Storieo

Category: Life

  • Abyss

    The mother-daughter duo named Lily- Giselle had an arduous relationship. Giselle thought of herself and her daughter very highly. Lily gave her best in each field but to Giselle, it was never enough. She kept expecting her to outperform in every aspect which led to fear of disappointment for Lily.

    Lily could not sustain herself in such an environment and she improvised each day to be the definition of a perfect daughter. The person that she once was became unknown to her and she was just a facade. 

    In an attempt to feel more vibrant, Lily organized a party for her friends. She was very excited and did want everything to be perfect as she never expected anything short.  The arrangements made were remarkable and the party began as planned. Her mother came to greet the guests and during the interaction started to criticize her daughter at the party. She did not give any regards to the feelings of Lily. She felt embarrassed and vulnerable. She did not know how to react to the situation and hurried back to her room. She gave in to her tears. She cried and cried until she was gasping for air and then thought that she will never be enough.  She was tired of herself and felt suffocated in her home. There was no escape and the suffering just got worse each day. She was sound physically but mentally drained. Her state of mind was chaos and she experienced a whirlwind of emotions. 

    In the ordeal to please her mother she forgot to please herself. The abyss inside her did thrive in the end as she was nothing but an empty vessel.


    Lily, the flower symbolizes resurrection in Hinduism/Buddhism, and the daughter is just a representation of rebirth due to the abyss of emotions that now lingers. 

  • ADULT HOOD 

    When you was 15;    

    You only struggle with mathematics. 

    When you are 16-17;   

     You only struggle with arts or science.

    When you are 18-20;

    You will struggle with your adult hood.

    When you are 20-30;

    You will start to struggle with yourself. Struggle to find your self . Struggle with  your uncertain future. Struggle to believe in yourself. Struggle with your fears. Struggle with your self doubts. Struggle with depression. Struggle with your responsibilities. Struggle with the demands of the society. Struggle with unfairness of the world.

    In this process you don’t realise that  you already  entered into your adult hood,Without knowing when…….

  • “Rising Above Grief: The Inspiring Journey of a Strong Mother”

    “Rising Above Grief: The Inspiring Journey of a Strong Mother”

    Once upon a time, in a quiet suburban neighborhood, lived a remarkable woman named Sarah”Rising Above Grief: The Inspiring Journey of a Strong Mother”. She was a loving wife and a devoted mother to two beautiful children, Alex and Emily. Life had always been filled with joy and laughter for their family, until an unexpected tragedy struck.

    One sunny afternoon, Sarah’s husband, Mark, was involved in a fatal accident. The news shattered their world, leaving behind a void that seemed impossible to fill. Sarah was consumed by grief, but in the depths of her sorrow, she found an inner strength that she never knew existed.

    With her heart heavy and tears streaming down her face, Sarah made a vow to herself and her children. She promised to be the pillar of strength they needed, to carry on with grace and resilience despite the overwhelming pain.

    In the days that followed, Sarah faced countless challenges. She had to juggle her own grief while providing emotional support for her children. The weight of responsibilities fell solely on her shoulders, from managing household affairs to being there for every milestone and tearful moment.

    As Sarah navigated through the darkness, she discovered that her strength came from the love she shared with her late husband. Mark’s memory became a guiding light, fueling her determination to create a life filled with love, happiness, and purpose for their children.

    Sarah established a daily routine that provided stability and a sense of normalcy for Alex and Emily. She woke up early, ensuring they were ready for school with packed lunches and smiling faces. She embraced their victories and dried their tears, always reminding them of their father’s love that still surrounded them.

    Despite her own pain, Sarah sought support from friends and family. She leaned on their shoulders, allowing them to provide comfort and lend a helping hand. In return, she extended her hand to others who were experiencing similar loss, sharing her story and offering a listening ear.

    Sarah’s resilience became an inspiration to those around her. Friends, neighbors, and even strangers marveled at her strength, but Sarah knew it was the love for her family that fueled her spirit. She showed her children that strength comes not from avoiding pain but from confronting it head-on, embracing the memories and cherishing the love that remains.

