Storieo

Category: Relationship

Collection of Best Relationship Stories

  • It Was Like Yesterday

    It Was Like Yesterday

     

    Life is of love, but few weren’t deserved to live with the love they imagined of. Sometimes it ends with the phase of void. May be life isn’t for everyone is the line I can use as a one-line story.

     

    That was a halloween week, dressing up game was on and we were searching for a good theme on clothing. Though we had few good vintage clothing stores in our town, it was still tedious to be that good with unique style.

    I preferred for punk rock, and that is quite obvious way a girl of eighteen could think of. So I went on searching for harsh colors that will affect the minds of people. I decided to wear a tight purple leaves printed jean and dark blue tank and to add upon a leopard printed jacket (one of my mom’s favorite). So, now clothing seems to be okay, I need to set up accessories to the style I’m going to adapt.

    Hair dressing plays a major role on halloween days. Setting up the hair style, though interesting part, a heavy hardwork, do workout well. I was still playing with confusion part.

    “A Marlyn style wig will go better”, mom yelled from the kitchen.

    “Jen, Why can’t a MJ? So you can match up with newly bought golden guitar printed shoes!”, Dad suggested.

    Though I wear jean and tank, I still liked to be in a girlish style, not the Tom boy else. A black with pink will go well, deep mind said. I went on artificial attachment to the my hair with pink, and too I have the brown hairs by nature, curly with the dark ends.

    Jim didn’t say anything yet, what he is doing for the halloween night. I have planned everything though, Aunt Alice is giving the thanksgiving party this sunday, and I have invited Jim too, so after our halloween part at the pub we’ll straightaway join with Aunt Alice and my family.

    Two days flew away and the halloween nights for younger have been over, my twin sisters of age eight had dressed like with shit emoji and the other with brown rock like. I knew it rather it must be my dad’s blunt idea. Yeah, he gives away very blunt idea when he is with a cigarette.

    I was ready for the party, and before I was ready up for the pub. I was on with my halloween costumes. It was 8 by night, and this is the time where Jim said me he’ll be here to pick me up, and he didn’t still. I tried him calling, but no response. So I drove my car to the pub and I found him nowhere.

    Where is he? I searched everywhere, but I could figure him nowhere. Again I ringed, no response. A buster of anger, I really symbolized the red anger face as on mobile emoji.

    I later piled my anger and waited with patience for him. It has turned 10 by now, nowhere, and no more I can be here, as people were leaving the pub. Tears came along the way, angry departed so long. Has he forgotten? else he doesn’t want to spend time with me? He stopped loving, So is he hating me now? Alter ego pushed me down with hell lot of questions. I didn’t had a solid answer though. Its a 15 mins drive to Aunt Alice’s home, as its the over night party, it starts by 10’o clock. I am already late though, though I am not bothered about it the way.

    It was Taylor Swift’s song “You Belong With Me” playing on Car FM. Tears were welling up. Somehow, I managed to put up a smile.

    I parked my car outside and was waiting for someone to open the door. I went with the flowers someone gave me at the pub. And I noticed there was no sound inside, I knocked again. The street lights went off and a sudden bang.

    I cried almost, it was Jim. I was anger on him, I was too anger on him, yet I loved him the most. He was looking into my eyes and I was too. He said something through his eyes, by this while, I forget to watch outside, I had all my family members and friends rounding up. I was confused.

    It was the same “You Belong With Me” played loud and I saw mom and dad were clapping their hands with huge laughter, even Aunt Alice did. That time was it, Jim went on knees and gave me the guitar I wished saying, “As this music with your life, Can I take a part?”

    OMG, this is a family proposal? My mom tuned the song to Ellie Goudling’s “Love Me Like You Do”, is she saying to say yes? But I was anger on him, dad understood that and he said, “We gave that clue with the bunch of flowers, you didn’t see that note on it?”. I rushed to see it, “You Belong With Me” was written on it with the signature of Jim.

    I was with wide-opened eyes, awestruck. Jim took my hands and wore a ring and kissed it. I found my twin sisters saying, “He made it” closing their eyes tight. I waited for my mom and dad’s sign, it was yes with their high eyebrows. I hugged him tight, and thereon the party was on, and everyone was happy with “Us”. We danced together merrily.

    Its all like yesterday and years have run and life took the shore off the sail, sail of smile, sail of happiness and shore of pain. May be that, I wouldn’t deserve for life of happiness. Jim and I were married two years before and It has been a year he left me.

    It has been only happiness he showed me, we lived that understanding life, where people were jealous off. He always says that, “Jen, I am too much to you, Is it?” I giggle saying, ”  Vice-versa baby”. Not really but, his saying was right.

    It wasn’t at all a mutual separation. He left me body with dead soul, he was my soul. Pneumonia played a deadly role though, yet I love him.

  • Hate and Love

    Hate and Love

    In life, we often come across people we instantly like, people we instantly hate. Human tendency is to create opinions about people. But these opinions often change. This story is about how two young people who instantly take to hate each other fall in love through the delicate moments that situations bring them into. It’s true that hate is the mirror of love and this story tries to bring that into the spectrum of the reader’s mind.

    They hated each other since the moment they had met. She was from London and he was from upstate New York. One would think they would get along well. He was from a family of bankers and she was from the league of hoteliers. One would think they would pair up pretty well. But apparently, that wasn’t the case.

    They became hardcore rivals since the moment the first question was asked in the mathematics class. Scholars by birth, each of them with their own brooding ego raised their arms to answer it. They gave each other the stern, dark look that steadfast competitors give each other. She arrogantly ignored him while he superciliously pretended he hadn’t noticed her. They both failed pretty badly in their act of pretence because their cheeks were glowing an annoyed shade of red.

    ‘Yes, Ms. Waters’, the professor said.

    Irene stood up to her full height, 5 foot 7 inches, her dark brunette hair falling till her waist, her spectacles sliding down her nose and her ego resting high up on her head. She looked at her peers with a look of triumph on her face and confidently answered the question, giving a bit too many details. Impressed, the professor appreciated her and bided her to sit down. With an identifiable smirk, she settled back into her seat, but not before she had given him the most sarcastic smile she could muster.

    Ryan was pretty disappointed that he wasn’t given the chance to illustrate his knowledge but he knew he would have to wait his turn. He just glared at his notebook instead. After a detailed explanation of the topic, the professor left the class. Irene got up from her seat and made her way out of the classroom with the heavy stack of her notebooks, her sack half falling off her hand. Ryan’s eyes followed her, as did most of the class’s. He noticed the entire class staring at her back. Hastily, he picked up his bag and quickly made his way out.

    As Ryan walked into the physics laboratory, their third hour for the day, he noticed Irene sitting on the 5th table, with annoyance clearly visible on her face. As his eyes scrolled down the list for the year’s laboratory partners, he perfectly understood the reason for her rage and the same anger boiled up inside him.

    Table No. 5: 1. Irene Waters.

    1.     Ryan Winchestor.

     

    He stared at the two names for quite a while before he was able to make himself walk to their appointed table. Plopping down on the seat beside her felt like he was betraying himself. Almost as if he was breaking the promise he made himself. The promise he had made the moment he had seen her-that he would one day show this woman her level, show her that she is nothing. He looked down at the sheet kept on their desk. Thankfully, they didn’t have to work together that day.

    They didn’t utter a single word to each other during the entire two hours that they spent in the lab, at the same table. Everyone just concluded that the hatred must be in their genes or that both of them were so incomparably intelligent that either both of them had to become lovers or sworn enemies. Apparently they had mutually chosen the latter. Little did they know what life had in store for them.

    As soon as the bell rang, Ryan left Irene with her packing and haughtily banged out of the lab. Irene didn’t even spare him a second glance. She just packed at her pace and left for the locker room without a word to anyone. By that time, the two of them had become an interesting topic for gossips and also the centre for many staring eyes. However, neither of them had time to get involved in those college controversies nor did they care.

