Touch of Love

Malhar would never leave Alimah’s hand. This sounded too quixotic to their friends once. And they always proved their friends wrong.

Although they had been acquainted for three long years, they had never felt any trace of affection for each other before that night of their college trip. They sat opposite to each other, around the bonfire with the rest of their friends; their eyes articulating.  And the fire, on that dark, starry, chilling night, kindled the love in them.

Alimah could not get over the thought of Malhar’s strong hands holding hers, earlier that day, to help her walk over the wooden log bridge to cross the recklessly flowing river. And he could not forget the softness of her shivering hands in his. They looked at each other and they both knew they were meant to be together, always.

She woke up on the second year of their togetherness to find a void space on her bedside. He had already left for work early, without uttering a word. She wished she had not expected any surprises on their anniversary because she had got none. And this feeling shattered her even more. She remembered the last year when he had taken her on a long drive to the Western Ghats and they halted on a small tea shop while it drizzled and they walked hand in hand along the green valleys. This year, there was no rain. Everything seemed dried up, even her tears. She had cried enough for past few months. She had tried enough to bring back the fallen pieces together but failed. 

She decided that she would expect the worst now. She made up her mind to face a divorce, she was ready for it. Maybe, he would return with the legal documents in the evening, she thought. She got up and like all other days, started with her daily chores. 

While dusting their bedroom, she found his diary with a bookmark stuck between it, in a drawer next to their bed. She couldn’t resist to not read and turned to the page where Malhar had written the latest entry. She read it. And by the end of it, she was already up on her feet, about to runaway to him. And while on her way, his words reappeared in her mind. He had written everything that was needed to be said. He had written everything that was needed to rekindle their relationship. 

Alimah stood in his office's reception and a thought struck her that how would she defend herself for reading his diary. But she had no need to solve that query. 

Malhar's voice sent chills down her spine. "I knew you'd come", he said. Alimah turned back to find him standing there, smiling. Alimah couldn't respond. But, a tear rolled down her eye. And that was enough said.

He held her hand. He felt the same softness in her shivering hands. And she felt his strong hands. He looked into her eyes, confidently.

He knew she would definitely read his diary if he kept it in the right place. He knew what to write. He knew he chose the right words. 

Malhar leaned forward to embrace her. And outside, it rained again.

#BringBackTheTouch

-Ashish

Thankyou Indiblogger
and Parachute Advanced Body Lotion

Poem: Diary Blues

Dear Diary,

Today, I’ll share with you
a story of a boy
because you are my only ally.
So, lend me your ears
and a few moments from your years.
Here it goes…

“There lived a lonely guy

he had no friends, no brothers

or nobody who would die.

Nobody to serve cold dishes,

no malicious foes,

or to make any ill-wishes.

He desired no miracles,

neither prayed for no gifts,

nor was he lucky for free-falling apples.

He was his only priory,

an introvert for a speaker,

and his only  listener, a dear diary.

One fine day, God showered a surprise,

and his life turned into a nightmare,

gifted him friends for reprise.

They became his oxygen,

someone for whom he would sacrifice,

would walk into a lion’s den.

The foolish fish jumped off its bowl,

in expectation to find more water,

into a world that offered no soul.

Unaware was he of the fire,

following the paradise,

which would light up his pyre.

Absent from the real surroundings,

lost in the music so divine,

he trusted in the imaginary bindings.

The god-gifts took him so high,

up above the world,

and dropped him down, to die.

“Why did you stick to the ones who lied?”,

with a lump in its throat,

on his death, only his diary cried.

Do not expect no amends,

the boy lived and died alone,

and that is how the story ends.”

Ashish

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Mirror, Diary and Headphones

Hello Reader

Many at times, the only person you want to be with is yourself.
Only you and nobody around.
Mostly when you are not happy or angry. May be your loved one ditches you, something not happening like you wish the things to go like.
Sadness is a part of life for every human. Only difference is the period of sadness. For some, it remains for too long and they ultimately start being alone and away from the rest of the world around them, shattered.

Otherwise, people always celebrate their life, every moment.
And even after the loud parties and joyous rides, one always seeks peace, silence, some time to spend with themselves.

And in all these times there are some very precious accessories and stuff which they always want to be with them in those lonely times. Those non living items carry a lot of emotions. They are just a medium to talk to yourself. Introspect and reveal yourself to yourself. In knowing the people around, we forget to think about ourselves. And then these mediums help you to discover yourself.

Mirrors. When you look into a mirror, it doesn't just tells you whether you are looking good for the party or not but it tells a lot more. When you look into your own eyes, you get to know if you are being true to yourself. It shows us our real face. Even the professional dancers and actors rehearse in front of a mirror before they go for the actual performance on stage before the crowd. When you are on a phone call with your loved one, look at yourself and it will show you, your emotions. Smile?

Diaries. Diaries can be your best friend once you put forward your hand to it and it won't deny your friend request. When nobody is with you to share or you don't want certain things to go public then all you need to do is ink out everything on your mind into your diary. And diary may show you a way, lead you out of the darkness and solve all your problems. Believe me, diaries talk. When you have something inside which is burning you. Hold a pen and start scribbling all that on to your dear diary. And then your tears start flowing faster than the ink off the nib and you feel relieved. Sad?

Headphones. Depending on the mood, people select their playlist and songs. The lyrics convey the same message they want to read, the same emotion they want to feel. A punk emo follower listens to a hard rock metal scream at a corner of a deserted place, a usual sad person may walk along a silent road and listen to some sad, blue song and a very happy person may find himself dancing in middle of a crowded bus stop and people staring. It all depends and headphones are the medium which connects you to that emotion and makes you feel every note of music that enters your head. And as the music plays, you walk along, not thinking about the random people around you, the music plays only for you, the lyrics match and you walk along with the beats...apni hi shun mein. Lost?

This Christmas, fall in love with yourself. Lets get committed...

Ashish