The waves of the sea felt unusually calm to Ishaan. As he stared at the endless horizon, it seemed as if memories from his past were quietly stirring within him. He couldn't help but think of Niharika.
She was the one who had once calmed his restless, chaotic life—just like the sea before him. She had given her entire world to him… and yet, today, all of it remained nothing but a memory.
Do all memories really fade away?
The words drifted through the air in a familiar voice.
A sudden ache gripped Ishaan's chest, his body turning cold. He turned back quickly, but seeing no one, he let out a quiet breath of relief.
Just then, the calm sea grew restless, the waves rising violently. An unseen presence seemed to whisper again, right beside his ear—
"Do you wish to forget me so easily, Ishaan?"
All the darkness he had carried within him for so long broke free in an instant, falling as tears from his eyes.
A new sky, unfamiliar waves, the arrival of someone new… has it all made you forget me?
He stood there in silence for a long time—
until a gentle voice pulled him back to reality,
You've been standing here alone for quite a while… Eira is waiting for you.
Why aren't you coming back? Or is it my memory that's still holding you here… is that why you couldn't return?
He wanted to scream at the top of his lungs—
No… I haven't thought of you. I don't ever want to think of you again. Set me free… just leave, and don't ever come back with those memories of the past.
At some point, Eira had quietly come to stand beside Ishaan, and he hadn't even noticed. When he turned, he saw her wiping away tears with the edge of her saree, quietly murmuring her complaints.
Just the other day, you married me… and now you're asking me to leave? What wrong have I done?
Ishaan looked at her, slightly surprised, and said,
When did you come? And why are you crying like this? Come, let's go back to the hotel.
Before leaving, Eira asked Ishaan softly,
What you were saying… was it all true?
Ishaan calmed himself a little and replied,
No, Eira… I didn't say anything.
A strange fear still clung to me, gripping me so tightly that I kept trying endlessly to prevent it from turning into pain.
Is it because of this fear that you want to abandon me, Ishaan?
No… no, abandoning you is never my duty,Ishaan replied. My mother herself chose you, brought you home as her daughter-in-law, and even transferred all her property in your name. For me, letting you go is impossible, Eira.
Eira looked at him with surprise, her voice soft as she asked,
Was it that you didn't like me?
Am I just a toy to you, something you only need? Her eyes filled with tears, more than the sea itself.
Suddenly, Ishaan said,
No, Eira… I never said that to you. You've misunderstood me. I swear, believe me just this once.
Eira broke down in tears, and pulling his hand away, she said,
You won't touch me ever again.Saying that, she ran back to the hotel without responding even when he called.
Like a stone, Ishaan stood silently at the edge of the sea.
He couldn't bring himself to tell Eira the truth. He couldn't hold her, couldn't stop her.
The surroundings seemed to darken, and that unseen voice kept whispering again and again,
She's gone… Eira left. You misunderstood her. You couldn't stop her, you couldn't touch her, and now you will never have her again. Her beautiful body… she is your wife, yet you cannot have her. You never will, Ishaan. Do you remember the day you left me, having misunderstood me?