Anya slowly placed the letter on the table so that Shaan could have a view of it. They both started to read the last thing, that their loving daughter had left for them.

Mama and Papa! It's my birthday today, right? Then you have to smile, no matter what happens and no matter what you read further. But a request, Mama, please don't read this in front of me. I would be completely embarrassed to see you reading it. So if I am in front of you, then please go somewhere else and read it.

Mama, you remember right? I used to study well in school and had many great friends. The truth to be said I never liked going to school, I liked studying but I hated school. All I can say is I hated it and probably came to like it a tiny-miny bit because of this hospital. I don't want to say it, but everyone felt like they were all sheep who bleated on every command and demand that teacher gave, without analyzing. So I liked being with you and papa, within my home and within my room, where I had my world and that was enough! And I loved every moment being there.

Mama, do you remember when we had visited a temple and you had said that the God there had the power to grant any wish? Now please don't yell at me if you are done reading this letter. I had secretly asked a wish to him. A secret wish that we had a deal that he shouldn't disclose to you or anyone else! And I am proud that he never did, but just know that he did granted my wish. I am telling all this to you, mama, because somewhere in the books I read that when a person becomes too weak and starts to suffocate, God doesn't wish to see him in that state. So he takes him away from his loved ones to himself. And the thing is, my pain is getting worse and worse every day and I don't know, if I can't take it, then this thing I am going through is suffocation. So... Mama, I am slowly feeling that I will be going to God leaving you and papa behind. But I don't want to...

For the next word, the ink was a bit smudged. Maybe the girl had shed her tears and a drop of it had fallen on the paper. Anya looked at Shaan who never raised his head from the piece of paper. Anya's heart was already rumbling without knowing the true subject of the letter. But nonetheless, she continued reading.

I had secretly wished to live with you and papa, for whatever reason, with which I could skip school. I didn't know that God would make my wish come true even if the consequences wouldn't be included in that wish. He granted me my wish with an ailment, and as you know I had to stay more or less in the hospital.

So you may think, was I Sad? You bet I wasn't. I was happy and I still am. I was happy in every moment that I spent with you and papa. Most of the day I had either you or papa beside me. What more could I have probably asked for? Maybe the needles hurt me tiny-miny bit, but they couldn't take back the joy that I shared when I was with you and papa. And also I was given regular grants and that was the time I came to my world, my home and my base, my room! When no girlfriend of mine could think of buying a souvenir figure, I had built an entire city. When no friend of mine had time to do anything else than to study, I studied and also visited places like the tombs that the raider rode on, the middle earth with my lovely bilbo, magical schools, Texas, a dragon's den, Snape's Dungeon! You ask for it and I will name it. And Kaz was a great person I have met over the years, but he comes next to Papa. And the skill of holding a calligraphic pen. I could do all of this because of my wish and I am happy about it. And I will cherish them forever.

So if I get to meet God then I will ask him to send me back to you. I am okay with this pain, not because that I am strong. But I feel so, with the thought that I will be spending all my time with the greatest mama and Papa in the world!

                                                                               Your lovely princess

                                                                                                            Noah

(Note: And Mama if you go to that God again and wish for something then give him the full details of your wish, he will grant your wish but he is naive, so!)

Anya looked at Shaan and she slowly hugged him and started to cry, pouring out everything she was holding inside for two months. Both the parents had thought different things to make Noah live and get her wishes fulfilled, but the little life just wanted and wished to be with them!

***

Anya was making the hair of the little girl and Shaan came in and said frowning

"Anyaaaa... You always make us reach late!"

"I am done. I am making Shaanya's hair. Just a minute."

"Okay! Do it faster. Just don't mess up my little princess's hair."

He threw a glance at the little girl, through the mirror she was seated in front of. She was a girl of three with the brown complexion. She had thick black hair and dark brown eyes and a round face, that she had taken from Anya. Shaanya smiled looking at Shaan and he stretched his tongue out and made a funny face. Shaanya giggled and when Anya said she was done, she came running to Shaan.

"paaa...paaa..."

Shaan took her in his arms and started to toss her up, and there was no stop to her giggling. Anya came to Shaan and said with a smile

"No matter how much I love them, our daughter's will always run to you when you are around."

He stopped tossing Shaanya and kept her in his arms.

"But do you remember about Noah's last letter? She had written it to you."

Anya laughed at it and came to the door. Shaan was kissing Shaanya all over her face and she was giggling every time he did. And when Anya opened the door, Shaan released her from his arms and went beside Anya

"And isn't she your 'secret wish'?"

"How can you always read my mind?" Asked Anya eying and frowning at Shaan

"It is not mind reading idiot. It is understanding."

Anya smiled as Shaan kissed her cheeks and chased Shaanya to the car. The morning sun was shining his brightest and Anya thought, closing her eyes for a moment.

What is hope? Maybe there is nothing called as hope. Because life itself is hope. Maybe Hope is to see the sun the next day. Maybe it is to be with our loved ones every passing moment or maybe hope is doing everything we love to do... So I suppose hope dies with us when we take out last breath! To give place to new hope...

                                                                                                                    -Ishaan