The essence of life is
memories. These are memories that we hold on to, no matter what. These are
recollections that has helped us to be who we are from who we were, or who we
used to be. These are recollections of fragmented memoirs that continually
haunt us as it continually defines and redefines our lives.
It is in these memories
that humans immerse themselves and introspect their lives in awe, bewilderment,
guilt, happiness and other countless emotions. Memories were, are and will
always be with us. Each recollection takes us to a distinct and detached past—detached
from its causes and effects. If the
incidents are joyous, people wish to hold them only longer. Yet, when memories
turn bitter, tears roll down our eyes.
Today, Pratik was lost in
these very memories. Memories of himself and his Beloved—a flashback of how
time ceased to tickle when they were together; flashback of how Pratik, now,
upon recollections, wished the time to cease forever—back to the eternal,
blissful past.
Beloved’s voice then spoke
from within, “But what if memories were hurtful Pratik? What if events were not
the way they are now?” Pratik’s eyes widened, softened and moistened while it
stayed firm on its decision. Pratik could never digest such words from his Beloved.
She had always been his inspiration, and when his inspiration seemed to dessert
hope, he was destitute. Pratik had dedicated everything he had achieved so far
to his Beloved. Had it not been for her, he knew that he would never be where
he now was. She had seen him rise and fall. She had seen him run barefooted to
catch the sun. She had pushed him to follow his heart, watched his back and
held him when he stumbled. She had loved him, in joy and in anger—equally, and
more—every day. “Tell me Pratik, what would you do if memories were hurtful
Pratik?” Beloved’s voice spoke from within.
Immediately Pratik regretted his
wild imaginations and tried to flush them out of his mind but it stayed;
waiting and longing for an answer. “Beloved, no memories ever hurt me because you
have been always there. There are no single memories where I have been alone.
You have always been my savior and my inspiration.”
“Beloved, if I could turn
back time, I would always turn it around and make you mine. I always will”
Pratik said to himself. Then a voice echoed, “But she is still yours, isn’t
she?” Pratik replied, “She always is”. Then, Beloved’s voice, that mixed with a
small banter and a soul soothing smile that moistened her eyes in delight
spoke, “So there is no need to turn back time”. Pratik smiled, stared into
those eyes of his Beloved that danced on his eyes and whispered, “You always
were there, you always are, and you will always be Beloved. But would it hurt
to turn back the past and relieve the moments that we cherished so much?”
Pratik’s voice replied. “You’re memories would never hurt me Pratik, and I
could endlessly live on those memories,” Pratik imagined his Beloved speaking
as her eyes moistened with the joyous recollection of togetherness, which she
was re-living on Pratik’s eyes, with him. 
