I woke up today feeling depressed, nostalgic and angst y. I had perceived this idea while watching an elderly couple who lived in the same society as me. And I knew that I had to put this on paper.
I hope you all like it.
Love,
Aria
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Anurag felt weary and homesick. His bones ached and his heart ached even more.
There was a sense of despair that hung over him, like a veil. He could not move it out of his face.
He couldn't breath properly. His chest heaved and his head spun. He paced the length of his room, occasionally mumbling some gibberish. He went to stand in front of the full length mirror.
He looked..... sad. His eyes were sad, his face gaunt. He looked tired. His body had gained a little weight but not too much. He could still see the young Anurag in him.
He was suffocating in his own home. The Basu Bari he had lived in his entire life, today, seemed achingly empty. The empty corridors were taunting him, reminding him that everyone of his generation was gone. Only he lived. Alone and now without a purpose. All were gone except one.
He had turned 67 three months ago. He had lived a full life. A beautiful life.
His life had been full of love and loss, anger and despair, hope and redemption and ultimately he had found peace. Peace within himself. He had been succeeded by his children and their children after them. Basu Bari was always filled with laughter and joy, even today. His children and grandchildren loved him, honored him and took care of him. They always found time for him.
But even then he felt lonely. 2 months ago he had lost his wonderful wife Aparna. Aparna was a wonderful woman and an even better wife and mother. She was his biggest supporter and confidante. She was a practical woman, smart and diligent. And she was 4 years his senior.
He had started to crumble after his Nivi di died three years ago but Aparna held his hand and gave him solace. She told him that he had to live. Losing your loved ones was part of your life. It was a cycle. He couldn't die before his death. Aparna, always the logical one.
But now he felt her absence at her corner of the huge Basu Bari and he wanted to leave. His daughter Riya was the CEO of Basu Publications. She had taken the helm of their family business 8 years ago. And she was doing wonderful. Their business was thriving. His and Aparna's son Prem was a neurologist. His and Prerna's daughter Sneha was a famous author. They were happy but he felt lost.
He knew where he had to go. There was only one person in this world who could understand his pain. Only one who could give him some peace.
Prerna
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Prerna greeted him in the hall of Bajaj Mansion. She was wearing a capri pants and a kurti. She was still slim. But just like his, her skin was wrinkled. Her eyes were wise and sad and full of compassion.
There was a mud stain on her kurti.
"Gardening," she explained. He nodded. "Keeping busy or I'll lose it."
There was a little silver in her hair which were still tied in a loose half knot at the back of her head, a few tendrils escaping. She took in his appearance and gave him a reassuring smile. As if telling him that it'll be okay. that he'll be okay. That this grief would transcend . And he believed her. Who would know better than her. She had also lost her better half, her love, her husband 5 years ago.
Rishabh Bajaj had died in the silent hours of early morning, surrounded by his family and friends. The entire Basu family, Bajaj family and Sharma family had been there. He had gone peacefully, there was no pain. only peace and purpose. And his signature one liner.
Anurag smiled then stumbled. Prerna steadied him and took him to the guest room. There were no words exchanged. None were needed. They both still communicated with their eyes. She tucked him in the bed and went outside, closing the door but before she could, Anurag saw that her eyes glistened and a single tear streamed down her face.
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Prerna was reading in the library, it was late in the evening, when Anurag entered and sat on an arm chair just beside her.
She put her books away and looked at him, patiently.
"I'm sorry," he said. "You should've woken me up."
"It's alright. I understand. I used to sleep a lot when Mr. Bajaj died," she spoke and gave him a rueful smile. "I know you miss Aparna. She was truly a remarkable woman and I greatly admired her, still do."
He nodded, "I didn't wish to disturb you but I don't know who else to talk to."
"Everyone's gone," his voice cracked and his lip trembled. "All of them and yet I still keep on living. What's the point of living anymore? Aparna, Nivi di, Maa, Baba, Mr. Bajaj- ""Mr. Bajaj, Maa, Shekhar Bhaiya, Suman Bhabhi, Sharda Mausi, Baba," Prerna added.
"I feel so lonely," Anurag continued. "The last time I saw Tapur was a month ago."
"I don't see Mahesh or Shivani much either, they have their own families too. We've grown apart. That's part of life, and I've come to accept it. t happened to our parents, now us. I miss Mr. Bajaj too," Prerna said and tears streamed down her face before she hastily wiped them.
There was silence before Prerna spoke up, "Do you remember when this all started? Durga puja. Who would've thought that our lives would change in such a way? We fell in love with each other, separated, met again. It was fate. We started this journey together and it would end with us."
Anurag smiled at all the fond memories that came to him. "Then Mr.Bajaj entered our lives. If someone had told me then that he would end up being your husband and my best friend, I would've laughed before slapping that person. I mean, who would've thought. I thought we were soulmates."
They chuckled, there was no bitterness. They still loved each other but not in romantic sense. What they had was real but it had ended a long time ago and none of that troubled them. They found their significant others and lived happily.
Prerna also had a son with Mr. Bajaj. Ranveer Bajaj was a charismatic businessman, every bit of his father but he had his mother's sacraments too. Kukki was also a successful business woman.
Ranveer and Prem were best of friends. Kukki, Sneha, Ranveer, Riya and Prem were strengthening relationships forged by their parents. They were best friends and siblings. Always together in times of joy and despair.
All in all, after everything each one of them had been through. They had found their due.
"We are soulmates. Friends can be soulmates too. It happens ever so rarely that a soul dips into yours like stars. You are such a constellation to me. Our journey has come to an end, But as they say, every ending has a beginning. I don't regret anything in my life, from loving you to marrying Mr. Bajaj. Everything worked out just the way it was supposed to," Prerna smiled, staring into space. "We had a good life."
Anurag nodded in agreement, "It truly was. It has been a glorious ride. Thanks to you Prerna Sharma and your flying dupatta."
Prerna smacked his arm and started laughing with him.
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When Sneha Bajaj entered the library of her home, she found maa and Anurag baba resting on their arm chairs, their hands were clasped, Prerna's head on Anurag's shoulder.
Sneha smiled and walked on her tip toes, her newly published book in her hand.
The book was titled Mere Humsafar and it was based on the lives of Anurag, Prerna and Mr. Bajaj.
She knelt in front of her parents and carefully placed their clasped hands on the cover of her book, trying not to wake either of them up.
It almost felt symbolic. She put their hands back on the connecting armrest. Delicately she placed her book on the table beside her mother. She looked at their peaceful faces one last time before leaving, deciding that she would wake them up after she had freshen up.
Besides her children were waiting to greet her properly.
Ye Hai Mohabbatein
