Chapter 25: End of Beginning {The End}
The first rays of dawn painted the sky in hues of gold and crimson, a fitting backdrop for what was to be a special day. Shyam stirred awake, the warmth of Raitha's hand resting gently in his. The soft hum of life in their home filled his ears—the faint whistle of the kettle in the kitchen, the muffled sound of music playing from the living room, and the occasional chirp of birds outside the window.
It was Christmas morning. The long-anticipated family gathering was hours away, and Shyam was content to savor the quiet moments before the day began. He turned to look at Raitha, her peaceful expression tugging at his heartstrings.
"I never thought life could feel this perfect," he whispered to himself.
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The day unfolded like a vivid painting, each moment etched with laughter, warmth, and love. Family members filled their home, sharing stories, teasing each other, and exchanging gifts. Raitha's laughter blended harmoniously with the chatter, and Shyam couldn't help but marvel at how naturally she had become a part of his life—a cornerstone of his world.
The highlight of the day was the hotpot dinner, a tradition Shyam's family had kept alive for generations. Patel raised his bowl high. "To family, love, and the bonds we cherish!" he declared.
"To family!" the group echoed, their voices resonating with joy.
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As the evening drew to a close, Shyam found himself sitting on the balcony, the cool breeze brushing against his face. He gazed at the stars, their twinkling light a reminder of how far he had come—from the shy, quiet boy in high school to the man who had found love and built a life filled with happiness.
Raitha joined him, leaning against his shoulder. "It's been a beautiful day," she said softly.
"It has," Shyam agreed, taking her hand in his. "Every day with you feels like a dream I never want to wake up from."
But as he said the words, a sudden heaviness settled in his chest. A dream...
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The world began to blur. The sound of laughter faded, replaced by a deafening silence. Shyam's surroundings dissolved into darkness, and he felt himself falling, endlessly falling.
When he opened his eyes, the warm Christmas glow was gone. Instead, a sterile white ceiling greeted him. The faint beep of a heart monitor filled the air. He blinked, disoriented, his body heavy and weak.
Where am I?
A nurse appeared at his side, her expression relieved. "You're awake! Just stay still, Shyam. I'll call the doctor."
Awake? What's going on?
Memories of his life with Raitha, their marriage, their love—they flashed through his mind like a film reel. But they felt... distant, intangible, as though they belonged to someone else.
His heart sank. "Was it all... a dream?" he murmured.
---
The door opened, and a familiar voice called out. "Shyam!"
He turned his head, his breath catching in his throat. Raitha stood there, her eyes red from crying but filled with relief. She rushed to his side, taking his hand in hers.
"You're awake," she said, her voice trembling. "Thank God..."
"Raitha?" His voice cracked as tears welled up in his eyes. "Is this real?"
She nodded, her smile breaking through her tears. "Of course it's real, silly. You've been in a coma for months. But you're finally back."
"A coma?" he repeated, struggling to process her words. "But... we were married. We had a life together. I... I lost you, Raitha."
She cupped his face gently, her touch grounding him. "That was a dream, Shyam. But it doesn't matter. I'm here. And I've always been here."
He stared at her, the weight of his emotions crashing over him. "Are we... together?"
A soft blush crept onto her cheeks. "Yes," she said with a shy smile. "I'm your girlfriend, remember? I've been waiting for you to wake up."
---
The room seemed to glow with newfound warmth. Shyam let out a shaky laugh, relief and joy flooding his heart. The dream, as painful as it had been, had brought him back to this moment—to her.
"Raitha," he said, his voice firm despite his tears. "I love you."
She leaned closer, pressing a gentle kiss to his forehead. "I love you too, Shyam. Now, let's make the real world even better than your dream."
And for the first time in what felt like an eternity, Shyam believed that they would.
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"The best way to make your dreams come true is to wake up." — Paul Valéry