Standing in front of this building of memories, I finally understand that my everything still resides here. As I open the door, a nostalgic fragrance hits me taking me back to those days when every day was beautiful with Lucas beside me. Every corner still holds the divine fragrance of love. I look at the plant which is still in the bag. I carry both the bags and walk inside my room. Not wasting any moment, I switch on the light and bring out the plant as carefully as possible. But along with the pot, comes out a note.

It's a beautiful yellow coloured sticky note which is sticking with the pot. I take it and start reading the content.

Dear Eve,

I know we have met today for the first time but I want to tell you something. You are a beautiful soul and your light is bright as the sun. Don't lose it, no matter what happens. Always remember, life is short and everything is temporary in life. Enjoy every moment and you'll live the most beautiful life. Go through my diaries and I'm hoping you'll get your unanswered questions of life.

Thank You for today.

Stephanie Smith aka Steph

"So, this is your full name." A huge smile lights my heart as I remember all the incidents of today. Keeping the note on the dusty table, I take the flower pot and open the door which will take me to the backyard. As soon as I open the door, my heart gets flooded with guilt seeing the garden which Lucas created with so much love. After his death, I didn't step here at all fearing the pain this place will bring. But this night, instead of feeling my pain, I'm feeling the pain of those dry and dead plants.

I can feel guilt taking control of my mind and heart but before it fully grasps me, I remember Steph's words. Life is short and everything is temporary in life. Enjoy every moment...

As soon as I remember this, my guilt goes away automatically and a new determination takes birth. Determination to make this garden alive again with love, just like Lucas. Looking around I find a clear place and keep the flower pot there.

My eyes go over the whole garden for once. Then I bow down saying, "I'm sorry for ignoring all of you till now. But from tomorrow, with the sun rise, not only a new day will come but with that, this place and I, Eve, will take birth again."

After saying this, the heaviness of my heart gets replaced by love. With a smile I close the backyard door and come inside the room. Taking the third diary, I open the page where I have put a bookmark. I clear the bed making it possible to lie down and start reading from where I have stopped.

***

"What do you mean?" Pa shouts out as I drop the bomb after breakfast.

"Evelyn! What do you mean that you are shifting? Did anything happen last night? You can tell us sweetie. Don't you like to stay with us?" Mom says in a much calmer tone than Pa.

"It's not like that mom. I love to stay here. But I was feeling that something is missing in my life and last night, I found out what it is." I say trying not to hurt my parents.

"And that's why you want to go back there and stay all alone?" Pa asks in a very cold tone letting me know he is not at all liking this. I take a deep breath and decide to say all at once.

Standing up, I start. "Okay. Pa, Mom. I want to take a break from my editing work for this week. I want to go back and stay there until next week and... I want to start gardening and do something related with flowers."

I finish and wait for their response but none of them say anything. They just sit there, staring at me as if I'm an alien. After some minutes, mom speaks the first word.

"Break, I understand. The day is approaching and it's getting hard for you and maybe that's why you want to go back there. I understand that as well. But, gardening? I know you love trees and flowers but this is not something you ever wanted to do." Mom says trying to reason with me.

"You have no idea about gardening and Lucas is no more here to help you. I know it hurts but it's the truth. Can you assure us that you will be happy and not alone in the future?" Pa asks and his questions indicate that he is hoping for me to leave this idea of gardening.

"What is future actually Pa? We take today's decision based on our futures but they are nothing but imaginations. None of us know what's going to happen. Then how will I assure you? All I can do is try. Right now, my heart wants to do gardening because I feel happy with the plants. Their unconditional love constantly reminds me of Lucas."

"Lucas! Lucas! Lucas! For God's sake Eve try to accept the truth. Lucas is dead. He is no more." Pa gets up and grabs my arms which makes mom stand up too.

