Empty

Nidhisha- “I am a soul on fire, a warrior at peace, and a burning light that won’t fade away.” Nidhisha is a blogger volunteering with Safecity, she is an active contributor to ‘The Writer’s Movement.’

Empty

I entered the room to find her sitting on the dining table sipping from her tea cup. I walked up to her and kissed her cheek, “Happy anniversary honey. I love you.” She smiled shyly and got up wrapping her arms around me. “Happy anniversary to you too. I can’t believe it’s already been a year. Time flies by, doesn’t it?” she said letting out a satisfied sigh. Pulling away I nodded and smiled at her, walking up to the kitchen counter I poured freshly brewed tea into a cup for myself. I sipped from the cup, “So, what do you want to do today? I took a leave only for you, so I’m all yours today.” She laughed, “You’ve always been mine. Let’s go to the restaurant near the park for brunch and later we can walk over to the multiplex near the restaurant.” I checked the time on my cell phone, “Well it’s nine already. So you better start getting ready. We’ll leave in an hour. Till then I’ll finish off some of the pending work.”

“But you said you’re all mine today.” she frowned. She’s so beautiful even when she’s frowning. I stare at her. “Hello? Are you even paying attention to me? You told me that you will spend the entire day with me. This is so unfair.”

“It’s only until you get ready darling. And do you know how long you take to do so. Let me know when you get ready. I love you.” kissing her forehead I walk out of the kitchen to the study. I open up my laptop and check my mail. My cell phone starts ringing, “Hello.”

“Good morning honey.”

“Good morning, mom.”

“Happy anniversary son. I hope you’re treating my daughter-in-law well.”

“Thank you, mom, and I assure you I am. How are you doing?”

“You better be. I’m doing well. You’ll be shocked at how well everyone takes care of me here. I’ve made quite a lot of friends out here.”

“You know you don’t have to live out there. I’ve told you so many times that you’re always welcome here.”

“I know honey. It’s just that you both are so young; you shouldn’t have to spend all your time taking care of an old lady. You should enjoy and have fun while you can, while you have the time.”

“Mom, you know it’s not like that…”

“Alright I need to go. I have yoga class in ten minutes.”

“Yoga class?”

“Yes. I have to maintain my everlasting beauty and stay fit, don’t I?”

I chuckle,” Yes mom, you do. Alright then. Bye mom”

“Bye love. Have fun today.” And with that the line went off.

I caught up on my work. Sifting through the piles of files. Checking mails, responding to them. There’s a knock on the study door. “Come in.”

I take off my glasses and look up to find my beautiful wife all ready with her hands on her hips smiling at me “So, what do you think?” she says. “Wow.”, I walk up to her. “Just wow. You look stunning, just beautiful. Twirl around.” She twirls around making her sun dress spin. She giggles, “You’re just over exaggerating.”

“No I’m not. You look fantastic. Give me a second. I’ll change and be right back.” I walk out of the room to the bedroom. Opening the cupboard I open the first drawer and retrieve the box. I change into a pair of jeans and a polo t-shirt. “Jia. Where is my belt?” I yell for her. She walks into the room, “You can never find your things, and it’s always in the rack with the scarves.” She walks towards the cupboard and grabs the belt and turns around to hand it to me. “Alright now that you found the belt I want you to close your eyes.” I say.

“But why? I…”

“Just do it.”

She closes her eyes. I walk behind her carefully placing the necklace from the box on her, “Don’t open your eyes yet.” Her hands reach out to feel the necklace. I walk her to the mirror. “You can open your eyes now.” She gently opens her eyes and stares at herself in the mirror in shock. She turns around with tears in her eyes and hugs me tightly and mumbles something. “Is everything okay?” I ask her.

“I said it’s so beautiful.” she says her eyes tearing up again. “I’m glad you like it.”, I say hugging her. She nods sniffing.

“We wouldn’t want to ruin the entire makeup now, would we? Don’t cry honey.” I say wiping her cheeks. “Its water proof.” she says giggling through her tears.

“Aah. Of course it is. Let’s go, shall we?” I ask. I grab my cell phone, keys and wallet; we head out the door towards the car.

We drive to the restaurant in complete silence. Just happy silence. I don’t remember the last time I was this happy. We walk towards the restaurant hand in hand and ask for a table near the patio. “The food is absolutely delicious.” I tell her. “I told you so,” she smiles. We talk and laugh while reminiscing about when we met and how we got married. It’s very little time before we finish up and have to head out. Paying the bill we walk out towards the multiplex. “Can we get ice-cream?” she asks me. I smile at her, “Yes of course. Why don’t you just stay here and I’ll go get it. Butter scotch, right?” She nods with a shy smile. I cross the road towards the ice-cream stall. “One butter scotch on a cone and a vanilla in a cup.” I pull out my wallet and hand the cash to the ice-cream vendor. He hands me the cone and cup. I look up to thank him, just then I hear a heart wrenching scream.

Jia. I turn around to find her looking at me while clutching her throat. There is blood dripping all over her hands. Dropping the ice-cream I rush over to her. I hold her and she collapses over me. “Jia….Jia? What happened?” I cry. “The….boys…..on…bike…neck…lace.” she stammers. That’s when I notice the missing necklace. “Oh my god. Look at me. Breathe. Please breathe.” I sit down holding her. Some of the people around help me pick her up and place her on a bench. The blood from the cut is all over her. NO! NO! NO! “Ambulance! Call for the ambulance…Somebody.” I scream. I frantically check for her pulse. It’s slowing down in steady beats. “Stay with me, please.” I beg barely audible. She opens her eyes and looks at me. I’m numb. Tears running down my cheeks. I wish I had spent that one hour with her in the morning. I wish I came home on time every day, I wish I never went to get the ice-cream. I wish…this hadn’t happened today. She carefully lifts my hand and places it over her heart, her eyes closing and her body losing life. Leaving me empty….

 

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