She closed her eyes to escape the deadly silence. Happy times, yes she would think about them

She reminisced a very special day. No she was not a spirit back then . She was a joyful wife who had decorated the living room for Derek’s birthday. It was a warm morning. It seemed that nature was in sync with their happy occasion. No maybe it is the mind that tricks you to see the magic in everything when you are happy. And likewise see the agony and depression in every bit around you when you are sad like today. Happy times, good times ...Sarah forced her mind to focus on the them again.

She had taken her sweet time to pamper her self that day.Her hair smelled like fresh coconut and her skin was soft after scrubbing and moisturizing. She wanted to look her best for Derek. From decorated home to baked cookies to perfectly ordered menu and finally to her scrubbed beautifully dressed self everything oozed perfection. There was this one little thing that kept nagging Sarah. How doing that would have made this day even more special. It was this big silver watch Derek had loved the other day at a store. Sara tried hard very hard but her budget couldn’t allow her to buy that. Instead with a heavy heart she had gone for an affordable wallet.

At around five the bell rang and the couple welcomed their first guest and then within half hour the living room was filled with men and women carrying plates eating and chatting. Derek’s friends were there and so was Zakia and other friends. The party was as wonderful as it could be.

Birthday gift opening ceremony was most memorable for Sarah, surprising too. After two gifts it was the Zakia’s gift neatly wrapped in shining paper. Zakia lovingly requested Sarah to open it for her. There it was, Derek’s favorite watch settled in its fancy box. Sarah couldn’t believe that Zakia had done this. She had vaguely mentioned Zakia how Derek loved the watch but Sarah could not buy it. Derek and Sarah refused to accept it as they had seen the price tag. It was not appropriate to accept such a costly gift.To which Zakia showed her dismay. She looked hurtful so the couple accepted. Sarah could see that Derek’s eyes had lit up with excitement as he unboxed the watch. He simply loved it. Although it made him feel less excited about other gifts including Sarah’s wallet . Which made her feel bit dejected. But she reminded herself that it was petty of her to make it about herself after Zakia had made such an effort to make Derek happy just because seeing him happy would make Sarah happy. Yes she would thank her later profusely for this warm gesture but for now she felt she had to say a little thanks to her best friend. She looked at Zakia who was standing across the room Sarah whispered “ thank you” to which the Zakia passed a flying kiss.

No the happy memory was not enough today to cheer her up. In fact this made her feel more miserable. If this is it, she would not make it alive out of this she would miss her husband’s love, her best friend’s warmth. She would miss everything. Her favorite songs, those coffee flavored toffees in the side drawer of her bedroom, her maroon high heels. Her things, her students, her people ...her world .

The verdict for her world had arrived...