'A photograph captures a moment that's gone forever, impossible to reproduce. But the fragrance of the vivid memories remains, like a touchstone.'

Over the years, Dave Harrison had held on to the memories so tenderly, the photographs that captured the memories of their marriage. Gazing down at them, his wrinkled hand caressed the outline of the photos. His eyes held the softness, recollecting the moments when they were captured. To live on their togetherness, he remembered himself arranging a photographer, called from another city, to be precise! Ever since that day, his life had changed. In fact, 'His Gaya-aa-tree' caused the change. Having her beside him, as a soulmate, was more like living a beautiful dream. A dream, he earnestly wanted to come true!

A heart warming smile took over his face as his eyes fell on the next photograph. And that led him to 'That Day', his fate changing day. He was taken down the memory lane.

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"Marry me, Dave!" He heard her saying the words and everything around him fell into silence. He stood transfixed, frozen and absolutely thunderstruck. His ears didn't betray him. He did hear her. Their eyes collided and he stared into them, deep. They were sincere, genuine and it gave out nothing but... love and affection.

His entire body shook and he feared if he moved in the slightest he would splinter into a million tiny pieces of fragmented nothingness.

'If it was a dream, let that be in this way.'

"Dave..." Gayatri whispered, her voice so fragile as if she feared she did something wrong. The person standing in front of her looked pained... and flabbergasted.

"Humra ke maaf kar da (Please forgive me)." Her lips quivered, gulping down the sudden lump of tears. Her fear was true, after putting him through so much hurt, she doubted he loved her anymore. And the thought was tearing her apart. But she couldn't bear not telling him her heart out. She needed to. She had to!

"Mr. Dave Harrison, would you give me the honour of marrying you?" Her eyes grew shiny as Dave took a step towards her, till they were standing face to face. He said nothing.

Gayatri spoke further, mustering all her courage. "I know I've hurt you. And we can't escape the fact." Her voice betrayed her and the unshed tears fell off.

"I'm very sorry for hurting you. I know I don't deserve you and your love. But please, can you forgive me and... And......" Then she saw his lips began moving in a perfect sync, he said, "SAY AGAIN, GAYA-AA-TREE!" And this time, Mr. Dave Harrison had taken Ms. Gayatri Joshi by surprise. Again!

"I was saying... Marry..." She couldn't complete as Dave's voice echoed.

"YES!"

Her alluring, big eyes widened in astonishment. Dave reached to take her hand. His fingers curved around hers. His hand was callused yet warm, and his touch made her shiver.

"Yes?" A slight tinge of pink dusted her cheeks as she asked again.

"Yes!" His eyes were steady and blue; they were everything that Dave was. She saw her soul in them.

"Will... Will you marry me?" The indistinct chattering of her heart beats provoked her to ask again. To confirm!

Because,'if it was a dream, let that be in this way!'

"Yes, Ms. Gaya-aa-tree Joshi. I will marry you." Dave flashed a charming smile, later laughing off at her priceless expressions. And for that moment, there was nothing on the earth more beautiful to her than his smile, no sound sweeter than his laughter, no pleasure greater than seeing him... so serene. And she realized, she could never live without him. Her eyes were moist, and the stubborn tears began to recede.

"Gaya-aa-tree, why are you cry...." The rest of his words died down in his throat as she rushed forward and flung herself in his arms as he heard her soft sniffles against his torso. He welcomed her presence against his chest, encircling his arms around her. Words weren't needed. The glowing sense of happiness inside their hearts said it all. And at that moment, they knew that they understood each other perfectly.

An embrace of pure love, pure bliss!

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Dave smiled. Recalling those moments had always been a part of his daily schedule. A kind of habit. Cherishing them made him content. Sometimes he chuckled thinking... how he got so lucky? He was lucky. Indeed!

His eyes softened, recollecting every vivid memory he could. The photographer had cased the moment into his camera. The special day of his life... Their life!