    As time passed, Sarah’s wounds began to heal, leaving behind scars that bore testament to her resilience. She honored her late husband’s memory by living a life that embraced joy, love, and compassion. She taught her children the importance of cherishing every moment and valuing the relationships they held dear.

    Sarah’s strength became a legacy, passed down to future generations as a reminder that even in the face of unimaginable loss, the human spirit can rise above the darkness. She proved that within every mother lies a fierce warrior, capable of navigating through the toughest storms and emerging stronger than ever.

    And so, Sarah’s story serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for all those who have faced loss. Her unwavering strength reminds us that love has the power to heal, and that even in the face of heartbreak, a mother’s love can be the guiding force that lights the path to a brighter tomorrow.

  • Bicycle

    This is a tale of a lady who used to live by her own all alone on the sea shore . She was a fisherwoman by profession who was brilliant at her work. She was about the age of 50 but she had no signs of aging on her, her face had many wrinkles but a glowing skin and she had a very fat body still active. She was a strong independent woman who earned her living by selling fish to the nearby market. 

    One day, on the way to the market her eyes caught sight of a little girl riding her bicycle. She always wanted to ride a bicycle but she didn’t know how to ride it. Her head was filled with dreams of riding a bicycle merrily on the roads of her village where everyone is gazing at her in astonishment. Whenever she gets a sight of any bicycle this dream would overwhelm her. She used to feel pity over herself that there was no one who could help her learn to ride the bicycle. One fine day she said to herself , I will not let this happen to myself and I will make my wish come true on my own . She took all her savings and brought a bicycle for herself. She wanted to learn to ride the bicycle in a month so that she could go to her village on the day of her birthday proudly riding on her bicycle. She gasped at her new bicycle and with all her courage sat on it and tried to pedal it in an open field. To her surprise she started moving as she dreamt of but crashed badly just after moving only two or three steps forward. She felt hurt and her eyes watered but she didn’t quit. She tried over and over again thrashing on the ground and painful scars emerged on her elbows and knees of constant wounds. She was so determined to learn cycling in a month that even the pain of her wounds couldn’t stop her. After a long exhausting practice she now had conquered her fantasy of riding the bicycle. She was too proud of her and saw herself as her hero. There was immense joy in heart thinking that finally she could pursue the dream she was so much fascinated for. After one more week of practicing so that she doesn’t mess up, the day came. 
    She woke up early in the morning , bathed , rinsed her bicycle and prayed for blessings of the Lord. She was all set to live her dream. She sat on her bicycle and started paddling. The journey started and her face was brightened as she entered her village. All the people were long gazing at her just to confirm that she was the same person they know. She was flattered with the compliments that she heard about her bicycle and her riding skills. The dream was even more beautiful to live than it was in her head. 
  • JUST DON’T QUIT

    JUST DON’T QUIT

    I was cuddling up in my blanket on a brisk winter morning. Not at all like every single other day, that day I got up before as I was exceptionally energized. It was my birthday, so I was happy. Like each and every other youngster, I also had made numerous arrangements concerning:

    • What will I do?

    • Which outfit I will wear?

    • Which chocolate to purchase for friends?

    • What to give someone in return a gift when they wish me?

    Furthermore, the rundown goes on. However, I was completely unaware of the Strom that was approaching me to dampen my enthusiasm for my birthday as I planned all of those things. Sadly, that was also my last birthday celebration. Consequently, as previously stated, I arose earlier in anticipation of my birthday. Kids are happiest on their birthdays because it is the only day of the year when they can get everything they want from their friends and family.

    I turned 10 today. I woke up early, put on a lovely purple dress, and got ready to meet my friends and go to school. I attended school. Every single person who was present in the classroom when I entered wished me a happy birthday. I got so wrecked by seeing all that. All that works then, at that point, went well indeed.

    We celebrated my birthday and afterward, the ringer rings and it was the time for a mid-day break. My classmates and I rushed straight to the canteen. It was time for me to give my friends my birthday party. As we were eating and talking about my plans for the evening, I suddenly felt as if my heart started to cry. I simply have no idea what was going on with me. There was a colossal grin all over, yet my eyes were having tears in them. My heart began to become heavy. The only sound coming from the corridor was my footsteps as I ran straight toward it. To get my handkerchief, I dashed as quickly as I could toward my classroom.

