A year after the tragic incident, Rani's father arranged a trip to the state of Uttarakhand. It was the transition period between late winter and early spring—a time when the snow begins to melt and the weather becomes pleasant.
They traveled first by train and then by bus. Throughout the journey, Rani sat by the window, her gaze fixed on the passing world, yet seemingly seeing nothing. Even the stunning landscapes couldn't pierce the wall of her grief.
A Father's Hope
On the bus, Rani's parents spoke in hushed tones:
Mother: "What has happened to our daughter? She is always so silent. It breaks my heart to look at her."
Father: "She simply cannot forget him."
Mother: "We brought her all this way, yet there is no change. Will the plan we spent a year making finally succeed?"
Father: "It should. We misunderstood our daughter. She truly loved Rakesh. Otherwise, who decides to live a life of solitude just to honor a memory?"
Mother: "Losing the person she loved has truly changed her."
Father: "Maybe... if she got that love back, everything would be alright. Now, everything depends on God. Let's see what happens."
The Miracle in Almora
They arrived in Almora in the evening and checked into a grand hotel with a sweeping view of the mountains. The next morning, Rani stood alone on a ledge in front of the hotel. As the mist swirled around her, she began to speak to the memory of Rakesh.
"You were supposed to be here with me today," she whispered. "We were supposed to share this romantic moment. You wanted to hold my hand and look at the mountains. I stole that opportunity from you. I don't want the happiness I couldn't give you. Do you know, Rakesh? I have had no other companion but you. Even now, I belong only to you."
She remembered how much Rakesh loved the mountains. He had always dreamed of saving enough money to visit Uttarakhand and the Kedarnath Temple. A deep sigh escaped her. The cold mist felt like a phantom touch. As tears filled her eyes, she closed them tight.
The Familiar Touch
Suddenly, she felt a man's hand clasp her left hand. The touch was hauntingly familiar. Rani didn't turn around; she stayed still, staring ahead.
The man spoke: "Whenever I visit a place of such natural beauty, I find myself wishing my wife was here with me. Even here, looking at these mountains alone felt hollow. So, I came to my wife. I never imagined my heart's desire would be fulfilled quite like this."
Rani froze. Since Rakesh's "death," she couldn't stand the thought of another man touching her. Fueled by shock and a flash of anger at this stranger's audacity, she turned her head to look.
Rani's heart stopped. She stood paralyzed, caught between terror and sheer disbelief. Her limbs went numb, and she collapsed onto the ground.