Kartik
As I lay here, trying to surrender to sleep’s embrace, my mind refuses to quiet, filled instead with the echo of your presence. The day has been a tapestry of diverse experiences, yet now, when the opportunity for rest finally presents itself, sleep eludes me. The knowledge of your impending departure from your nanny’s house weighs heavily on my heart. Though we only parted ways yesterday, the thought of not having you by my side for the next week feels like an eternity. You, who have always been so close, are now going to be so far away.
The clock strikes 3 a.m., a reminder of the passing hours that I have spent in restless contemplation. In just a short while, at 4 o’clock, you will be leaving, and all I wish for is a fleeting moment with you, to bask in the warmth of your smile as I did the first time our eyes met. That smile, so enchanting, where I found myself lost in the depths of your gaze, is etched in my memory.
The impulse to call you, to hear your voice and share my thoughts with you, is strong. But I hesitate, knowing that we are just best friends. The late hour makes the idea of reaching out to you seem inappropriate, and I find myself torn between the desire to hear your voice and the fear of overstepping boundaries. Perhaps it is best to refrain from calling, to respect the late hour and the nature of our relationship.
Morning Comes
As the first light of dawn begins to creep through my window, I know it’s time to coax myself into sleep. My mom will soon be waking up to get me ready for school, a routine we follow every day. I play the part of the sleepy child, pretending to be lost in dreams, hoping for a few more precious moments of rest. When she finally comes to rouse me, she gently shakes me and chides, “Wake up, you’ve slept enough.” Reluctantly, I let go of my pillow and feigned readiness for the day. But in my heart, I long to stay in bed, safe from the demands of the world. After all, it’s vacation time, and the thought of going to school is nothing more than a distant memory.
Unexpectedly, my slumber was interrupted by the persistent ringing of my phone. However, in my drowsy state, I failed to respond. After several rings, my mom’s voice cut through the haze, sharply reminding me of my neglect, “Watch your phone, it’s ringing, you idiot!” Startled, I feigned sleep, curious about the caller she was speaking to with a smile. Was it Rohit? Or perhaps Kriti? Blushing, I continued to pretend, hoping to avoid any further embarrassment. But my charade was short-lived as my mom’s voice pierced through again, this time more urgently, “Kartik, wake up! Kriti is on the line. Kartik, you shameful person, get up, you idiot!”
A Wake-Up Call
With a sense of urgency, I jolted awake and hurriedly reached for the phone, eager to avoid any more public scolding. “Hello,” I mumbled, trying to sound awake, but you could still hear the laughter in the background.
“Why are you still sleeping? I’m in Pune, and I miss you, I miss your stories. I thought you were going to call me,” you said, your voice filled with excitement and laughter.
“I know, I know. How are you? How are your grandparents?” I asked, trying to sound more awake and engaged.
“Everything is fine. But why didn’t you call me? I’m feeling a bit bored, and I miss your stories. Can you tell me something new?” you asked, your voice sweet and pleading, tugging at my heartstrings.
Here, whenever I find a moment to share my thoughts with you, I try to express what I feel for you. “Yes, of course, I do,” I respond, eager to open up to you. But before I can say anything else, your attention is drawn away by another call. “Kartik, I have to go now. Mom is calling. I’ll call you back. Be prepared with your story. Take care. See you soon. Bye,” you say hurriedly, leaving me to bid you farewell with a simple “bye.”
Misunderstood Intentions
Reflecting on our conversations, I realize that while I’ve shared many stories with you, you’ve never quite understood the underlying message I’ve been trying to convey. Perhaps you listen to me as if I’m telling you a tale, missing the deeper emotions and intentions behind my words. It’s a bittersweet realization, knowing that you, the most talented girl in our school, may not see me in the same light as I see you. I understand that we are just best friends, and I cherish that, but at times, I can’t help but imagine more.
As the clock strikes 10 a.m., I sit down to enjoy my favorite breakfast of idli sambar, savoring each bite. Suddenly, the doorbell interrupts my peaceful moment. I wonder why he’s here so early; he’s never on time for school. Once again, my mom’s voice breaks the silence, urging me to attend to the door and perform some task. It’s moments like these that remind me of my reality, where even a simple breakfast can be interrupted by my mom’s need to assert authority.
