As was the tradition of our previous five semesters, we were sitting with bottles of whiskey and a variety of snacks- veg, non-veg both. Our sixth semester engineering exams just got over. College life and especially hostel life is such that it makes a solid bonding- that’s what we always thought and rejoiced over then.
I- Dilawar, Avinash, Khushmeet and Lucky were like hands in gloves right since the first day we met in our college’s hostel.
Amongst us, I can safely say that I was the one who was the most popular in college. Everyone used to call me D, except for some seniors who addressed me as- Ladkiyon ka messiah (Girl’s favorite angel). Not because I used to help girls, but because of the fact that during most of the time that I used to spend in college, I was always surrounded by girls.
That night, just like our any other liquor party nights, it was all the smell of liquor, cigarettes, old-new-english-hindi songs and enormous laughter that filled the atmosphere on my flat’s terrace.
“Why did you book a ticket for the same night as our exams end, saale AK 47?” Khushmeet said, throwing a glance at Avinash. College life gives you names that can be the weirdest of all.
“Achcha. What if I would have booked ticket for tomorrow? Would you have had sex with me before that, you tharki,” Avinash replied grabbing chicken leg from the other hand which was not already occupied with the glass. Khushmeet got up, went towards Avinash’s back and started seducing him by touching him here and there making him uncomfortable like a non-interested girl.
“Yes, baby! Am coming, am coming..” he said and then laughed out loud, his one leg in the air and clapping along with it.
Lucky pushed Khushmeet aside trying to be his saviour, “leave him, yaar. Otherwise he would call his mummy.” I also laughed this time with them. Lucky looked sloshed.
“Let’s go to the girl’s hostel tonight. What say, guys?” All of a sudden, Lucky bounced with this I-was-totally-not-interested-
“What happened to you? Are you all right? Is there a nail on your chair, brother?” I said, acting as if I was inspecting Lucky’s chair.
“Nothing, bro. He is high. But the idea is not bad, haan,” Khushmeet added completing his peg, “one more, guys. End your peg now. Quick, quick!” He took the bottle in his hand and started to pour it in everyone’s glasses which were now almost empty. I kept my hand on mine.
“What happened, D? Today you had only one peg. The guy who was the biggest tanki, ever. By the way, if I am not wrong, you were the one who was drinking every single night in the past two months, even during exams. Take your hands aside. Shuu..”
“Nahi yaar, bhai (Nope, brother). I am done drinking. This was the last peg of, may be even my life. I have had a lot since Sneha left. Now, no more drinking.”
“Achcha! Good for you, modern Devdas. These girl related things are always bad. Didn’t I tell this to you every single day? Good that you are also now in our league. The league of extraordinarily sakhth launde (tough-hearted boys).
After having some more why-boys-are-always-happy-
After spending a few minutes there, feeling the calmness with some me time, I went to my one-bedroom flat which was on the ground floor. My flat mate Avinash was on his way to the railway station already and my want-to-be-in-girl’s-hostel friends were, I guess, in their flat which was just above mine.
As soon as I stepped inside my flat, I realized that it was exactly after 72 days that I was not sloshed-to-death in the night. I could see the whole untidy living room clearly. By the way, those were the exact number of days, Sneha- the love of my life had left me. We ended our 3-year long relationship, and we broke up bad. Actually, I had doubts that something was brewing between Sneha and one of my classmates.
Last time we met at a cafe nearby to our college, I slapped her. Yes! I. Slapped. Her. Actually, I was shocked by the reaction she gave me when I asked her to hang up the phone while I was asking him about the guy. By the way, that again was him on the call. I mean, how could she lie to me on my face. I knew what I did was wrong, completely wrong. And afterwards, I even apologized to Sneha for my epic move that made all heads that day turn in the cafe. I also said that I would not want to keep relation with a girl like that in my whole fucking life ever. But, walking the talk was now becoming difficult for me. I missed her. What’s the problem with this heart, dude? It wants to forgive anything and everything of the person it loves.
Clouds now, just like my heart were making thunderous sounds. I closed the door, sat down on the sofa thinking about the days we spent together sitting on the same dusty orange couch. I used to think that I have found my perfect soulmate. Our relation for me was the one that would only end in coffin- that’s what I thought during every single day I was with her. And now here I was. Was everything a lie? Did she even love me for a single moment?
Thinking all this, a tear escaped my eye. I felt cheated. I felt bad. For me. But also for Sneha. She didn’t know what she had lost. But how can I still think about her and what’s good for her or not? God!
The volley of memories started to play the dangerous I-don’t-know-how-to-live-
I remembered a scene from my favorite Hollywood TV series those days- ‘Thirteen reasons why’, where the girl attempts suicide by cutting her wrist and by getting drowned in the bathtub. We didn’t have a bathtub though, I thought. Also, the girl there had thirteen reasons to attempt something like that, but I had only one. So what? Every story is different.