It was a simple marriage, a civil one. They had exchanged the garlands in a temple, holding each other's hands, taking seven rounds around the holy fire. The priest chanted the mantras and they were bounded to each other with their own vows and promises. His mother always wished him to have a Hindu marriage. And everything occurred the way it was planned. Prof. Roy and some dear ones were present there to bless them.

Dave Harrison and Gayatri Joshi were finally married!

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"Dave!" A sweet voice pulled him out of his thoughts. He looked up to see his dear wife frowning at him. His smile widened.

"Aren't you supposed to sleep?" Her eyes slightly narrowed, later falling on the album. Her emotions weren't easily hidden behind the fake frown. The happiness was evident in the crease of her lovely brow and down curve of her full lips. Her entire glory was surrounded with the shine of pale moon.

And a beautiful smile masked her face.

At the age of 92, Dave was all same, like he used to be 62 years back, when she met him for the very first time. He hadn't changed, his habits hadn't changed and over all these years his love for her hadn't changed. In fact, it grew stronger. She chuckled softly, sitting beside him. Her old wrinkled hands lifted up the album, placing it on her lap. They silently looked at them. The medicines were long forgotten that she had brought for him. As usual, he had forgotten to take them.

Her hand was tracing the pictures, eyes filled with warmth. "We have come a long way, haven't we, Dave?" She flapped the photos but Dave's gaze didn't move. His steady eyes were on her face, scanning her features all over again. The pale skin covered with facet of wrinkles but too fragile. Her eyes were white, focused, moving randomly over the album. Her hair was wispy over a scalp that shows signs of pressure sores, pink from constant contact with pillow or chair. But her short grey hair neat and likely styled with old fashioned rollers, the kind women used to sleep in. Despite her frail appearance and gentle expression, he knew what truly lied behind that facet of wrinkles. Stubborn and headstrong like that of a wild boar, with a tongue so sharp, one could nearly be sliced in two. 'His Gaya-aa-tree', the same woman he fell in love with, shy yet fiery.

"We have." He agreed with her in a heartbeat. Time had passed quickly.

"And we are old now." Her lips curled up thinking about the possibilities how he would deny her words.

"No, you aren't." It was not a surprise to her to hear such words. The last thing he wanted was to call themselves old. "You're still the same blushing lass who was fidgeting on our first night nervously!" Gayatri's movements stilled, she looked up. Their eyes instantly met, and her cheeks were overspread with the deepest blush. His eyes smoldering with a combination of mischief and confidence. His words brought back the memories of their first night. She couldn't help it. The night they became one, joined their souls.

He had touched her soul with his love.

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"Gaya-aa-tree!" Dave murmured, nuzzling his face into the crook of her neck. Gayatri's tensed body melted into puddle. He wanted their night to be perfect, he wanted to pleasure her, he wanted to love her... with everything he had.

She touched his face, her small hand light and delicate along the line of his jaw. His eyes gave out his feelings, his love and passion. "I love you." All though she had said those three words many a times before, the effect still remained same. And every time, he would just close his eyes, smile and return her words, "I love you, too, Gaya-aa-tree!" She couldn't get enough of hearing it and it made her eyes moist every time.

"And I'm going to show you what love is!" And he did. Gayatri sucked in a breath, his eyes were burning into her. She stood breathless when his lips fell on hers, kissing down to her throat. He kissed the delicate hollow of her collarbone, sneaking his arms around her back and bounded her to him in a steely grip. She was lost in the heat of his body and the passion of the moment, anticipating his each action, kissing him back. His hands slid up to the length of her body, fingers played on her delicate frame, covered with the softest of the fabric that were no more than a mere barrier for them. Her senses were swimming... and he made love to her revealing the deepest secrets of their hearts. Their bodies moved together, in a sync, meeting each other's ferocity of desire, and their night continued.

He had touched her in a way no one ever did.

'HE HAD TOUCHED HER SOUL!'

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"I've been right, haven't I?" Dave shook his head that snapped Gayatri out of her thoughts. Her pink cheeks spoke the words. She shifted on her place, rolling her eyes; a fail attempt to hide her blush. He knew from her face, where her mind was wandering.

