THE GOODBYE

“Tap tap tap” the raindrops were tapering loud on the rooftop. A rainy cold night and Naina lay on her  bed awake. She checked her watch. It was well past midnight. However  today sleep seemed to have evaded her. Reminiscences of the past engulfed her today. Finally she gave up. She grabbed her laptop that lay on the table besides her. She put on the device and clicked on the folder named ‘US’.

She slowly went through each photograph till she could hold back her tears no longer. Each photo brought back beautiful memories of the past, the days which she wishes she could relive again today.

Five years back on this very day, she confessed her feelings towards him “Yes, I love you too.”

And thus began a wonderful love story which now seems a fantasy to be true.

Rahul had been a classmate and a friend. And their friendship gradually developed into something special, a bond that entwined their hearts so tight that it began beating for the other.

And thus Naina’s fairy tale seemed to unfurl before her eyes. Every day felt special in his company.

She remembers how they used to bunk their lectures for a cup of tea in the canteen and how their friends used to envy them so much. ‘Oh, you lucky girl.’

Rahul was just the perfect prince charming, the understanding and caring partner who every girl craves for.

The endless talks, the long walks, the holding hands, the warm hugs and the undying love-everything was going on perfect. Even the arguments were sweet for they ended with an ‘I love you’ on both sides. Naina could not ask for anything more.

And thus three years passed - their love growing all the more strong with the cycle of time.

Out of college both were in different cities pursuing their dreams and they eventually decided to ring the wedding bells.

However, someone had said it rightly or so she thought that all good things must come to an end.

With a week for their engagement he came and broke the news to her: “I am sorry but I have to go. I love you but I love her too. She needs me more than you do now.” That was all he said.

And he went away never to come back again leaving her all alone with dreams of happily ever after writ all over her eyes.

It had been more than a year now. The dreams had withered, the tears had dried but the flame of love-it still blazed fiercely in her heart.

Everyone asked her to move on. Her parents tried finding suitors for her. But she made up her mind- none can replace him ever, she will spend the rest of her life as a proud widow of a martyr, Captain Rahul  Singh who died bravely fighting for his motherland.

She sat there gazing at his photograph tears giving way to a smile of pride. And a smiling Rahul in his uniform winked back at her from the laptop screen as if to say, “I am always there with you.”