"Yes, I said, they know I am here," Adwaitha answered.

 

"Then why are they not coming to pick you up?" "I haven't observed that they called you also," Aditi interrogated.

 

"Maybe they don't want me to come back, or they want me to stay here for some more days." "So they are not calling me either and came to pick me up," Adwaitha answered, and irritation was evident in her voice, indicating that something was wrong. She decided to stay calm and give herself time. 

 

Aditi and Adwaitha are childhood friends. Adwaitha is the younger daughter of her parents. She has an older brother named Adwith. Aditi is an orphan and used to stay in an orphanage. They became best buddies from their first class, and when Adwaitha got admitted to another school, her parents took Aditi's admission too. They are rich people, and sponsoring one more child's education is not a big thing for them. They loved Aditi, who is cute and innocent.

 

Their friendship started growing along with their ages. They completed their schooling at the same school and in the same class. They are very well-known friends in the entire school; some tried to break their bond, while others waited patiently, assuming that their bond would be broken, and some admired their bond. As Adwaitha comes from a rich family, everyone wants to befriend her, but a few of them don't like her being that close to an orphan. The unacceptable thing for them is Aditi being admired by the parents of Adwaitha. One day, due to this jealous feeling, a few students planned something evil against Aditi and used Adwaitha as their chess piece.

  

They all went to a picnic, and there was a small lake. Adwaitha doesn't know how to swim, and Aditi and Adwaitha are sitting there talking about a few random things. Some students walked from there. Then one naughty boy got an idea and pushed her into the lake. Adwaitha started drowning and beating her legs. A few students started screaming, saying Adwaitha had fallen into the lake, but no one came to help her. 

 

Aditi also doesn't know anything about swimming, but seeing her friend like that, she forgot about everything and jumped into the lake. Meanwhile, a few students also went to help her, but by that time Aditi managed to save her friend and pushed her to the bank of the lake. But she was unable to get out and started drowning again. These students pulled her out, and immediately, teachers informed Adwaitha's parents about this. Adwith had a degree by that time, but he completed his schooling at the same school. So he kept a few students known to him as their bodyguards, as he already knew that a few students were behind them. He also got the information and learned how it was done.

 

Adwaitha's parents reached the spot immediately and took their daughter in their arms. They have seen Aditi, who was also completely drenched and shivering. They saw that her sweater was given to Adwaitha, and before they got anything, Adwith reached the spot and covered her with his shirt. He was so handsome and hot. By seeing him like that, most of the girls started drooling over him, and seeing the attention Aditi got from him, they got jealous and angry.

 

"How did all this happen?" Adwaitha's father questioned the teachers. Then the same students who pushed her into the lake tried to blame Aditi, but Adwith got all the information, so he immediately showed the proof that he got from his informers and beat them black and blue. That day, everyone had pulled him back forcefully; otherwise, he could have broken their ribs. Those students got TC from the school, and after that incident, no one dared to touch both of them while Adwaitha's parents took Aditi as their lifesaver. They got admissions for degrees at different colleges, and Adwaitha went out of the city. Adwaitha wanted to take Aditi along with her, and her parents also offered Aditi to go with her, but she refused, saying she didn't want to depend on them anymore. She took a part-time job and started earning money for her education.

 

After their degrees, they both got jobs, and one day suddenly Adwaitha came to Aditi's home and said she wanted to stay with her. She didn't let her call any of her family members, saying this or that. After a week, Aditi questioned,

 

"Adwi, why do I feel you are hiding something from me?"

 

"What do you mean?"

 

"I mean, why are you not going home and staying here?" "Is everything fine?" Aditi questioned.

 

    "Why?  Do you have any problems with my stay here? Am I a burden to you? "If yes, I will go and rent another flat," Adwiatha questioned.

 

    "Have you gone mad?  I am just asking. Can't I ask you? "How will you become a burden to me?" Aditi scolded.

 

"I had a fight with them and will never go back," Adwiatha answered, and hearing it, Aditi was shocked. She preferred to ask about the fight later and decided to go out. 

 

"Come, let's go out." "We can talk about these things later," Aditi said, pulling her away. She took her to the temple, and there she found Adwaitha's mother. When she looked beside her, she couldn't find Adwaitha anywhere. She sighed and went to Adwaitha's mother.

 

"Hello, aunty, what happened between you all and Adwi?" "Why is she not showing interest in coming back home?" Aditi questioned.

 

"What are you talking about, Aditi?" "How can she come back?" Adwi's mom questioned her.

 

"What do you mean by that, aunty?" "Why can't she come back?" Aditi didn't understand anything.

