Do you remember those days Prem? Our those days? What kind of fun we used to have at that house! You and I used to have a lot of fun. How joyful our life was? You always used to say that Jyoti, we will never leave this house. There are many memories associated with this house. And I used to say that one day we have to leave this house as it's on rent. But you were firm about your decision, working hard for day and night, and finally offering more money to the owner, you purchased this house from him. And while giving me the keys of the house you said that Jyoti, the house in which you stepped for the first time, how can I leave that house? And now, you have left me alone, not only in this house but also from this world. You never thought that how will your Jyoti will pass her whole life being alone? Wiping off the tears from her eyes, Jyoti cleaned the photograph of Prem and kept it back on the table. And then hung it on the wall. Wounding garland around it, she lit up the candle before the photograph and said again, "You loved candlelight dinner. In the flame of the candle, your face used to become brighter. After you left, I just have the support of these two things, this house, and this candle. Whenever this candle is enlightened here, don't know why I feel that you're here with me. Now I have to pass this whole life with your memories and this candle. But I have to sell this house. You know what? Divya is now grown up. Bearing hardships she completed her graduation. Her age is also sufficient. I have searched for a good family. But they're demanding much money in dowry. How could a widow like me arrange so many amounts? Selling this house I can arrange the needed amount, and from the money which I'll save, I'll buy a small house in Harinagar. The flame of the candle was disturbed but Jyoti didn't notice it! She went into the kitchen for making lunch.

 "Mummy, what you're doing?" Divya, who just arrived from college, asked her mother while keeping her bag on the table in the drawing-room. While making the meal Jyoti replied, "Preparing food so that we can have dinner as soon as possible. As I have to Mohan Uncle's place with the documents of the house. He is your father's friend, you know him?"

And suddenly Jyoti was shocked with Divya's scream, "No" and she came running out of the kitchen and asked, "What Happened?"

Divya touched her palm and said, "Nothing mom, I was standing near this table and don't know how I got burnt by the flame of a candle."

Jyoti took out the antiseptic tube and applied it over Divya's palm and asked, "Is it hurting too much?" and suddenly she noticed the table and said, "Documents of the house were here, Where are they? I have to sign them and handover them to Mohan. He said that we have to make the deal by today as he has to leave for the USA tomorrow. He isn't assured about his date of returning. And we have to fix your marriage ceremony by the day after tomorrow. Mohan is good that he said that we can live in the house until he returns from the USA. Now, what will happen?"

Divya touched his wounds and said, "It must be somewhere here only. And you might have forgotten. Try to remember."

Jyoti searched for them in the whole house, but they weren't found anywhere. So, in the end, she called Mohan and told him about the missing documents. Mohan said, "You haven't signed them so there's no need to worry. I'll make other documents and will come to your house with the money in the evening. You just sign them and keep the money with you. This way your time would be saved and the deal would be done speedily." In evening Mohan arrived at Jyoti's place with the documents. He was in a hurry. Jyoti signed the documents and with tears in her eyes she kept the documents before the photograph of Prem and joining her hands she said, "Please forgive me. I don't have any other options. If Divya gets married at proper age then the burden on me would be lessened. I have to sell this house for arranging the money for a dowry. Please forgive me." While crying accidentally her hand hit the candle and it fell on the documents of the house. Before Jyoti could understand anything, the documents started burning. And before she could do anything, ashes were there instead of papers. Now Jyoti lost all her courage and she started crying.

Seeing this Mohan said, "Don't cry, whatever happens, happens for good. If the papers wouldn't have burnt then I would have torn them. You're selling this house for gathering money of dowry for Divya's marriage? You could have said to me. My friend's beautiful, well-behaved the daughter becomes my daughter-in-law, what else could be better than it?" Jyoti asked surprisingly, "What?"

Mohan laughed and said, "I mean to say that my son Keyur and your daughter Divya, how they're as couples? Forget those greedy people, who are demanding money for a girl like Divya. As soon as I'll return from the USA, we will fix their marriage. And yes, I don't want any kind of dowry. There is no need to sell this house." And saying this he gave blessings to Divya and left the house.

Jyoti happily looked at the photograph of Prem and said, "Are you listening? Our house wouldn't be sold now."

With the wave of air, the flame of candle glowed more. Today the energy of flame was quite more. And suddenly the documents were dropped, which were stuck on the backside of Prem's photograph.

(The-End)