Wish List ✔

The Marble Wonder

“ Ryan did you keep your winter stuff ? I don't want you to fall sick” Alice asked Ryan who is right now digging jeans from his closet amid a huge pile of messed up clothes kept like trash.

The Stuarts are flying to India to fulfill Ariel's first two wishes. Daniel has taken up leave from his work for the next 60 days to spend time with Ariel and his family.

Stuarts have a late night flight to Delhi. Everyone has packed their stuff only Ryan is left. Alice now finally fumed, Ryan it is already dinner time and still you have unpacked bags. Sometimes I feel Ariel is much matured than you. Come on! you are 22, and you still don't know how to keep your closet clean and how to do the packing !”.

Ryan shot back, “Mommy when will you stop comparing me and Ariel, we both are two different individuals “.

Alice shouted, Ryan behave yourself ! How dare you raised your voice against me. Ryan I expected you to behave maturely and at least pack your bags yourself and here you're arguing with me. Don't you know how difficult it is, already Ariel is sick, and you are fighting with me instead of doing your work properly ! “.

Ryan spoke out, Ariel is already dying, and I guess you want to rid of me too, sure I will soon shift out of this house as I am just still staying here because of Ariel “.

Alice replied, You are so selfish Ryan, always thinking about yourself. I wish I lost you instead of Ariel because a son like you is just a burden, a useless being !”.

“ Mommy my bro is not a burden, If you say one more word against my bro then I warn you that you will see my dead face right now! “ Shouted Ariel as she stood at the entrance of the room.

Alice shivered hearing Ariel and Ryan looked at Ariel with wide eyes. By now Daniel too heard the whole argument silently, and he finally stepped inside the room to pacify the situation and to take Alice with him. Before leaving, he gave an assuring nod to both his kids, and then he took Alice with him.

Ryan then said Ariel stop playing with our emotions, how casually you threatened mommy to die right now. Do you even know what your death means to us, do you know how painful it is to see your only sibling dying ?”.

For the first time the tears trickled down Ryan's face. Ariel wiped Ryan's tears, and she spoke, I am so sorry bro, I shouldn't have uttered about me dying but bro I can't bear anything which gives you agony “. Ryan replied, It's okay Ariel, but next time don't talk back to mommy like that as she loves you and harsh words pierce her heart “. Ariel quickly spoke, The same goes for you too bro”.

Hearing Ariel, Ryan looked at her with astonishment as now Ariel said her point with precision.

Ryan always gets amazed by Ariel's understanding ability, the way Ariel sorts differences between Ryan and Alice or the way Ariel corrects either Alice or Ryan whenever they go wrong in an argument with each other.

Ariel spoke again, Bro I know you have always shared everything with me, right from our parents affection to the packets of Oreo biscuits, I am grateful to you for that. I am just so lucky to have a brother like you. Bro I know you scarified the love you deserved to get from our parents, but now I am grateful to God for giving me the tumor because now when I will leave, you will get all the love and affection which you missed all these years “. Tears made Ariel's throat choked up .

Ryan exclaimed, shut up Sissy! I never wanted you to die, I hate when you talk about passing away! Sissy your presence never made our parent's affection divided, it is just that mommy never understood me. She just kept comparing me with other kids when you were not even born, then when you came she kept comparing me and you in everything, freaking 18 years passed and still she is doing the same”. Ryan's eyes are now red-hot with the tears.

Ariel hugged her brother and said “Bro I understand your pain, but mommy loves you too, it is just that she searches perfection in everything, that is why she thinks you as a messed up son. Look bro I have a solution for you “.
Ryan asked impatiently, ” What solution Sissy ?”. Ariel said in a serious tone Look bro, you are a messy creature who can't manage or organize himself or his room. So....just bring a wife for yourself who will help you in getting organized and help you in mending your equation with mommy because I won't always be here to be the pacifier between you and mommy “.

Ryan blushed and blurted out Sissy do you want to meet your future sister-in-law?”. Ariel exclaimed “Oh My Gosh! You love someone !”. Ryan replied, ” I will make you meet her, once we return from India “.

Ariel literally jumped in happiness only to be stopped but sudden dizziness. Ryan supported Ariel, and he made her sit on a chair. Ariel then verbally directed Ryan about how to pack his bag quickly .

Ryan after finishing his packing said, ” You are the best sister, I can't imagine my life without your presence, with whom will I share my secrets, tell me, huh?”.

Then both brother and sister duo broke down into tears, at this point their parents came in.

Alice said, ” I am so sorry Ryan for not understanding you, Ariel dear I am so sorry to you too, you were planning this trip and look I have ruined everyone's mood “.

Ryan answered” I am so sorry mommy, I was also so rude to you, I promise I will never leave my family”.

Daniel said Now let's catch up the flight on time “. After a 16-hour flight the Stuarts reached Delhi, by now Ariel was completely tired, and she got fever out of exhaustion.

Ryan helped Ariel to walk up to the taxi. The Stuarts stayed in hotel Radisson near the airport, so that Ariel could rest properly for a day. Ryan helped Alice in taking care of Ariel as he kept a wet towel on Ariel's forehead to cool down Ariel's soaring fever.

The next day Ariel felt okay to travel So, the Stuarts took a train from Delhi to Agra. Ariel's first wish is to see the marble wonder Taj Mahal. Within 3 hours Stuarts reached Agra, and then they saw Taj Mahal.

Ariel's P.O.V starts ....

Oh, My! Gosh....this is way more beautiful than I thought. I am seeing the marble wonder Taj Mahal. The white marble gleaming in the hazy winter sun of India is a sight to behold.

It is more amazing than the pictures. The patterns and calligraphy on the Taj Mahal are marvelous.

It took 22 years to build this wonder, our tour guide told us. This Taj Mahal is actually a memorial for Mumtaaz Mahal who was Mughal king Shahjahan's wife. Taj Mahal also has the graves of Mumtaaz and Shahjahan.

The tourist guide also narrated some more stories and details of Taj Mahal which I didn't pay attention to because I was busy in capturing everything in my eyes.

We got photos of 4 of us clicked together. Ryan also filmed my reaction when I saw the Taj Mahal for the first time along with a few more precious moment of us enjoying, Ryan made this video for my YouTube channel.

After a while my health degraded so, we stayed in a hotel to make my sick body rest. These days I feel like I am ageing faster, the chemo are now showing their side effects making me feel like a 60-year-old at times as sometimes I am unable to move, talk, eat and go to toilet or even bath on my own.

But my mommy is doing every chore of mine with patience. Next day we got back to Delhi, We will stay in India for a few more days to fulfill my next wish. I am elated that my first wish to see the marble wonder got completed. 55 days are left for me to say final goodbye but I pray to God to let me fulfill all my wishes before I get inside the casket.

Ariel's P.O.V ends .....