    Later that day, Irene strolled into the canteen to find that all the tables were taken, except for the one beside the dustbin, which was normally empty. She picked up some fruits and salad and made her way to the lonely table. As she scanned the canteen, she noticed a big group of students from her class sitting at a far table. They all looked away as soon as her eyes met theirs. She just smiled to herself and looked on. The canteen was full of unknown sophomores. Some bored, some overly enthusiastic.

    Peeling off the cover, she dug into the salad. That’s when Ryan walked in. He bought himself a sandwich and looked around. He spotted Irene, gave her an annoyed glare and walked straight out. That’s when she could take no more. She dumped her food into the dustbin and busted out of the canteen. She ran into the grounds with the one thing that could calm her anger – As you like it, by Shakespeare.

    Dropping down on a rock below a tree, she opened the book to the page where Orlando meets Ganymade and read as tears streamed down her cheeks. She couldn’t understand why everyone hated her so much. A million questions came to her mind. Why did she have to endure everyone’s stares? Why could she not be accepted the way she was? Why couldn’t she be like those popular girls who had hundreds of people swarming around them?

    The bell rang in the distance and she hastily picked herself up and ran into the corridor. Quickly splashing some water into her eyes, she walked into the classroom. To her relief, he wasn’t in any of her classes for the rest of the day. When the final bell for the day rang, she strolled back to her car in the parking lot. As she roved her Porsche out of the drive, she saw him speed down the road in his Ferrari.

    Ryan broke through the evening traffic, swinging his huge car through the tiny alleys. He was angry, but didn’t know exactly why. After all, Irene didn’t say or do anything that could potentially hurt him. But, he just thought that maybe it was because his mind had accepted that finally he had met his equal – both in intelligence and ego. Still, his heart and brain were continuously at war. His brain commanding him to be her rival, while his heart convincing him that they could be friends.

    The days flew by and the hatred and anger just seemed to grow along with time. Two people, from different countries, from different family backgrounds, but with similar ego and identical intellect, had grown from being strangers to being worst adversaries. They couldn’t stand each other at all. The time they had to put up with each other during the laboratory periods was the most dreaded time for both of them. They hardly talked and pretended that neither of them noticed the other.

    However, it is said that genuine hatred makes one spare so much time thinking about the hated that they become an integral part of their life and are missed when they suddenly disappear. And that is exactly what happened between Ryan and Irene. The vacations dawned on them and the college was closed for two long months. Irene went back to London to her family to spend time with her beloved while Ryan went to France with his parents. Irene’s father decided that she needed some refreshment and so they flew to Paris to attend a ball they had been invited to.

    On the day of the ball, wearing the most amazing blue evening gown, her hair braided up, Irene walked into the ballroom looking like a princess. Admiring eyes stalked her every move as she accompanied her father while he introduced her to various dignitaries and guests present. Everyone seemed to know and respect her father and they all adored her. But, she got bored pretty fast.

    ‘And this, Irene, is the world’s leading bank’s director, Mr. Winchestor,’ her father said.

    The name rang in her ears and her head shot up. She looked at the man – 6 foot tall, with dark black hair, all suited up with an appropriate dinner jacket and sparkling black shoes. Ryan was a carbon copy of his father, except for his blue eyes – which must be inherited from his mother, she supposed. And she was right, because right beside Mr. Winchestor stood Mrs. Winchestor wearing a beautiful green gown and an antic hat.

    ‘Hello Mr. Winchestor,’ she said. She was surprised that she rather liked the two of them. They were all sweet and polite. A complete opposite of their son, she decided. But, then she gave it a second thought. Was Ryan that bad after all? He had never said anything bad to or about her nor had he ever insulted her. She wondered why she hated him so much. Or did she hate him at all. Maybe it was just envy. Maybe, her mind had accepted that she had met her equal.

    ‘I would love to have dinner with you today, John,’ Mr. Winchestor was saying, ‘We have to discuss the implications of our new venture on both our firms.’

    ‘Yes, I understand Brian. But, I have promised my daughter all my time on this vacation. So, only if she doesn’t mind, my family will happily accompany you,’ her father said.

    ‘I don’t mind’ Irene spoke.

    ‘Very well then,’ said her father, looking rather surprised. ‘How about meeting at The Ritz at 8?’

    ‘Suits us’ said Mr. Winchestor.

    The evening wore on as the music went from slow to fast and then slow again. Irene was asked to dance by countless bachelors but she simply wasn’t in the mood for a dance. She settled at a counter and ordered a coke. Her parents were lost in the crowd. As she drank the coke, she glanced around. She was shocked that she knew nobody. However, everyone seemed to know who she was. Because just as she turned to order another coke, a voice behind her called.

    ‘Ms. Waters, would you care to join your Harvard adversary on the dance floor?’

    The voice was unmistakable. Even though Irene hadn’t talked to him much, she could have recognized his voice anywhere on this planet.

    She whirled around and came face to face with the speaker and saw her worst fears come true. Ryan Winchestor – her worst enemy was standing right there in his black suit, with a tie and well made-up hair, looking like a handsome gentleman – asking her to dance with him.

    She was rendered speechless. She just stared at him wondering what to say. He looked into her eyes and whispered, ‘Don’t worry. We are still enemies,’ he chuckled. ‘This, I’m doing on my dad’s command. And let me add, they are watching us right now; just don’t turn to look.’ Irene laughed on her stupidity that she thought Ryan was really asking her to dance, and on her dad’s childishness. She gave Ryan her hand and they graced the dance floor.

    As they twirled and stepped around, Ryan noticed how lean and beautiful Irene was. How her long gown ended just by her ankles, how her heeled shoes made her almost as tall as himself, how her dimples made up for the world’s most prettiest smile and how her brown eyes creased every time she smiled proving the genuinity of that smile. He couldn’t believe he hadn’t noticed all this back in college. But, now that he had, it was hard to hate her.

    Irene laughed and smiled all through the dancing. Ryan seemed to be a wonderful dancer. She smiled every time he whirled and lifted her as if she was as light as a feather. She saw a bright smile alighting Ryan’s face every time she smiled. And the most amazing part was that his eyes and dimples showed that he was genuinely happy.

    They danced for about half an hour before the music drained out. Laughing and smiling, they made their way down from the dance floor.

    ‘You’re not so bad on the floor.’ said Ryan, chuckling. ‘Well, you too are not as bad as was expected from my stark enemy.’ Irene smartly replied.

    ‘Ohh, stark.. I caught my cue, ma’am,’ said Ryan bowing sarcastically. ‘Have a nice evening.’ And he pretended to leave. ‘You too, Mr. Rival.’ Irene said, giggling.

    That made Ryan turn around, ‘Ms. Rebel, I actually thought you enjoyed the dance. Even though I asked you just merely because my dad forced me. But, I rather thought I charmed you.’

    ‘Well, Mr. Rival, I’m very hard to charm and a rather good actor. So, when I noticed our fathers watching us carefully, I had to show that I’m pleased. Otherwise, I’m a pretty tough challenge,’ Irene nonchalantly mocked.

    ‘Challenge, huh… Challenge accepted Ms. Rebel.’

    ‘Yeah yeah.. I know I mesmerized the gentleman in you, but Mr. Rival, I’m sorry, there is nothing for you here’ Irene taunted.

    Ryan laughed mockingly, ‘Mesmerized? I’m pretty tough to engage Ms. Rebel. Not so easy there.’

    The clock had struck 7 and so they parted ways but not before Ryan kissed Irene’s hand just like any British gentleman would do and Irene smiled and told him how much fun she had.

    Both of them got late for dinner. When Ryan entered the dining hall, a waiter laid him to the appointed table where his parents were dining with the Waters. He settled in one of the two empty seats and waited. After a short while, a few drinks and chats about the weather, Irene entered into the hall. She caught his eye, the moment she entered. A long dazzling peach gown, sparkling diamond earrings and her hair falling down her back, she walked with a grace that made her seem like a goddess. All eyes in the room seemed to be fixated on her as she made her way to their table.

