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A Ray Towards New Hope

Noted Nest

Updated: Oct 3, 2024

By Shivani Kanuparthi



The sky above drizzled lightly, as if the heavens themselves were shedding tears for the somber moment unfolding below. The air was filled with the earthy scent of rain, a comforting aroma that mingled with the silent sorrow that hung heavy in the atmosphere. 


One by one, the workers had departed the gravyard, leaving behind an eerie stillness that seemed to swallow the entire place. Yet amidst this quietude, one figure remained standing, solitary and forlorn, as if anchored to the spot by the weight of their own thoughts and emotions. 


It was Urvi, her gaze fixed on the horizon, her eyes red and swollen from the tears that streamed down her cheeks unchecked. In her trembling hand, she clutched a crumpled piece of paper, its edges dampened by the gentle rain. 

Memories flooded her mind, transporting her back to a conversation she had shared with her uncle just a few months ago. The memory was vivid, as if etched into her very being, each word resonating with a profound truth that she had only come to fully comprehend in this moment of solitude. 


"I don't think it's very important to let the workers know about the financial regulations we've been facing," Urvi had declared, her voice tinged with frustration as she locked eyes with her uncle, searching for understanding in his steady gaze. 


Her uncle had listened patiently, his expression serene amidst her angry outbursts. "They would be scared to come and work here," she had insisted, her tone pleading for validation. 


But her uncle had responded with calm wisdom, his words carrying the weight of years of experience. "If you don't let them know, how do you think they would trust us upon, Urvi? Trust is built; once it's broken, it cannot be the same." 


The rhythmic hum of the machines in the factory had provided a backdrop to their conversation, a constant reminder of the world they inhabited, where the pursuit of profit often overshadowed the value of human connection. 


"But what if they leave?" Urvi had countered, her voice tinged with doubt as she grappled with the complexities of loyalty and finance. 


Her uncle had fixed her with a knowing look, his charcoal eyes shimmering with a depth of understanding that surpassed her own. "The true ones would never leave, Urvi. Money is the binding force; it would bend anyone. But loyalty is built on trust, and not everyone bends in front of it." 


His words had resonated within her, stirring something deep within her soul. The truth of his words had struck her then, and they struck her now with even greater force, as she stood alone in the rain-soaked gravyard, grappling with the weight of her own decisions.


"The right to work is what they have, but those who are loyal are very rare in the world," her uncle had continued, his voice a comforting anchor amidst the storm of her thoughts. "In those few, there are very few who value humanity more than money." 


As if on cue, the sound of footsteps had broken the stillness, heralding the arrival of the manager, who had approached them with deference, his demeanor respectful as he greeted them with a bow. 


"Good evening, sir and ma'am," he had said, his voice a gentle interruption to their conversation as he presented her uncle with his medicines and a glass of water. 


And so the moment had passed, but its echoes lingered still, as Urvi stood alone in the rain, her heart heavy with the weight of her uncle's words and the burden of her own choices. 


The weight of grief bore down on Urvi as tears streamed freely down her cheeks, mingling with the raindrops that fell from the sky. She clutched the paper tightly, her trembling fingers tracing the words penned by her beloved uncle, the final testament of his love and wisdom. 


"Dear Urvi, 

You are an amazing girl, my home. I want you to live all your dreams, even without this uncle by you." 

testament to the enduring bond that transcended even death itself. 


The weight of grief bore down on Urvi as tears streamed freely down her cheeks, mingling with the raindrops that fell from the sky. She clutched the paper tightly, her trembling fingers tracing the words penned by her beloved uncle, the final testament of his love and wisdom. 


A day before his death 


The memories flooded back, unbidden yet comforting in their familiarity. She recalled the day before his passing, the sterile hospital room suffused with a heavy sense of impending loss. Rithu, his daughter, sat beside him, her own grief etched upon her face as she shared the devastating news with Urvi. 


"They said the chances are nil, he can leave us anytime soon," Rithu had whispered, her voice laden with sorrow as she met Urvi's bloodshot eyes with her own tear-filled gaze. And then, as if sensing her presence, her uncle stirred from his slumber, his weakened form turning towards Urvi with a tender smile. 


"Urvi, it's my time to go," his voice was barely a whisper, yet each word carried the weight of a lifetime of love and guidance. "I want you to know that you were loved. Take care of this girl beside you, like you always did. Be there for each other like light when darkness engulfs you."


The memory of his passing still felt raw, a wound that refused to heal despite the passage of time. His absence left a gaping void in her heart, a sense of loss that threatened to consume her with each passing day. Yet amidst the pain, there remained a flicker of warmth, a beacon of hope that guided her through the darkness. 


"What is he the world asks ?" she mused, her voice barely a whisper as she sought solace in the memory of her uncle's presence. "When I feel good, I go to him. When I feel bad, I go to him. Because he feels like home," she declared, her words a testament to the enduring bond that transcended even death itself. 


Urvi's name echoed through the misty air, drawing her attention away from the solemn sight of her uncle's final resting place. She cast one last glance at the grave, a silent farewell to the man who had been her rock, before turning to face Rithu at the gate. 


The rain continued to fall, its gentle patter mingling with the quiet sobs that escaped Urvi's lips. Each droplet seemed to wash away a piece of her sorrow, carrying it off into the earth to be absorbed by the ground below. 


With a heavy heart, Urvi took one step forward, then another, her footsteps slow and measured as she made her way towards Rithu. The rain soaked through her clothes, its chill seeping into her bones, yet she paid it no mind, her focus consumed by the void left in the wake of her uncle's passing. 


As she reached the gate, Rithu's outstretched hand reached out to her, offering solace in the form of a comforting embrace. Together, they stood in the rain, two souls united in their grief yet strengthened by the bond of shared loss. 


And as they walked away from the graveyard, the rain continued to fall, a silent companion on their journey through the storm of sorrow that lay ahead. But amidst the tears and the pain, there remained a glimmer of hope, a whisper of love that would guide them through the darkness and into the light once more.


By Shivani Kanuparthi


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3 commentaires


Invité
13 juin 2024

Heart touching and very realistic story.

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Saranya Karuturi
Saranya Karuturi
12 juin 2024

Beautiful story . keep on going Shivani. All the best for ur future

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Sivaram kanuparthi
Sivaram kanuparthi
12 juin 2024

Your story beautifully portrays emotions. However, there is room for improvement, particularly in the factory scene, where stronger dialogues could enhance the narrative. Best of luck to the writer!

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