"I'm 82, if you don't remember!" She said, rushing to change the subject, and waited for him to reply. He would definitely say something and she wasn't disappointed.

"But, you are beautiful, as beautiful as you used to be. May be a little more now!" And they laughed. A hearty laugh, flapping the pages of their life. Walking down the memory lane, together...

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The clock struck on the indication of late night. They were reminiscing their past, hence didn't know how the time passed.

"It's almost midnight, and now, we should sleep." Placing the album aside, she rose slowly. "And your medicines, you forgot about them, Dave!" He sighed, taking the medicine and gulping down with water.

"You, my darling, Gaya-aa-tree Joshi Harrison, are impossible!" Dave murmured, quite audible to her. And Gayatri felt remarkably pleased with herself.

They lead to their room, lied on the bed. She gathered him into her arms as her hands kept caressing his hair. His eyes closed shut in contentment. "We are leaving early in the morning, tomorrow." He said and after a while sleep claimed him.

"We are!" She couldn't stop staring him lovingly. There was no doubt that she was lucky to have him by her side throughout her life. It felt like everything was flashing in front of her very own eyes. Their journey from starting, her stepping down on Calcutta to the moment meeting him. Her confession to marriage. Their battle against the biggest enemy, epidemic 'CHOLERA!'

A journey with all kind of ups and downs. But they stood together, by each other's side.

She fairly remembered them returning to Ramnagar to treat the needed ones. She had seen him giving his heart and soul to treat the people. He healed them with everything he got, years of experience! She had seen him selflessly treating them, mingling with them, nursing them with devotion, kindness, empathy, generosity and humility.

Her own people, or one must say, HIS OWN PEOPLE! THEIR OWN PEOPLE!

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The amount of amazement her eyes beheld was fascinating. Her husband, her Dave was sitting there amongst the children teaching them how to spell Doctor correctly.

Sitting on the floor, in his in-law's hut, Dave Harrison had gathered all children of the neighborhood like every summer evening, teaching them English. The inquisitive souls were always ready at the beck and call of their 'Dev' jijaji who was equally fond of them.

Gayatri sometimes wondered- how easily he became 'one of her people'. Maybe he was never different from her acquainted community. Just mere difference in culture or skin colour didn't make any huge contrast. His love for her and her loved ones was so deep that she felt a bliss like she was experiencing now.

"Dactaar." her little sister Chameli uttered again with difficulty which invited another rounds of laughter. She saw him taking his youngest sister-in-law on lap and correcting her dialect. "Doc-t-or!" He smiled and Chameli giggled again.

"Bahut pyaar kara hai unkra se (You love him too much)!" Her Anuradha jiji's words broke her trance and she smiled looking at him. "Taaqat hi toh hain uhh humri (He's my strength)." She smiled and the shine in her eyes showed how much she adored her husband.

Truly, he was her strength. It was he who persuaded her to return back to Ramnagar with all might once again. And this time all protests were leant a deaf ear to. She had decided to open the dispensary for her people and he was always a helping hand to her. "I am there for you always, my love." He would utter each time when she felt her strength faltering. Gathering her in his arms he would provide her the solace she earned for the most.

"D-oct-or Gayatree." Another round of giggling laughter followed his words and drifted her from thoughts. She laughed along with them. "Jijaji, Gayatri hai, Gayaa-a-tiree nahin." Chameli ranted and he too joined laughter.

"But she is Doctor Gayatree Joshi Harrison, my wife!" He laughed and looked at her. Their eyes met for a brief period but Gayatri felt her heart swell in absolute pride. Her husband never failed to make her feel special. She was his esteem and he never failed it.

"Chala bachcha log, chora aapan Dev jijaji ke, unkar dawai leve ke samay ho gailayee hai (Come on children, leave your Dev jijaji now, it's time for him to take medicines)." Her Anuradha jiji lead everyone out giving them privacy as it was time to tend to his wounds.