    When I got there, I saw a girl sitting alone under the bench in the classroom away from the rest of the world. I went there to find out who the girl was. What’s more, I saw my dearest companion who was my friend since I was conceived, and I saw her crying under the seat. I had no idea what was going on inside her head or what was causing her stress from the inside out. I was so worried because I had never seen her in that way before. I didn’t have any idea what I ought to do by then. I, therefore, approached her and instructed her to stand under the bench. I inquired, “What took place?” She began to weep even more strongly but did not respond. She didn’t even have the sense to say a word. I tried to comfort her, but I didn’t know that Strom was only a mile away. She abruptly took my hand and squeezed it harder as I tried to calm her down. “I’m missing your mom,” she said.

    I was more attached to her mother than she was to mine, so hearing that from her side was a little odd. She had no intention of explaining anything. I was so much closer to her family than to hers. It was sounding curious to me. But I said, “OK, it’s fine,” just to calm her down. You meet her when she comes to pick me up from school. Simple…. So, please stop crying and let’s go to the canteen.

    We were alone in the space around us. I was pausing my breathing just to hear something from the opposite side, yet nothing remained to be heard from her side. She finally responded, “No, I was not missing her… I was missing your real mother,” after a long silence.

    “What are you discussing?” I addressed.

    “Yes, you heard me right…. I was feeling the loss of your genuine mother. She passed away when you were only two days old, so you have no idea what happened. I also know very little about her, though I do recall some memories I shared with her. When I inquired about it, my mother elaborated on the events and explained why she passed away. She said so.

    At the time, I was so surprised. I was having no idea of what was occurring around me. That obscure tempest I have discussed first and foremost had hit me so gravely and left me of nowhere.

    My life completely changed overnight. There was pretty much nothing left equivalent to what it was a second prior. At the same time, I lost a part of myself. I kept saying that this couldn’t be true, that it wouldn’t happen, that it was just a bad dream, or that I was dreaming right now.

    “TELL ME YOU WERE LYING. TELL ME IT’S NOT TRUE.”, I shouted. Tears started rolling down my neck. I had felt so senseless. I had looked towards her with a puppy face and was waiting to hear some good from her side. I started questioning her with everything which was moving around my head.

    ➢ How did you know all of this?

    ➢ Then who is my real mom?

    ➢ Who’s the one whom I’m calling my mom for last ten years?

    ➢ How had all that happened?

    ➢ Why my family kept it a secret from me? etc.……

    She had responded to each and every one of my inquiries. The bell rang as she was answering all of my questions. We were both crying when everyone returned to the classroom. They all were attempting to stop the two of us, even the educators also. Teachers had inquired about the situation with a few of our friends, but no one knew. I recall today well overall. I had a very hard time comprehending that situation as a child. The only question that was causing me the most trouble was whether or not my family had kept such significant information from me. That day is still vividly etched in my mind. As a youngster, it was so challenging for me to figure out that. The only thing that was bothering me was my family’s decision to keep everything from me. At the point when I returned home, I had a go at getting some information about it. They basically overlooked my inquiry as though I have posed to them anything. I tried asking my father about it once more a few weeks later.

    “You are extremely fortunate, similar to Lord Krishna. He also had two mothers, as you know: one with whom he was born and the other with whom he was raised.

    He responded with irony. In the wake of paying attention to that response, I’ve concluded that I will track down everything about my mother on my own at this point. At the point when you had a go at finding everything about her, I got to realize that a significant number of individuals in our general public actually acclaim her to such an extent. Nonetheless, a lot of them miss her.

    I was told by an elderly uncle in our neighborhood, “You exactly look like your mother.” Everything about you, including your speech, smile, hair, and eyes, resembles her. Every single person who knew her adored her. At the point when she got pregnant, numerous family issues happened, however she didn’t empty. How a little youngster joins the speck to make a lovely picture similarly and with the same guiltlessness she held everybody together. She never gives up, no matter how hard the situation is. She always finds a solution with a smile on her face.