Unexpected Encounters
I opened the door to a familiar face, one that I’ve known for the past 12 years—my buddy and childhood friend, Rohit. His arrival, however, was far from pleasant. “It takes so much time, you may open the gate,” he said rudely, his tone filled with bitterness. With a PlayStation in hand, he continued, “What were you doing? You don’t have anything to do, you know that.”
Attempting to lighten the mood, I tried to take the PlayStation from his hand, jokingly said, “Hey, you did a very good job giving me this.” However, he pushed me away, sternly saying, “Don’t touch it. Have you seen the time? We have to go somewhere.” Despite my attempts to calm him down, he persisted, “Buddy, be relaxed. We have plenty of time. Why are you doing this?”
During our conversation, my mom seized the opportunity to scold me, loudly and roughly reprimanding, “See, learn something from Rohit. You know Rohit, he doesn’t work, he never cares for me, always sleeping and playing games.” As my mom’s words echoed in the room, Rohit leaned in close to me and whispered in my ear, “That’s it, this is what I want, done.”
Feeling frustrated, I retorted, “Rohit, you are such a bastard. I will kill you.” Unfazed, he responded, “Oh? Go first, tell Kritika what you have in your heart for her, then come and try to kill me.” Angered by his words, I shot back, “Yes, sure. One day, I will break your face.” To which he calmly replied, “I’ll wait for that. Till then, let’s play the game.”
Kritika’s diary
The night is a time when words fade into whispers and the world takes on a new life. It’s often said that the night is the other half of life, and some even argue that it’s the better half. For me, nights are meant for introspection and creativity, a time when I love to immerse myself in the tranquil beauty of the moonlit sky, accompanied only by a pen and my diary. As the sky gradually darkens, shades of blue deepen, and the stars begin to twinkle, painting a canvas of night that cannot be fully appreciated in the harsh light of day.
Currently, my parents are busy packing our bags, as we are about to embark on a journey to Pune, the green city where my grandparents reside. I am filled with excitement at the thought of meeting them, as spending time with grandparents is always a blessing. I eagerly anticipate hearing about their life experiences and listening to my Nani’s enchanting stories, a tradition I cherish deeply. When Kartik narrates a story, I often sense emotions and thoughts that he may not express openly. It leaves me pondering, wondering if my feelings for him are reciprocated. Perhaps, I am overthinking, but the question lingers: if he feels the same, why hasn’t he said anything yet?
Night’s Departure
This trip marks the first time I’ll be away from Kartik for an entire week, and I already miss him dearly. I wonder if he’ll call to bid me farewell or perhaps even come to see me off. It’s midnight, and though it may seem unlikely, he could still call. However, I hesitate, fearing that expressing my feelings might make things awkward between us. Instead, I decided to wait, knowing that our journey would be a short one, just three hours by road. Despite the brevity, I find solace in the idea of traveling at night, surrounded by the cool, silent embrace of the night air. Seated in the front next to my dad, I eagerly anticipate the journey ahead, eager to soak in every moment of the night’s beauty.
Today, your thoughts consumed my mind to the point where sleep eluded me entirely. Your presence in my dreams always has this effect on me, leaving me feeling content and happy. Your care and concern for me are like a balm to my soul, causing me to pause and simply admire you without a single blink.
I’m not even sure when I drifted off to sleep while lost in thoughts of you. It was only when my dad gently woke me, urging me to open my eyes and witness the beauty of the rising day, that I realized the night had slipped away. As I opened my eyes, I was greeted by the breathtaking sight of the moon setting and the sun slowly ascending, a moment of pure, unspoken beauty.
A Tale of Love, Family, and Unexpected Calls
I couldn’t resist capturing this stunning sight, so I clicked several pictures and sent them to you, eager to share the moment with you. However, you were not online, perhaps still lost in slumber. I briefly entertained the idea of calling you, much like I used to do during exam times to wake you up, but I realized that exams were no longer a concern.
Upon reaching home at 6:40 a.m., I was greeted by the sight of Nana waiting at the gate. Nani, having heard the car horn, emerged from the house and warmly embraced my mom. It’s moments like these that remind me of the unconditional love parents have for their children. Nani, noticing my appearance, hugged me tightly and expressed concern about my weight, remarking that I had become too thin. She assured me that she would take care of me and help me regain my health. It’s ironic, as I had been contemplating losing weight, but Nani’s nurturing nature is such that she always wants to ensure everyone eats well and stays healthy.
