Together Forever

“And what did you buy her this year for Karwa Chauth?”, asked Alok. Raj smiled as he took out a box from his bag. The diamonds shone fiercely as he opened the box to reveal a gorgeous bracelet. Looking at the face of Alok as he tried hard to hide jealousy with admiration, he took out the bracelet and holding it in his hand, read the text engraved on it out loud, “Together Forever”. The conversation broke as Raj recieved a call from his mother-in-law, ” Hi Raj, Simmy is not picking up her phone. I was getting worried so I thought I’d give you a call and ask.”

“Oh, there is nothing to worry about. She must be busy in her Karwa Chauth preparations. You know how she likes to look her best. She might be in the salon or somewhere. I’ll tell her to call you back when I reach home.” , said Raj comfortingly and hung up the phone.

“Yours seems like such a perfect wedding, Raj, with a beautiful loving wife and a mother in law so sweet. How often does anyone get that?”, said Alok as he shut his laptop to leave for home. Comprehending the subtle yet revealing jealousy, Raj smiled, beaming with pride.

Excited to see the look on her face, Raj entered his home and called out her name, “Simmy, baby, I’m home. Where are you?” He took out the box from his bag, which he had wrapped in a beautiful paper with design of red hearts , before he left for home from his work. Walking towards the bedroom, he called out her name again, “Aren’t you ready yet?! You know how angry I can get when you keep me waiting baby!” There was no sign of her in the bedroom.

Just then he remembered something and rushed towards the kitchen. He opened the door of the refrigerator. There she was, clad in red saree, red bangles and sindoor. He sat down on the floor and taking her out of the refrigerator carefully, looked into her eyes as they stared at him, stone cold. He took her hand in his, swiftly took out her bangles and placed the bracelet from the box on her cold wrist.

Admiring his love for her, he exclaimed,” Isn’t it beautiful baby? I know I yelled at you yesterday but can you blame me? You were not listening to me and I hate being unheard. I guess that problem is solved forever now. But, see I bought you this beautiful bracelet to tell you how much I love you. Happy Karwachauth, Simmy!” With this, he hugged her lifeless body as the engraving “Together Forever” shone out of the bracelet in her wrist.