Past in Future

- Had a short story competition in my company     

                I am relaxing on a park bench holding my walking stick in one hand and spectacles in the other. The feel of gentle breeze is so romantic. I start looking around the people in the park. What I see is a middle aged couple discussing, sitting next to each other. I clearly see the love they are sharing. Both of them seem to be very affectionate towards each other. The only person I remember at this time is my wife. I am missing her a lot. She was the one who cared for me, she was the one who stood beside me in every difficult situation, and she was the one who motivated and encouraged me and brought back my drowning life to stability. Yes, I can just tell “She was…”, because she left me 10 years ago. I had never cared for her, I had taken her for granted, and I had never asked her what she wanted in her life. Now I think I should have loved her more. At least, I should have considered her as a part of my life.

      It was at the time of recession. The “lay-off” sword was swinging above my head and I had to work late nights to meet my customer’s expectation. I never let her know that I would be going late to home. She waited for me day after day, sometimes even whole night for me to come back. And when I went back she never complained about it, instead she looked after me with her innocent love and affection. I had never even felt like thanking her. Money became the most prior thing in my life. In search of such a demon, I neglected the angel in front of me. I never stayed at home knowing that she likes to spend time with me. My mind was blocked and was only thinking of ways to earn more money. I didn’t even think what the hell I will do with the money when my loved ones are not there to spend it.

      It was the day when she fell ill. Least did I know she was suffering from cancer. I was confused whether I should look after her or respond to my so-called “BOSS”. Understanding my dilemma, she told “It is ok dear, you carry on with your work, and I’m fine and will take care”. I never bothered to take her to a hospital. Gradually the illness made her more and more weak. She never made it visible to me thinking it would upset me. And there I was cribbing for not making proper food, not ironing clothes for me. How cruel can I get? The time had finally arrived for her to leave me. Was it my bad luck or her good luck? I dunno. I could not give her anything that she wished in her life.

      After she left me, I realized how important she was in my life. I could not even take a single step in my life without her. I had no one to tell me “Dear, don’t worry, everything will be fine“. I lost the charm in my life. I don’t deserve a place in this beautiful world of love.

      Now I feel, I had to tell her so many things that I had never told her. I have to make her sleep in my arms for, at least, sometime. I have to hug her and tell “Forget all your worries dear, I am there for YOU”…..But how, how do I tell her now?

Sitting on this park bench, I slowly close my eyes praying to god to take me away from this loneliness. I hear a voice, “Dear, did u sleep well? Yesterday you were holding my hands in the sleep”!!! When I open my eyes, what am I seeing??? It’s her, my sweetheart in front of me. Thank god for showing me my future in dreams. I will surely change things. I will change myself. I now know the importance of my life, my wife. I tell my wife the 3 golden words “I Love You“.