The hospital room was bathed in the soft, pale light of the early morning, casting a gentle glow over Jai’s frail form. The beeping of the heart monitor was now slower, a steady rhythm that hinted at the inevitable. Dev and Sanjana sat by Jai’s bedside, their expressions a mixture of grief and determination.

Jai’s breathing had become more labored, each breath a struggle. Despite the medical equipment and the constant care of the nurses, there was a profound sense that the end was near. Dev and Sanjana held onto each other, finding solace in their shared grief and the promise they had made.

Jai’s eyes, though dimmed by pain, flickered open once more. He gazed at Dev and Sanjana with a mixture of sadness and resolution.

Jai asked for his friend and wife “Dev... Sanju.."

Sanjana leaned closer, her voice trembling. “We’re here, Jai. We’re right here with you.”

Jai's breaths were sinking “Thank you... for staying. I need... to ask one last thing.”

Dev nodded, his voice catching in his throat. “Anything, Jai. Just tell us.”

Jai’s hand, though weak, reached out towards Sanjana. With great effort, he guided her hand towards Dev’s. It was a symbolic gesture, but one that carried the full weight of his final wish.

Jai said gasping hard “Take care of her... promise me...”

Sanjana’s tears fell freely now as she clasped Jai’s hand, her voice barely a whisper. “I promise, Jai. We’ll honor your wish.”

Jai turned his gaze to Dev, his eyes pleading. “Dev... marry her... take care of her. Make her happy...”

Dev’s voice broke as he nodded, his own tears spilling over. “I will, Jai. I promise. I’ll be there for her, just like you asked.”

Jai’s strength waned, and his hand fell gently from Sanjana’s grip. His eyes closed, his breath becoming shallow and irregular. The room seemed to hold its breath as the final moments drew near. Dev and Sanjana held each other tightly, trying to offer silent support as Jai’s struggles came to an end.

A few moments later, the beeping of the heart monitor slowed and then ceased, leaving an aching silence in its wake. The reality of Jai’s passing settled heavily over them, the promise he had made now a tangible weight they would carry forward.

Sanjana’s sobs were muffled against Dev’s shoulder, her grief a palpable force. Dev’s eyes were red and swollen, his mind wrestling with the enormity of the loss and the responsibilities that now lay before him.

The hospital staff gently made their way into the room, their expressions sympathetic as they began to handle the final arrangements. Dev and Sanjana took their time, quietly saying their goodbyes in their own ways, their hearts heavy with the weight of Jai’s last request.

Dev honoured his friend's wish
“Jai, I wish I could have done more. I promise you, we’ll find a way to honor your memory. We’ll take care of each other.”

Sanjana, though devastated, stood with a new resolve. She took Dev’s hand, her grip firm despite her tears.

Sanjana's hand tremble with fear
“We’ll get through this. For Jai. We owe it to him.”

As the days passed, Dev and Sanjana began to navigate their new reality. Jai’s funeral was a solemn occasion, attended by friends, family, and comrades who had come to honor a fallen hero. The ceremony was a testament to Jai’s impact on those around him and a moment of closure for those who had loved him.

Dev and Sanjana found solace in each other’s company, their shared promise forging a bond between them. As they moved forward, they held tightly to Jai’s memory, determined to live in a way that honored his final wishes.

Dev held her hand “We’ll make sure his legacy lives on, Sanjana. We’ll take care of each other, just as he wanted.”

Sanjana nodded, her eyes reflecting both sadness and a newfound strength. “Yes, Dev. For Jai, we will.”

The future was uncertain, but Dev and Sanjana faced it together, bound by the promise they had made and the memory of the man who had entrusted them with his final wish. In the midst of their grief, they found a shared purpose and a new beginning, determined to make Jai’s legacy a part of their lives.