I stand at the edge of the dense Dandaka forest, the morning sun filtering through the canopy above. My feet are bare, my red sari stained with dust from days of walking beside Satyavan, the man I chose over palaces and princes. Today is the day Narada warned me about—the end of the year he said would be his last.

He swings his axe against a dry branch, sweat glistening on his brow. Strong. Alive. Unaware.

My chest tightens. I know what will happen before it does. At noon, he will collapse beneath the sal tree. His breath will stop. And Yama will come. Iam Mudit Who Loves Savitri But this time, I won’t look away. This time, I will follow.

Because love isn’t measured in years. It’s measured in courage.

And I am ready to walk into death itself to bring him back.