"Emaan Aapi*, are you crying?" He came to me and asked with immense care and worry in his eyes. He is my little cute seven year brother, Rehaan, the one closest to me and the only one who can bring smile on my face instantly.

"No baccha**, I am not; I think something went into my eyes. Don't worry I am fine" I somehow managed to answer in an easy tone.

"No Aapi, I can clearly see tears in your eyes. I know Aapi you lock yourself in the room and cry all the time. I don't know what happened to you, now-a-days you don't play cricket with me, and you haven't even completed that story which you were telling me last Saturday.

“You know Aapi I can't see you like this, I want to make you smile, want to solve all your problems, but I am just not able to do anything for you, I feel so helpless", he said making sad face.

Watching his deep love and care for me, my eyes were teary again. I was amazed to see how mature my little brother was.

Seeing his innocent face totally lost in thoughts, I don't know when a tear trickled down my face. He at once placed his cute little chubby fingers on my cheek and wiped away the tear. "See Aapi, you are crying" he said in gloomy voice, worry was visible all over his face.
I was unable to utter a single word; I just gave him a tight hug.

"Aapi, I know how can I bring a cheer to your face, you just wait here, I’ll be back in a minute" he said with excitedly and ran out of the room.

It's been four month since he passed away in an accident. My destiny had played a horrible game with me; he left this world on the very day when he was going to be mine forever, the day we were supposed to get married. I just can't forget that horrible day, every moment keeps flashing in front of my eyes.

Four months ago…

                                   
"Hey angel, what are you doing" he said with the same chirpy voice as always. He was calling from his car.

"I am about to leave for the parlour" I replied.

"Angels don't need to put on makeup. They are naturally beautiful, just the way they are. I love my angel for her simplicity and sweetness" he said, the deep love and affection was evident in his voice.

"It's my wedding day and I’ve have the right to look beautiful, rather the most beautiful girl in the world and for that I need some professional help. So it's important" I giggled.

"You are the most beautiful girl in the world, you just need to see yourself from my eyes” He said. I could feel the intensity of emotions and it gave me Goosebumps.

I was silent for a while, feeling special, as I was the luckiest girl on this planet to have found such a loving man.

I looked at the watch and realized we were getting late. "Amaan, we are getting married tonight, there is hardly enough time for preparations and you are busy romancing. It is high time you get started with your work. You are already late to take your Sherwani^? Now please stop talking and get back home as soon as possible. After all even I want my groom to look the best"

"I love it when you scold me, my little "angry bird", He laughed.

“I will hang up but let me confess something before we get married. Can I" he said in a pleading voice. I gave a silent nod.

"I love you the most and I’ll continue to love you even after my death. I promise I’ll never leave you alone”, he said in deep voice,

He had something in his words that made my heart skip a beat, I was speechless, and tears welled up in my eyes. I was about to answer him when I heard a loud noise, a loud scream and complete silence.

I was so completely lost in my thoughts that I didn't even realize that I was crying. I still remember his last words, his last promise to never leave me alone.

He kept his promise, he was true. I can feel his presence everywhere. I can feel the warmth of his gaze on my face when I am alone, I can feel his touch wiping my tears off ,when I cry, I can feel that he sits beside me ,watching me sleep all night, I can feel that he is standing near me when I look in mirror saying "angel you are looking beautiful". I can feel him everywhere. I am lost in between a world of illusion and reality.

I wish I get to see him, even for once, for one last time only.

I want to tell him that I love him too, I want to tell him that I am incomplete without him , that I am dying every moment without him, I wish I could tell him all this.

I closed my eyes for moment, letting my tears escape from my closed eyes. Suddenly I got his glimpse, I opened my eyes with a shock, and trying to assess what I just saw.

At that very moment Rehaan came rushing to me, he was panting. "Aapi close your eyes and give me your hand" he said.

I pushed all my thoughts aside, looked at him and smiled. I closed my eyes and stretched my hand towards him.

He put something on it and said with excitement, "Aapi open your eyes"

I did so and saw a large dairy milk chocolate on my hand. I smiled. Chocolates are my weak point and can make me happy. I hugged him and planted a kiss on his cheek.

"Aapi, I am going to tell you a secret but don't tell anyone else. Promise me" He asked innocently.

“I won't tell anyone, promise" I replied in an assuring tone.

"Aapi, do you know who gave me this chocolate?" He asked.

"Who?" I asked back.

"Amaan bhaiya^^! He came to me last night and gave me these chocolates, but Aapi I am very upset with him. He did not hug me and went away without saying a single word" He said faking anger.

I just watching him with my mouth wide open, he went out of my room leaving me in between the "believable" and "unbelievable"

* A way of calling ones elder sister
**A lovable way of calling out to someone younger
^ A long coat usually worn for formal occasions
^^ A Hindi word for elder brother