"Yes Evelyn. This is the truth. Lucas needs you here. Anything can happen at any moment. Come soon. Evelyn. Are you there? Eve..."

Darkness. Pitch black darkness. Andrew's words pierce through my heart sucking out all my light. Not a single twinkle of light is left. Flashes of memories start rolling one after the other where all I can see is Lucas' smiling face. Our friendship. Our love. Like a movie they all tumble one after the other.

"Boo!"

"Lucas! Stop scaring me like this."

"No. Never. Now tell me, how's your boyfriend?"

"Boyfriend? I don't have any."

"Ouch! I'm hurt. Am I not your boyfriend?"

"What the hell! Stop talking shit."

"How's this a shit? I'm a boy and I'm your friend. So, boy-friend."

"Ugh! Idiot! Let's go. The movie won't wait for your pjs."

...

"I love you, Eve. I have loved you the moment I've seen this beautiful smile of yours. Will you be my valentine?"

"Yes! Yes! Yes! I love you. I love you too my Lulu. Haha..."

...

"No! You are not allowed to meet Lucas anymore."

"But dad! We love each other. And what's the problem with Lucas? You and his dad are friends since childhood. Why can't I be with Lucas?"

"No means no! He is just a brat and all his helping people nature is a facade to lure you."

"Dad! For god's sake, you are talking about your best friend's son!"

"His father is nothing but a cheat. And I'll not let you go in that family. You are grounded! And I'll arrange your tickets. You are leaving the country."

"Dad!"

...

"Let's elope!"

"What? What are you saying Eve? I'm sure uncle and dad are misunderstanding each other. We can try to make them friends again. And my dad is ready to clear out the issue."

"You know my dad Lucas. He is very stubborn. He'll not talk with uncle again."

"But..."

"Please Lucas. I can't live without you. I took a huge risk by coming here. They may have already started searching for me. This is the only way. We can try to coax my father after marriage. Please."

"Okay. Let's go!"

...

"You may now kiss the bride."

"How dare you do this? This is what we receive in return of giving so much love and care? Get out of my house with your cheater husband! And never show me your face!"

"I'm sorry Eve. You would not have to go through this if I..."

"It's okay. Let's go and meet your parents."

"Welcome Evelyn. I'm sorry for everything. Our misunderstanding has..."

"It's okay auntie. Dad is angry now, but he will be the most happiest once the misunderstanding gets cleared."

"I promise you Eve, that I'll never leave you. I'll be always with you, until death aparts us."

"No. Even after death, we'll be together."

"Yes. Even after death..."

...

"I've joined fire department as a fireman. I know it's risky, but I want to do this. Please."

"But..."

"No but mom. Dad, Eve please try to make her understand. This is what makes me happy."

"Do what makes you happy Lucas. We all are with you."

...

"Happy first anniversary, my Eve."

"Happy first anniversary, my Lulu."

"Wear this white dress today in the evening. Okay?"

"While saving a child, he got trapped and burnt himself."

"Lucas' condition is very critical."

Crash!

A hurling noise brings me back to reality and I find myself sitting on the floor with fallen petals of roses and shards of glasses around me. All the memories are now a heap of nothingness. Every single moment is going far away from me. Mild growling of clouds is hitting my ears through the closed window as the strong, windy rain does death-dance outside.

The day we met, I felt like a warm ray of light has embraced my teenage heart for the first time. And with time, that light illuminated every aspect of my life over-shadowing all the darkness. And now, I can see my light fading, pushing me into the dark abyss.

"Evelyn! Are you alright?" Andrew's scream turns my mind to the phone and with that the devastating news.

I quickly grab the phone which is lying beside me.

"I'm on my way." Blurting these words out, I grab my purse and rush out of the door.

***

Standing in the cold, silent hospital corridor only one thing is coming out of my heart, prayers. Prayers to save Lucas. Prayers to save my light. Prayers to save my life. It's been six hours and the operation is still going on. A new day has begun and cacophony of the world is increasing with time. But for me, everything has come to a halt last night. Looking at the operation theatre's door like a thirsty crow, all I want to hear are these words, Lucas is safe.

"Evelyn. I think you should let the nurse clean your wounds now. Your palms and feet are bleeding and if any piece of glass is stuck, it can lead to infection. Please, listen to me. Lucas will be absolutely fine." Andrew is standing with a nurse who is holding a tray, ready to clear my wounds.

I look at them for a few seconds and then focus my attention to the operation theatre. My mind is registering everything that they are saying but something is obstructing my voice from coming out.

Creak!

The door opens and I rush towards the doctor, eager to hear those words. The doctor looks at me and I can sense something negative in his eyes. I peep into the room and find some nurses are shifting Lucas from the operation table to another bed.

Hoping that Lucas is fine, I look at the doctor and ask, "How's he doctor? Lucas is out of danger right?"

Leaving a sigh the doctor says, "I'm sorry but... the harm was already done. The body was completely burnt leaving the head. We tried our best but... I'm sorry to say that your husband is no more."

What? No! This is not what I wanted to hear. Lucas. He is still here with me. I can feel him. He is here. My Lucas is here. He promised he'll never leave me. The doctor doesn't know anything. I'll take my Lucas to a good doctor. Yes. Don't worry Lucas. Your Eve will never let you go. I'll make you fine just like before. I know you are waiting for me to save you and I will save you. Nothing will happen to you.

"Evelyn!" I look around and find myself in front of the O.T. door while Andrew is blocking me from entering the room.

"What? Why are you stopping me? Don't you want to save your friend? Come with me. We'll take him to the best doctor." Andrew is looking at me sternly.

"Listen Evelyn, and listen very carefully. Lucas is dead. Your husband is dead. Your love is dead. Lucas has left you!"

"No! Stop! Just shut the fuck up! How dare you can say all these shits about my Lucas? He cares for you so much and this is what you wish for him? I'll not let you go near my Lucas anymore. Just move!" I push Andrew away and barge into the room.

Lucas is lying asleep on the bed as I walk up to him. I touch his clean shaved face, but to my surprise he doesn't smirk like he usually does. A pang passes through my heart. What if what they are saying is true? What if my Lucas is... No. No. My Lucas is right beside me. He is only sleeping. Yeah. That's right. He is just sleeping or maybe pretending to sleep.

"Come on baby, I know you are pretending to sleep. I don't believe that doctor. Nonsense! But don't worry. We'll go to the best doctor of this country. This doctor is an idiot. And your friend Andrew, he is so bad. He is saying you've left me. Huh! I know, my Lucas will never leave me. My Lucas loves me so much. How can he ever leave his Eve?" I bend down a bit to kiss his forehead, but before I can, Andrew pulls me away.

Slap!

Everything stands still for a few seconds. I feel a burning sensation on my left cheek. I can't decipher anything. I look around blankly and find Andrew standing in front of me. I look away and my eyes get rooted on the bed.

"Evelyn. I'm sorry for slaping you. But please. Make yourself strong. Just cry out your pain. Accept the reality. Lucas has left all of us. Your Lucas is dead."

"No! No. No. No." I grasp Lucas' wrist which is peeping out of the shroud and to my shock, I don't feel his pulse.

"No!" I hold his cold palm tightly.

"You have broken your promise. Why? Why?" My eyes are burning but all of a sudden, darkness starts engulfing my vision and before it engulfs me completely, all I can hear is, I'm always with you my Eve, even after death.

***
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