I was standing quietly in my room, my eyes fixed on a single pair of shoes resting on the shoe-rack—shoes that still carried pieces of memories I never got to finish. My vision blurred at the edges, a thin shimmer of tears gathering before I could stop them.
Just then, I heard a soft, familiar voice behind me—
"Vibhram!"
I wiped my eyes quickly, steadying my face before turning around.
"Yes, Maa…"
She walked to me, gently touched my forehead with tilak, and looked into my eyes with that warmth only mothers carry.
"Happy 20th birthday, beta. May every coming day bring new happiness into your life."
Before her blessing could settle in my heart, my father walked into the room, smiling the same affectionate smile he always had.
"Happy birthday, son. All set? We have to go to Nirmal too. It's his birthday as well. Look, I even brought a cake for both of you."
It always comforts me… how even today, my father thinks of Nirmal as tenderly as he thinks of me.
And yet, suddenly, a small flicker of worry rose inside me.
"Papa… you didn't leave Nirmal alone, right?"
He smiled.
"No, son, Sheelu is there with him. Come on… today you both will celebrate your birthday together."
We left together for Nirmal's house.
His room—once overflowing with laughter, energy, and mischief—had been transformed into a mini-ICU for the past two years. The rhythmic beeping of machines, the sound of shallow breathing, the heaviness that clung to the walls…
It felt as though life itself had paused there.
A nurse sat quietly in the corner.
And Sheelu—our childhood friend—sat on a bench near the bed, eyes fixed on Nirmal's pulse, silently guarding him like always.
As soon as we stepped in, my father took out a small box with a cake inside.
On top of it, in neat icing, was written:
"Vibhram & Nirmal — Together Always."
Sheelu stood and placed the cake near Nirmal's bedside. My eyes grew wet again, yet I smiled at him—at his face that still looked as peacefully innocent as the day he left me standing at the bus stop.
Trying to lighten the air, Sheelu teased,
"Hero, if you're done staring at your Nirmal, cut the cake now… I have to go home too!"
I sat down on the floor near the bench.
I blew the candle and placed a plastic knife in Nirmal's hand—very gently, as though the moment might break if I moved too fast. Then, holding his hand in mine, I guided it slowly to the cake, wanting to freeze that moment forever.
Everyone clapped, wishing us both a happy birthday.
Then suddenly, the sound of a police jeep echoed from outside.
My father said,
"You all celebrate. I'll go check,"
and stepped out.
I was still holding Nirmal's hand.
I lifted it to my lips and whispered,
"Happy birthday, Nirmal… I know you can hear me. Get well soon, okay? I have so much to tell you."
Across the room, Sheelu leaned closer to mother and whispered,
"Aunty… don't you think Vibhram treats Nirmal more like a wife sometimes?"
Mother laughed softly.
"Why are you jealous? They've grown up together like brothers. Of course they're attached."
Sheelu frowned.
"Brothers? Something is definitely off, Aunty! I've known them since childhood. Vibhram is one year older, but nirmal never called him 'brother.' And also he always told friends—'Vibhram is my special friend."
What's the meaning of "special hmm!,
I walked up right then and whispered in Sheelu's ear,
"He never called you sister either…"
She jumped, startled.
"You heard that?"
We both burst into quiet laughter.
At that moment, my father returned with a bag.
Inside it was an old, worn-out box. He handed it to me.
"This was found by the police two years ago… at the spot where Nirmal's accident happened. Maybe he left it for you. It has your name on it."
My hands trembled as I held it.
Old… slightly torn… but heavy with emotions.
I opened it.
Inside lay a bracelet—made of four colored beads, and in the center, a large bead with the Taurus zodiac symbol.
Sheelu gasped.
"Isn't this the same bracelet Nirmal never let anyone touch?"
Mother nodded.
"Yes. They used to share it—one day Vibhram wore it, the next day Nirmal."
My eyes overflowed.
A flood of memories burst open.
[Flashback]
On the way to school, I had once asked him,
"Since Sheelu is your friend too, why do you share this bracelet only with me?"
Nirmal smiled, the kind of smile that could fix any broken day.
"Because you're my special friend. I can share everything with you."
I teased him,
"Even this new bag?"
He laughed,
"Yes!"
"And these shoes your dad bought yesterday?"
Without hesitation, he sat down on the road, opened the laces, and pushed the shoes towards me.
"Here. Wear them. I told you—I can share everything with you."
"Your mom will scold you?"
"So what? We'll switch them back outside the house."
We laughed loudly—carefree, childish, inseparable.
[Back to Present]
Tears streamed down my face.
My voice trembled as I whispered,
"I… I'm feeling sleepy. I'm going to my room."
Clutching the box close to my chest, I walked back.
I took the bracelet into my hands, wanting to relive a promise we never spoke out loud.
Just then, a folded note slipped out of the box.
In crooked handwriting, it read:
Dear Vibhram,
You have always been the closest to my heart.
Every memory of mine has you in it.
I never imagined my life without you.**
Now that I have to go to Mumbai… these two years might be the hardest of my life.
Without you, every morning will feel incomplete,
and every evening… silent.
I know two years isn't much…
but when someone you love isn't around, even one day feels too long.
When I return, I just want everything to remain the same—
you, me, and our little moments.
I don't know if friends write such letters…
but this is what I truly feel.
Words fall short… because what we share…
cannot be named.
I'm giving you this bracelet—
with every memory it carries.
Just don't cheat, okay?
Wear it on alternate days… like we always did.
And please, don't forget me, Vibhram.
Because I… will remember you every single day.
I broke down completely.
Holding that paper and bracelet against my chest, I cried until I had no voice left.
After a long time, I finally calmed down.
I slipped the bracelet onto my wrist, closed my eyes, and lay down.
The moment I closed my eyes…
Time stopped.
And I drifted away—
into a world made only of dreams and memories.