    Ryan pulled the chair for her to sit and whispered as she sat, ‘Mesmerized indeed, Ms. Rebel.’ She smiled and secretly blushed. She looked at him and instantly fell for his charm. He looked like a true gentleman. With a white shirt, black coat and trousers, a dark tie and polished shoes, he was indeed the most handsome man sitting in the dining hall right then. She leaned towards him and whispered, ‘Charmed as well.’

    ‘Challenge won’ he replied smiling.

    Through the dinner, the fathers discussed about their firms while the mothers reviewed every other item available on the market. Ryan and Irene talked about college, life, football and their dreams. And their friendship grew stronger and stronger. They realized how much they had missed out on happiness just by being enemies. Both their hearts knew that they had found their equals, that they could not hope to find anyone more suited to themselves than each other.

    When the dinner ended, the two of them reluctantly bid their goodbyes but promised to meet the following morning before their respective return flights. That night, before sleeping, both of them accepted to themselves that they had been wrong in their original judgments about each other, having realized the fact that they were indeed similar yet unique. They had never let their hearts rule over their brains, but now, both – their hearts and brains – were screaming the same thing, they were better together than away.

    The following morning, as decided, Ryan met Irene at her doorstep and they started walking down the road towards a tiny yet famous cafe for breakfast. They greeted each other a good morning and walked on in a comfortable silence. As they reached the bridge over the river Seine, Ryan turned around to face Irene. He took her hand and looked into her eyes and uttered three simple words which made all the difference.

    ‘I love you.’

    Irene just looked into Ryan’s deep blue eyes and wondered in her mind – what took him so long.

    ‘Ms. Irene Waters, I, Ryan Winchestor have fallen deeply and irrevocably in love with the one woman I truly hated, with the girl who I imagined to be egoistic and rude, with the lady who I thought was utterly over smart. But..’

    ‘Enough with the exaggeration of my displeasing qualities I think,’ said Irene, smiling.

    With a hearty laugh, Ryan continued, ‘But… I came to realize that she was just a mirror of myself, in almost every aspect. I cannot hope to find a more perfect young woman than you. I wish to spend the rest of my life looking into those brown eyes which seem to withhold the deepest secrets and desires which my heart wishes to share.’

    Irene looked at him and whispered, ‘I’m not flawless, Ryan Winchestor.’

    ‘But, you are, Irene. You are.’

    And they just stood there, looking into each others’ eyes, and thinking about their past and future. Two people, from different countries, from different family backgrounds, but with similar ego and identical intellect, had grown from being strangers to being worst adversaries and finally to being the most loyal and beautiful lovers.

     

  • The Letter

    The Letter

    Milestones of a relationship is feelings and sentiments, however, often it is mistaken to be something else! 

     

    Sir, you have a mail. I heard Joe say and went to find it in the mail box. I was wondering with astonishment as to who will remember me at this age for all my insurance and bank statements come through e-mail and I had nobody else to send me a letter. I went to the mailbox almost mechanized with wonderment. Again to my surprise, it was from Banaras, the place I lived my youth and left it all there only. From where I came forward in life as a man of mind without heart, no relationships exist anymore with such significance to have sent a letter. I was stupefied! I took the envelope in my hand and it was from “The Anonymous”; that filled me with even more anxiety. I was struggling with my courage and curiosity to open it. But then, I thought I should first enter my home, the cocoon of my emotional state, my heart; so that any unanticipated expression as a consequence of this letter shouldn’t be noticed by anybody, not even the crows sitting on the tree.

    I went inside my safest abode, to my bedroom, locked the door, sat on my chair and opened it with all my courage piled at once. It was a hand written letter; the writing was so familiar to my eyes that it suddenly made me smell someone my heart silently adored all these years!

    “

    Dear,

    I don’t know whether the person I am addressing is the one to read it or someone else! I am mailing it after such a long time that my anticipations might well prove me wrong!

    This world is full of contradictory thoughts. Everything touches the other yet they want their soul to remain untouched by the other. It’s just like everything aspires badly for its individuality, but that is very difficult to clutch into. It’s very controversial, isn’t it? There are lessons about everything and anything yet there is actually no lesson. You learn it all on yourself; the meaning of the sun rising and setting, the meaning of the words; that were long before set by someone and then turned to be the tradition of man-kind. One learns it all on herself. No guide, no one to clarify your perceptions for the feelings that arise inside your heart are only and only yours and only you understand them unlike anybody else!

    Equality, everybody speaks of this, once I also did. But today, I understand the five fingers are not the same. I know, it’s too late for me to confess for I am in my late 50s. But yet, I thought if I am to die in peace I have to do it in front of the one I am addressing this letter to. Yes, I thought of equality as the foundation of every relationship being too practical at one point of my life. But I now realize I was the most illogical person to say that. As two being can never be equal and so does two genders. A guy can never give birth to a baby keeping it in his womb; because he simply doesn’t have a womb. There is really nothing like being equal but the real thing is being mutual. It’s all about understanding and respecting each other in any sort of a relationship, wherever you go and whatever you do you need to carry this word mutual co-ordination and cooperation.

    You might be laughing at this. But today, I just wanted to speak my mind. And I know, if not today then it will happen never. At that point of time, I also took the words of the society to my life and I inculcated it so deeply that I forgot the fact that the society was never going to live my life. I abandoned myself and I abandoned my soul in my ignorance.

    I went on living with the belief that for a relationship to exist, the man needs to earn more than the lady. As conventional, it is because the male-ego needs to be satisfied. But I forgot if a man can’t accept a woman earning more than him, she, being his family; he is having a real problem in her going to work or even existing as a person.

    Here, we have many, who consider themselves to be quite considerate in case of matters of women empowerment but in the true sense they deny the very existence and essence of her soul.

    There are time in life when you feel or you are just compelled to feel to that things are different for a woman. They are not allowed to have a heart or a mind that could have its opinions on any dam thing possible. They don’t have the audacity to feel anything on their own; even if they do, they are somehow or the other hooked up in fetters not to express those feelings and opinions. They are human beings, but only for the sake that they eat and breathe and live a life unlike machines. But in reality they are expected to just work like those machines. The world is just out of my thoughts for I was brought up by a man who taught me to live with dignity as a human being and loved by a person who loved me for being myself, being ambitious and being thoughtful unlike a mindless. But it was all my fault to leave, with the words of the male-ego and the female standards, I regret then and there I could not think different from that of the society rather got swayed!

    I am different, I was born to be different and this was the key thing behind it which I ignored altogether. Today, I am living my life no doubt, but I miss the love, the appreciation and the respect that I used to get 30years ago. I used to be referred to as a human being, as a person beyond a woman. I also had a mind and heart. I had my own decisions to make and pursue my own interests. But today I miss being a human and only remember my duties for everyone and the family to sum it all up in just a single word. Time has changed and so have I! I have grown old, with all my hairs having white or grey shades. As always I am too careful about my beauty and today also I dye them myself with complete attention and care. I look at myself in the mirror and I find just a shadow, a shadow with wrinkles of age and burns of self-understanding and the scars of underestimation. An outline of my body stares back at me, but my soul remains numb. Believe me, the past 30years have never been so enchanting as this 30minutes that I am taking to write this letter. I have got this time to explore my soul again! My hand writing has gotten worse as there is nobody to ask me to write a letter or a birthday card. People become happier with a dress or phone or laptop and a party at a good restaurant with the cake ordered from “The Haagen-Dazs”; those days are gone when someone would be eagerly waiting for the handwritten birthday card.

    Life has changed and I have learnt to accept it the way it comes. But deep down, I always repent for that notion of mine, whose origin, I never knew and whose existence I realized then and there only. Yet I have been thinking about it all my life till date.

