chapter 31

Sitting in his cramped airplane seat, Rishabh stared out of the window, his mind playing out the worst scenarios over and over. He felt numb, disconnected from reality, and yet the weight of the tragedy pressed down on him relentlessly. Every breath felt shallow, every heartbeat was a reminder of what he had lost.He imagined his parents, their faces filled with pain and fear in their final moments, and his heart shattered all over again. And Shriya—his little sister, who had been so full of life—was lying in some hospital bed, alone, fighting for survival.When Rishabh finally reached India, he was too late. Shriya was gone, just like their parents. Walking into his house, now filled with the eerie stillness of death, he was met with their pale, lifeless bodies. The vibrant home he had once known—a place filled with love and laughter—had transformed into a haunting mausoleum. The memories of his family, once comforting, now tormented him. The walls echoed with their voices, but they were only ghosts—specters of a life he could never reclaim.He tried to stay, but the house was suffocating. Everywhere he turned, he felt their absence, a gaping void that no amount of time could fill. His mother’s favorite chair sat empty in the corner, his father’s books untouched on the shelf, and Shriya’s laughter—once so full of life—was now only a cruel echo. The love that had once filled these rooms had turned into a haunting reminder of everything he had lost. Every corner of the house whispered their absence, and it became unbearable. The home he had once cherished was now a place of torment, filled with ghosts that he couldn’t escape.Rishabh couldn’t stay there, not with the weight of their memories crushing him. So, he left. He walked out of the house, vowing never to return, leaving behind the life he once knew. The pain was too raw, the loss too great. The house that had been his sanctuary, a symbol of love and family, now felt like a graveyard.He hasn't returned here since last four months. But today.......Today he had come back, intending to sell the house. He thought getting rid of this house  would bring him peace. But now as he walked through the empty rooms, he felt something different. It wasn’t the painful reminder of his loss—it was the warmth of their love that lingered. He still feels their presence but this time it wasn’t haunting; it was comforting. This time, he feels like his family is still here , waiting for him to return.He stopped in front of the portraits—his mother, his father, and Shriya. He placed fresh flowers and garlands in front of them, lighting incense sticks as he knelt before their images.“Mom, Dad, Shriya... I’m home,” he whispered, his voice breaking. “ Did you guys miss me????? I bet you do.....By the way, I....  mis.. sed you.....I.... mi....ssed    y...ou  a..ll so much.......”Tears welled in his eyes as he looked at their faces, forever frozen in time. He wiped at his face with the back of his hand, but the tears kept coming.Four years had passed since the riots had taken them from him. Four years of grief, anger, and loneliness. He had thought that by selling the house, he could finally move on, but now, standing in the house, he realized something. This house wasn’t just a place—it was a part of his past, of his family. It held their memories, their love. Could he really let that go?His phone buzzed in his pocket, interrupting his thoughts.“Sir, the buyers are on their way,” the broker’s voice said. “They’ll be there soon to look at the house.”Rishabh stared at the phone, his heart pounding. For a moment, he was silent, and then, with newfound clarity, he replied, “Cancel the meeting. I’m not selling the house.”Rishabh hung up the phone and slipped it back into his pocket. For the first time in years, he felt a sense of peace settle over him, like a heavy weight was finally lifting from his chest. This house, with its familiar creaks, fading wallpaper, and dusty corners, wasn’t just a reminder of his loss—it was a testament to his family’s love, their lives, their memories. Selling it would mean letting go of the last piece of them he had left, and he realized now that he wasn’t ready for that. Perhaps, he never would be.