The Empty Chair

Every evening, 7-year-old Meera would sit by the window, waiting for her father to return from work. He always brought her a chocolate and a big warm hug. One rainy night, the door didn’t open. Instead, her mother came in with swollen eyes and trembling hands. There had been an accident.

Meera didn’t understand fully, but she knew something was missing. The next evening, she still placed a chair near the door and waited. Days passed. No footsteps, no chocolate, no hug.

Years later, at her wedding, an extra chair sat at the front — empty, but decorated with flowers. Someone asked why. Meera simply whispered, “He promised he’d always be there.”