    After a long respite he added, “After when she brought forth you, she quickly got conceded due to the remissness of the specialist, a few veins of her got cut. The operation was carried out right away. Like the manner in which you didn’t have the opportunity to see her similarly, she additionally didn’t have opportunity and willpower to see you.”

    “I know, my Kid what’s happening inside your psyche yet dear, she didn’t bite the dust as a result of you. It was not at all your issue. You cannot alter the fact that it was her destiny. You excessively should major areas of strength for be her. ” he added.

    I inquired, “But why dad gave someone else her place?” after listening to him.

    “That another person is, in all honesty, your mom’s genuine sister. Additionally, your father did not assign anyone else to her position. They tied the knot just for you. he replied. Why, then? They weren’t told to do so by me. Also, why they all are concealing this from me?” I addressed.

    “All they want is to see you happy,” Why do you view everything negatively? You grumbled that your dad had concealed this from you, however, have you ever felt that if he could have informed you about this, he would have lost that lovely grin all over.” He said so.

    He continued, “Have you ever thought why a Young lady, who is the real sister of my mother, agreed to marry your father?” a moment later. I’ll tell you. She did that since she cherishes you to such an extent. Your family didn’t want you to know this because they were afraid they might ruin your childhood by telling you. I had a new perspective on the situation as a whole after having that conversation with that elderly uncle.

    Even as I write this, I can’t stop laughing when I think back to my 10th birthday in school and how, after the lunch break, everyone tried to stop my best friend and me from crying so hard that it took them three lectures to stop us. None of the teachers could take classes that day because they were all working to calm us down.

    As a result, both of my mother’s lessons taught me that that every problem has a solution. So, keep your cool and don’t give up.

  • Action over words.

    Myra was new in town. Her dad had just moved jobs and their whole family had to move with him to the capital. In many ways, she was excited. The capital was busy and exciting, full of so many new opportunities. She was super excited to get to know the city- all the cool buildings and nice hang-out spots. But, as with all new places, adjusting takes time and some things may not always be as they seem.

    There was one restaurant that caught her eye. It looked super cool from the outside and the staff were incredibly welcoming and friendly. If that wasn’t enough, the restaurant was full of people, all taking pictures of their food to post on social media. Myra was convinced; she’d give it a try. She ordered the most exciting thing on the menu, but when it arrived, it was bland and tasteless. It was as though all the effort had gone into looking like a nice place to eat, and none into making good food.  Myra shrugged. “Ugh!” Back in her old town, she knew all the best spots to eat.Here she was lost, if only she had some friends to show her around. But that was the thing, she knew no one in this city. 

    When her first day at the new high school arrived, she was nervous. What if she couldn’t make any new friends? What if the friends she could make weren’t as good as her old ones? Her parents tried to reassure her that she’d be absolutely fine, and that the kids of the capital were just as wonderful and interesting as the one she left behind. It might be a little scary at first, but soon enough, she’d be right at home again. For a moment, she felt comforted. It didn’t last long though. Walking through the halls of her new high school, she was completely overwhelmed. Everyone turned to look at her as she walked past. Everyone here knew each other already. What if she didn’t fit in? She tried to remind herself of what her parents had said, that it would be scary initially, and it would take time. But at this moment, Myra couldn’t remember how she’d managed to make friends last time, and was convinced she’d never be able to do it again. Her lessons were fine enough. Her civics class was all about actions speak louder than words. 