He is still asleep. Doesn’t he remember I moved from Mumbai to Pune? Well, no worries. I’ll call him at 8 o’clock because then his mother won’t let him sleep. I know she hates late risers.
Laughter and Love
It’s ringing. Why isn’t he picking up? Is everything all right? I was guessing, and then suddenly the call was received. I heard the sweet voice of a lady, and it was his mom, all right. After a long time, I am speaking with your mom, a little nervous but excited. I love speaking with her because she likes me more than you. But I am wondering why you didn’t pick up. Is everything all right? I asked, “Hello, Aunty, how are you? Why is he not receiving my call?” She said, “I am fine. He is still sleeping. It’s good that you called. Let me wake him up.” I heard how nicely she woke you up, and I couldn’t control my laughter. You were saying, “Hello? Hello?” but I was still laughing. Somehow, I managed to stop my laugh and asked you loudly, “Why are you still sleeping? You know I am in Pune, and I miss you, I miss your stories. I thought you were going to call me.”
You replied in a sleepy voice, “Yes, I know very well. So, how are you and how are your grandparents?”
“Everything is alright. You tell me, why didn’t you call me?” I asked, expecting you to explain, but you didn’t say anything. “Well, Kartik, I am feeling a little bored, and I miss your stories. Can you tell me one more, something new for me?” I asked.
You replied, “Yes, of course, I do,” with pride. You tried to say something, but my mom called me before you could continue. “Kartik, I have to go now. Mom is calling, and I will call you back. Be prepared with your story. Take care. See you soon. Bye,” I said, and you replied, “Bye” too.
I put the phone down and went to see what happened. Then, I saw Nani holding a gorgeous dress in her hand. She said, “This is for you, Kriti. We kept this for you for a long time to give you when you come to meet us. So, here is your gift.” I looked at the dress, and it was beautiful. I love gifts and surprises.
Kartik
I don’t know how to express my feelings, how much I love you. You know, the reason I tell you stories is that I hope one day you’ll understand my feelings. I hide my feelings because I don’t want to lose you. I’m afraid of losing you. Sometimes I feel like you might feel the same way, but I don’t want to risk our friendship. I just want you to be with me. Without you, I am nothing.
Today, I have something different to share with you. It’s about what I’ve learned about love. I hope today you will understand my emotions for you. I am preparing myself to tell you everything I’ve seen and felt about love.
After playing for a long time, I thought to call you. Rohit is still playing, and I told him, “You play; I will be right back in a few minutes.” I grabbed my phone and headed out.
“I know where you are going, and listen, if you don’t say today, then I will tell her,” Rohit said with a smile, indicating that he knew something that he could use against me.
“Shut up, you idiot. Do your work,” I replied, showing my middle finger, and I walked out towards the hall where my mom was busy in the kitchen.
Dialed your number, and you picked up on the first ring. I wondered if you were waiting for my call or just happened to be near your phone. I said, “Hey, what’s going on? Where were you?” I wanted to know if you were thinking of me too.
The Unseen Depths of Love
“Nothing much, just lying on the bed. You know what? I got a gift from Nani, a wonderful dress, and I sent you a picture. Why are you not online?” you replied, sounding excited. I explained that my internet pack was over and promised to recharge it soon. Then, you asked me what I wanted to hear, but I pretended to forget that I had to tell you a story.
“No, I told you something a while ago, and you have to tell me now. Where is my storyteller boy?” you insisted, not realizing that I was stalling.
“Well, Kriti, today I will not tell you the sweet story as I usually do. I have something special that I want to tell you about what I have seen in love,” I began.
“People talk about love in various ways. Some say if you don’t get love, then you will not get anything. Some say love will have to be completed by loving each other equally. And some say that love is what we can’t see, where love can only be felt. But I say love cannot be described so easily. Love is such a thing that is sometimes so hard to explain, so hard to discover and understand, and very unthinkable to match,” I explained.
The Eternal Affair Between Edges and Waves
I continued, “Love can happen to anyone, anywhere, anytime. But people don’t know that a deal in love does not happen by looking at the profits. I feel so different whenever I see the waves and edges. Feel real love by watching them. I never saw edges ask waves, ‘How long will you stay with me?’ She comes for a second and goes in a second, and he just waits for her. Whenever she comes, she comes with open arms, and they hug each other with lots of love and happiness. Somewhere, edges always carry inner grief, where he thinks that he doesn’t have anything to give her. He does not know that no one else understands her except him, but she knows it very well. Only for a while, whenever these moments happen, they meet each other and they spread love everywhere.”
