°°°
The room was still, heavy with silence and the weight of forgotten birthdays. Meher stood before the old projector, her breath caught as the machine sputtered to life. It was her birthday—but not one of the cake or candles. Only memories now. And then, through the static hum, her sister's voice returned: "18 July 2004."
*** °÷° ***
---The lights dimmed.
A soft whirr filled the room as the projector sputtered to life. Dust floated lazily in the narrow beam of light cutting through the dark. Meher stood still — motionless — as the screen before her flickered and settled on the first frame:
"18 July 2004"
Her breath hitched.
***
18 July 2004
A chubby-cheeked little girl appeared on the screen, maybe around eight or nine, her eyes wide with love and pride.
Aaira (smiling):
"Happy birthday, my little sister. My wait is finally over — I finally have someone by my side. You look so pretty."
Meher's hand rose slowly to her mouth, trembling. Tears spilled down her cheeks in silence, untouched. She didn't wipe them away.
The video cut, fading to black — then returned, one year later.
***
18 July 2005
Aaira (giggling):
"Happy Birthday, Meher. You're 1 now! You know, this past year you've loved me the most. Every time you cried, you calmed down the moment I held you. I know you love me deeply."
Meher blinked rapidly, her eyes blurring. She could still hear the way baby Meher giggled in the background. Aaira's voice was younger then — high-pitched, innocent, overflowing with devotion.
***
18 July 2006
Aaira (teasing):
"Happy Birthday, Meher. You've grown bigger — and gained some weight too! But you're still my little precious treasure."
A soft chuckle escaped Meher's lips through the tears. She remembered the teasing. Aaira had always pinched her cheeks, called her "fluffy dumpling."
***
18 July 2007
Aaira:
"Happy Birthday, Meher. You're getting mischievous these days! You're always in the spotlight, but seeing you happy makes me happier."
The video transitioned with warmth, year by year — Meher, growing, changing — and Aaira, capturing every memory, every shift in their bond.
***
18 July 2008
Aaira (more serious now):
"Meher, having you by my side means everything. Whenever I'm stressed, just hearing you say 'Aapi' melts it all away. Happy Birthday!"
Meher took a step forward unconsciously. Her hand reached toward the screen — as if she could touch her sister, as if time hadn't slipped so cruelly through her fingers.
***
18 July 2009
Aaira:
"You're getting so smart now. You always steal my snacks, then end up feeding them back to me. Stay sweet, live well. Happy Birthday."
That year, Meher remembered feeding Aaira stolen chocolate under the table while their mother scolded them. Their laughter had filled the kitchen.
***
18 July 2010
Aaira (gentle concern in her eyes):
"You're forgetting to care for yourself, Meher. Your selflessness is beautiful, but don't lose yourself. Be happy. Happy Birthday."
Meher's shoulders trembled. Even then, Aaira had seen it — the way she gave herself away, piece by piece.
***
18 July 2011
Aaira (more serious):
"You may not see it now, but someone is using you. Please be careful, Meher."
Meher's eyes flew toward the back of the room — toward him. Asad. Sitting in the corner. Watching.But Aaira's voice returned, reeling her back.
***
18 July 2012
Aaira (grinning):
"You've become an angry bird lately! But I'm proud — you're finally standing up for yourself."
A flicker of pride shone in Meher's eyes, even through the tears. Aaira had always noticed — even the smallest shifts.
***
18 July 2013
Aaira (quietly):
"Happy Birthday, Meher. I'm upset.
Your classmates mocked your weight, so you stopped eating. I'm really worried."
Meher's throat tightened. She remembered the silence of that year. The skipped meals. The long nights curled in bed. But Aaira... Aaira had known.
***
18 July 2014
Aaira (earnestly):
"You've lost the weight and look gorgeous, but for me, you've always been beautiful. Please take care of yourself. You're all I have."
The weight wasn't what mattered. It never had. Not to her.
***
18 July 2015
Aaira (bittersweet):
"Dad is preparing to send you abroad for studies. He's not wrong — you deserve the best. But... will you forget me?"
Meher's knees buckled slightly. She steadied herself. Her lips parted, but no words came. Only regret.
***
18 July 2016
Aaira (whispering):
"Happy Birthday. I feel like you're growing distant. Don't let that foreign land take you away from me."
The silence between them had started there — the quiet void that only grew with every passing year.
***
18 July 2017
Aaira:
"It happened — what I feared. You've stopped replying. No calls either. Maybe you're just busy? Happy Birthday, Meher."Her voice broke at the end, just slightly. Meher's heart shattered anew.
***
18 July 2018
Aaira (hollow smile):
"Happy Birthday. I'm all alone. Even mom left to be with you for a while. She says she misses you too."
But Mom hadn't come back. Not that year. Or the next.
***
18 July 2019
Aaira:
"Happy Birthday, Meher. Mom never came back. She lied."
A chill crept down Meher's spine. The ache in Aaira's voice was raw. Unmasked.
***
18 July 2020
Aaira (monotone):
"Happy Birthday. Another year alone. The silence is eating me up."
Meher clenched her fists. Her nails dug into her palms. How had she not seen? How had she let so much space grow between them?
***
18 July 2021
Aaira (calm, but tired):
"Can you give me my parents back? I know it's not your fault. You've tried to bring them back. They think I'd distract you. I know you love me."
Her voice was heavier now — older. The years had worn her down.
***
18 July 2022
Aaira (softly excited):
"This was the best year! You finally called. I knew it — you didn't forget me. I also know mom and dad are keeping us apart. I don't want the company. I don't want to marry. Is that so wrong?"
The screen flickered with a photo — the last call they had. Meher smiling. Aaira's eyes glowing.
***
18 July 2023
Aaira:
"I'm not wishing you today. I'm coming there. The wait is over.
You've graduated. Mom said I can finally see you."
The screen faded to black.No more messages followed.
***
The silence in the room was deafening. The only sound was Meher's breath — shallow, shivering. Her tears ran unchecked down her face, her jaw clenched to keep from crying out loud.
She stood there. Still. Hollowed out.
Meher (whispering):
"And this is the last time I am hearing her call my name... After then... I lost her... I lost her..."
The walls closed in around her.
She had travelled the world, achieved everything they'd wanted for her — success, a career, a name.
But none of it brought her Aaira back.
To be continued....
••••
The screen faded to black, but Aaira's voice lingered in Meher's heart like an ache that wouldn't fade. She stood frozen, swallowed by the silence she had helped create. So much gained, yet the one thing she truly needed was gone. A single tear slipped down her cheek as she whispered, "I didn't forget you, Aaira aapi… I just lost my way." But no voice answered back—only the quiet remained.
{Relising date 3/9/25}
"Sometimes, the people we love the most are the ones we unintentionally drift away from. But love, when true, waits patiently — even in silence." If this story touched your heart, let it be a quiet reminder to hold your loved ones close — not just in memory, but in moments that matter. A call, a message, a little time — it all counts. Stay kind, stay present, and no matter what life throws your way, stay happy and take care of yourself.
– Galaxy's Eyes