Dave had hurt himself while attending a medical camp the previous week. It was like the past five camps they had done together to aid the cholera patients and distribute them medicines, but this time she couldn't accompany him as she was to stay here at the village to treat a few emergency cases.

Dave had assured her of his well being and went to the camp which was in a bit more remote area and had landed himself in an accident and hurt his arm. He had run to fetch a few more injections from the van and he slipped, falling on his right arm. The rugged land and the pebbles and stones had scratched his skin.

"Aah." He winced as she gently applied the home made ayurvedic panacea on his arm thinking of the risks he was taking each moment. Such a deep cut it was. "Hum kahe rahilee ke saand ki tarah bhaaga? Dhyaan rakhe ke chaha halayee tohra ke (Did I ask you to run like a crazy bull? You should have been careful)." She spat angrily to which he just giggled.

"Brahmadev hai ki bache hai? Jo haste haa (Are you Brahmadev or a kid? That you're laughing)." She again said glaring at him and he did the rest. Pulling her into his embrace, he kept his head on her lap.

"I am a child, as you say. But you love this child. Am I right, Mrs. Harrison?" He winked making her go red. "I shouldn't have sent you alone. I am risking your well being. It's not correct, this is my dream. I will fulfill it. You must go back, Dave." She said slowly knowing that these words always made him angry.

His expressions changed immediately and he got up with a jerk. "I am sorry." She uttered in a guilt voice and he just silenced her inviting her in for a soul searing kiss.

"Never say sorry and never think of that. Your dreams are mine, Gaya-aa-tree." He muttered against her lips and that was the end of the discussion. There was no looking back after that.

Dave Harrison had vowed his wife a togetherness till eternity.

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It was almost dawn and everyone seemed to be busy in their works. Every nook and corner of Ramnagar village was beaming in absolute joy. The villagers were highly exhilarated, and visibly enthusiastic! What caused such excitement was, 'Dave Harrison and Gayatri Joshi Harrison' were coming back... after months, at the pious and memorable occasion of independence day! 15 August, 1947 it was. India was finally able to take the library of own. The unending quest of freedom was fulfilled. Indian was finally free, far away from the cold grip of Angrez! They, Angrez had returned, back on the path to their homes. The sky of India was forecasted. The beam of sunshine had burst through a tiny hole in the dark clouds.

'Flag had been already hoisted at Red Fort, New Delhi.'

'At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance. It is fitting that at this solemn moment we take the pledge of dedication to the service of India and her people and to the still larger cause of humanity." - Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru

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'She' was the mirror image of Gayatri. 'She' was everything once Gayatri used to be. And had been serving the villagers since forever she discovered herself... Just like her mother and grandmother. She was dedicated to her people, her village.

Dave Harrison and Gayatri Joshi Harrison's dear granddaughter, 'Shraddha Tilak.' Just as fierce as her grandmother was, Shraddha reminded them of the twenty five years Gayatri.

The pleasant, sweet fragrance of freshly plucked flowers filled the nostrils of everyone who passed by the hospital and its corridor. She was in charge of arrangements. And the rest of villagers were helping her. Most of them wanted to play some role or the other in the preparation of the celebration.

Dave and Gayatri were going to hoist the flag together at the hospital and everyone was happy as they could be. The villagers had invited both of them themselves. It was either their gratitude or honour but they all wanted to do something or the other for them to express how grateful they all were towards their family for serving the village for last three generations!

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"Bhaiya ji, ehaan sab arrangements ho gailayee hai. Aap tani oohaan dekh laa." Shraddha said to the middle aged ma, who smiled and nodded his head.

"Hamesha aise hi khush raha, bitiya (Always be this happy, child)." He blessed her.

People were bound to praise how the three generations has been serving for the village selflessly. Dave and Gayatri, their daughter and now, their grand daughter, too!

The hustle-bustle was going on. Her eyes were scanning everything. The little smile crept up on her lips as she waiting eagerly for their arrival. She would meet them any next minute and then the moment came, when she was informed about their arrival.

