A Message of Love

Dear Aabi

The year 2025 has gone, but what did you know about counting years, as you lived in moments, always, making each moment a full life, a joyful story.

When 2025 started, I was very happy because I was waiting for my Betu Nitin, Aarvi, and my Aabi to come from Perth to India, to Naani's house. I was busy in preparations for your arrival: cleaning the house, making space in cupboards for your tiny clothes, and shopping for you. Your little sister Dishu was arranging all the toys and baby footwear for you. We were counting the days for you to come, and then when we went to receive you at the Railway Station, you were surprised to see familiar faces that you daily saw on video calls.

You were a little shy, but so sweetly came into my arms. I can still feel that softness all the time with me. You instantly loved everything after reaching home, and you were so excited and happy to see so many people around, getting all the attention. You came for one full month, and I was a bit satisfied that I would get to spend enough time with you all, watching your new daredevil stunts all the time. Your little talks in an Australian accent were the biggest entertainment for us. Each day was a celebration. But one month passed in a blink, and it was time for you to return. When you said, "Aabi not going home... Aabi staying at Deeshi's house," my happiness had no bounds. I thanked God and said, "What else do I want from you, God? This is my life... a blessed life with my kids. Please, God, keep your hands on my kids."

Aabi returned to Perth because she had to. I was sad and still looking at the things you left around, not wanting to reset my room or cupboards. Every day, we laughed at the things you did and how you made our days so bright, joyful, and energetic with your contagious energy. I always think of you as my bundle of joy.

You reached Perth and started your daycare routine, again.

Then all of a sudden, a doom fell upon us. A hard blow hit us when you decided to fly away and go far, far away. It was like someone had pulled all my organs from my body and sucked everything from my inside with such excruciating pain that I fell, crushed, and banged my head hard on the floor. Everything was dark around me, and I was shouting at my full pitch, but nobody was listening. In a blink, everything changed: my world, my life, and me.

When I gathered myself and looked around, I saw my Betu, my Aarvi, my Nitin, and all my family fallen on the ground, broken, shattered, and crushed. A fearful silence.

Now, all these broken pieces of your loving family have restarted and are moving in a new, different, sad universe with your memories in each piece of our heart, eyes, and breath. I didn't want to think about the year 2025 after that. Year 2025 was only up to April 2025 for me, and that is all I want to remember. When I was fully alive, with you shouting and running around me, saying, "Naani, Naani!" at your full pitch. "Aabi wants ice cream!" and you eating all of it at full speed. Naani loves those moments and wants to live in just those moments again and again for all the years to come.

Till I see you again, my joy...

Naani loves you, Aabi, to the moon and stars, and I know Aabi loves Naani.