Author POV

The door creaked open, and a somber procession entered. Soniya's heart sank as they brought Dev's body, placing it gently in front of her.

She felt a wave of anguish wash over her, her eyes fixed on the lifeless form.

Dev, her love, her partner, her everything, lay still.

Soniya's hands trembled as she reached out, hesitantly touching his face.

"Dev?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Tears streamed down her face as she gazed at his peaceful expression.

How could this be? Just yesterday, they were planning their future together.

Now, his body lay before her, cold and still.

Soniya's mind reeled, struggling to accept the reality.

She recalled their laughter, their arguments, their quiet moments.

Every memory flooded her senses, intensifying her grief.

Soniya's composure crumbled, her body shaking with sobs.

Soniya's family and friends surrounded her, offering condolences.

But Soniya's focus remained on Dev, her heart shattered into a million pieces.

She leaned forward, her head resting on Dev's chest.

"Why did you leave me, Dev?" she whispered, her voice lost in despair.

The silence that followed was oppressive, a constant reminder of her loss.

Soniya's tears fell onto Dev's lifeless form, her head resting on his chest. The familiar scent of his skin, now cold and still, filled her senses.

"Why did you leave me, Dev?" she whispered, her voice trembling. "This world is cruel without you."

Her fingers intertwined with his, Soniya felt a deep ache within. The warmth that once radiated from his body was now gone.

She recalled the laughter, the whispers, the promises they shared. Dev's chest, once a haven for her tears, now lay still.

Soniya's complaints poured out, a mix of grief and despair.

"Why did you go? Why did you leave me alone? What am I without you?"

Her words echoed through the silent house, a heartbreaking lament.

As she wept, Soniya's hands roamed over Dev's face, tracing the features she loved.

His eyes, once bright and full of life, now closed, as if in eternal sleep.

Her lips brushed against his forehead, seeking comfort.

"Come back to me, Dev. Please, come back."

The stillness was oppressive, a constant reminder of her loss.

Amidst the sea of mourners, Soniya felt an unsettling presence. She sensed someone standing before her, yet no one seemed to notice.

Dev's soul stood before Soniya, unseen by all. His gaze rested on her tear-stained face.

"My love," he whispered to himself, "don't cry. I'll come for you soon."

His ethereal voice echoed only within his own realm.

"On the day of the new moon, I'll take you with me. We'll be together, forever."

Dev's soul smiled, his eyes shining with love.

"No more separation, no more pain. Just us, together."

His words faded into the silence, unheard by the mourners.

Soniya, lost in grief, didn't notice the unseen presence.

Dev's soul watched over her, his heart aching.

He yearned to comfort her, to wipe away her tears.

But for now, he could only wait.

The new moon would bring their reunion.

Dev's soul lingered, unwilling to depart. He hovered near Soniya, witnessing her anguish.

"Why must I leave her?" he whispered to himself. "She's mine, my love."

Dev's soul watched as Soniya's tears fell onto his lifeless form.

He yearned to wipe them away, to hold her close.

But, bound by the realms of death, he could only observe.

Soniya's sorrow deepened, and Dev's soul felt her pain.

He vowed to remain, to wait for the new moon.

Together, they would leave this world behind.

Dev's soul stood vigilant, a silent guardian.

Soniya's exhaustion claimed her, and she slumped beside his body.

Dev's soul leaned in, his whisper caressing her ear.

"Soon, jaan. Soon we'll be together."

Soniya stirred, sensing an unseen presence.

Her eyes fluttered open, but saw nothing.

Yet, she felt it - a gentle, loving energy.

Dev's soul smiled, his love surrounding her.

The wait for the new moon had begun.

She was sitting still not moving face blank suddenly something shifted into her.

Soniya's laughter echoed through the house, startling the mourners.

Its infectious joy confused everyone.

What was happening? Why was she laughing?

A sudden spark within her.A shift, a transformation. Dev's presence, his love. It coursed through her veins.

She felt alive, renewed. Without a word, Soniya rose.

Ran upstairs, her feet light. To the closet, where memories dwelled.

She searched, her heart racing. For the red Anarkali. Dev's favorite.The one he loved her in.

Her fingers found the fabric. Soft, silky, crimson. She slipped it on.

The laughter still bubbled. As she descended. A vision in red. Radiant, vibrant. The mourners stared.

Awestruck.

What had changed?

Soniya's eyes shone.With a secret. A promise kept. Dev's soul smiled. His love, reborn. In crimson hues.