    Life might have its financial needs for comfort and for wellbeing but they are not the only things that one requires. The need of love and respect grows exponentially as those physiological needs get fulfilled. I have been a philosopher as it seems me today but I never wrote my philosophy. I just understood what life tried to teach me and always did I remember those experiences of my life and tried to compare them with what I am and what I should be; not as per the standards of the society but as per myself, as per my heart.

    I have learnt a lot, I have experienced a lot and I have missed that person a lot in my life. I walked alone and I never knew my destination for I never believed in an end. Today also I have the resolve to go, to walk on, alone, as a destination-less nomad. I just wanted my piece of peace, again being as selfish as I can be!

    If you understand the meaning of a skean, it is well meant for you and I am the one you discussed it with Mr. Writer of the Love stories!

    Yours,

    Anonymous!!!

    ”

    I looked upon at the roof. I never knew whether to laugh or cry! Perhaps I was the sky covering the ocean, soothing her waves and yet being patient, sometimes drooling my tears upon her to give her solace, sometimes hitting her with snowballs to romance but always to contain her in my heart, being all over her!!!

  • Lost

    Lost

    Sofia and Jay are childhood lovers. The story gives a brief yet touching description of the emotional bonding that they share. The story shows the transition of the couple from childhood lovers to a married couple, living a fairy tale. However, a misfortune changes the course of their lives.

     

    She still remembered every tiny detail of all the time they had spent together. Gazing soundlessly at the ceiling fan from her bed now, Sofia felt the knot in her stomach grow tighter. Even bright sunlight peeping through a beautiful French window, gliding past a compact room and kissing Sofia’s tender face, failed to retrieve her from her trance. While birds chirped, inducing the world to get up and about, Sofia’s mind drifted 10 years and 8232 miles down the memory lane.

    JUNE, 2000

    A new day , a new classroom, a new excitement. Sofia walked into class 9D with a vibrant smile on her lips and a flip of her high ponytail. Her soft brown eyes swept across the classroom, gleaming at the sight of familiar faces and softening to acknowledge new classmates, until they were locked in a pair of equally soft, brown eyes already staring in their direction. Sofia felt her heartbeat rise as she examined the owner of those innocent, brown eyes. He was standing at the back of the classroom with one foot on the back wall and his arms crossed across his chest. His lips curled into a smile and Sofia quickly turned away, realizing she was ogling at the tall, dark haired-what her friends would call-cutie.

    Sofia had always been shy, especially when it came to interacting with boys.

    Although ,since the encounter with the boy at the back of her classroom, who later introduced himself as Jay to the class, Sofia could not wait to go to St. John’s school the next day.

    Jay flashed a sly smile as Sofia entered her classroom. Involuntarily, she felt herself smile back. Sofia was reading a copy of Angels and Demons during lunch when Jay walked up to her. “How do you like the book? Dan Brown is a bloody genius! ”, Jay beamed. “Um I just started reading it. The world cup had kept me busy”, Sofia said with a smirk. “ The FIFA World cup? No shit! Whose side are you on”? , Jay asked, clearly intrigued. After Sofia’s answer, Jay continued, “ Netherlands? Me too. Why didn’t we meet before?”

    OCTOBER, 2000

    In four months, Sofia and Jay had learned everything about each other. Favorite books, guilty pleasures, favorite dessert, car, actor and everything else a ninth grader needed to know about another person to be considered best friends. On 25th October, St. John’s school organized a one night camp in the outskirts of the city. All the students were singing and dancing around a bonfire except a couple of students, Sofia and Jay, standing a few feet away. Sofia, being the shy girl she is, blushed and avoided eye contact. Sofia could never imagine how Jay built up the courage that night, to look into her eyes and say, “ Hey, so I, uh, I like you.” Fourteen year old Sofia felt she was too young for love but nevertheless, she could not tame her heart to not feel the way that she did for Jay. “I like you too.” Then Jay said something that amused the couple for years to come. “No, you don’t get it. I like you ‘that’ way.”

    Jay was  Sofia’s first boyfriend and Sofia was Jay’s first girlfriend. They were young but their love for each other was beyond real. Sofia would never forget the butterflies she felt in her stomach when Jay held her hand. The memory of their first kiss was forever imprinted in her mind. She could not imagine anything or anyone else who could make her happier. Who would have thought a casual football chat would blossom into a childhood romance? How mutual interests and hobbies would transform best friends to lovers?

    AUGUST, 2012

    Jay and Sofia had been married for two years now. They lived in a whole new world, halfway across the globe, in New York. Living together for six years in their own house, with a backyard, in a quiet neighborhood, the couple had endured life in all its forms, together. Life was great. Sofia was living a fairytale with her prince in shining armor. Jay meant the world to Sofia, who lost both her parents an year after her wedding to Jay.

    But when everything seems too good to be true, life hits you out of nowhere. In this case, life slapped them in the form of a medical report. Jay was diagnosed with coronary artery disease after a general check-up to sort his chest pain. Her knight in shining armor, was now weak, helpless.

     

    The doorbell had to be rung thrice for Sofia to realize she had visitors. Reluctantly, she stepped out of her bed and walked towards the door.

    Her eyes glanced out the window from her living room, brimming with tears as they landed on the half-grown trees she had planted with Jay.

    They were meant to grow old together, the trees and the married couple. Sofia knew well that the hole she felt in her heart could never be filled. God, if he exists, had taken away Sofia’s will to live as well when he took away Jay.

    Sofia strode towards the door as the bell sounded a fourth time. It was Mr. Ian Hawking. Hawking was the owner of a studio Sofia had bought. It had been two years since Jay’s death. Sofia needed to move to a smaller place in the city because it was only logical. “ Mr. Ian, I’m sorry to have kept you waiting. I was asleep. I’ll sign the papers right away and move in to your studio, I mean my studio now, within two days”, Sofia forced a smile. “That’s quite alright, my dear. Move in as and when you please. I just need these papers signed before I leave the country.”

     

    It took Sofia four days to stuff eight years into forty boxes. She waited by the truck as the men loaded the boxes. Sofia decided to take one last look at the house, the house Jay and Sofia made their home. She looked again at the trees they had planted and recollected how handsome Jay had looked in his loose gardening pants, his face painted with mud. A tear rolled down her cheek.

    As she brought the wooden doors of the house close to shut, Sofia could swear she saw a beam of light appear through the tiny space between them. She could swear she saw a familiar face bathing in that beam of light, smiling down at her. The same soft , brown eyes staring at her, just as they had fourteen years ago in a classroom.

  • A Dark Night

    A Dark Night

    Every dark night brings with it the thrill and fear, but courage and trust can let one see the bright day that follows… A lie is not just a lie when trust is at stake!!!

     

    “Come Sarah, have your dinner, father will come soon. I am waiting for him; you come and have your dinner at least.” Sarah was sitting at the front gate of the house, looking at the road, she said, “No, I will also wait for father. I have to tell him a lot of things. I got the first prize today for essay. You don’t understand. I will eat with him and by the way I am not that hungry even, so I can wait. You see, my stomach is so full!” and she showed her tummy to her mother in a very credulous manner. They both sat again.

    Though Sonali was being impatient and tensed yet hope was what overtaking her fear and insecurity. She had to maintain that image of certainty in front of Sarah so as not to frighten her. It was going to be 9 o’ clock, an hour late from the regular arrival time of Srijit. She had also called his office only to know that he left in his usual time. Srijit also doesn’t have any habit of staying midway for anything as his work or any bad habit or any shopping. It has been more than 10years to their marriage and Sarah is their daughter, but never did Sonali experience this before. But today, things were as if out of place. Sonali was not being able to connect the dots. Keeping the uncertainty within herself she was trying to make Sarah sleep as she is only 7years old, but Sarah was insisting on to have dinner with her father as it was her glorious day of celebration.

