Chapter 9 | Until We Meet Again
At 10 am sharp the driver was at my door. We sat in the car and we were off towards the airport.
Standing at the departure gate I was waiting eagerly for Rohan. After 15 minutes finally his car arrived. I saw his father – mother and Rohan getting off the car. His mother pointed her finger towards me. Rohan looked towards me in surprise.
“What a pleasant surprise! I am so glad to see you!” He smiled.
“I am happy to see you too Rohan.” I said smiling at him and trying to hide my tears. I handed him a bouquet of brightly colored flowers and said, “I have full faith in God Rohan. I hope each new day brings you closer to a full and speedy recovery.”
“Oh! Wow! So many roses of different colors. Which color should I choose Ishq?” He asked teasing me again.
I smiled and said, “I have one more surprise for you Rohan. And I think you will like it”. Saying this I told him to look back.
He turned back and was surprised to see the sight. He couldn’t believe his eyes. All his little cute friends from the orphanage were standing there, holding placards in hands. ‘Get well soon Rohan bhaiya’, ‘we will miss you’, ‘ Come back soon’, ‘ we will wait for you’. Reading these placards Rohan was in tears. He was
smiling and crying at the same time.
He ran up to them. They all hugged him. Rohan was kissing and hugging each child.
“Rohan bhaiya’ we know you are a fighter and you will fight this disease and come back to us soon.” Said one of them.
Rohan smiled and said, “Thanks all of you for coming here. You all are very special to me. You have given me so much happiness in life. Promise me one thing. You all will study well. No one will fight with each other. The elder ones will take care of the younger kids. You all will stay as a family. So, do you all promise me this much?” Said Rohan while raising his hands for a high – five.
“But you also promise us one thing, that you will come back soon.” Said the sweet little Arushi hugging her Rohan bhaiya.
Rohan had tears in his eyes, “Of course my sweetheart. I will be back soon. How can I stay away from you for a long time? I can’t.”
By that time Rohan’s mother had arranged Chocolates for the children. Rohan distributed them. Then he turned towards me and said, “You don’t know Ishika, this is the best gift I could have ever received. Thanks for bringing them here. I was missing them a lot.”
“Don’t say thanks to me Rohan. Last night your mother called me and invited me at the airport as she thought I could bring a smile on your face while you leave for your journey. But I knew that only these kids can do that magic. Not me.” I answered.
Rohan hugged me tightly and said,”You are a true friend Ishika. You understand me so deeply. Thanks. I will miss you.”
“I will miss you too Rohan….. Rohan I wanted to tell you one more thing…I think….I mean I have started liking…” I was trying hard to convey my message to him but he stopped me by placing his finger on my lips.
“Shhhh! don’t say anything. I know what you want to say. But I want to explain you something before you say something further.” Said Rohan in a serious mood.
“Ishika, you and I, we both have stepped in an age where it’s easy to get infatuated by each other without even realizing that are we even perfect for each other. You have just stepped into the outside world and have a long way to go. I would want you to explore more people, meet more boys, make new friends, learn what’s and who is right for you and who is wrong. I can be your good friend but I cannot be your only choice as you haven’t explored others yet…” said Rohan. I interrupted in between, “You are saying this because of your health. Isn’t it?”
“No, not at all. I would have said you the same thing even if I was in best of my health. Even I haven’t explored much yet. See Ishika, for me commitment is very important. And commitment will come only when we know that the person we have chosen is the best and perfect for us. You are one of the most special person in my life. We have so much in common but still there is lot to be explored between us. We still need to grow our friendship. And who knows, maybe I get to like someone else. By the way the nurses in America are damn good looking.” He teased me.
I laughed while having tears in my eyes.
“Am I right or am I wrong.” He quizzed me.
“You are right Rohan. I never thought that way. And one thing more. Don’t worry about these kids. I will go to the orphanage every week and spend time with them and will update you at regular intervals about their progress.” I told him.
“You don’t need to do this Ishika. You too will get busy in your exams. Don’t make this an obligation for yourself.” Said Rohan.
“Not at all Rohan. In fact when I went with you for the first time I felt so happy and satisfied from within. These kids have made a special place in my heart. I would love to spend more time with them.” I answered.
“Ishika, you are a wonderful person. Please, don’t change. Be the way you are. Your sincerity, honesty and caring nature makes you awesome. You are one of a kind. You know you are like a ray of sunshine on a really dreary day. You know one day you’ll become a Shining star and the world will watch you.” He said.
“Wow! Such great lines for me! I am impressed.” I laughed.
Meanwhile his mother came and said, “Come Rohan, it’s time for check in. Good bye Ishika. Take care of yourself. I will send you my number once we reach there so that you can be in touch with Rohan.”
“So…..bye Ishq….and yes one more thing. This time don’t stop here and look at me. I won’t turn back. Just turn and go. Don’t look back. We should never look back, instead we should keep moving ahead in life, open new doors and do new things. And keep the fire of curiosity on because curiosity leads us to new paths. Got it!” He said giving a high five to me.
“Yes, Mr. Philosopher. Got it.” I said with a smile.
He turned and started moving towards the check in gate. I turned too. But could not take a step forward. But, I had promised so I slowly moved towards the parking. I went straight towards the kids. They were waiting for me. I told the driver to drop them safely to the orphanage. They all hugged me and I promised them that I’ll come on weekend to spend time with them.
I was in no mood to return home. I decided to stay there till the flight takes off. Why I took that decision even I don’t know. But I wanted to wave him once.
While I was waiting I was thinking of the time spent with him and the change which took place in my life due to him.
‘From a depressed, unhappy and gloomy Ishika to a happy, content, cheerful and jovial Ishika. It’s been a wonderful journey. And In this journey Rohan had the biggest role to play. He changed my approach towards life. He taught me how to seek happiness in small things. He taught me how to shed away our inhibitions and come out openly in front of the world. Today, I have the courage to face anything which life offers me in my plate. Good or bad, I can handle situations with much more maturity than ever before. I think I am blessed with divine grace, that’s why God sent Rohan into my life. To show me the actual path of my life.
Rohan said that one day I will become a shining star and the world would watch me. I don’t know if that’s going to happen but for me he is ‘MY SHINING STAR’. Like a pole star he showed me the path of life. He taught me that life is like a dice. To be in the game, we have to roll the dice. But which number life would throw towards us, a six or a one, that we should leave on God.
I looked up and saw his plane in the sky.I waved at his plane and I am sure he must have done the same. I waved till his plane disappeared. I saw a twinkle in the sky and thought to myself.
‘My Shining Star’ which will keep shining for me throughout my life.
The story of life is quicker than the wink of an eye….the story of love is Hello and Good bye……UNTILL WE MEET AGAIN.
Cover Image by Pascal Meier
Did you like this realistic motivational novel ‘My Shining Star’ ? Do tell us in the comments and also encourage the writer.
Read more about Astha, writer of this motivational novel, here : Astha Aggarwal Singhal
Read another story written by Astha:
- LEARNING – TO LET GO : This story revolves around a lady who was preparing to meet her kids and grandkids, but instead learns the biggest lesson of her life.
Read more stories:
- For the Lady in Blue: This is a unique and beautiful short story of love. The story revolves around a ten year old boy name Mickey.
- Every ‘WOMAN’ has the divine power of Devis: A story that will tug at your heart. This story is about a woman and about all women in general. This story is also special because it is written by Shreshtha Sharma who is in 6th class at the moment.
- The Power Within: A story inspired by the tale of Devi Mata Kushmanda which highlights an important power we all have.
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Nice story, well narrated, eager to read sequel, when is coming Astha ji!!