"I know Pa. Lucas is dead. He is not alive for this world anymore. But for me, he is. His love is still alive in that garden which he has created with utmost care. His love is still alive within me. And I want to give this a try. I don't know how this will turn out, but still I want to try." This is the first time I reply looking into Pa's angry eyes without scaring a bit. My heart is calm like a tranquil sea and I can feel a change traveling through my whole body.

I think Pa can feel it too. Maybe that's why he leaves his grasp from my arms and moves back while mom looks at me with admiration.

"Okay. If you want this, this is what will happen. I don't want to repeat my previous mistake and lose my only daughter. Do what your heart wishes to." Pa says with a slight smile on his face.

"Yes Evelyn. I have never seen you like this before. Your eyes have a different light today. Just like you had when you were born. Go ahead sweetie and do whatever you want to do. We both are with you." Mom says and takes me in a tight embrace.

"Thanks mom." Breaking the embrace, I go towards Pa.

"Thank you Pa." I hug him while continuing, "Thank you for believing in me."

Moving back I ask, " What are you going to do with my works? They are still not done yet."

"Don't worry about that Eve. I'll give them to Zac. I've heard he is your friend."

"No! Not Zac please. And he is not my friend. Not at all." I answer hurriedly hearing the name.

Mom and Pa looks at me frowning.

"What is it Evelyn? Are you hiding anything?" Mom asks with concern in her voice.

"Nothing to be stressed about mom. Just chill. Let's say, Zac is that annoying kid in the school who keeps on flattering the teachers to get some extra scores." I say while laughing hearing my nonsense metaphor.

"What? School, teacher, kid? What are you saying sweetie?" Mom asks getting more concerned.

"Nothing my cute mommy." I plant two kisses on mom's cheeks surprising her and turn towards Pa.

"Just don't give him anything. Most of the time he just loiters around. Instead, give them to Alice. She is much better than Zac." I say trying to not divulge what Zac has been upto.

"Okay. As you say." Pa says with a smile and I do a little dance in my head.

"I'll go and start packing." Saying this, I sprint towards the stairs to go to my room and as I put my first step on the staircase, I hear mom saying softly, "She has changed."

***

Sitting on the bed, I gaze at Lucas' smiling picture. This last week has been hectic with shifting, cleaning the whole house and most importantly, clearing the garden. Drops of water fall from my wet hair strands on Lucas' photo. Smiling, I wipe them away and give a peck on the image as I start pouring out my heart.

"Today is the day when I lost you last year. I can't imagine it has been one year and... I'm still alive. But I was on the verge of dying, until Steph found me. This last one year, I was getting sucked deep into the sand of pain until she came like a bubble of happiness. Thank You Lucas, for sending Steph to me on that day. Sometimes, I feel like your meeting with Steph was not an accident at all. God intentionally did that to save me because I was about to lose you. I love you so much Lucas. Maybe you are not here, but more I spend time with those beautiful flowers, more I can..."

Every night in my dreams,

I see you, I feel you...

My words get cut hearing the ringtone. I take the phone which is lying on the quilt thinking it to be Pa or Mom. But it is an unknown number. I hesitate at first and then finally decide to pick up the call.

"Hello." I answer trying to hide my hesitation.

Hello. Am I talking with Evelyn Maxwell?

"Yes. Who's this?" I ask trying to remember if someone is supposed to call.

This is George Thomas, lawyer of Stephanie Smith and I would like to talk with you about her.

"I'm sorry Mr. Thomas but I don't know any Stephanie Smith. Maybe you got it wrong." I answer but somewhere I feel like I've heard this name before.

Oh. My mistake. I should have told you. Stephanie Smith is popularly known as Steph among her neighbours and friends. I also used to call her Steph. She told me to mention this name while talking with you and I'm calling you from her farmhouse.

"Ye... yes. I know her. I'm sorry I forgot her full name as I'm habituated calling her Steph. But... why are you calling me? I really can't understand any thing." I say as concern starts gripping me while the words used to keep ringing in my ears.

I'm sorry to inform you that she has breathed her last this morning. Steph is no more Ma'am.

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