    Time passed. And it was now 10pm. Now Sonali couldn’t resist her desire to go for an investigation! She didn’t know where to go and how!! She saw today in the television that a train got derailed near her place but Srijit didn’t come by train! Suddenly she cursed herself for what she was thinking but then again thoughts of the same kind came to her mind, again and again!!

    She decided to go, go at any cost without thinking of the inconvenience but then what will she do with Sarah!

    She asked her again to have her dinner and sleep, that is when Sarah agreed to eat and sleep as she was extremely sleepy. But she needed a promise that mother will wake her up when Srijit arrives, to which Sonali agreed happily. She fed her and then took her in her cradle to make her sleep, but her eyes were moist and repeatedly she was looking out of the door to find a trace of Srijit, which will make her rather certain. Beyond the happiness of Sarah’s success she also had good news to share, for which she was being too impatient the whole day for Srijit’s arrival. Silently her hands went to feel the little life bud blooming inside her! Tears rolled down her cheeks, she was as if feeling something!

    She then found Sarah sleeping and locked the house from outside, with complete determination in her mind; she stepped outside at 11pm in the night and started to walk in the direction of the office of Srijit. She then found Kabool Bhaiya, the auto driver who stays near their home and once got help from them during his need. He called out from the auto to know what happened to her, and she explained. Then kabool said her to get into his auto as he also wanted to help his neighbour. They both went ahead, tearing the silence of night. Sonali was on the verge of breaking into tears and was feeling extremely tensed, when she felt sweat drops rolling down from her forehead in the chilly night of November.

    They went slowly to find any trace or signal to look for Srijit! Sonali was about to cry when she found the bike of Srijit lying on the road near the railway track.

    She shouted at the top her voice to stop when she broke into streams of tears; both of them went down from the auto to find Srijit. At a distance he was lying with blood trickling down from his body, his head was hit, while Sonali ran to find him, Kabool followed her. They found him senseless, frightened Sonali along with Kabool took Srijit to the auto to take him to the nearby hospital. They went to the hospital near their home only to find that it was too late at night. Sonali was standing there clueless when she remembers Mr. Gupta, who was a very good friend Srijit. She immediately called him to ask a favour of doing something for Srijit. Mr. Gupta knowing about the condition his dear friend went directly to the Lifeline Hospital and talked to doctors over there. Srijit got admitted and bottles of saline water were charged into his body to make him move! When Sonali looked at her watch, she found it was 4am in the morning. Then she suddenly remembered that Sarah was alone at home. She was feeling extreme helpless, when Mr. Gupta assured her about the condition of Srijit improving quite well and he can stay there until she returns keeping Sarah in safe hands. Sonali decided to go back to home in the morning, so that she can make Sarah get ready and leave her at her friend’s place for some days. By the time dawn was getting its colours of mixed orange and red, Sonali was feeling safe about her red bindi staying intact for a long time now! Srijit came back to his senses by morning and talked to her for a moment, which made her day; though she burst into tears thinking about the night that just passed she was now feeling good about the day that just broke.

    With feelings of pain and pleasure, she rushed home to find that Sarah was sleeping quite peacefully. She then woke her up and made her get fresh in their regular style handling her sleepy mood well. Then Sarah suddenly realized that she didn’t see her father and it made her ask a lot of questions.

    To address the questions of the tiny tot Sonali at first thought of telling a lie to manipulate the little one’s feelings, but then didn’t want to lose the trust of her little daughter.

    She simply asked her to have her breakfast following which she will explain everything to her. Sarah sat uncertain about what was happening and then had her breakfast without the regular drama and looked into her mother’s eyes. She then said her everything as how Srijit faced an accident and now is in hospital, only leaving the part that she had to leave her alone at home the previous night so as to make her feel safe; and then she explained her that now she has to stay at her friend’s place for some days, which Sonali has already talked to the aunt. That made Sarah unhappy but she didn’t want to bargain looking at the expressions of feeling in the face of Sonali. She just requested her mother to take her once to father, so that she can see him. To which Sonali agreed, giving a kiss on her daughter’s forehead she said, “We will go together on Tuesday, and father is very happy hearing about your prize in the essay competition and he said that when he will be completely alright we will go together to the water park to play and celebrate and he will buy you a new watch.”

    This made the dawn even more beautiful, both the ladies hugging each other, gave another strong emotional rope to bind their relationship!

     

    Image Source: hanofharmony.com

  • Attached at The Heart

    Attached at The Heart

    Love can happen many times with different persons. True love happens many times but with the same person. Adrian, agonised by the breakup he recently initiated, tries to reconcile things with his girlfriend because he too fell in love many times with the same girl. 

     

    “There are no perfect couples. Need I say again? No couples are perfect.” Derek tried to put some sense in my head about my break-up with Mellisa.

    “But this ain’t about perfection buddy. She felt she was no more compatible with me. It was her choice.” I told him rising angrily from the chair.

    “Are you not sorry about this Adrian? After all the good times you guys had together, don’t you think it is immoral to leave her?”

    “Will you please shut that bloody words spilling from your mouth Derek! Don’t you dare tell me what is right and wrong and what is moral and immoral.” I blurted out in a fury and regretted immediately. Derek was my best friend. As a child, it was his name I learnt prior to mine. And damn me for using filthy words at him.

    As I turned at him with an apologetic look, he was already staring at me with a smile that beautifully hid his hurt. If there was a single person under the sun who’d never judge me, it was Derek.

    “So what’s up with that new girl you met on web? Positive?” he asked to lighten the chaotic situation I just created.

    “Yup! She is kind of interested in me, and so am I. We have planned to go on a date tomorrow. There must be something that will make me want to cling to her. I’ve got to figure it out.”

    “Don’t mess it up this time buddy” he whispered and lit a cigarette as we walked towards the car.

     

    I took a table in the corner. This is one of the restaurants I love to visit when I have none to accompany. It was not the cuisine but the ambience here that captivates me. The restaurant was on the sea shore that wasn’t cluttered with swimmers, walkers, dogs or other signs of life. But today I’m not alone. My new girlfriend Elena promised me for a date.

    As I waited for her, a girl with dark brown hair and red lips butted my thoughts as usual.

    Yeah, it was Mellisa, my ex-girlfriend. All these days I have warned my mind to reject her thoughts but it never seemed to oblige with me.

    Damn her! I’m technically dating another girl, yet in reality Mellisa’s thoughts seem to date me.

    Trying to clear off her thoughts, which evidently never bugged off, I patiently waited for my new girlfriend. She was already late by one hour. Her absence raced my thoughts back to Mellisa, in spite of the strong diversions I tried and failed to create.

     

    My first date with Mellisa flashed like a lightening on a stormy night. She was keen on keeping her word. That evening of our first date, I found her sitting serenely at the table waiting for me, while I was as usual late. She wasn’t sitting idle or wasn’t throwing envious looks at the beautiful girls around, but she seemed lost in the book she was reading.

    “I’ve been so caught up in the work and lost track of time. Sorry for the delay.” I told her and gave a brief hug.

    “Never mind. I’m with my bestie, so didn’t realize your delay” she said waving the book in the air and smiling. Oh gosh! Her smile. It was more beautiful than the pay check I just received. I fell for her smile.

    ‘What are you reading?’ has introduced me to many of my favorite books and favorite people. I asked her the same and she showed me the book briefing up what the book was about. I was so lost in staring at the seductive way her eyes rolled and the manner she waved her hands that I could hardly hear what she told. By the time she finished, I was clueless of what she told. Thank my stars! She made no discussion on what she just explained.

     

    A loud ring on my phone brought me back from my reverie. It was Elena, my new girlfriend on phone informing that the traffic was heavy and it would take 20 minutes to reach there, Clueless of how to vile away the time, I resumed my thoughts back to Mellisa. This time I did not fight to shun them, because I know I would definitely fail.

