"No, I don't believe you," said Mrs. Laghari that afternoon in the kitchen. Jessica and Noor helped her with the cooking and also tried to make her convinced about something.

"But it's true!" Cried Jessica. "And you were the one who told us afterlife exists and you're married to uncle for your next seven lives. What about that?"

His mom coughed. "Beta, those are just sayings because we are married. And even if afterlife exists, you can't just remember anything from your previous lif-"

"WE DO!" Screamed the two cousins in unison.

"You are crazy. Both of you," she laughed.

"Ugh, nevermind," said Noor. "But how do you think about di and Ember?"

"Aw she had the audacity to hold the hand of a boy in front of her parents," said his mom, not looking mad.

"..."

"I'd let them date," she smiled, "if he is actually how you describe him to me, then I want to see how it goes between them. But how long have they known each other?"

"Since age 4 of previous life," Jessica said, "I was there."

"There you go again," she facepalmed. "But it would be problematic for me for I'm not fluent in English like you all. Speaking to him would be a challenge for me."

"No worries, Ember learned Hindi."

"Wow, really? Since when?"

"Past life," they giggled.

* * * * *

Ember and Rhea crossed Neel and Alicia who were making their way to Rhea's house. Rhea didn't take the notice of them and dragged Ember along with her. Ember noticed and waved at them as he ran with her. He laughed nervously.

"Ember," Neel spoke softly. "I'm afraid he told her everything."

"Why does that matter? I always thought they were meant for each other," Alicia stated, "though I've known them to be together for one year," with pain.

"Don't think about it anymore," he patted her shoulder.

"Fine. But what about you? Are you ready to give her up?" She looked concerned, "again?"

"For the third time. Yes," he said as he watched them disappear at the end of the road. "She was there for me when I needed her and he was there for her when she needed him. I guess he's the winner. He always was."

"It's not it. You can't deny that they're soulmates."

"Cheesy!"

Alicia chuckled, "you're saying that because you've never been in love."

"Have you?" Neel questioned her, "I envy them."

"I do too for I never had nobody for me like that."

He looked at her for sometimes. She also stared but at the road, blankly, for sometimes wondering why she had to say that in front of him.

"Do you like me?" He said suddenly with no facial expression.

"What do you think?" She answered after a short pause.

He chuckled, "you can chase after me," he said and started running towards his home.

"Geeeez!" She giggled and actually started chasing him, "wait for me!"

* * * * *

Ember and Rhea walked for quite some time now. They didn't speak but let their hands do it for them. They played with each other's hands as the walked in silence. It was getting dark again. But the sunlight still held the warmth. They reflected his gold and her hair also appeared to be golden. Rhea walked and stood in front of him. She used her hands to shade his eyes.

"Wh...at are you doing?" He asked, a little confused.

"I heard somewhere that lighter eyes are more fragile and the sun can easily damage them, " she explained, "so I want to protect yours."

"Aww," he smiled, "never knew you can be that caring too," and received a punch on his stomach, "OW!"

With instant regrets she asked, "ARE YOU OKAY?! I'M SO SORRY!" As she recalled something.

"I'm fine, I'm fine," he laughed it off.

"H...ow....are you, Ember?"

"Good, why do you ask?"

"You weren't good in the previous life so....I was worried for you. Please take care of yourself," she said and they started walking again.

"You take care of me," he smiled and held her hands.

"I will"

* * * * *

Loraine and Maple lied flat on the grass. They both sighed.

"I'm kinda relieved," said Loraine, gazing at the sky.

"Yeah, me too," Maple replied, "though I thought I had a chance."

"What do you mean?" Loraine turned his head towards Maple, "You like Arorhea or something?"

"Kinda?" He said hesitantly.

"Oh man!"

"She kinda did a lot for me previously. Lorry, do you remember, I used to be a playboy. I remember how badly I treated Miranda back then and she still didn't complain about anything. I wish someday I'd meet her and apologize for my deeds. Only if she has reborn and only if she remembers. Even if she doesn't, I'd try my best to make up for the past. But first, I'd try my best to find her..." He sighed, "and Rhea helped me realize my wrong deeds, you see..."

