Aaj Jane Ki Zid Na Karo

sa.re: I wrote this back in June, 2015 in lettrs. I remember it was a song challenge and I wrote this story. Unfortunately lettrs has taken the decision to take down their website and app. I could save some of my writings so I decided why not upload them here. Hope you like it.

 

 

 

Beep.

 

Beep.

 

 

She sat quietly in the chair beside the raised hospital bed. Her eyes fixed on the old man lying before her. Her weathered hands shook as she held on to the hand of her husband.

 

They had been married for sixty years. A roller-coaster ride of sixty long years with their four children; two daughters and two sons.

 

She still remembers the day she met him for the first time. She was twenty one, had just finished with her college when her parents were all eager to marry her off. No, her Baba or Ma never pressurized her but it was her society. A middle class Indian society. Her parents have already decided on one suitor, a Professor. She didn't see him when his father came to visit.

 

But she saw him quite accidentally. She and her younger sister were out buying books, laughing and teasing each other, when suddenly she bumped into a man. She almost fell but he grabbed her arms to steady her. And immediately let go of her to retrieve the stacks of books that were spread on the ground.

 

She helped him. 

He left.

 

She didn't know why or how but one look at the man, with his quiet presence and warm brown eyes behind the thick glasses, she fell in love.

When she married him, she was ecstatic but he didn't say anything. He just smiled.

After years together, the thought that she won't be scolding him and loving him, broke her being. The very idea that he could die made her want to leave along with him.

Now, him being ninety and her being eighty one did not matter. 

Age were just numbers after all.

 

She choked back a sob, letting herself fall into the dark despair of hopelessness. She cried, there was no him to tease her about her worries, amaze her with his simplicity and love her with his all.

 

She felt a trembling hand rest on her head.

 

"Sing...for...me.." he whispered hoarsely.

 

She looked up into those warm eyes and smiled tremulously.

 

Her voice once so enchanting was but remains of a skeleton.

 

"Aaj jane ki zid na karo...Youn hi pehlu mein baithe raho..."

 

He smiled.

 

The Doctor told the worrying children of the old couple that their father has a strong heart and he has no desire to leave.