    “The idea is that you can tell much more about someone based on how they act rather than what they say. For homework, I’d like you to think about this idea. Can you think of any examples? ” teacher spoke. Myra thought about it, but found it confusing. Speaking was all about words. How could actions say more? At lunch, she sat and ate alone. She wished she had some friends to talk to. Maybe they could help her understand what her teacher had been talking about. At the end of the day, just before she stepped out of the building, a girl caught up with her in the hall. “Hey there, I’m Celine. You’re the new kid, right?” Myra was a little startled. No one had spoken to her yet. Celine had great hair and wore very cool clothes. She spoke with a bright and upbeat tone, and her smile was wide and welcoming. “Yeah, hi. I’m Myra. I just started today.” Said Myra, suddenly feeling a little less alone. “Oh, that’s so cool. Welcome to your new high school.” Said Celine, smiling once more. “Say, do you want to be friends?” Myra felt a rush of excitement. Celine clearly, one of the coolest and most popular kids at the high school, wanted to be friends with her. “Yes, absolutely!” blurted Myra, doing her best to sound as cool and upbeat as her new friend. “Awesome! Let’s take a selfie together and seal the deal.” Myra was happy to oblige. She leaned in and gave her best smile. Celine snapped the selfie and posted it straight away. “So you’ll add me as a friend? Yeah?” “For sure! I’ll do it right now,” “Then it’s official. We’re friends!” She grinned at Myra once more before returning to the rest of her friends. It was a strange and brief interaction, but Myra didn’t mind. Somehow, she’d managed to make at least one friend before even leaving the building. Perhaps this wasn’t so difficult after all. 

    On her walk home, Myra was approached by another of her classmates. This girl looked different. Her clothes were plain, and her hair a little messy. She looked nervous too. “Hey, are you the new girl?” “Yeah, hi, I’m Myra. I just started today” “My name’s Kim, I saw you in math class today. Do you mind if I walk with you for a bit?” Myra didn’t know what to make of Kim. She was a little awkward in the way she spoke, but she seemed nice enough. “Sure!” said Myra, grateful for the company. As they walked home, they talked about their school and the people in it. They talked about the city too, and where Myra had lived before. They even talked about her old friends. By the time they got to Myra’s house, Myra felt comfortable around Kim, and Kim had relaxed a bit too. “I’ll see you tomorrow?” “For sure” 

    The next day, Myra felt much better in high school. She knew some people now and felt reassured she’d be able to make friends. In between classes, she saw Celine in the hall. Myra waved and Celine shouted “Hello, new friend!” Myra smiled and said hello back. When it came to lunch-time, there was one seat left at Celine’s table so Maya went over to ask if she could join them. It was a perfect opportunity to meet Celine’s other friends, and maybe make a few more of her own. “Oh, sorry – Mia, that seat’s reserved. I’ve another friend coming in a moment. Another time though” Myra was a little hurt. “Oh, okay. No problem. Maybe another time then. Oh, and it’s Myra, not Mia” “OMG- sorry Myra. I’ll get it right next time though, see you soon!” she said with a grin. Once again, Maya sat alone for lunch. But then Kim came over. “Hi Myra, it’s me, Kim. We walked home yester-” Myra cut her off with a giggle. “Don’t worry, Kim. I remember” “Do you mind if I sit with you?” she said. “Not at all!” said Myra. “It’s nice to see you again” Myra and Kim sat chatting all through lunch. They talked about all the best food in the cafeteria, what Myra should avoid, and what tasted best. She was grateful for the tips and felt more at home here with Kim. 

    At home that night, Myra was eating dinner with her parents. They asked if she’d made any new friends. She told them about the two girls she’d met. She told them about Celine and how she claimed to be her friend but forgot her name and didn’t seem interested in her. And she told them about Kim who’d never said anything about being friends but seemed genuinely interested in Myra. “Actions speak louder than words, Myra” said her Mom, after hearing these stories. “Celine may claim to be your friend, but does she act like it” “She sounds quite superficial- like a restaurant that looks great but the food is bland and tasteless”, said her Dad. “And Kim maybe too nervous or quiet to call you her friend but look at how she acts. She is interested and thoughtful and seems to truly want to be your friend”, her Mom went on. 

    That night Myra thought carefully about what her parents had said. Maybe actions do speak louder than words. She thought she’d put it to the test.

