The Last Letter

The Last Letter

Anannya stood on the rooftop, the gentle breeze of a golden afternoon brushing past her. In her hand was an old envelope containing a letter. She had a slight smile on her lips and watery eyes. Five years ago, on an afternoon just like this, she had first met Tanvir. In a coffee shop, flipping through the pages of a book, their conversation had begun. From that conversation bloomed a friendship, and from that friendship, love.

Tanvir was calm and quiet, while Anannya was full of life. Two souls from two ends of the world, meeting at one point. Tanvir used to say, “When you smile, it feels like all the pain in the world melts away.”

Their love was pure, selfless. But society and family stood firmly against them. Tanvir was from a middle-class family, while Anannya’s father was an influential businessman. He never accepted that they were dating. Anannya fought, cried, even wanted to leave home. However, Tanvir forbade her from going against her family. “I want your happiness, Anannya. If I bring pain into your life, then I have no place in it,” he had said.

After that day, Tanvir vanished — just like that. No calls, no messages. His phone was switched off, his house locked.

A thousand times Anannya had wondered — maybe Tanvir didn’t love her enough, maybe he ran away from responsibilities. But deep down, she knew — Tanvir wasn't that kind of man.

Today, five years later, that letter finally reached her — by post.

The message read: “Anannya,

It's possible that I won't be around when you get this letter. There was so much I wanted to say, but time didn’t allow it.

You probably think I left you. But the truth is, I wanted to save you from my pain.

When I got the doctor’s report, I realized — our days of dreams were over. I was being slowly destroyed by cancer. I knew if you found out, you would have stayed by my side. But I didn’t want you to give up your whole life for me.

Your smile, your light — I didn’t want that to fade. So I walked away, quietly.

I thought I’d spend the end of my days far away. But every single day, your face appeared in front of me.

Anannya, I loved every bit of you. I still do. Please live well — that’s all I ever wanted.

Be happy.

– Yours, Tanvir”

Tears had long dried on the paper. And now, fresh tears welled up in Anannya’s eyes. She slowly walked to a corner of the rooftop.

The sun was setting on the horizon — Tanvir’s favorite time of day. She closed her eyes, as if she could feel him — standing just an arm’s length away, smiling.

“Be happy, Tanvir… you too,” she whispered softly.

The End.