For the Last Time

" Avantika , baby I never knew we going to be husband and wife in next couple of hours ... I am excited , elated but scared too that I will be good husband or not . ..  " Manish asked Avantika over the call. 

" Hey !!! Shona .. you don't have to. You have always been perfect beloved and I know you will be the best husband too .. don't let such thoughts creep into your mind . I love you na baby " Avantika replied and blew a kiss .

" I love you too Avantika ..  you're the best thing ever happened to me ... Shona can I ask you for a small favour " Manish asked her .

" Yes ... say " She replied and smiled .

" wait for clock to strick 12 , I will tell you " He said and both disconnected the call .

12:00am .

" It was warm winter night when an angel knocks at the door of my life...
She was like a bright beam of light tearing apart the darkness of my life ...
Her porcelain beauty and peeling voice was no less than those sweet chirping of birds of the dawn time .. ..
She was the goddess I worship every night and whose thought beset my life ... " Manish text her .

" Come in your wedding dress please " he sends her another text .

" baby .. you will see me na tomorrow in my wedding dress .. then why today " she replied while pulling up the zip of her jacket .

" Please ... " He insisted .

At his home .

" Baby .... you came .. you know I love you so much " Manish spoke and gave her a tight hug .

" let me in now " she whispered into his ear and bite his ear lobe. 

" Don't turn me on today at least " Manish said and plants a kiss on her cheek .

" hahaha well I don't mind if you turn on  " she replied and winked .

" Come with me .. " Manish said and held her hands and took her to his room .

As the door opened her jaw dropped . The room was beautifully decorated , candles were placed on the edges of the room & on the drawers , as she stepped she felt something soft tickle her feet , she looks down and found that the floor was covered with white and rose petals ,  scent of rose ruled over the room and a bowl of melted chocolate was kept near the bed . 

" I want to see you in bride dress .. change it for me na  . " he said .

" wait then " she said and pecked on his lips and disappeared behind the bathroom door.  Fifteen minutes later , she came in red color dress ; completely decked up . The dress had high filigree and think golden embroidery , the duppatta was of sheen and of flimsy material . She stood in front of him . He was spellbound by her beauty , her matching ear ring touching her shoulder , her eyes were no less than smoky eyes of Aphrodite , her lips were just like cherry . He was just gazing her top to down & it was making her go red , her cold body was not hot .

He went closer and moved his fingers on her waist , it was so smooth he can't resist and he pulled her closer and their lips met. He strokes her hair while she held him tight , there was no sound around except the breath they exchanged . She munched his lower lip and cupped his face between her hands.  She realised his cheeks were wet .

" what happen Manish ? " she asked while wiping the tears , her eyes were wet now .

" I made a mistake Avantika " he said .

" What mistake baby ? You can never commit any mistake .. " she said while hugging him . Her heart was racing  , she was telling him to relax but she was herself worried now . The romantic aura was replaced by tension and fears .

" I love you itnaa I fear you will love our baby more someday than me  " he replied and faked a smile .

" tell me ? " She insists .

" Its 4 am and you should rush now " He said and kissed on her neck . She moaned in pleasure.  When she come back to reality she pushed him and hurried . He helped her in changing and safely drove her back to home .

" Ooo . .. I love you Miss Pandey and my kid too " he shouts standing outside his car . She turned and hugged him tightly and said " you're the best " .

Wedding evening

" Mom , when will Manish family come ? " Avantika nudged her mother while she was giving final touch to her belongings .

" They must be arriving dear " she replied .

Both heard the knock at the door , her mother stepped out and found her brother was standing .

" Mom ... Avani .. we need to rush to the hospital " he said and shivered .

Avantika was terrified , she squeezed her mother's hand tightly , her hands were dead cold . She was at brim of loosing her tears but her brother held her and they reached the hospital .

Everyone was preset there , except the one. Avantika heart sinks in terror , she asked and everybody points towards the ward no. 203 , she enters and collapsed into tears . Manish was laying on the hospital bed , she heard quick whispers of nurses " THE CANCER " last stage , anything can happen " she felt something chocked in her throat , her world do took the cruel turn , the thing she never expected but the things were like that .

She sits near him and caressed his head , she holds his hand who was cold ; every moment she was feeling something was snatching away from her , she shivered because she had seen her dad death and the destiny was playing again on her happiness.  " baby " she struggled to speak .

" Avantika .. I will always fall for you " Manish said , his voice was weak . It was like something was suppressing in him , he fought to utter those words, he had tears in his eyes , he rolled his eyes to wall adjacent to him  , she looked into that direction and found a baby picture hanging on the wall . Just then those words sticks her mind . The picture was crystal clear , he never mentioned  about kids like the night before . She now got to know why he secretly asked her to sneak in the wee hours . The mistake she realised  was , she was pregnant . Definitely it wasn't mistake but his last sign on her life .

He looked at her and smiled , their eyes met for the last time .

©Aditi Srivastava