    The next day at high school, Myra approached Celine “Hey Celine! I’m wondering if you know any great places to eat in the city?” she asked. “Hey friend!” said Celine, “I know loads! Why?” “Are you busy this weekend? Would you mind taking me to one?” “Oh, I’m sorry, Mia. I’m actually super busy this weekend, But I’ll send you a picture of one, yeah?” “Oh, no problem,” said Myra. “Yeah, I’d like your recommendation either way!” Celine got out her phone and sent over a picture of the restaurant Myra ate at first when she got here, the one that looked great from the outside but where the food was actually terrible. “Makes sense” thought Myra.  She then approached Kim and asked her the same question. “Hey Kim, do you know any good restaurants in the city?” Kim’s eyes lit up. “I know the best pizza place. It’s this old part of town, and no one knows about it. It’s a bit shabby on the outside, and the staff aren’t particularly polite but, the proof of the pudding is in the eating, as they say The food is fantastic. Are you busy on Saturday? I’ll take you.” Myra grinned. 

    “Actions really do speak louder than words”, Myra thought. Celine wasn’t really her friend. She probably just wanted more followers on social media. But Kim was interested in her as a person, she was excited to get to know her and show her around the city. She didn’t even need to say they were friends. Myra knew from the way she behaved. She finally had something to talk about for her civics homework!

    That Saturday. Myra met up with Kim in the city. They walked around all day, they even saw Celine eating at that terrible restaurant. Kim showed Myra  all her favourite buildings and the best places to hang out. And then they went to Kim’s favourite pizza place. Sure enough, it wasn’t much to look at but it was the best pizza Myra had ever tasted. Maybe she’d be happy in this new city after all.

  • Finding Myself

    Finding Myself

    We all are what the world, our family and the people around us make of us yet life always presents a turning page to this story of ours where we have two choices either we can be what we have always been or discover ourselves in an all new light. It’s like a new you a new world a new dimension.

    Everyone comes across this in their own unique way for some it’s through love for some through an opportunity. My reality too wasn’t far and came in knocking on my doors with no prior warning but in my case it was a tragedy, a weird and twisted sort of a blessing in disguise that no one had thought of. 

    The innocent Bengali girl who had lived her entire life in the sheltered atmosphere of her father and then husband, who was always taught that this is how it has always been and it will always be.  Marriage had to come at the top spot in a women’s ambition. 

    It was around the year 2014, my husband came in earlier from office then usual with a grim expression on his face something was amiss. I quickly silenced the kids and asked them to go play in the garden for sometime. I knew that there had been some tension in his workplace for quite some time yet today felt different. I walked into the room with a glass of water and asked what happened. He told in a dejected manner that his company has been having lay offs and this time it was him.  I took sometime to gulp down the hard fact. We had two kids to raise, living in NCR on single income and now this big blow, how will we be able to pay the installment of the home loan. What was to become of us, what would we do….

    A thousand questions clouded my mind………………

    Some time later when we had absorbed the shock of all this, we considered our options. It was decided that my husband would hunt for a new job while to support the family I too should start working, but what would i do with the kids so young, Teaching one of the biggest female employments of the country sounded right. The conditions were just appropriate.  

    All our savings were invested in my teachers training as I had only done my masters in science and never dared to opt for a profession and had got busy in marriage and domesticity.  When I started off I had my own set of doubts too will i or will i not be able to do this.

    Nevertheless I started training our routines started to change bit by bit every day, my kids were taught to be more independent day by day.

    4 years later………….

    Time flied as if it was just yesterday, I completed my training and got a job and started contributing to the household. My husband too found another job, my children grew up my elder one who was in 4th is now in 8th and is involved in a plethora of extracurricular activities my baby the younger one who was just in class1st is now in 5th and is a school prefect. All is well now except that I have changed, the journey, the exams, the studies, the colleagues changed and made me think in ways that I never thought  I could.

    I had seen how a woman’s life was to be dictated by the society, throughout yet there are so many who break the glass ceiling every day for themselves, their families, their parents and kids.

    I had learnt to appreciate that there was nothing wrong with living life on one’s own terms.

    I had started seeing the greys, the dark side of the relations that surround us, the decisions are elders forced on us deeming right.

    How it was taught that  apex selflessness defines and is the skin of women at it’s core. I realized on stepping out of the shade of the men in my life that we are all complete individuals and had the whole right to choose and decide for ourselves , how it is completely appropriate for women to prioritize themselves if it improves their well being and empowers them to take good and better care of them and their loved ones.

