Greetings,
From Your Other Half

There was an unknown excitement inside her heart as Riya took the box to her room. Untying the ribbon, she opened it with curiousness. Inside, there lay a beautiful watch, with a happy birthday princess tied to it. And beneath the watch, lay a letter which Riya hoped would unsolved some of the mysteries.

***

Hi Riya,

Remember the old lady you met on the roads? The one with whom you shared that blissful night? Yes, the one who also happens to be your grandmother?

I don't know what you're thinking child, I really don't know. Neither do I know what you've gone through these past few days. But I'm really sorry if it was me who made you go through it. I was just selfish that night to walk away, the way I did. But you have to believe me when I say that I really didn't have an option. I was just afraid.

Yes, afraid. Afraid to face your parents. Afraid to face my son. Afraid to relive all those memories which were buried deep down before the years. I was afraid Riya. I was scared.

I'm sure you must have eaten the head of your parents asking about me by now. And I'm also sure that they wouldn't have revealed a word. After all, Raghav had never been that courageous; and Rama would just prefer to stay out of it rather than get her hands dirty. But you need to know. You've every right to know it.

Although, if you're thinking that I'll tell it to you, then no, you're wrong. That's their job to enlighten you of the past, and I'll leave it to them. But don't rush it, my dear, no. If they feel uncomfortable sharing it today, just let it go. Just let them get over whatever that's going through their heads. And then, one day, I hope they'll shed light on it.

And till then, I'd love to remain a stranger to you. You might ask why? That why does a grandmother want to run away from her precious little girl? Honestly, I don't have an answer.

That night when we were together, we didn't have any relationship. You were unaware of having a grandmother, and so was I about you. Still, we were so happy. You even became my alien to fulfill my dream. And that was all because I was just a stranger to you. A stranger you were supposed to forget after that night. A stranger with whom you weren't supposed to form any bonds.

Isn't it true? Take a peek into your heart and tell me frankly, would you really have done all that if you knew who I was? I bet the answer is no.

But I don't blame you Riya. No, I don't. Because I understand you teenagers. I really do.

For you youngsters, your grandparents are just those people who've never woke up from the past. We don't use those mobiles like you. We don't enjoy the movies you watch. We don't like that fast food you munch all day. We listen to the songs you might never have heard of. And we do a lot many things which you people despise.

In that sense, you were really lucky Riya. You didn't have those grandparents with you all the time. Ask it to your friends how it feels to have us hover over their heads all the time. Ask them how it feels when their privacy is snatched away. Ask them. And you'll realize that you were indeed very lucky.

Even after saying all that, I know that you long to meet me again. To spend one more night with this old woman who dreams of going to the moon. But no my dear child, no. We can't meet again. I don't want to spoil the memories of us. And that's why I won't meet you again.

So please Riya, don't waste your time in search of me. Instead, invest it in something productive.

I'll take your leave now kid. Be a brave and strong girl, because this world doesn't respect people with a soft heart. But remember one thing, however big you grow, never lose the innocence that resides within you. Always remain innocent, always. Because in you, I see a young me. At your age, I was the exact reflection of you. Our qualities, our resolve, our dreams, our kindness; they're all those precious things which bind us together. You really are my other half kid, you really are.

Accept these final greetings from your other half.

***

Tears rolled down her cheeks before she finished reading it. While she reciprocated the feelings of her grandmother, she hated her for leaving the way she did. And she was furious at her we should never meet talks.

That very instant, Riya made a resolve.

No matter how long it takes, I will find my other half back.

***

They instilled in her an innocence
They instilled in her a child
Then threw her in this world
Both reckless and wild

"Your innocence is what would take you forward in this world. So never lose it."

***

That's also the end of this story.

Thank you to all you lovely readers.

Riya did venture out in search of her other half, but then, that's another story to tell.

Till then, a warm goodbye from your writer.