The year was 2020. The world had come to a standstill as an invisible enemy, the coronavirus, wreaked havoc. Hospitals were overcrowded, streets were deserted, and fear was palpable in every breath. Amid this chaos, Dr. Arav Sharma tirelessly fought on the frontlines, saving lives while carrying a heavy burden in his heart—his love for Roshni.
Roshni was a journalist who dedicated herself to bringing stories of hope amidst the despair. Despite the dangers, she admired Arav's dedication to his duty. Their love had blossomed amidst the grim reality of the pandemic, providing a flicker of light in the darkness.
One evening, Roshni visited Arav at the hospital, sneaking in a moment of quiet amidst the storm.
“Arav,” she whispered, wrapping her arms around him, “promise me, if anything ever happens to me, you won’t cry. You’ll stay strong.”
Arav held her tightly, his voice breaking, “Don’t say that, Roshni. I can’t imagine a world without you. Promise me you’ll stay safe.”
“I promise to stay safe, but life is uncertain, especially now. We’ve seen it,” she replied, her voice trembling yet determined.
Days turned into weeks, and the pandemic worsened. Arav saw couples losing each other, children losing parents, and families torn apart. He dreaded the possibility of losing Roshni.
Then came the day he feared the most. Roshni contracted the virus. Despite Arav's relentless efforts, her condition deteriorated. She lay on the hospital bed, her face pale but still radiant with love.
“Arav,” she whispered, her breath shallow, “say goodbye to me with a smile. That’s all I want.”
Tears streamed down Arav’s face as he mustered a trembling smile. “I can’t, Roshni. I can’t let you go.”
“You have to, Arav,” she said, her voice faint. “Promise me you’ll live for the both of us. I’ll always be with you.”
And with that, she closed her eyes, leaving Arav shattered.
Months passed, and the world began to heal, but Arav’s heart remained broken. One day, while sorting through Roshni’s belongings, he found her journal. As he read, her words brought her back to life:
"Arav, loving you was the best part of my life. Whether I am alive or not, know that I am always with you. I fell in love with your kindness, your strength, and your unwavering love. Every moment with you was a blessing. Please smile, Arav. For me, for us."
Overwhelmed, Arav closed the journal, tears streaming down his face. That same evening, he encountered an old lady in the hospital. She had lost her entire family to the virus.
“Doctor,” she said, her voice filled with sorrow, “grief feels unbearable, but love never dies. It lives in the memories and the hearts of those who loved us.”
Her words resonated with Arav, giving him a newfound strength.
The scars of the pandemic remained. People carried the weight of loss, but they also clung to the resilience of humanity. For Arav, Roshni’s love became his guiding light. He devoted himself to helping those who had suffered, keeping her memory alive with every life he touched.
Roshni was gone, but her love remained eternal, etched in Arav’s heart and the pages of her journal, whispering to him every day, “Smile, Arav. I’m with you.”