“How beautifully Edges convinces Waves when she gets angry. He shows his great love on the nights when he wets himself with cold water again and again and tells her, ‘Listen, without you, I am nothing. I don’t exist without you. It will be impossible to smile without you; then I won’t even cry; I’ll die.’ Edges always know by Waves, ‘I have no one except you,'” I continued.
“I have seen Waves too, how she persuades him not to be rude to her, where he doesn’t know how to get angry properly, so it becomes very easy for her to make him smile more and easier to convince. Sometimes she shows existence to edges by giving some life to him, but he knows very well that life is meant to be in her, so with the love, he gladly gives her back,” I explained.
“On seeing all this, nature also melts and with great love, the moon casts its moonlight on them. And the stars fall like flowers on waves to make her more beautiful. And then the night also becomes much brighter. There is only love everywhere. I have seen the love, the love that has no demands, where both love each other in their way. There is no hope of doing anything special for each other because they have such an understanding in between them. They don’t want to show off their love, but they spread love everywhere,” I concluded.
Love Blossoms Between Kartik and Kritika
“How did you feel, Kritika?” I asked eagerly.
You replied, “Seriously, you’ve seen so much, Kartik. I do not understand what to say. felt it all, Kartik, and I am in love with your thoughts and imagination,” you said, and I could feel your emotions through your words.
I could sense that you wanted to say more but were holding back. Encouraged you, “Kriti, what happened? Say what you want to say.”
And then you said that magical word, the word I had been longing to hear, the word that had so much power and charm in it, “I LOVE YOU.” My heart raced, and I couldn’t believe it was happening. I replied with full excitement, “I LOVE YOU TOO, Kriti.” I was blushing, and you were smiling.
After that, we were silent for a moment. I broke the silence by asking, “When will you come back?”
“Maybe next week,” you replied, sounding a little shy.
“Mom is calling. I will call you back,” you said, and I replied, “Sure, I am waiting to see you soon.”
“Okay, bye, Kartik,” you said, and I could feel the happiness in your voice.
I am still blushing about what just happened. I can’t explain to myself how it could happen so effortlessly. But now, I have a lot to ask you. How have you been in love with me? I have to tell you that from the first day you came to my school, I have been in love with you. I have a lot to show you, where I always thought about you, and I love you a lot. Now, I just want to see you as soon as possible, and I can’t wait anymore.
Kritika’s diary
The feelings that were suppressed for so many days finally came rushing out today. How could I stop myself from showing you what I feel for you? Your story made me numb. I lost myself in your words so completely that I don’t even know where I am right now. Tears welled up in my eyes, and my voice trembled as I uttered your name. If you were here with me, I would embrace you tightly and whisper in your ear all that my heart longs to say. I have to ask you, how did you see such beautiful love? And if you have seen it, why didn’t you confess earlier, Kartik?
Your story was so magical and real that I have never experienced such love before. How can I stop myself from dreaming about you, where I feel lost in your story? I opened my heart to you, and I realized that I love you more than your story. Then, a voice came out of my heart, and I said, “I love you, Kartik.” Yes, I finally confessed my feelings to you. You responded with wonder, “Am I in a dream, Kriti?”
You are brilliant in imagination, but sorry to say, you are so dumb and stupid in expressing your feelings. After saying it again, you finally said, “I love you too, Kriti.” At that moment, I understood you completely. I don’t want anything else; I just want you. I was at a loss for words, not knowing what to say next. So, I quickly told you that my mom was calling and that I would talk to you later.
I had to tell you how much I love you, Kartik, and how long I have been feeling this way. I have to express how happy you make me feel, and I have to give you a hug that never ends. Now, I can’t wait to see you. I eagerly await the moment when we can finally meet.
“The Story Has a Story”
Author: Moshin Ansari
Love Amid Distance
“The Story Has a Story” This anthology reflects our experiences of separation and physical distancing during the lockdown, as we strive to protect ourselves and our loved ones from nature’s wrath. While we remain confined in our homes, hoping for better days, many are stranded, unable to return home. Despite these challenges, nature is renewing itself. The authors in this anthology share their heartfelt reflections on love, distance, and resilience. They offer diverse perspectives on how love can endure or falter amidst physical separation, highlighting the transformative power of even the smallest gestures of affection, and the profound impact of distance on lovers.
