The Time to Love is Now

Cherish and love those around you while they are still here, as regret often strikes when it's too late

- By ANIL BHATNAGAR

ence sitting beside it and recalling our beautiful courtship days.

Seva's words of the last evening pierce through the deafening silence every time Shreshth looks at her body wrapped in the red sari she had worn for their wedding. Shreshth is crying like an inconsolable little child.

"How can she be dead? She was talking to me last evening. How can someone sleep and not wake up the next morning? How can that be?"

Shreshth finds her death too abrupt, bizarre, and cruel. When his brother comforts and consoles him, he wipes his tears and stops crying—but not for long. After a brief pause, he suddenly gets up, walks up to Seva's feet, puts his head on Seva's feet, and starts crying again.

"Please forgive me, Seva. I will take you to the pond as many times as you want. Just return once, and I will become the Shreshth you always longed for. I beg you, Seva, please do not punish me like this. How will I ever be able to live without you?"