Ananya sat alone by the window, watching the rain slide down the glass like tears she refused to cry.
Her phone screen was still lit…
One unread message.
It was from her father.
She had ignored his calls all week. Busy with life, annoyed at his constant checking, she kept saying, "I'll talk later."
But "later" never came.
Now, that one message felt heavier than anything in the world.
With trembling fingers, she opened it.
"Beta, I know you're busy. I just wanted to hear your voice. I made your favorite sweet today… reminded me of when you were little. Call me when you can. I'll be waiting."
Her vision blurred.
Waiting…
The word echoed in her mind like a quiet scream.
Just a few hours ago, her mother had called.
There had been an accident.
Her father… was gone.
Forever.
Ananya dropped the phone as a sob escaped her chest, raw and uncontrollable. She pressed her hands against her mouth, as if she could push the pain back inside—but it only grew stronger.
She ran to the kitchen, opened the cupboard, and found the small box her father had sent last week.
Inside… her favorite sweets.
Untouched.
Her knees gave way as she sank to the floor, holding the box tightly, as if it could bring him back.
"I'm sorry, Papa…" she whispered, her voice breaking into silence.
But apologies don't travel to where he had gone.
The rain kept falling outside.
And somewhere in that sound… it felt like the world was crying with her.