    Most importantly I had learnt  to let the wings grow, a lot of people lose themselves on this defined track of life by the society. We all are unique in our own ways yet get lost in mediocrity by the environment that dictates us what to do. At the end happiness is all that matters.

    Written by

    An Indian woman, A mother, A daughter, A wife, A human

    Song Recommendation to go with this read

    1. Daayre from Dilwale

    2. Kahaani from laal singh chadda

    3. Aashayein from Iqbal

    4. Abhi mujhme kahin from Agneepath

  • Of favorite sweaters and perfumes.

    Of favorite sweaters and perfumes.

    It had been 8 months since I last visited home, so this time around when I stepped out of the plane, the air hit me like nostalgia always did. When my dad said while putting my luggage in the trunk of the car, that things have changed around here, I did not believe him. Why would I? 8 months is not a long time in retrospect. The flyover construction was completed, okay, noted. There were more plants all over the city, okay, no big deal. The old staff quarter building of a government department was demolished. This was the change that stuck with me. For I had my fondest of memories in this place. For I buried a part of me in this place.

    To elaborate upon this, let me take you back to 2015. I had just fallen head over heels in love with a guy who was as equally in love with me. Shrey Sharma, the person who will have the softest spot in my heart, confessed his feelings just days after I realized that he is my first-ever crush. It felt surreal, like a movie, how often do you realize you have feelings for someone and then find out that theirs are stronger and more intense? We were teenagers, just two kids trying to figure out life, together.

    I don’t think I have had such intense feelings for anyone else in my life, and that thought has always scared me. I have accepted that Shrey and I are over, there’s nothing left of us, except warm feelings and a heart full of memories. But the thought that never will I ever experience that passion again leaves a void in my heart. As I stroll through the ruins of the quarters, my feet take me to the backside of the compound. It used to be our hiding place. Shrey and I would lie to our parents about our whereabouts and sit there for hours, just enjoying each other’s company. I never needed anything more, I still don’t. All I want is someone who would be equally happy to do mundane things, together.

    I sit underneath a tree and listen to some songs, just taking in the picture in front of my eyes. The ruins of the buildings strike a resemblance with how it feels to hold on to Shrey. Holding on to the thought of what we once were and the wishes of what we could have been. It is my heart that has prevented me from feeling those feelings again, maybe because it still holds on to Shrey, maybe because it fears being hurt again, or maybe because of some other reason that is unfathomable to my sane brain. Despite these thoughts clouding my brain, I start to dig just below the shrubs nearby, where Shrey and I buried a box. It was decided that when one of us would miss the other, to an extent that all they want is nothing but just a glimpse of the other, we would dig it up.

    I thought the idea was beautiful, that despite missing each other while our heart breaks, all we would want is a glimpse, for the fear of ruining the life of the other if we re-enter, would be too strong, it would be a selfless act then, just to feel close to each other again. I asked him to put my favorite pastel blue sweater that he wore on our first date in there, something I could hold on to instead of him. He asked me to put a bottle of my perfume in there, he associated nostalgia with smells. The bottle of perfume was there, though a third of it has been used up when I opened the lock of the box. Shrey did miss me. I do miss him. I sit with his sweater for a few minutes and then put it back, for I know that I will want just a glimpse of him again.

    I keep revisiting this place, in hopes that one day, we both would want the glimpse at the same time. Until that day, I will hold on to his memories, for they have always felt like the source of light that has kept my heart warm. 

  • Power of Love and Dreams

    “As I reached the upper steps of the staircase, I was petrified beyond imagination. As I took a few more steps towards the door, I said meekly, “Ilma? Are you alright, pari?” before opening the door with a creaking sound. And then, I saw her sitting on the bed, facing the window. A faint ray of sunlight was falling on her and it filled the whole room with a touch of calmness even though my mind was rushing with thoughts. Thoughts that mingled with each other, making me feel like a very powerful yet a very powerless person. I was still scared, scared of facing her, scared of looking into her eyes that are an expression of her thoughts. I suddenly felt very weak, difficult to even take a step further.

