SHIVANI SENGAR – “We will remember you forever.”

For everything there is a season, A time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

Every journey, like our lives, must come to an end at some point. Despite the fact that we all know death is inevitable, it is always the timing, which is inconsiderate and inopportune. The journey into and out of this mortal world is as varied as atoms. Connected yet separate. The journey through the materialistic world to eternal life makes all the difference. Isn’t it?

In general, everyone has lovely and pleasant memories of their birth or offspring, but when one dies, their eyes well up with the realization that they will never be able to see that person again in this life. Specially, when we lose someone close to our heart, this realization transforms into actual pain and grief. Nothing will be as same as it was before; whatever happens now will be different, and under space will always be blank.

I’m writing with great sadness because a close friend of mine, SHIVANI, died on May 4, 2021. She was only 38 years old at the time (2nd September 1983). She battled covid for ten days, along with long hours of illness and pain, but she never gave up hope. She was a fighter.

It is said that in order to fully appreciate the value of a true friend, one must first lose one. Of course, no matter how much planning we do, we will never be completely prepared for that possibility. I accepted Shivani’s death as heartache and it began to sink in. A flood of memories washed over me, memories of all the good times, serious times, and reflections on the past. We had times when we hung out with family, ate, drank, and talked spending quality time.

All of that is gone in a brisk and all that is left are memories.

नगमें है, शिकवे है, किस्से है, बातें है
बातें भूल जाती है, यादें याद आती है
बातें भूल जाती है, यादें याद आती है
ये यादें किसी दिल-ओ-जानम के चले जाने के बाद आती है

Shivani and I first met in 2010. She was one of my very first friends in Ghatshila (Jharkhand). As time passed, this relationship bloomed, blossomed and we became close friends. Our friendship energised and expanded as a result of greater understanding. I recall a few evening walks at the Golf Club, get-together at the Ladies Club, amusing one-minute games at kitty parties, and, last but not least, plank and sit-up days at the gym. Really, as a close friend, I found her always to be extremely supportive, kind, cheerful, empathetic, and knowledgeable person.

She was a wonderful daughter of her parents. Despite the fact that she lost her father at a tender age, her mother single-handedly laid a strong foundation in her. Also, she was the only loving sister of her two elder brothers, who always pamper her. She was never tired of talking about her family and tittle – tattle with her.

Shivani as the better half of her husband (Ashok Sengar) was extremely delightful to watch. I never saw them disagreeing with each other. They both managed to stay together despite the ups and downs in their lives, keeping it evergreen. She was so close to him that she could read every expression on his face, correctly interpret his silence, and effectively manage his mood swings. She was, without a doubt, his most ardent supporter.

She was a wonderful mother to her two young daughters, Nehal (14) and Aashi (09). She was always going above and beyond to make them laugh and teach them life lessons. The many people who love her children will watch over them as she does, ensuring that they have a wonderful life filled with her values and wishes. Her lovely spirit will live on through her children, who will always remember how much she loved them. She tried her hardest to stay for them, but God called her, and she had to leave.

Now my prayer is that she rests in peace, knowing that she did everything and anything she could and that her clan will be fine. Dear, I hope you’re in a better place looking up to us and nodding your head in approval.

Shivani, I want to tell you and the rest of the world that you will always be in our hearts, always and forever. Ashok Bhaiya loves you today as much as he did all these years, and he always will. For all three of them, you were a lifeline (Bhaiya, Nehal, and Aashi). I wish I had the chance to say my final goodbyes – one last hug.

Will see you again, dear friend.

Pratyancha (Ruhi)