Eternal Embrace!

"Love is within us, and love speaks to our deaf ears every day only the need is to ignore the voices coming from all directions and not from within.

The moment we continue to ignore the voices all pouring from the outer world, love continues to whisper, hoping for us to finally find it one day. Yes, the journey for love leads us inwards, towards self-discovery, into a realm full of hope and happiness where the most beautiful part of us dwells."

The day was bidding its farewell, and a symphony of warm hues started painting the sky. The sun was gracefully descending beyond the horizon, casting a radiant glow that transformed the sky into a canvas of tangerine, coral, and lavender. Shadows started lengthening. On a whole the world was bathing in the ethereal beauty of sunset.

Sitting on the last table on the restaurant terrace, witnessing the miracles of nature in the form of sunset, with a cup of hot tea was every day's activity of Sumedha after school time. Seemed like she was eagerly waiting for something. Something.... uncertain, unexpected....

" Didi I see you every day sitting on the same table at the same time for the last six years. Any specific reason?" asked Raghu the restaurant owner's son. 

Sumedha replied with mixed emotions in her eyes and tone, "Raghu, I come here every day in the hope that one day I'll meet my eternal peace. A phase of my life years back is now a story for many. Some day I'll tell you, now it's time for me to leave as I have an urgent piece of work." Saying this she left for her place. Sumedha was rarely found in a group of people or with any friends. Most of the time she was seen alone in self company.

She was in her late forties. Her beauty never made her look old but now the silver threads of her hair made her look a bit tired of age.

Being a teacher in one of the best schools in the town she was a known personality of her place as it was a very small town amid the hills. 

As the obscurity of night envelopes the earth similarly, the darkness of pain and sadness covered her heart. Sunsets always reminded her of one such sunset when Mihir told her about his feelings for her. Then it was the only nature around to witness their love for each other. It was the first time that day when Mihir kissed Sumedha's forehead not as a gift of love but also to make her feel secure. His arms curled around her giving her a sense of security and care. " Sumedha, you're the sunshine that brightens my darkest days."

My love for you is beyond words. I want to make you my world, will you step into my life as my better half?" These words were like the most melodious music for Sumedha. Tears rolled her cheeks for she knew she was none of a beauty masterpiece to be loved by such a handsome boy rich in all aspects, from brains to riches. But he chose Sumedha only because he loved her simplicity and positivity in life. 

Mihir was the son of the most popular and respected businessman in the city. Mihir had a different frame of mind, he wanted to be an artist and so was never interested in carrying the business legacy of his family. Hello played flute and guitar very well. 

Mihir and Sumedha first met during college admission. They got admitted for the same course and same college. They both became friends and slowly their friendship took the path of love for each other.  Mihir read his heart in front of Sumedha. She accepted her emotions for Mihirs. It was the last sunset six years back when Mihir asked her to meet him in the same restaurant where Sumedha used to come daily. As per his promise, They were to meet at sunset and planned to go for court marriage. 

Sumedha knew that Mihir would definitely come and fulfil her dreams. But at the same time, she was worried too. Mihir's father was not ready for their marriage. Sumedha was a child without parents. She lost them in an accident. So nobody was there to support her. These all made her feel more neglected and ignored. She started feeling sad and dejected when Mihir came into her life and changed her thought process. 

Sumedha as per the fixed time and place came to the restaurant. She grabbed the last table on the terrace. Kept on waiting for Mihir.

Sun after a few hours got lost in the horizon. Darkness enveloped the light. Sumedha kept on waiting but Mihir didn't turn up. Many said how she could expect a boy like Mihir to marry her. He was just passing his time with her. In her desperation she broke herself apart, piecing together the pieces, one piece at a time, until she tried to find some peace in being a teacher. It took her months to wake up, but it was all that mattered to her. Still, she has some hope for Mihir's return someday because after that day nothing was heard about Mihir. It seemed that he left that place. Not once did he try to call Sumedha. But still, Sumedha's heart was believing something else. She understood what love meant, that love finds us, when we understand that love can be received only when we are at peace with ourselves.

Whenever she saw herself in the mirror, she saw hope, a radiant piece of light shining across her forehead where her hair once rested with that divine kiss of Mihir. 

 

With a ray of hope that maybe one day, Mihir would come she every day used to come to that place during sunset.

After a few days one evening when Sumedha was sitting at that place one piece of news caught her eye. In the news, it was mentioned about a person's critical condition with urgent need of blood. The address was of the city's central hospital. To her surprise, she read the name of Mihir. Sumedha immediately ran to the hospital to check the facts. There she came to know that he was her Mihir struggling for life. 

She asked one elderly person sitting near him about Mihir. He asked, " Are you, Sumedha?" She surprisingly asked how he knew her.  He said I am Mihir's father. The day you both were going to marry I stopped Mihir from marrying you. Accidentally he fell from the staircase and got seriously injured. Before going to comma he took a promise from all not to tell you anything about it. His love is so intense for you that before going into a comma he took only your name. For the last six years, he has been in a comma. Yesterday night he came back from a coma but after that he became critical. Blood is needed for his life."  "I'll give my blood to Mihir" Tears rolled down her cheeks and with grief she went ahead.

After giving blood she came back. A few days later after school when she was sitting in the same restaurant at sunset she heard someone calling her name. As she turned back she saw Mihir standing with a red rose. Sumedha ran towards him and hugged him tight. Eyes full of tears, heart filled with happiness. Mihir hugged her tight and kissed her lips. He asked " Will you be my better half

You're the sunshine that brightens my darkest days. My love for you is beyond words."

Sumedha accepted the rose.