    After standing in the same position, trying to get back the strength, the unexpected happened. She turned her face. The face that once had the glow of the sun with the blossom of a cherry, eyes that told a new story of happiness and joy every day, had turned dull like an autumn tree. A tree that tries to look self-fulfilling even when it is incomplete. She called me saying, ” I was waiting for you, I knew you would come”. This made my heart sink. What if I had not listened to my wife and visited her. Maybe I would have shattered her last expectations too. Maybe I would have given another chance for the world to call me a selfish brother, a brother who couldn’t stand by her younger sister when she was going through the most painful days of her life. Maybe it would have been difficult to live with the heavy weight of that guilt.

    But I was happy that she still had expectations from me, even when I had been the worst brother, a brother who left her just because she followed her heart. Even when she had the courage to leave the house at such a young age, just to follow her dreams, to stand up to her expectations, I had failed her. The brother she loved and trusted more than anyone had left her alone.

    These thoughts kept me occupied as I moved towards her, taking each step carefully and nervously and sat down beside her. She tightly hugged me and all of a sudden, all my thoughts vanished in the air. Suddenly, the heart felt lighter and the mind felt very calm. It was like someone had thrown a huge bucket of cold water, washing away my guilt, sadness, and anxiety, all at once.

    It made me realize how she must have felt when she had sold her first painting, when she had organized her first exhibition, when she had opened her art gallery, when she had received all her awards. Like the guilt of leaving all she had and following her dreams, had finally been lifted. Finally, she was able to prove that her struggles were worth it all.

    But I knew that now she needed me, even when she had everything, she needed someone to take care, to make her the perfect cup of coffee like I used to, to get her favorite ice cream like the olden days, to give her all the love and care she had been away from since so many years and help her get back her health. It was a happy moment and a tear of happiness just trickled down my eyes and I immediately knew, there is nothing greater than the power of love and the courage of following your dreams. Everyone has the power to dream but only a few have the courage to get up and work to make those dreams come true.

  • Inward Storms: Navigating the Tides of Change

    Inward Storms: Navigating the Tides of Change

    In a small town nestled between rolling hills, there lived a young girl named Lily. She had always been a dreamer, her head filled with colorful visions of a world beyond her own. But as she grew older, those dreams seemed to fade, crushed under the weight of responsibilities and expectations.

    Lily’s parents, hardworking farmers, wanted her to follow in their footsteps. They believed that the land was all she needed to find contentment. But Lily’s heart yearned for something more, something that would ignite her spirit and set her soul on fire.

    One summer day, as the sun cast a golden glow over the fields, Lily stumbled upon an old, dusty bookstore. Its shelves were filled with books of all genres, their pages whispering untold stories. Curiosity sparked within her, and she stepped inside, breathing in the intoxicating scent of knowledge.

    The wise old bookstore owner, Mr. Wilson, saw the longing in Lily’s eyes and shared tales of brave adventurers, artists, and thinkers. Lily devoured each word, her dreams reigniting with a newfound fervor. Inspired, she began to write her own stories, pouring her heart and soul onto the pages.

    Word of Lily’s talent spread throughout the town, and soon she was invited to read her stories aloud at the local café. As she stood before a crowd of eager listeners, she felt a surge of confidence she had never known. Her words danced in the air, touching hearts and inspiring others to chase their own dreams.

    Lily’s parents watched with tear-filled eyes, finally understanding their daughter’s true calling. They embraced her, whispering words of pride and support. Lily had blossomed into a woman unafraid to pursue her passions, unyielding in her pursuit of a life filled with purpose and creativity.

    With each passing day, Lily’s stories touched more lives, transcending the confines of her small town. She had come of age, not only discovering her own voice but also igniting a spark of inspiration in others.

    In the end, it wasn’t just Lily who had blossomed, but an entire community, each person realizing the importance of nurturing their dreams. And from that day forward, the small town, once steeped in tradition, became a haven for dreamers, where coming of age meant embracing the boundless possibilities that lie within.