What We Carried Forward

Bella left us, but she stayed.

We marked her presence on our skin — with her paw tattooed on our hands — a promise that she would walk with us for the rest of our lives. Nishtha honored her with a tattoo too, something she would never have done for anyone else. Timse honored her by running one of the most difficult marathons, carrying Bella in every mile. Achilles keeps her close in the most tender way — sleeping with a pillow shaped like her, her picture always near him.

Her love didn’t end.
It multiplied.

Ria and Aaryan have Bella’s large photo framed in their room, surrounded by little things that remind them of her — fun memories, moments, pieces of joy. She still belongs there, watching over them the way she always did.

And I carry her too.

Bella had a favorite teddy. I take it with me everywhere — just like I wanted to take her. I bought her an airplane bag once, dreaming of traveling with her, but I never got that chance. Now, this teddy travels with me instead. Every city. Every place. Every chapter.

It sits beside me the way she would have.

Bella lived with us.
Bella grew with us.
And Bella will stay with us — forever.

Some love doesn’t end.