     

    My first date with Mel had no elements of romance unlike the romantic dates shown in movies and books.

    We talked about the things people tend to avoid when they’re trying to make a good impression: hopes subverted by mistakes, relationships sabotaged by shortcomings. The conversation ranged organically from books and theatre to politics and our personal histories. She seemed to have a clear opinion on everything she spoke. I can’t endorse the idea of ‘Love at first sight’ or ‘Love at first date’. But maybe there are moments when God or fate or some cosmic sense of humor rolls its eyes at two stammering human hearts and says,” Here you go. This is called love!”

    Yes, this is called love. I heard my heart whisper, ‘Mel, I love you, I still love you.’ She had such a tremendous influence on me that even her memories are enough to elevate or depress my mood.

    Elena rushed in through the door way and walked hurriedly towards me. We hugged each other and reclined back.

    “That was a deadly traffic. It took me forever to reach here.” Elena said taking my hand into hers. As she did so I noticed her appearance. Her dark black eyes are larger than Mellisa’s and her smile was prettier than Mellisa’s. As she sat down her short, skimpy dress travelled inches above the knees revealing her skin boldly, just enough to grab the audience. Mellisa never dressed so boldly. Hell, why am I still thinking of her, when my new beautiful girlfriend is right in front. My eyes adored Elena’s beauty, but my heart still strongly considered Mellisa is the beautiful girl in the world. I’m falling in love with Mel again. The bitter fact was that I never ceased loving her, I only ceased admitting it. Yes, Mel was all I  want, she was all I love.

    Watching my confused expressions Elena became slightly uncomfortable.

    “You look dull Adrian?” She asked.

    “Agonizingly dull, but don’t worry.”I said.

    Sliding her fingers through mine she said, “You can’t be dull when you’re on a date with a girl like me. May be one day you’ll remember how to have fun.”

    “May be one day you’ll forget.” I said, releasing my fingers and walked away towards the exit leaving Elena behind.

    Turning left into the steepy descending side street, I drove towards my house. I suddenly became aware of how my descent into this road, mirrored that sinking feeling my emotions were heaving with, after the breakup. As I pulled the car into the parking lot it started drizzling. I rushed inside the house with my heart still heavy of Mel’s thoughts. I didn’t care to kick off my shoes and remove my coat. I sat on the couch for hours together without any movement. I got up. I opened the curtains. Turned on the lights.  Outside there was a heavy downpour. I thought about her again. It’s never too late to admit one’s mistake. In fact, failure is the essence of success. I thought about it through. Am I lonely or am I in love? The catacomb-like feeling lifted. My brain breathed. I sighed heavily. What was that I want? As if I knew the answer I pulled out the phone and dialed to Derek.

    “Hello,” I heard Derek’s sleepy voice.

    “I know it’s silly on my part to ask this, Are you asleep?” I asked.

    “I was asleep till now. I’m not asleep now. So tell me is it about the date with Elena?”

    “It didn’t really go well Derek. And I’m glad about it. You know, my meeting with Elena made me realize what I really want and who I really want. Simply put, I’m pretty sure that I still love Mel and I’m going to her place now.”

    “It’s half past 12 in the midnight man. I don’t think it’s ideal to meet her now.”

    “I know, but I have no choice. I can’t go even a minute with this heavy heart. I’m going to reconcile things with Mel.

    “Don’t be hasty Adrian. She is not that easy to get and don’t forget there’s just no way she’s going to accept less. But give it a try man. It’s worth it.”

    It was raining heavily. I came out of the flat and drove towards Mel’s place.

    I know right now she might be asleep with a child like calmness on her face which I always loved to stare at. This stormy night reminded me of the best day of my life. The day I gave her the first kiss was when it was raining. I still remember how I had pulled her away from her friends to a more secret space. It was the most wonderful day of my life – standing in front of the girl I loved, and dreaming of spending the rest of my life with her.

     

    I reached her placed. It seemed so familiar. I stood in front of her door. Bringing all the lost courage, I rang the door bell. The door opened almost immediately and there stood my girl who I hurt and abandoned a couple of months ago. That very moment I wanted to have her in my arms and tell how much I missed her. But I fought that urge, as I didn’t want to mess up things again.

    We sat in the hall way. So far neither of us spoke a single word. I picked up the courage again.

    “Mel…”

    “Adrian, if you want to talk about our relationship, I’m sorry, I don’t want to give an ear to that.”

    Mel wasn’t typical. She never did anything keeping her self-respect at stake. Yes, I hurt her self-respect. I now regret that.”

    “Mel, please try to understand. I owe you an apology for all the bad times you had because of me. I miss you. I don’t like my house. It is vacant without you. Your absence is echoed in every single corner of every single room. I’m not happy anymore. I miss those happy nights where we cuddled each other and slept long peaceful nights. It’s hard for me to manage myself; you apparently know everything about me. In fact, more than I do know about myself. Every single part of me loves you more than I admit.”

    “It’s not love Adrian. It’s called need. I was there for you when you needed the most, and you took me for granted. I held your back during failures and you took me for granted. Even though you knew I hated sleeping on my own, many nights you never came home and took me for granted. I’m done with all that stupid stuff. I’m not a stupid to let you break down my walls again.”

    “No Mel, you are not stupid. If there is anyone stupid in this room, it’s me. If my stupidity were laser beams, the ground would be scorched.” My voice began cracking and I stared at Mel with moist eyes who was already in sobs. I hate seeing her cry. Even at this stern situation, I can’t help but stare at her captivative eyes. “I never forgot you Mel. You were always in my thoughts. I tried to ignore that gaping hole that tried to threaten to swallow me, whenever your thoughts hit me. I still have your number. Not that I need it, but I’d never forget it.”

    I went close to her. Took her hands into mine. She didn’t seem to take back. Holding her face in my arms I told, “Mel, I terribly missed you. Your smiles seem to be in every painting hanging on our walls. I miss, how, in the mornings, your smile caressed my ears, nape of my neck and now I hate to think where the smile has gone.”

    “I missed you too Adrian.” She hugged me, which was what I was hungrily craving for. “I’m just hurt by the way you treated me.”

    “I promise to never let that happen again sweetheart. I shall never let you feel low and lone. Are you not the best thing ever happened to me? How can I lose you again.” I said these words without releasing the hug.

    “Mel, I love you. Do you still love me?”

    “I do.” Mel replied with her sweet smile that easily took my breath away.

    “Mel, shall I say you something?”

    “Yeah”

    “If I could sit on the porch with God, the first thing I would do is, thank him for you.”

  • Defining Belonging

    Defining Belonging

    Often questioned by the society as to how to behave and how to live, Sarah doubts her own attitude and beliefs… That is where Anita steps in to define where do humans belong to!!

     

    The D.J. was playing the music and people were in a complete party mood. Mugs of beer and bottles of vodka were being emptied in the zeal of competition. Sarah, a girl in her early twenties, went to the bar to ask for a drink and suddenly found someone’s hand on her back. She turned around to find Rahul. Rahul was a bit surprised as his looks said, and he went to say, “Well, are you alright?” Sarah simply replied, “Yes.” Rahul then asked again, “Well, Don’t mind, but I never have seen you taking more than two drinks, so asked whether you are okay or not! But a girl like you, so sober, should keep in control as you may get a bad habit of this!” Sarah just gave an annoyed look and said, “Well, I am completely under my control. You can go and party, no need to be worried for me.” Then Rahul ordered for a vodka and said that he went to take his drink and got astonished to find Sarah over there. Sarah became a bit conscious to hear that and she went taking her drink. Though she didn’t take any more or danced thereafter.

    The night was getting darker and darker and Sarah was being even more thoughtful. She was quite sceptical as to what describes a girl to be sober, is it not drinking or dancing or something else!

