Too late to realise!

She opened the door with eyes half open, messed up hair, a few strands of hair falling on her cheeks and at least three or four strands cropped only till her forehead, "her new haircut", I thought to myself. The dark circles and pale skin tone made me realise that she needs care and attention, she needs my love. She needs me. "Goodmorning!", I wished her and hugged her. I could feel how week she was when I held her in my arms. She was somewhat shivering. "How come you're back so early? And what brings you home at this hour of the day?" It was really difficult for me to accept the fact that the girl who never missed out her birthday celebrations no matter how much she was ageing,who was once so full of life doesn't remember her birthday. I smiled and walked in. I pulled my luggage in which I dragged all the way to the fourth floor. Frustrated! " You still didn't put a request for a lift?" She frowned a bit. "I still don't need it." Stubborn as always I thought and I straightaway crashed on the sofa. She quickly got me a glass of water and started piling up the scattered books from the table, folded a bedsheet from the sofa and picked up her favourite small soft pillows and walked towards the bedroom. "Let me help you I said, not bothering to get up 'cause I knew she wouldn't let me. Neither was I in a mood to do some household chores." She has always been obsessive about her decor and belongings. But what struck me was the fact that she was up late again! Studying maybe or maybe WAITING.. "This is what I have done to her. All she wanted and expected from me was time and attention and loads of love but I was emotionally unavailable. My credit cards have not much importance in her life. She values relationships. She deserves to be happy. She wanted a baby but I.." While I was murmuring this to myself, she walked back to the sitting room in her favourite purple nighty. I remember how much we fought while deciding the colour of our bedroom while shifting to this new apartment. She never nagged for a bigger house. She was always content with that two BHK. It was me who had big dreams and fancy lifestyle. She didn't hesitate to shift knowing the fact that this new place was quite away from her work station. But she made me semi bald fighting over the decor as she was so keen on painting the walls of the master bedroom purple. I wanted to have a neutral colour 'cause that would have complemented my profession and personality, I thought. But she had to rule. While I was smiling thinking about that she walked up to the kitchen to make us breakfast. "Rishav, do you mind having black tea? There's no milk at home" she screamed. "I'm okay with it." She had changed. A lot. That bubbly little girl is now a robot. A formal socialite. And again I realised I was responsible. She doesn't go out to her parents 'cause this new place is quite far and so are her old friends. She also doesn't go with her friends frequently for parties.. "Parties! Shit! I forgot about the cake". He quickly ran to the dining table before she saw it,pulled out a tray from the shelf and decorated the cake before she was there. He lit two little candles. Meanwhile, she was back with her tea tray and was surprised. Her teary eyes conveyed how glad she was. "Happy birthday my love! I'm sorry and I love you". He hugged her tight and turned to pick up the knife for her to cut the cake suddenly he noticed the calender and saw the date circled with a red marker pen. He turned back and she was gone! "Smita! Smita! I'm sorry I forgot. I'm sorry I forgot your birthday was a couple of months back. I.." He ran towards the bedroom realising that she was crying 'cause she was hurt or angry. "Seema..!"
The next moment he woke up to find his maid shiver out of fear. "Sahab! Are you okay? Shall I call the doctor?"
"I am okay! But.."
"Sahab..! Please get ready quickly then. You're already late. Its madam's first death anniversary today and you don't want to be late for it. Her parents must be waiting for you."

Materialistic pleasure is always temporary. We become so mad after money, power and fame that we skip the little happiness of life. Dreaming big isn't dangerous but running after materialistic pleasure at the cost of losing the near ones may lead to solitude.
If you have big dreams, plan out your lives and keep a balance between your private and personal life. Celebrate all the festivals and occasions with full enthusiasm. Give time to the ones you love before its too late to realise!