My First Take At Story Writing :-) :-)

To,
 Dr.Priya Raghavan
G-3, Gayathri Apartments,
Basavanagudi, B'lore.

.. read the address written on an envelope in her mailbox. Priya instantly recognised the handwriting. Her heart missed a beat. She wanted to open the mail right there; but managed to get to her apartment , so that she could read it in peace. She knew she would go weak in her knees after reading it. She always did, whenever it was anything from 'him'. Sharath , the only guy, whom she had ever allowed access to her life, a long 3 years ago. The only guy, she loved more than love. The only guy, to whom she had given more rights over her, than to herself. The only guy , who was synonymous with the world for her. That one person, who she trusted more than she trusted God. The only one ,who had managed to stay on her mind, heart and soul 24*7, even though he was miles away.

She opened the letter, her eyes already filled with tears of joy. It had been two months since he had called or even written to her. She never questioned it, because she could not. He worked with Merchant Navy. He was sailing. She couldn't call him on the ship's satellite phone.She did not have an address to write to. Her e-mails had bounced back, and she had no idea as to why. Yet, yet, yet, she had no complaints. She trusted him. She convinced herself that he is busy somewhere. She wished nothing had gone wrong with him..... And as she opened the letter, there it was,... the words, in black, on white,...

"Hey Priya, I'm sorry to say this. I don't mean to make things turn ugly, but.. we need to break-up! Can't give you explainations now. But trust me, this is how it was supposed to end. Sorry again. Take care -  Sharath".

Blank.. blank.. blank... Priya's tears of joy took less than a second to dry out. They also failed to come out of her eyes. She was shocked, awestruck, numb.. She couldn't believe this was reality. How could this happen to her? She had never sensed anything of this sort coming her way. He, among all people on earth couldn't have done this to her. How could he see her hurt? How could he leave so many questions unanswered? How could it be so easy for him? Just two lines and everything over? Had he even thought what would happen of her? How could it be fine when they were not together? Why this? Why her? Why now? She was supposed to go home to her parents that week, and she planned to talk to them about him. And now this? All the Hows and Whys swept through her mind like a hurricane. She sat there, as immobile as a stone, staring into nowhere.

Three days passed. She sat in her living room, staring at the newspapers at her door, which she hadn't bothered pick up. Her colleague called to tell her that her Professor was really mad at her for staying absent without a notice. She knew that would come. Being a Post Graduate student in Medicine, when she had patients under her care, emergencies to handle and a lot more duties, she just couldn't stay away from hospital like this. Not without assigning somebody else to handle her duties. She had got leave for only 4 days for her sister's wedding too. And that was starting tomorrow! She knew she was in trouble. But nothing seemed worst than what had happened to her. She had lost her 'everything'. Life itself had come to a stand still. What would she do after becoming a physician? All her dreams of the future were associated with him. And now, how could she live life with his slot empty?

Just as she thought of that, 'Sindhu' blinked on her phone. Her elder sister was calling . "Hey Munni, when are coming home? I'm waiting for  you to come and apply mehendi for me. You know that I'm not getting it done at any parlour right? Come soon da!". .. Priya thought for a second and said, "Yeah, almost leaving". Sindhu was getting married. Unlike Priya, Sindhu always wanted to get into an arranged marriage, to see her parents happily bid good bye to her, and then, open up her life for the person, who the world thought suited best for her. Love for her, was too risky. Whenever Sindhu had said this, Priya always thought to herself, 'My love isn't risky. It's bliss'. Priya couldn't let her sorrow ruin Sindhu's wedding celebration. She packed her bags, and left,...for home... for Chennai.

Two days later, the D-day finally arrived. Priya had never seen Sindhu as happy as she was now. She wondered if she herself could ever ever be this way. She hated it when people said, 'So priya, you are the next one in line!".It made her heart bleed again and again. She helped the bride get ready, to look her best. Sindhu looked gorgeous, the perfect bride -happy, smiling, calm, anxious and shy. Priya felt really happy for her. She said, "Akka, sometimes in life, we fail to understand the value of  people who are always there for us. We never wonder what would happen of us if not for them. I just can't think of being what I am, if you weren't in my life. Sorry for the times that I hurt you. And Thanks for all the times when you lost, just to make me win. Thanks for everything. I love you". Sindhu's eyes were moist. Her little kiddo sister had grown up. The same girl, who she had taught rhymes to, was giving speeches now!. They hugged each other. They realised that they loved each other a lot lot more than they themselves knew.

"Munni, the Groom's arrived...get the aarthi thaali", Priya's mom shouted from the across the hall. Priya flashed a smile and went to welcome the Groom and his family. She hurried to the entrance,and there, ... she froze.

She remembered telling Sharath on the phone, 6 months ago, "I'm so dying to see you honey, that when I finally will, I'm sure the ground will slip off my feet".. And it happened. Right then. Right there.

Her 'akka' was getting married to 'her' Sharath!! She recalled not hearing to anything abour Sindhu's fiance, and not seeing the snap Sindhu had mailed her. She had then teasingly said, "Let there be some excitement and mystery. I shall see the 'arranged-marriage-hero'on the big day itself". Sharath knew that Sindhu had a sister called Munni. He hadn't even vaguely imagined that Priya and Munni could be the same. Maybe the once-in-a-fortnight, 15-minute-conversations on the satellite phone,that he and Priya had, never gave them enough time to talk about anything other than the love they cherished.

Priya had always taken everything from Sindhu. From parents, to clothes, to books, to dolls, to nail colours. And now, Sindhu had forver taken from her, the only thing that she truely wanted, the only thing that was solely 'hers'.

A week ago, after readin that letter, Priya had thought that she had lost everything in life... But now she realised, she had some more to lose,.... and she lost that too.

Yours truly,

Chandana C. Shekar

p.s. 1- My First time at story writing. Maybe it went a bit longer for a short story.Hope you enjoyed reading. I'm dying for feedback. Do comment. Bouquets and Brickbats most welcome :)

p.s. 2- And yeah, my creativity is tired after writing this story, and it's taking a nap. So, suggestions for the Title welcome too :)

p.s 3.- I love the last picture, It's my fav since months :). It speaks a lot.

Cheers :)

Chandana