    Her feelings were growing stronger with the time passing by and the effect of alcohol getting her under control, and she just kept on thinking and reiterating her thoughts. She found Anita her best friend and asked her to stay with her. They reached home and Sarah just was sitting in her bed looking at the moon-lit night. Anita jokingly asked her, “missing someone or in his dreams!!” Sarah then sitting in the same pose went on explaining her the entire saga of events that unfolded that evening, how Rahul went to her and said that drinking is not expected from sober girls and he was astonished. Then Anita, in her calm and composed style said to her, “You know what Sarah, “In the universe, where do I stand?”, a very obvious question that I often ask myself. And the most expected answer, “On the earth beneath my foot.” Yes, that’s what it is! But what is my position in the billions of people in the world! Where am I? What is the foundation to justify my existence! Is it anything that I have? Do I have some respect from the people in my surrounding? Is that my self esteem or my social dignity dignifying my identity? Am I really cared?

    At that very moment I ask myself, how much of my time that I render respecting others; or in the pursuit of the dignity of the people around me! Do I really care what they do! Obviously not more that maximum a day! Then why do I think they render there time to thoughts of mine, of my position! How much worth is it on their part to do!

    To be honest to myself, no worth it is. I am not that important than anybody else in their lives to be thought of. Then what’s the use of thinking about their reactions before doing a thing! Why do i decide my actions on the basis of their reactions; why restrict my flow of emotions on the thought of others’ response! Setting the principles, that I often violate and the set of thoughts of reincarnating a perfect being avoiding my mistakes which in turn help me to be swayed with the feelings to go beyond the confinements! Asking for freedom from others to follow my instincts yet binding myself in fetters to be approved by all! A game of hide and seek. Hiding my emotions from myself in the deepest corner of heart searching for them to come forward and be expressed.

    My words or my get-up in a gathering is never a matter of discussion for more than just that night then why waste more days of my life seeking the choice of others in the society. Just to be appreciated by the mass for a night; why should I dress according to their will. My habits or else bad habits; wait a second; who is to decide whether my habit is a bad one or a good one; of course I am; then my habits need not be according to what others like or dislike. For it will be liked or be contemptible is always a matter of few moments; at the end it has to be accepted.

    Being changed for appreciation; why do I need to be appreciated; because that feels good to stand unique among others; but why to be unique, why not be one in the mass; since we are all humans at the end; and there is no reason to justify. An action without justification is never welcomed so as to be practiced!

    Whatever we do we first design a basic logic for why should we do it! But then at some moments I don’t find a reason to do whatever i have been doing for long! Whatever beliefs that I have cultivated till date about me!

    Well, I appreciate myself. Everyone in the world does. But while seeking the reason for this appreciation I never find a thing. Too comic; isn’t it? People who underestimate themselves but don’t tolerate inferior treatment being done by others! Why?? Because they actually revere themselves as quite well estimated. But just play a game of this inferiority feeling.

    In fact, all of us are playing a game. A game supported by a set of void things; well, that will only make a void, nothing else. Our lives are on the foundation of void. What a joke it is; unbelievable yet compelled I am to believe. We believe things, justify the beliefs we start to analyse with logics, but whatever may be the logic we still continue to believe what we previously did. Reforming our mind and being stubborn that whatever we believed is definitely right and well justified.

    Do jobs to grab attention of the surrounding, pretend as if we are not tempted towards the attention of others. But most of our actions are lured by the magic of appreciation, the thought of being valued. We advocate that we are not affected by the approbation of ourselves. In the deepest corner lies the truth. While going even deeper there is nothing to be happy with the estimation of others. We are born as individual in the creation and will die the same way.

    The journey from womb to tomb is a race. We tend to run with others, competing with them but we actually run alone.

    Putting all others in the list of audience we keep running and seek the first position. But in our ignorance it is I alone in the race coming first that is equivalent to the last position. We keep trying to grab everything that makes us feel unique. The race is for individuality, seeking our originality. Dissatisfied with the position that we are given trying to be considered in the list of the important people; the list made by the people in the surrounding. We forget to value ourselves in the measures of our own. Where we stand!

    Uniqueness is always there, it was always there. In the smallest possible form, in our DNA even, we are unique; different from all others. But yet the race always goes on. What else does that prove! What we want to prove is already proved there and we are only running after the void. The void in the thoughts, in the logic of our own!”

    Then Anita looked at Sarah only to find that she is sleeping like a baby. Anita just went and kissed her in her forehead and wished a good night with peace in life. She was just going to sleep when she found out the time is 7 o’ clock in the morning and she had to call her home!!

  • Undefined Bond

    Undefined Bond

    The heartwarming story of two people who form an everlasting bond of compassion with each other. 

     

    It was a blithesome Tuesday of the icy cold December and the sun showed up after a long time. Everybody prepared to get to their work and in the hustle and bustle of the city, Gautam – a 67 year old retired Army chief walked up to the sea shore carrying a suitcase. The sea waves imposed a rhythm that could cleanse an uneasy soul. Observing the calmness sea possessed and the waves meeting the sand, Gautam sighed and took a step towards the sea.

    His first step was however hindered by a football that made his belongings fall from his hand and a five year old offender came into scene.

    “I am so sorry, Uncle! Could I get my ball back?”Asked Dhruv who was guilty of whatever just happened. He helped the aged man to pick his suitcase and questioned him inquisitively “Where are you going? What is there in the box?”

    Hesitant to answer the little lad, Gautam snatched it from him and asked him to leave. Dejected by his response, Dhruv apologised again and took out a piece of chocolate from his shorts.

    “You can have it! I have nothing else to compensate for making you angry!”

    Gautam’s resentment turned into a smile and he accepted the offer. Witnessing the change, Dhruv smiled and requested him “Would you like to play with me? I come here every day and play but I am bored of doing it alone for so long!”

    Gazing at the innocence of that five year old, Gautam could not resist his childish heart from not accompanying him. They played all day long and evening made them part their ways.

    Next day, Dhruv waited for his football partner in anticipation and waiting for an hour made him depressed. That melancholy was not for long as Gautam made his appearance the very next moment. The cordial relationship both of them shared together was beyond any other bond.

    The calm sea and waves witnessed the everlasting friendship of the two souls for next ten years.

    Dhruv, the only son of busy and working parents never felt what it was to walk hand in hand with his mother or father. He was looked after by the maid his parents appointed for him. His parents were overpowered by the intention of earning money and they were so engrossed in their works that they forgot they had to nurture THEIR ONLY DESCENDANT.

    Bearing negligence at such a tender age, Dhruv had a heart of gold. He understood what it was to be lonely in the crowd and Gautam came into picture to end his agony. Time heeled everything as he finally found somebody who understood him, he had someone with whom he could share what made him happy or what broke his heart. Dhruv felt complete and became extremely fond of his UNCLE and on the counterpart, Gautam found out his reason to live.

    After ten years, Gautam’s age and body gave up on him. He could no longer come to see Dhruv as he could not walk. Dhruv came to the hospital weeping at the thought of losing his TRUE FRIEND.

    Gautam dint have much time and was on his death bed. He only waited for his DHRUV. His wait was not for long as he came running to HIS UNCLE. Dhruv questioned “It has been ten years but you never told me what was there in that suitcase when we met for the first time?”

    Gautam without saying much gave him a letter he wrote for him and smiled. “Read it after a while…I don’t have much time you see…”

    Dhruv sobbed and Gautam closed his eyes in peace.

    Dhruv controlling his turmoil of emotions opened the letter .It read:

    “Dear Dhruv,

    You are a grown up 15 year old boy and mature enough to understand what I have written in this letter later.

