Sia woke up with a jolt… She was sweating and found herself crying profusely. In the last few days, she had felt the restlessness she had never felt before… She gazed out of the window, the world was fast asleep… everything seemed peaceful and calm… almost like the peace before the storm..

She woke up the next morning and narrated this to her husband. He kept a loving hand on her shoulder and told her not to worry.. It was little consolation to Sia, who kept thinking of her Nani (Maternal Grandmother), who hadnt been keeping well for the past 2 years. Sia remembered hurriedly paying her a visit 2.5 years ago. Fragile, yet warm as ever, she could remember Nani gently brushing her hair and asking her “Khush to ho?“. She had been married for 6 months then and she could see the concern in her Nani’s eyes. “Main bahut khush hun, Nani. Mujhe dekh ke nahi pata chala aapko“, Sia chided with her Grandmother gently prodding her to take care of her health and not worry about her. She left the next day with a promise to come back soon. It had been 2 years since and Sia had not had a chance to go visit her Nani. She would write her letters and try to talk to her on the phone, but her heart ached to meet her.

Her heart sank when her mother told her to drop by and visit Nani during her planned Diwali holidays at her in-law’s. Nani’s lungs had started giving up on her. Mama (Maternal Uncle) being a cardiac physician was beginning to get worried. They had already revived Nani a few times. Everytime her lungs gave up on her, she would be plugged onto a dozen machines and brought back… Mama was not willing to give up on her… Nor was she willing to give up on life… Such was the strong-willed Nani…

Sia had just landed in India… all happy that she would be seeing Nani soon… until that fateful call from her sister that promised to tear the world around her.

Nani was no more…

Sia had heard in fables and folk tales that the very pious at heart have the boon of ‘Ichcha Mrityu‘, the ability to leave their body at will. She saw this when her Nani decided to pass on… She chose the best day and time to do the same… Sia was shattered… Not just because Nani was no more… but also because she couldnt meet her fav person… “It was probably the best”, she told herself… her last memory of Nani was the same cheerful, effervescent and strong person she always was… She wouldnt have been able to see her get weak…

Today, almost a month since Nani moved on… Sia always finds her presence around her… She knows her beloved Nani will always be around her… guiding her… protecting her…