Soniya's voice trembled, "Dev, look at me... Your favorite, remember?"

She spun around, the crimson Anarkali swirling.

"See how beautiful I look?"

Her words echoed through the silent room.

Her parents' concern deepened.

"Soniya, beta..." her mother whispered, "Come, let's sit down."

But Soniya refused.

"Dev will tell me," she insisted, "He always loved me in red."

Soniya stood beside Dev's lifeless body, her eyes fixed on his pale face. Her parents, Rajendra and Rukmini, watched in horror as she smoothed out her dress and struck a pose.

"Look, Dev," she said, her voice dripping with expectation. "Don't I look stunning today? Tell me, how beautiful do I look?"

The room fell silent, with visitors exchanging uneasy glances. Soniya's gaze remained fixed on Dev, awaiting a response that would never come.

Rajendra's face contorted in anguish. "Soniya, beta, please...this isn't right."

But Soniya continued, oblivious to the shock and discomfort surrounding her. "Dev, you always said I was the most beautiful woman in the world. Say it again, my love. Say it one more time."

Rukmini's tears fell silently as she witnessed her daughter's descent into madness. "Soniya, he's gone. He can't respond."

Soniya's expression turned petulant, her voice rising. "No, no, Mother! He's just sleeping. He'll wake up and praise me. He always does."

As visitors began to depart, unable to bear the unsettling scene, Soniya's demands for praise grew louder, more insistent.

"Dev, look at me! Tell me how lovely I look! You can't resist my beauty, can you?"

Rajendra and Rukmini exchanged desperate glances, powerless to stop Soniya's disturbing display.

One visitor, a close family friend, approached Soniya cautiously. "Soniya, dear, perhaps you should sit down, rest a bit..."

Soniya's response sent chills down everyone's spines: "No, I'll stand here until Dev tells me how beautiful I am. He'll wake up soon, and everything will be fine."

As the evening wore on, Soniya's behavior became increasingly erratic, leaving the mourners in a state of stunned discomfort.

Rajendra and Rukmini knew they had to intervene, to save their daughter from herself. But as they led Soniya away from Dev's body, they wondered: would she ever escape the prison of her own grief and delusion?

Rukmini guided Soniya to her bedroom, concern etched on her face. "Let's get you some rest, beta. You're exhausted."

Soniya resisted, her eyes fixed on the door. "No, Mother. I want to stay with Dev."

Rukmini gently coaxed Soniya onto the bed. "Just rest for a bit. I'll bring you some water."

Rukmini returned with a glass of water, secretly lacing it with sleeping pills. She knew Soniya wouldn't take them willingly, but desperate times called for desperate measures.

"Drink this, Soniya. It'll help you relax," Rukmini said, her voice soothing.

Soniya hesitated, suspicion flashing in her eyes. "What's in it, Mother?"

Rukmini forced a reassuring smile. "Just water, beta. Trust me."

Soniya's gaze lingered on her mother's face before she reluctantly took a sip. Rukmini held her breath as Soniya drank the entire glass.

As the pills took effect, Soniya's eyelids drooped. Rukmini's tears fell silently as she watched her daughter succumb to sleep.

With Soniya sedated, Rajendra and Rukmini made the difficult decision to proceed with Dev's last rites. They couldn't delay the ceremony any longer.

As the mourners gathered outside, Rukmini sat beside Soniya's sleeping form, her heart heavy with sorrow. "Forgive us, Soniya. We'll help you through this, but for now, let Dev go."

The sound of chanting and the scent of incense drifted into the room as the ritual began. Rukmini's thoughts were with her daughter, praying that Soniya would find peace when she awoke.

The ceremony concluded, and the mourners departed. Rajendra and Rukmini sat vigilantly beside Soniya, waiting for her to awaken and face the harsh reality.

As the night wore on, Soniya stirred, her eyes fluttering open. Rukmini's heart skipped a beat as their gazes met.

"Soniya, beta..." Rukmini whispered, bracing herself for her daughter's reaction.

But Soniya's expression remained calm, her voice barely above a whisper. "Mother...where's Dev?"

Rukmini's tears flowed anew. "He's gone, Soniya. His journey has ended."

Soniya's gaze drifted away, her face pale. The silence that followed was oppressive, heavy with unspoken emotions.

Rajendra and Rukmini exchanged worried glances. Had Soniya finally accepted the truth, or was this just the beginning of a new chapter in her grief? Only time would tell.

ʕ⁠'⁠•⁠ᴥ⁠•⁠'⁠ʔ

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