“Archana. 5’ 6”. 27 year old”, answered Shashank when an attendant asked him who he’s looking for. The short-heighted guy thought for a moment and then answered, “One such person has been kept in the last room of the corridor. “Cool”, said Shashank, “Is it the general ward?”. The attendant hesitated and then answered, “No. It’s the…err...morgue”.

Shashank froze once again. The attendant guided him to the morgue. On the way, he saw people crying as they lost a loved one in the attack. Few were smiling as their kin escaped almost unhurt. But Shashank was in no mood to do either. Suddenly, he noticed the unbearable stench - The odour of blood…the odour of the dead.

“There’s the body”, said the attendant to Shashank. A plain white sheet had covered it entirely. The cloth had got stains of red at places. The scared Shashank uncovered the body’s face. It was charred beyond recognition. It was scary to even look at it but still Shashank looked on, to ascertain whether it’s actually his beautiful wife. It was difficult to say so, thought Shashank. That means, there are chances she’s not Archana!

But wait! What’s that beneath? It’s the dupatta! The emerald green dupatta! The dupatta, the part of the salwar kameez that Shashank had gifted to Archana! Suddenly Archana’s previous birthday came before his eyes. The small celebration he organized for Archana at his home. The smile that had come across her face when saw the gift! Damn, I would never able to see that smile again, thought Shashank! “Shit! Shit!! Shit!!! How would I live now…what would I do without her…why something so tragic should happen to me?”, pondered Shashank.

A mustachioed ward boy quietly entered the morgue, as if not wanting to disturb the dead bodies, quickly tied a tag on Archana’s right leg and left. A curious Shashank went over to check what’s written in the tag. What he read stunned him: Name: Sneha Mehta | Age: 29 | Sex: Female

He ran out to find the pot-bellied wardboy. He hadn’t reached far. “Excuse me mister”, he called out loudly even though ‘Silence Please’ notice was pasted everywhere in the corridor. The wardboy looked behind. Reaching towards him, he asked “The body inside…isn’t that of Archana?”. “No”, answered the wardboy, “It’s the body of Missis Sneha. We found out her identity through her driving license in her purse. Also, there was a cellphone inside the purse and we even spoke to her father. He’s coming in sometime.”

A wave of relief and happiness engulfed Shashank. He never felt so nice. The wardboy advised him to go to the general ward on the upper floor where blast victims are admitted. Maybe, he could find her wife there. Thanking him, Shashank ran upstairs. The general ward was in a mess. Injured people were getting treated on the beds, floor, chairs…just everywhere where one could find place. Shashank looked around carefully for his missing wife.

Finally, he saw her at a corner bed. A bandage rested on her forehead and she seemed dazed. Quickly he ran towards her. Suddenly, she saw Shashank coming towards him and before she could even react, he gave her the tightest hug ever. “I Love you, I love you, I love you a lottt!”, exclaimed Shashank and added, “You are my world, Archana. You mean a lot to me. Trust me! I’l not let anything happen to you and will always be there for you!” Archana just smiled and managed to say “Love You too. And I am honoured. And blessed!” Not knowing what more to say, she hugged him once again. She wanted to remain in his arms forever. However, the doctor-in-charge ruined her plans as he announced, “She got hurt on her forehead. Nothing serious. We’ve taken care of the injuries. Please make the bed vacant immediately…there are other patients to be taken care of.”