Padmini draped in a beautiful red saree with simple jewels adorning her. She looked absolutely gorgeous in the red saree. Madav never ever seen Padmini in a saree and he couldn't take his eyes off her. He fell in love with her once more. 

An angel from heaven, that was how she looked for him. Madav waited for Padmini to join him to enter the wedding reception hall.

Applause spread across the room. There was scraping of chairs as folks got up for cheering the newly wedded couple make their way to the head table, smiling and holding hands. There were cheers and someone whooped as the bride and groom made to the center of the hall.

Weddings are special, especially for this newly wedded couple. After a long wait they were finally announced as husband and wife to the masses. This was one occasion that brings everyone closer, getting blessings and best wishes from those who waited for this day, the day this couple would finally be announced married.

*-*-*-*

"Have you list down what you need to set up a radio station?" Madav asked.

It had been three weeks since they were back from their honeymoon to Paris. Madav have been running around to get her radio station license and other paper works to be done with the help of Jason, Padmini's colleague.

"Madava... I don't think you should do this. I'm even forgetting the lyrics of my favourite song. How am I going to handle those?" Padmini sat on the bed crossed leg and watched as Madav walked back and forth in the room.

He really wants her to do it, at least that will keep her going instead of doing nothing. 

"Will you be able to read even if you forget?"

"I... can" she said with a small smile worked at corner of her lips.

"See... that isn't going to be a problem then" Madav jumped on the bed and laid his head on her lap.

"Have been thinking about dropping the idea all day since I went out?" Madav looked up at Padmini who was lost in thoughts. It's a usual state for Padmini to lost herself in deep thoughts.

A times dropping the idea of radio station comes to his mind too. 'Maybe that's a bad idea. Will it be stressing for her?' but he never let those thought change his mind. 

"Madav, will you listen to me for once?" Padmini stroked his hair, looking at him intently.

"What is it?"

"I don't want the radio station. Just drop the idea, please" she pleaded.

"Are you sure? But that's want you love to do, right?" he got up facing her.

"Yes, but I feel anxious thinking about it" she said with a twitching heart, she leaned her back on the bed rest. It was difficult to leave what she loves but it was even hard to see him working for something that will not be a success in future.

"We will try at least" the only thing Madav wants was for her to live a meaningful life instead of just sitting at home and being isolated.

After persuading her for days finally Madav managed to get her agree to do it. It hardly cost much for him to set a radio station. All he needed was a good system, microphones and high-speed internet.

All set, Padmini was more than excited to start her own online radio with Pankaj helping her connecting her to the listener through social media. Being a former radio jockey in BigWheel, it wasn't hard for her to get listeners.

Since then everyday was a great day for her though she has to write everything that she wants to talk, Padmini enjoyed handling her online radio.

It was keeping her going, forgetting about the diseases she has.

*-*-*-*

A year gone by, Madav and Padmini lived a normal life with a little hiccups here and there as Padmini started to have more difficulties in deciding and focusing. Everything was going normal until one day Padmini stood completely blank in her own house. Unaware of where she was, what's happening around, which side of the house takes her where.

A completely emptiness engulfed her as she was there in the middle of the house not knowing what to do.

"Paddu! Padmini!" Madav shook her to bring her out of whatever she was in yet she did not budge a little.

Five minutes later, after so much of yelling and shaking her, Padmini slowly turned to Madav who already had tears rolling down wetting his cheeks.

There was complete blankness in her eyes, slowly blinking she asked, "where am I?"

Taken a back, Madav's heart sunk. Uncontrollable tears stream down as he gathered himself to answer her. "At home, Padmini"

"home..." her eyes roamed the surrounding.

"Why don't you sit here for a moment. I'll go get you something" Madav ran to the kitchen and sobbed aloud.

They went on for her usual appointment with the neurologist. Madav was informed that Padmini is now in the moderate stage of Alzheimer's and she needs proper care from now.

A 24/7 care is needed for her as she won't be able to do much on her own now. She either needs a caregiver at home or she has to be shifted to an Alzheimer's care association.

The latter was not at all an option as Madav had already made his decision to be her caregiver and give her all the attention she needs.

*-*-*-*

"Madav... I... want to go... for a long... wa-walk" Padmini's verbal strength was slowly reducing so does her thinking speed.

"Let's me help you up" Madav took her hands gently helping her get up and walk out of the room.

Her movements, responds and communication got slower but there was only one thing that never changed. Her love for him was still fresh.

As much as life was uncertain, Madav wanted to make sure every second spend with her was valuable and precious. Every moment he made sure she laughed at his jokes, enjoyed the surrounding, enjoyed her favourite music being played and never gave a single moment for her to feel lonely.

Though taking care of her was getting difficult as time goes by, watching her deteriorating health was tearing  him from inside as well. It got only painful to see her, his healthy Padmini now needs someone with her every minute.

"Let's go" Padmini placed a hand on his shoulder breaking his train of thoughts and lead the way ahead of him taking each step slowly, he watched her walking out of the house.     

~~~ she was brave, strong and broken all at once ~~~