This post is written in response to the two hundred and thirty fifth edition of Fiction Monday hosted on Void Thoughts by Vinitha Dileep. The prompt for this edition is delay. If you like it, do say so in the comments. I would love to hear from you.
He rang the door bell, his hands sweating. “Would she still be waiting?” he wondered. She had said that she would wait for him forever. His confidence returned and he let out the breath he hadn’t realised he was holding.
Her mother opened the door and stared at him in astonishment. “Atharv, is that you? Where have you been all these years! Come in, come in. Radhika is not at home, but she will be here any moment.
A few minutes later, Radhika entered the house. He could hear her laughing and talking to her mother. She seemed very happy.
“Atharv is here,” said her mother.
Radhika looked at the calendar. ‘Oh dear! I had forgotten. Two years ago we had decided to meet again today.” she said as she entered the living room.
She had forgotten! How was that possible. They were destined for each other. He knew that, even if it was he who had suggested delaying taking their relationship to the next level. Well now he was ready, and he was sure, she was as well.
“Hi Atharv! Nice to see you again after so long.!”
“Hi Rads, Same here. You have no idea how much I have longed to see you. I know I was the one who pushed away from commitment. But everyday I realised how much I loved you. I can’t live another day without you. Will you make me the happiest man in the world by becoming my wife?”
“I’m sorry Atharv! I can’t make you or anyone else happy,” Radhika replied. “That you have to do for yourself. After crying night after night for you, I realised that I can only make myself happy. I am not responsible for anyone else’s happiness and no one is responsible for mine. I have found my happiness and it does not include anyone else.”
Yes!! It’s something I realised a bit late in life: that only we are responsible for our happiness. I loved the message you shared through this story, Sunita. I wish today’s youngsters would understand this truth and save themselves many a heartbreak.
Two people can be happy together, but cannot MAKE each other happy. That said, they can make unhappiness a little bit more bearable.
I’m glad that Radhika chose what works for her, but unlike some commenters, I wish she had not forgotten Atharv and I wish that she had let him know sooner that he was not a part of the future she chose for herself, so that he could also get on with his life.
Nicely done, Sunita! So much wisdom in the concluding lines! This is how delay can actually prove to be good for both parties! Realising this profound truth early on can be such a blessing for us and save a lot of heartbreak later!
I absolutely loved the ending. I am team Radhika. We are responsible for our own happiness.
I loved the ending. Companionship is different from holding someone else responsible for making us happy and vice versa.
Lovely story, Sunita. Sometimes delay causes pain but from pain comes a great realization!
I love the message of your story, Sunita. We are responsible for our own happiness. When we realize this, we stop blaming others or circumstances for holding us back or making us unhappy. Instead, we take action to create our own happiness. So powerful!
Thank you for joining Fiction Monday. I look forward to reading more stories from you.
Ah! She should be happy he didn’t commit! I love the ending, naturally.