20 April 2026
Sandhya sat on the edge of the bed with a photo album on her lap. She lovingly traced the outline of Megha in the pictures with her fingers, trying to recall the curves . Hot tears trickled down her cheeks ……tears that spoke all which words never could.
10th April 2021
Twenty three years old Megha pressed the doorbell repeatedly, shifting her feet in restless excitement
” What’s wrong with you?” asked Sandhya opening the door and looking visibly annoyed. Megha didn’t respond immediately but removed her mask, tossed it aside and rushed to scrub her hands with soap. Sandhya stood still looking at her questioningly.
“Nothing wrong Ma, infact it couldn’t be better” Megha replied spinning her mother around in joy.
” Put me down at once” protested Sandhya.
“What’s all that noise?” asked Santosh coming out of the room.
” Ma, Pa guess what!! I have been selected by the House of Radhya; the luxury brand of clothing. They were very impressed by my designs and want me join next week” she continued excitedly.
Santosh and Sandhya looked at their only daughter, the pride shining through their eyes. Even as a teenager Megha was very clear about what she wanted to do. While her friends chose, engineering or management she had pursued a degree in fashion designing. She had completed a six months stint as an intern in an apparel house and this offer was just perfect to gain knowledge and experience. She dreamt of having her own label few years down the line.
When things are too perfect, there is something unsettling about it. It is like a foreboding about an impending doom.
Megha came down with a cold and cough that very night. The next day she was running a high fever. The second wave of Covid had spread like wildfire claiming many lives. Hospitals were overwhelmed with the inflow of patients. Megha tested positive and needed to be admitted. Santosh ran around desperately and managed to get her a bed in a hospital. Lock down had been enforced. Strict protocols meant no visitors. Only concession was the phone which allowed her parents to check on her. Two days later on a video call Megha had complained ” Papa please take me home”.
“Just as soon as you get better ” Santosh had reassured. Sandhya spent all her time praying for the her daughter’s recovery.
But sometimes prayers go unanswered. Megha’s condition deteriorated. Her lungs were affected and she was on ventilator support and on 20th April 2021 she breathed her last. The parents were informed. The situation in the city was chaotic. Bodies were piling up. Crematoriums couldn’t handle the huge numbers. Santosh and Sandhya arrived at the morgue and were handed protective suits to wear before entering. Rows of bodies lay sealed in plastic bags. A ward boy took them to the body and unzipped it just enough to reveal Megha’s face. Just one last look, a sight which no parent should ever endure . There is no deeper agony than watching the life you brought into this world slip away. Their bodies shook with uncontrollable sobs, tears streaming like endless rivulets. Their hands trembled, aching for one final touch—to gently cradle her face, to hold her close just once more, as if love alone could keep her from fading. But they were denied even that. Mass cremation was to take place in the outskirts of the city. No farewell, no rituals for their dear departed daughter.
Overnight they aged beyond their years . Days turned to months, months to years. They continued to exist, the purpose of their life taken away. Those around them wondered why they still grieved not understanding that grief has no timeline.
20 th April 2026
As Sandhya slowly closed the album, her fingers lingering on it , a thought echoed
” The heart sometimes refuses to heal because the pain is the only connection we have to what we have lost”