 

Adwiatha was no more. She had an accident a month ago in Bangalore, and we didn't even get her body here. Her final rites happened there. Adwith informed you, na? "Why are you asking like this?" Adwi's mother informed her.

 

"What are you saying, aunty?" Adwi has been with me for a month, and how can you say she is no more? If you fought, it is understandable if you are angry. "How can you say that your daughter is no more when she is completely fine and alive?" Aditi got angry hearing her words. 

 

"I know you can't take this news, but we can't run away from reality." "This is the bitter truth that we have to believe and digest," her mom answered.

 

"No, you are lying, aunty." She is with me. "She came here along with me. Please don't like that." Aditi started pleading with her while she was crying. She doesn't even know that tears are coming out of her eyes. Adwi's mother thought that she got mad and was still in shock at her best friend's death. She held Aditi's hand and took her out to their car, where Adwith was waiting. He stopped coming to the temple after his sister's demise and forgot about Aditi. Even though he loved her, he was not in his senses. He turned into a machine after her death.

 

"Adwith, see what Aunty is saying." "She is saying Adwi is no more." Aditi started crying, holding him tightly. He didn't understand anything and looked at his mom. Then she explained exactly what had happened in the temple. 

 

"Aditi, what mom was saying was right." "I texted you to inform you about this," Adwith said.

 

"No, you all got mad." You all don't love her; that's why you are speaking nonsense and killing the person who was alive. Get lost; I don't need you or her. I am still alive, and she will be with me. Maybe I can't give her a rich life like you all, but I can love her and give her food. "Go away; don't ever try to come in front of us," Aditi pushed Adwith away. He thought she was out of her senses, so he slapped her hard, making her shut her mouth.

  

     "What are you talking Aditi?  Do you know? Are you in your senses? If she is alive, why would we say that she is no more? Don't forget, we are her family, and she is our favourite, every one of us. If we fought with her, the anger would last for an hour or so, but why would we say that she was dead? You are saying that she is with you; then where is she? If she is with you, why didn't you call us and inform us? Did you ever see her talking with us, or did you ever see us calling her? You know it right; we can't stay without talking with her. Then why are you saying nonsense? It's ok if you are sad about her demise, and we can understand it. However, try to think from our side. We will also be broken. How did your words hurt us? Did you ever think about it? "Come back to reality and accept the fact that she is no more," Adwith scolded her.

 

"Listen, Aditi, we are not angry with you." I always said to you that you would be my daughter-in-law, and I am still saying that. You will be the wife of my son, but you will fill the void left by our daughter. Even though she left this world, we are with you and don't think you are alone. "You will be our daughter from now on, and we are your family," Adwi's mom said while running her hands through Aditi's hair. Aditi looked at her, wondering why they were not trusting her words, and when she looked into her eyes, there was sadness and love for her.

 

"Adwi, where are you, girl?" Why are they talking nonsense? Where have you gone? "Until you come here, I can't prove to them that you are alive," Aditi thought to herself.

 

"Mom, bhai, Aditi." They all heard the voice of Adwi and looked in her direction. Adwi was floating in the air and said,

 

"Aditi, what mom and Bhai are saying is true." I was no longer alive, and not wanting to leave you alone, I stayed with you. I am a ghost, and mom, as you said, now get her married to Bhai, and I will be back to you as their daughter. Bhai, get married to her, and don't be like this one. I know you love her wholeheartedly, and please take care of her. She doesn't have anyone else except us. From now on, she is your responsibility, so pamper her, adore her, and treasure her. Never forget that one tear from her eyes can make my soul cry. Mom, she will be your daughter from now on, and please be like her mother, not a mother-in-law. She didn't experience the love of her parents in her childhood, so please fill that void, mom. Aditi, I gave you my family as your family. From now on, take care of them and love them as your parents. I am entrusting my family to you, and I know you won't break my trust. Bye, baby; take care, and remember that I always love you. "I love you more than myself and more than I love my family," Adwi said, leaving the earth. Aditi collapsed after learning the whole truth, and she fainted on the spot.

 

After 5 years:

 

Adwi was taken as the daughter of Adwith and Aditi, as she promised. Even though she is just 4 years old, she never let Aditi shed a tear either. Her love always reminds Aditi of the elder version of Adwi, and she started smiling more. He again became normal after his sister's words and in Aditi's love. His parents are staying with them, and they pamper and adore Aditi and baby Adwi to the core. Now, Aditi and baby Adwi are the queens of their home, and with the memories of elder Adwi, they have lived a happy life.

 

*******

 

A true friend never leaves us, even after they leave this earth. Their love, their memories, and their dreams will always be alive in us, and without our knowledge, they will motivate us and push us to move forward without any breaks.