    You, my boy gave me my life that day… You asked me what was there in that suitcase but I kept it a secret from you. I came to commit suicide with all my belongings as I was left with no one to live for. I was a very strong man YOU SEE…I did everything to make my THREE SONS happy. I raised them to be highly qualified individuals and they did make me proud… But they could not give me one thing and that was “LOVE”.A parent can raise any number of children he has, but my children failed to look after me at the time I wanted them the most. They sent me to AN OLD AGE HOME where I lived since past 12 years. They gave up on me so easily… I found no other option…But GOD had other plans. He dint want me to die like that. I met you… YOU MADE ME FEEL ALIVE… YOU MADE ME REALISE I WAS NOT ALONE…YOU MADE ME REALISE I COULD BE HAPPY AGAIN…I had a huge number of friends when I had been young and successful, but OLD AGE made me realise I had none. You were, you will be MY ONE AND ONLY TRUE FRIEND DHRUV…FOREVER.I have nothing much to give you except love but I want you to open that suitcase and bury my belongings with me.

    I LOVE YOU, MY SON

    Gautam”

    Dhruv could not control his tears and he realised what he had lost today. He went to fulfil his UNCLE’S LAST WISH and opened that suitcase. It possessed three photographs OF GAUTAM, ONE WITH HIS WIFE WHO DIED TOO EARLY, ONE WITH HIS CHILDREN AND THE LAST ONE WHICH WAS NEW TO THAT BOX WAS WITH DHRUV.

    “THEY WERE A SINGLE SOUL DWELLED IN TWO BODIES… ”

    Image Source: Gettyimages.com

  • The Untold feelings

    The Untold feelings

    This is a story of Jay and Richa, who knew each other since a long time. Now the two souls which were always fond of each other, but the fear of rejection never allowed them to share their feelings. Now finally when they meet to express their love, let’s see how their love prevails over their fear.

     

     

    Ever since we’ve met, I always dreamt of a perfect date like this. But now when the day is finally here, am afraid!!!

    Yeah Am afraid, Will I be able to express my feelings, and convey him what I feel for him. With all these thoughts wandering in my mind, I started walking along the lane. I finally reached the place.

    “ Hi Richa”, he greeted holding my hand, and I just gave a cold reply with a smile on my face. I wonder where the bold and confident girl in me wanders around when am in front of him. We speak for hours on phone and text endless, but when he’s around I just become numb.

    “Hello Jay”, I could see the efforts he has put in to make it a perfect date and even I left no stone unturned in presenting myself. With the red gown, and open hair, I knew how desperate he was to compliment me. Even he looked amaze, no way less than a ordinary prince.  The environment was all magical, filled my love.

    It was only the silence that spoke between us, and breaking the ice, I spoke first “This is a nice place, and thanks for inviting me”, I know am being too formal, but I wasn’t able to build some good stuff to speak. “Yeah I’ve been planning it since a long time” he said holding my hand meanwhile.

    I could feel the nerve breakdown somewhere deep inside. And I could see the fear of rejection in his eyes too.

    I wish I could help him out, and then I  made my first move and asked him, “ You wanted to say something, is anything important?”, I say we girls know everything we can sense every move of you, yet we always act as if we don’t know anything.

    The reason is quite simple we just want to feel the moment. Some moments worth being cherished the rest of life. “Ah yeah, Shall we sit and talk”, he murmured. He has decorated the place so beautifully and arranged such a lavish dinner.  We finished our dinner and it was 2 hours since we met, but yet their wasn’t any hint from him. It was time to depart. But neither of us could say a single word. Their came a moment when the never ending chirping birds even hovered to speak out, it was only the eyes which could exchange a few words.

    I understood his hesitation, for the reason, both of us had a bad experience in our past.  And it’s really difficult to accept the truth of life. I was prepared for this, because I knew how shy he is and how dumb he is in dealing such things.

    “Jay, I wanted to share something with you, It’s all written in this letter, you read it and take your decision. Am waiting outside” saying this I handed him a letter and started walking. I saw a surprised expression on his face, he couldn’t believe what was happening. He knew what was in the letter. He was totally overwhelmed by my bold move. Then he started reading the letter with utmost excitement.

     

    “My Dear Jay,

    I wonder why I am writing when I’ve already conveyed you my feelings through my actions a dozen of times, but then the question is Have they ever reached you. Have you ever felt the drop of my pulse, when you are around, or the sparkle in my eyes when they see you? Well, I never thought it would be so difficult to convey one’s feelings. I don’t know what the book of Destiny has planned for us, for our future! What matters is Today, The day where we are together. This day would never come back in our lives, So I Want to make it the best for the rest of our lives. Now I don’t want to Twist and turn, and make you more confused! Yeah Mister This Girl has fallen for you. I was really impressed the way you were always with me, during both the good as well as the bad days in my life. The way you laughed at my lame jokes, and the way you’ve tried to calm me, whenever I get into dilemma. Day after day I’ve known you a little more every new day. You’ve given me a reason to smile, a hope to live better. A new chapter of my life has begun after the day I met you. Sometimes I feel do you also feel the way I do? But for that again someone has to initiate. I always dreamt of a perfect life with a person like you. Will you be the reason for a smile on my face for the rest of my life? A hopeful heart and a lone soul are awaiting your reply!”

     

    He just couldn’t stop himself after reading the letter and rushed towards the parking, where I was waiting with hundreds of questions in my mind. The ten minutes which I spent there waiting for him with the wildest thoughts in mind were no less than a trailer of a most awaited horror film. The moment I saw him rushing towards me with a strange expression, I could feel the drop in my pulse. Though he came up with a strange expression I could feel the happiness inside him.

    I was on seventh heaven, and we again stood their uttering not even a single word.

    I smiled and stared walking because I knew both of us loved each other and we’ve expressed our feelings. For me it was the happy ending of the day. But he hold my hand and spoke “Where are you going, the date isn’t over yet”, he just hugged me and their, I stood still numb don’t know what to say. But It was the silence still persisting and prevailing.

  • The Invisible Relationship

    The Invisible Relationship

    The story revolves around the girl who is broken but finds a hand to hold on to and breathe fresh life, but the abrupt end may stun you all.

     

    The way he holds me, when I’m in my bad temper is something that melts me down. Well, I feel only he can handle my personality because he is the one that recreates me every moment. I still remember the first time we met, I was dazed and heart broke soul who had nowhere to go. He embraced me warmly and gave me another reason to breathe and become lively once again. 

    His smile had the magic that made me go crazy, my blush would never be that dark shade of red ever again I guess. Well am I exaggerating? But this is the effect that his presence has on me. Wait, this was ethically wrong, I’m married than how can I even think about some other man. But that someone who calls himself my husband, he cheated on me that night. And it was the same night that Rishi came into my life. He gathered my shattered soul made me grow on him, and gave me space to breathe and open a new world. Now there was no place for someone who left me for some other person. He made me realise that I shouldn’t be guilty now, as I wasn’t guilty then.

    He gave me a new motto in my life, he created and rebuilt my personality. He had instantiated in me a new confidence and now I knew there was no stopping me.

    Rishi is always alone when he comes to meet me, I want to know more about him. But he never shares anything at all, but I’m the one who touches his soul every day. I know his habits very well, he loves his coffee. No matter what the time is he still has coffee, less sugary and bitterer…dark… I don’t know that he even notices how much I love him, but I won’t ever expect him to reciprocate to my feelings. His dusky complexion and that slightly bearded face, those strong jawlines. Those glasses on his face makes him look the most intellectual being and the most handsome face. He always wears that thoughtful look whenever I’m around, maybe he feels I’m more complicated or he is complicating me even more. But this was his choice to be with me…to help me. I didn’t came begging to him, he asked me if he has any place in my life. Now I couldn’t say a straight no to such a handsome face and a kind heart, especially when I needed a hand to hold on to this life.

    Well, Rishi is a writer after all and I’m just another character of his book. This journey of my heart broken…one sided love will end after 322 pages novel is complete. He might never come into my life again, but his string will always be attached as my soul bearer. When any reader would try to invade in my life, I would simply let that person in. I will let him know how kind Rishi is and how he gave me a new start when I thought the end was near.
     

    Image Source: playbuzz.com