chapter 20

SerendipityEpisode-20Megha had been restless since morning. Today, nothing needed her attention.It was Friday. I shouldn't have even thought about going to the office today, But sitting alone at home felt scarier... alone... lonely. The idea of a leave was quickly dismissed, and she decided to spend the day as usual. She reached the office but wasn’t in good spirits.In the meeting, she was physically present, but her mind was elsewhere. Gupta sir’s words reached her ears but didn’t register. She stared intently at the laptop screen, but everything seemed gray.“Megha Ma’am... Megha Ma’am...” Rashmi was standing in front of her. After calling out twice without a response, she walked over to Megha's chair and gently shook her shoulder.“Megha Ma’am! Are you okay?” she asked, concerned.Megha jolted. “Oh, Rashmi... what happened? Is there something urgent?”“Ma’am, we’ve completed the Sehegal Group presentation. Could you please review it?”“Okay... okay, I’ll take a look. And remind everyone that we’ll meet at the Sehegal office on Monday at 9:30 sharp.I don’t want anyone coming late... Tell them, and thanks for all your efforts. You all can go home now.”Megha replied as usual, but today her smile didn’t reach her eyes. Rashmi noticed the sadness beneath that smile.Megha left the office early, hoping to finish the remaining work from home. She tried hard to focus on the Sehegal presentation, but her thoughts kept drifting.Frustrated, she pushed the laptop aside and stared out of the bedroom window.The evening air carried memories, unsettling her.Without thinking, she opened a hidden folder on her laptop, buried deep within other folders for years, touched only rarely.It held countless memories—silent tears, lingering pain. This was the part of her laptop where she stored her sorrows.Sameer... my love.She was greeted by his mischievous smile and those dark-brown eyes—the eyes that made her fall in love at first sight,that captivated her, that promised to stand by her through every storm.She was lost in those photos... So many to look at, so many memories to relive.She stopped at her favorite one. Megha, dressed in a green garbhareshmi saree, stood holding a garland, and Sameer stood in front of her, both looking happy and lost in each other's eyes."Megha Joshi... I fell in love with you the moment I saw you. I told you right then that I wanted to meet your parents, and you just smiled... Now, after 1 year, 11 months, 14 days, 11 hours, 35 minutes, and 40 seconds, I’m standing here, confident, that I’ve answered every question in your mind and passed countless tests with flying colors.Megha... I’ve never met anyone as wonderful as you. From our time together, I know we’re perfect for each other, and today, I make promises to keep our relationship like this for the rest of my life.I’ll watch the romantic movies you love, but if I get a headache, you’ll pamper me. And you’ll watch my favorite Sci-Fi movies, even if you fall asleep—just rest your head on my shoulder.I’ll sit quietly while you roam the shopping mall, watching the news or a match on my phone, ready to carry your shopping bags. I’ll happily eat spiced rice and puranpoli if you cook it, but you’ll have to eat idli and dosa with me sometimes. I’ll make you masala tea, and you can brew my filter coffee.I’ll have to travel a lot for work—sorry for that—but I’ll call, message, and email you constantly, and as soon as I’m done, I’ll run back to you.Your opinions on clothes, home decor, restaurants, and vacation spots will always be final, and I’ll follow them without complaint. I’ll try my best to remember birthdays, anniversaries, and important days, but if I forget, please remind me a day earlier.We might argue, but I promise to resolve every fight the same day. Please don’t hold on to grudges. Whatever happens, let’s talk openly.Your smile makes life beautiful, and your tears break my heart. I want to share every happy and sad moment with you. I want to laugh with you, cry with you, cook with you, and pray with you. I need you to make this four-walled space a home. Life is meant to be shared.I promise to love you forever, even until my last breath. So, Miss Megha Joshi, will you join me on this roller coaster ride called marriage?Will you marry me?”Tears streamed down Megha's face—tears of happiness, contentment, gratitude, and love. Sameer hugged her and wiped her tears.She placed the garland around his neck, whispering, “Yes, Mr. Sameer Iyer. Let’s enjoy this roller coaster together.”A breeze from the window stirred the curtains, brushing them against her face.She wiped her tear-soaked cheeks, opened the cupboard, and took out a bag from the lowest shelf. It held the memories of him.She slowly opened it and pulled out the green garbhareshmi saree—their wedding saree, the first one Sameer had bought for her.She wrapped it around herself, as if resting in Sameer’s embrace, and closed her eyes, feeling the softness of his touch.That saree, a symbol of his love, close to her heart.She opened her eyes slowly and looked at their wedding photos.“Happy Anniversary, Sameer... Happy 12th Wedding Anniversary... I can’t believe it’s been 12 years... It feels like yesterday.The memories are still so fresh. Don’t look at me like that... No, I’m not crying.I know you don’t like my tears. I’m fine... Be happy, wherever you are... Keep smiling like that.” She paused, wiped away her tears, and took a deep breath.“Maybe ‘forever’ wasn’t our destiny... Maybe forever is a lie.”Just then, her phone rang. As soon as she picked it up, Arya’s excited voice filled her ears.Megha’s tearful eyes lit up with an involuntary smile.For the next half-hour, Arya vividly described her journey to Jim Corbett National Park—talking about the forest, the animals, the trees, but most importantly, the tigress and her cubs. Megha smiled, engrossed in Arya’s tales.As she watched the videos Arya had sent, she saw the joy sparkling in Arya’s eyes, her shoulder-length hair blowing in the wind, and that innocent smile.Arya, with her babbling enthusiasm, was a reflection of Sameer—just like him, just like her father.The most precious gift Sameer had given her was Arya, who filled her life with joy and made it beautiful. In Arya, Megha still felt Sameer’s presence, always with her.Forever…To be continued....© ®️ Meghna_Yadav 2021Special Thanks to friend Gayatri and my loving daughter, my buddy.Hello Readers,Illuminate the five stars of ratings with your gentle touch. Do let me know your thoughts via comments..Thanks and Regards,Meghana Yadav... Â