EPILOGUE

Pranav and Pallavi always had plans for travelling. They took off once their present professional commitments were done. Before Pallavi loses all threads of her memory they needed this time together; to be away from the whole world and savour beautiful moments before the ultimate sunset. They had put this off for long for their kids and careers. But now there is nothing more important than this.

Pranav bore with her eccentric moods, handled her outbursts with patience and love; consoled her and became her sole strength whenever she became aware of the changes happening to her. When she lost hope against the disease that is engulfing her, he reassured her. He did everything he could to fight their fate. With each day, Pallavi lost a bit of herself and Pranav lived with it.

One day when she tried to wear a sari, she couldn’t remember how to drape it; he draped it for her. She was getting worse at handling kitchen. Mid way through preparing food she would forget how to proceed further or she would burn the food or damage the kitchen or simply forget to cook and eat on time. So Pranav slowly convinced her to let go of the reins of kitchen to maids. She would often misplace things, or brush teeth with his toothbrush, or come out after just standing in shower for a while without bathing properly. He had to be there for her, at every step and he did. Naturally their careers and life beyond this situation took backseat. Pallavi is slowly becoming a child, who needs absolute care and he diligently offered his wife that.

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Years went by and life moved through twists and turns for all of them. Janaki and Ajith found a companion in each other. They didn’t want to name or bracket their companionship into the usual moulds of relationship. They are matured individuals who are aware of their needs; and right now they needed nothing from life except a feeling of belonging, comfort and friendship.

Ajith still loved his wife with all his heart and didn’t want a replacement for her in his life. Neither was Janaki interested in being one. Janaki always yearned for love and made wrong choices in life but she isn’t interested to walk down that lane anymore. They didn’t want to channel their friendship into anything else.

They have found a solace in each other; they are happy with each other’s presence in their lives and have no expectations or dreams from each other. Arti found a mother figure in Janaki and she indulged the girl in her life. They just decided to go with the flow.

Janaki has completely got over her past relationship. She realized that some relationships are just not meant to be. She has finally attained peace. Her son, thriving business, shelter home that has become her home and Ajith’s friendship and Arti filled her life to the fullest.

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Ayaan is happy for his parents. They have created a different life for themselves and are happy in it. Initially it did seem a bit awkward and uncomfortable for him. But with time, he is able to adapt to the reality of his life. They are not just his father and mother, but two individuals with their own lives; when he learned to see it in that light, he was able to make peace with his life.

Moreover with time, his life took off and he had to seek his own path and make decisions. He completed his graduation and has got admission for MBA in London, in the same University where his mother graduated. He is a free individual now with his own dreams and ambitions. He has just started and there’s a long line of experiences awaiting him.  

Avni is embarking on her life journey too. She also believed in her dreams, just like her mother and worked hard to make it a reality. But unlike her mother, she is not comfortable in being in front of the camera. She is diffident in nature but passionate about films just like Pallavi. So she opted to stand behind the camera and Pallavi encouraged her passion. Pallavi emerged successful in life because she followed her heart. So when her daughter did the same, she supported her.

Avni had found support in Jasmine and Pranav too. Jasmine realized her talent first and guided her accordingly, just like she did with Pallavi back in time. Pranav tried to help her with his contacts but she denied his help owing to the rising debates of nepotism. If she made it, she wanted to do it on her terms. Avni is set for her journey ahead.

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Jasmine and Viren had their share of ups and downs too in the last few years of togetherness. Viren’s laid back attitude and Jasmine’s temper did create issues in their relationship. He did not like to be tied down and though Jasmine didn’t have the intention to do so, a relationship does come with its share of expectations and responsibilities.  They had major fights and walked out on each other often but somehow found their way back to each other despite their earnest attempts not to. At the end of the day, their relationship did not have a name but they did have a true bond and that alone mattered to them. They continued to fight, walk out, and patch up like it’s their life’s ultimate pattern.  A great relationship is one where a couple learn to enjoy their differences and fights. Viren and Jasmine have found their anchor in each other.

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Kushi has lost major share of her memory. Her mind has gone back to her childhood. She no longer recognized Pranav or Avni. She often asked for her father and mother. Nisha is the only person she still recognized. After Avni and Ayaan left to pursue their dreams, Pranav shifted with Pallavi to her hometown. Since her memories belonged to that environment, he thought it is best for her.

She did not recognize Pranav but somehow let him take care of her. And that was a huge relief for Pranav. He no longer heard her calling his name, there is no sign of feeling in her eyes when she looked at him, and at times she angrily shouted and screamed at him asking who he was. It hurt him a lot but he coped with it.

Their loved ones felt bad for Pranav more than Pallavi. Pallavi at least is unaware of what’s happening to her and still has her blissful moments in her mind that’s lost track of time. But Pranav is bearing it all with a sane mind.

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It is their 15th wedding anniversary today. Pallavi obviously did not remember the significance of the day. Till last year, she did recognize Pranav and hence could be told about the day. But today Pranav is a stranger to her and there are no memories in her mind. Even if she didn’t remember, Pranav is determined to make this day memorable for them, as usual. He assisted her in bath and got her ready in a red sari and adorned her with all signs of a married woman.

He took her to the kitchen but she is adamant about sitting in the garden. He gave in and made her sit on the swing in the garden so that he can watch over her through kitchen window while he baked a cake for her.

Pranav did have an eye on her time to time. When he turned towards the window after placing the batter in the oven, he couldn’t see Pallavi. He rushed out calling her name but got no response in return. He got panicked and ran into the house searching every room. Not finding her there he ran out of the house. Since maids were on leave owing to their anniversary there is no one else at home who could have noticed her. He ran down the lane before the house in search of her.  He did ask a few people on the road and they did see Pallavi and told him the direction in which she went. He ran down the road and finally found her standing before the crossroad not knowing where to go. He ran towards her and as soon as he reached her, he hugged her. He is trembling with tears.

“Pallavi!!!!!!!!!!!!!..............Dammit, you scared me!!!!!”

He came out of the hug and cupped her face. At first she looked at him strangely, and then she slowly smiled and handed over the flowers that are in her hand. It is a special variety flower found in Shimla. Unknowingly she fulfilled their anniversary routine where she always gifted him a unique flower variety to him.

Pranav is shook beyond his core and searched her eyes for any signs of recognition for him. There are none. She neither recognised him nor realized her actions. Her mind which is scattered with her five year old self could not have given her this insight; but maybe her heart did. Not to mention, that’s the interpretation Pranav preferred. He is deeply touched and can’t contain his tears.

“You...you remembered?”

“Huh”

“You used to gift me unique flowers for my garden on all anniversaries”.

She looked confused for a moment before shifting her focus beyond him onto something on the road. He smiled through the tears not affected by her dismissal.

“I guess, I’m still there somewhere inside you. That’s why you remembered”.

His heart burst out with joy. He hugged her close to him showering butterfly kisses everywhere. It is indeed the happiest moment of his life, in years. This one incident will keep him going, will keep them going.

Life is a mixture of happy and sad moments. When a catastrophe befalls you, never thing you have reached the dead end. It is just a new beginning, always......! There’s a silver lining to every dark day.

THE END