As their carriage stopped, Gayatri inhaled a deep breath while Dave held her hand in his. And, while today stepping on her native land, she was filled with nostalgia. A rare kind of feeling, that filled her eyes with brimming tears. This was the place where she had spent the most precious years of her life. This was the place where she found who she truly was, what was she meant to be. These were her people who she loved and who had loved her with every bit of their being. Her head held high, looking around her, she had the most beautiful smile as she smelled the fragrance of her village. This is where she was meant to be. Chilly wind passed across her and she glanced up at the sky. The sun was about to rise.

"Nana... Nani!" And she heard the voice of the person she loved the most. Shraddha's eyes were beaming with joy and Dave's lips spread into a full fledged grin, seeing his granddaughter. Gayatri, on the other hand, was pulled in her embrace for a hug... And then everything went by smoothly. Villagers left no stone unturned to welcome them as grandly as they could. In all the way, they were smiling. The adamant smile didn't leave their faces. In fact none of them could seem to make themselves stop from smiling!

Later, they stood on the special corridor, built, named in the memory and honor of Prof. Roy! In the end of the corridor, there was a memorial corner which had been built in the loving memory of all their beloved ones who lost their lives to Cholera. If it hadn't been these people, Gayatri wouldn't have dared to dream of something this big. Lighting a candle in the loving memory of their near and dear ones, she knew, finally her heart was at peace.

As the first ray of sunlight touched the earth, all of them made their way towards the flag, stood in their positions and the flag was hoisted at hospital, by Dave and Gayatri... together. The 'Tiranga' was soaring high with all the honor and pride.

The sun was shining bright against the sky and they heard a voice echoing through their hearts...

"DIL SE MAR KAR BHI NA NIKLEGI, WATAN KI ULFAT.
MERE MITTI SE BHI,
KHUSHBU A WATAN AYEGI..
JAI HIND, JAI BHARAT.

It was the day to memorize the ones who lost their lives to stand by the country, to serve the country. A moment to recall the myth of glory, honor, patriotism, and heroism. A gratitude for them. A salute for them. And... It was time to set free from the barriers of dependence.

It was TIME TO BE INDEPENDENT.

"I want to say something." Gayatri whispered to Dave and Shraddha and in an instant everyone was quite eager to hear what their favorite person had to say. With one hand in Dave's and his arms around her shoulder, Gayatri stood in front of everyone.

"Thank you. Thank you so much for being here today even at this point of time. Today we are independent... we all are. But this independence will gain its real essence when we'll be independent from here." She said pointing towards her heart. "We are grateful to everyone who had fought for us, for our nation. We have come a long way to here but it's time we break off the shackles and rise from what we are to what we are meant to be. Not only your sons but give chances to your daughters also. Let them fight for themselves and you'll see they have the potential to win better than anyone else. Don't look up to Gayatri, because there's a Gayatri in all of us. In all these 82 years, one thing that I have understood is our real progress is possible only when we, both men and women, walk hand-in-hand. We have learnt many things, came to know about things that we had never imagined, and met people whom we would have met only in our dreams. But everything... everything happens for a reason and since we all are here, let's promise that before enjoying this independence, we would learn what the real independence is."

Loud applauses were all one could hear as Gayatri spoke the last word. With new determination, hope and a smile, Gayatri and Dave stared at Shraddha, while she stared at them back. Her lips quivering, eyes moist but shining, later, a breath taking smile taking over her face... And the promise was made.

Gayatri Joshi would forever live on.

And,

Shraddha Tilak would make sure of it.

Written by Kakali_SSC for the group story writing contest being hosted by freakswithus

This is our tribute to the unsung heroism of our nation. An ode to all the women who have dated to break off the shackles and be what they have dreamt of. There's a Gayatri in all of us. Dave taught us what selfless love and support actually are. The valor of Doctor Iqbal and Professor Roy is something we need to find within ourselves. This was a small act of gratitude of ARDUOUS SCRIBBLERS and we hope you all enjoyed reading this story as much as we enjoyed reading it.

Taking your leave with loads of love,
Team ARDUOUS SCRIBBLERS