided to stay for few more days in our hometown.

It was one week after the day he went, when we got the news, he is covid positive and is kept in hospital.

I was hell scared listening to it. He was my only close friend and like a brother to me and I didn't wanted to lose him.

His family, my family and his fiance everyone were terrified from the news.

We both were working as Software Engineers in one of the famous company's in Mumbai. I asked the company about the matter and got to know few more workers are positive and in isolation.

I started searching on Google about covid and tried to find if he will be safe or not. And one day suddenly, we got a call Aryan is serious and might not live.

That day I felt the ground near me going away. My best friend was going to leave me and I couldn't do anything.

I booked a ticket for Mumbai quickly and came the very next day. I went to the hospital to see my Best friend for the last time and got the news he had left us and went to a place very far from my reach.

That day, i felt something died in me. I was feeling numb, clearly speechless and my eyes were left with just pain.

They didn't even allowed us to even see him for the last time. 

I went to my home with emptiness. 

I reached to our floor and saw it was converted to red zone.

I went inside mine and his flat and saw everything was beautifully arranged. Why wouldn't it? He was a neat freak person.

I sat on the bed and closed my eyes and let the tears flow. Suddenly while whimpering my eyes came in contact with a shining object.

I got up from the bed and saw the object kept on table was his engagement ring and below it was a paper.

I wiped my tears and started reading the paper.

Hey Rishi,

I know if you are reading this letter then I am far away from you. Because till I am alive, I will not let you read it.

Actually, I was not feeling well and had fever after 4 days of staying in Mumbai. I somehow knew i am covid positive and they will take me to hospital.

I am writing today as tomorrow is my test. I don't know if I will be able to make from covid.

But please you promise me, that you will keep my family happy in my absence. You will visit my sister's house each raksha bandhan and will visit Maa during all festivals. Please tell papa I am in a good place and give my overall savings to him.

Try to never let Maa and papa cry in my absence and please promise me to give lots of sweets to my niece, Myra.

Also tell my love, sanjana, that I tried my best to fight from the disease but I wasn't able to. Give my ring back to her and tell her to marry a man who will be her real soulmate.

And you my friend, my rishi. Never forget me yaar!

And I request please don't you dare to cry for me. Your tears and smiles should be of happiness only if you will remember me.

Marry an awesome girl and live a good life man. 

Just think my time with you was this small only.

I know I will be always there in your heart.

Your best friend 

Rishi.

After reading the letter, I kept the letter aside and took his picture.

I cried my heart out that day....

Flashback ends

"Papa I am late for school. Let's go." My 4 years daughter, Rishika said to me and I wiped my tears nodding at her.

I got up from my place and we went outside.

She suddenly stopped me and looked at Rishi's picture with smile and waved at him before going.

I looked at her with a smile and we left together for her school.

.
.

"Life tried to tear us apart, but our connection isn't physical, it's spiritual. Even if you are far away, you are always with me in my heart. I miss you.."

*******

Words -  900

Was missing Papa.. I penned down my emotions in this one shot.

~~~~~

Lots of love
Shradha