Aradhana
“I’m not going.” The tone in which she said that reflected how serious the decision was. “It’s important and you know it.” I said.
I was standing by her side, happy, nervous, conscious with people all around me, all at the same time. Confused I looked at her only to see my reflection in her eyes. Emotions dancing over our heads just as she did on the stage when I first saw her. A trance. Amidst a sudden muted commotion, I heard, ”… I declare you man and wife.”
Ten years had passed since that precious moment. Me, the sole survivor. Aradhana, the testimony.
A dark morning. The sun was being overpowered by the clouds. Calm and gloomy, a perfect setting which went unnoticed. ”Are you ready?” I asked, “It’s time we started”.
“I’m not going”.The tone in which she said that reflected how serious the decision was. “It’s important and you know it.” I said.
“But we can’t leave Aradhana alone with her fever,” she protested.
“It’s difficult for me too, but he’s serious. You know that the hospital’s not far and it shouldn’t take more than an hour, we’ll try and be here soon, moreover mom’s coming here to take care of her.” I said.
An eerie silence followed.
“Please”, I thought.
“No”, she thought.
“This is the last time we are leaving her alone” she said all of a sudden.
“I promise” I pledged.
Tears blurring our vision, we started. Me at the wheel, she by my side. With thoughts ruling our minds we drove along.
Air hitting hard on our tear stained faces, a sudden blindness followed and a few seconds passed. I opened my eyes only to see her blood stained face. Shocked! Helpless I try getting closer to her. “Aradhana….”, her voice died.
It’s been two years since.
“Aradhana”, I called, “Are you ready? It’s time for your dance class.”
“I’m not going….”
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I wrote this story a long while back for a short story contest. Found it in my almost orphaned Google Notebook and cleaned it up and put it up here. 
