18-20: A Rambling Tale Of Love

I never knew myself to be one of those people who would fall prey to the myth of love at first sight. After all, to me, love seemed to be nothing but a folly. I would often observe my friends, who I knew to be quite susceptible in being deceived by the ploys of love, and pester them with questions on how they could fall into the same trap repeatedly. How could they be so vigorously drawn in, time and again, by the fantasies and folklore of 'happily ever after'. It seemed so mysterious, funny even, why people were so enthusiastic about wasting time on gaining fleeting moments of happiness that were concomitant to love.

But then, logic is not really one of the essential ingredients for stirring the concoction of love, is it? We've all known people who go absolutely crazy and defy all norms of common sense in their pursuit of love. Those who think that the sole meaning and purpose of their existence is to search for and bear the fruits of love. People who would scorn at a life devoid of love and label it as one not worth living. A couple of years ago, a penny for my thoughts on the subject would have fetched you nothing but smug laughter. Time has played its tricks on me, however, and I've now seen myself drown hopelessly, but joyfully, in the vast sea of love.

Attempt to Murder: Short Story

As she came close and leaned over to land a gentle kiss on my forehead, beads of perspiration trickled from her body onto mine. They rolled down my cheeks and slowly dissipated within me, symbolic of the part of her that would always reside in my heart. As she kissed my forehead, numerous strands of her thick, dark hair formed a curtain around our heads. I had often found comfort from the deepest troubles when I ran my hands slowly through her flowing hair. In fact, her hair worked such a charm on me that I would start pouring out the most mundane thoughts to her. She was the perfect listener, soaking in all the love, hate or anger that my thoughts had to offer. Whatever trials, travails or tribulations that I encountered, she was always there... just as she had been there now for the past one week, waiting patiently for me to wake up and talk to her. When she got up and prepared to leave for the night, suppressing a sob every now and then, I longed to call out and tell her how much I yearned for the warmth of her hug.

Attempt to Murder: Episode 6

It was only when Vidhi had drawn the analogy of a mockingbird to allegorically allude towards my innocence, that the rest of the gang began to catch a hint of how one-directional and reactionary their actions were. Meher's mind seemed to be in a drift, trying to calculate and configure the unfolding events. Zafar was simply standing wide-eyed...moving his glare back-and-forth between me and Vidhi, who was busy cradling the back of my head and nonchalantly mumbling about the stupidity of our companions. At the other side of the room, nearer to the door, was Kavya. A glimpse of her flummoxed face was enough to make me erupt in a chuckle which pierced the thin veil of dread and apprehension in the room. An uneasy peace now prevailed between the two sides, awaiting a final confrontation to provide closure.