"First of all, do NOT call me whatever you just called me and....you're still a playboy. No doubt. Miranda wouldn't like you."

"No! She would! And why, isn't Lorry a sweet name?"

"It literally means TRUCK in British English."

"Aww! That's cute too!" Maple smiled and received a punch on his shoulder, "haha."

Loraine looked up at the sky again and said, "I like her too. She changed me too."

Maple was in for a surprise, "seriously?!"

"I mean, Arorhea!" Loraine nodded, "I used to be a jerk. I did so many wrong things to her. I insulted her on every meeting. She never said anything to hurt me. Ever. I feel so guilty now. Good thing I have a good temper now. And...for a moment, a few days ago, I felt like I could make her mine. But soon realized that the thought was a taboo. No, she can never be mine. She belongs to Ember...and I should be relieved for that. I should be happy for them."

"I do agree with the jerk part," he nodded and Loraine glared at him. "But...this is so weird that we didn't realize our feelings until Ember and Arorhea got together."

"Did they really get together?"

"I mean we should support, right? After all he's our brother. We...still are kind of...triplets. We should be happy for him."

"True," Loraine smiled, "I support them."

"I do too."

* * * * *

"Can I hold you hand?" Rhea asked as they walked inside the woods.

"No, I'll hold yours," Ember smiled and happily grabbed her hand.

The forest was dark and the cricket chirping was louder than usual.

"You always have weird ideas. Why did we need to come here? You even asked Mr. Charles to leave!"

"Hold on, Rhea. We're almost there," he chuckled, "and if you want, I can carry you in my back."

"No thanks!" She blushed.

"A piggy back ride?"

"NO I'M 21!"

* * * * *

Soon they noticed some rays of light and it seemed like the woods ended. They quickly walked towards it. The forest opened into an open space with a lake in the center. Rhea stepped on a stone and a firefly flew out from below it. And suddenly many more fireflies began to appear followed by it. The fireflies circled them and glowed on their face. They looked at each other with smiles. Rhea was too excited.

"Ember, I recalled Diwali!" She said cheerfully.

"That Diwali when we eloped from our families?" He whispered into her ear.

She giggled, "No we didn't! But yes, that Diwali." She looked around again.

Ember looked at her and put his hand over his heart. He gulped as his heart started beating faster. He slowly approached her as she tried to catch a firefly and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind her. A pink glow spread over her cheeks as he buried his head into her neck. It tickled her but she was frozen.

"Arorhea...I love you," Ember finally spoke out what his heart contained.

"Please don't leave ever again," they both said together, "I won't."

She removed his hands from her waist and turned to him, still holding them, "Ember..."

"Rhea..." He blushed.

"I love you too!" She smiled and left his hands to cover her face with hers. He smiled and hugged her, "I'm so happy, Ember!" She said excitedly and jumped to wrap her arms around his neck. He picked her off the ground while still hugging and spun her around. She giggled.

Rhea pulled him close and hugged his head as they sat on a huge rock. His head buried into her chest as she caressed his golden hair and red cheeks.

"Not gonna lie, you look flat," he murmured to himself.

It took her some time to realize and then pushed him away, "PERVERT!"

He chuckled as he made his way back into her embrace. He held her tight. She held his light.

"Well, Ember, do you know..."

"Hmm?"

"Do you know, love is a person," she smiled, "the eye color of love is blue."

"And is he blonde?" He asked.

"He is!"

"And his love is brunette..." He smiled at her and she couldn't stop blushing.

"You know, I'm so glad I could live as Arorhea once again. I'm so happy that Ember could live...once again..."

"Then let's make up for the lost time, shall we?"

And let's not waste another lifetime

For there may be no more after this

But if there is, if there will be,

I'll fall in love with you again,

I'll make you fall for me again,

I'll find you. I promise.

And most importantly,

I'll touch your heart<3

—THE END—

[Afterlife Of Ember & Rhea]
Official Ending, Thanks for reading!