A fresh razor was now in my hand. My eyes shifted towards the mirror. Dark circles beneath my blood red eyes and my thick beard were shouting about my already lost battle. I sat down on the wet bathroom floor making my jeans wet from my butts. I didn’t feel the water at all, but I knew it was there. When one’s whole life is screwed up, who cares for a pair of jeans getting wet anyway, I thought.
Razor in my hand, hand resting on my knee, looking towards the ceiling, I opened my mouth and started breathing heavily trying to gain some courage. I had decided that I was now, once and for all, going to end this miserable life and will get out of this selfish as hell world which was full of betrayal and nothing else. I prayed to God to give me strength to do so.
The stainless steel, shining razor was now coming towards the wrist of my other hand. I looked at the bucket filled with water. The plan looked flawless. My eyes flooded with blood, my whole body was shivering with the thought of pain that was about to visit me. Will it be a shower of blood bursting through my veins like a fountain or would it be as subtle as coffee spilling through the cup? It was time to actually know the answer.
Just as the Gillette razor was about to kiss my skin, I heard something. Did my door bang? Did I really hear something? Who cares? But, what if Avinash forgot something and would have come back to take that. He will not leave without it. Or if it were the other two jokers who were planning to go to the girl’s hostel? In any case my plan would be disturbed or worse they would save me. After all, one at least deserves to die in peace. The door banged again.
I stood up and opened the door to find no one there. Clouds outside were pouring like anything. Some droplets even pissed me off successfully by touching my face. Angrily, I pushed the door when something or someone shoved through my leg. I turned back to find out what it was. It was a puppy, a street dog. It looked, like, maybe a week old. It was completely drenched in water. I went towards it trying to catch it and throw him out right at that instance. Everything that day had planned to piss me off. As I tried to catch hold of it, it transferred the rain water from its body to wet my face again. Holy cow!
Angrily, I ran towards him, or maybe her. It was leaving no stone unturned testing my running skills along with it. He/ she hit the plastic stool which had my mom and dad’s picture on it making it fall and break the glass that covered the picture. I took it in my hand and started looking at it. My parents face said that they had huge expectations from their son who turned out to be a loser. In fact, a big loser.
The dog came running towards me, jumping this time. It was now trying to play with my leg. Not finding me sporty as he/ she was, he/ she tried to catch hold of my leg this time. It made me ponder. I looked at him/ her, thinking that even this little dog knows how to fight with the storms of life yet it keeps playing along, smilingly. Tears started rolling down my eyes as my hand went automatically towards his/ her head. I stopped, stood up, opened the door and then ran out on the road.
The rain was now in its full flavor. I looked up towards the sky, eyes half open. Turning my head straight again, thinking about my loved ones I began crying out loud. Something inside me wanted my yowls to be louder than the thunderous clouds, as if trying to intently make them reach God.
“C’mon D! You are a fighter,” I said aloud and continued.
“No person is as much important as your own self. Especially, the one who doesn’t love you. You, you, Son of a.. Shut up! You were trying to.. Fuck! You asshole.” My tears were continuing to run a race with the free flowing rain water on my face, making it hard to judge who won- my tears or the rain water.
“You, your life, your dreams, your parent’s dreams for you, your career, the girl who will really love you like anything will be waiting for you. But.. Don’t live for them. Live for the person in you, the fighter in you who deserves all good things life has to offer along with…” I took a pause and continued, “along with some bad ones too. That must be the only reason why you live. To make the best out of the gift God had bestowed upon you. Yes! That is the only reason why you should live. For the you, you can become.” I cried out loud with open mouth. It was really loud.
After a while, I found something trying to pull my jeans. It was him/ her again. The next moment I fell down on my knees, covered my face with my hands. The dog was still pulling me by my jeans asking me to come inside.
I came back to the present when Maddy- the bitch whom I then assumed to be a dog (named her after my favourite movie character from the movie Rehna hai tere dil mein) was pulling my leg. I smiled looking at her.
“D! What are you doing here alone? Come, let’s dance!” my beautiful wife, Ayesha said grabbing my hand and pulling me towards her. We were about to reach the living room of our flat which was now turned into a dance floor when I was caught hold by the girl-gang of my company. They congratulated me again and asked for a selfie. After all, how can they resist clicking pictures with the national head of one of the biggest cellular solutions company. It was a success bash that I threw for all of my colleagues today. Ayesha looked at me, I made a puppy face asking her to join in a moment. She knew how popular I was amongst girls right since my college days.
After a click or two, I excused the ladies and went towards Ayesha. Taking her hand in mine, I ran towards the open terrace of my flat and we started to do her favourite thing- dance. Ayesha was good at salsa and I was good at following her. I like to dance on her tunes, when I want to.
From the corner of my eyes I saw Maddy too breaking the floor with her unconventional dancing skills. Maddy looked at me. I smiled. She reciprocated.
I am in love with this story. Very well done.
Wow. This story is so motivational and inspirational. I loved it.
This is really very interesting short story sir… I got very important message from this that one should never try to kill oneself with a thought that break up with someone is end of life …. Maybe zindagi aapko usse v acha person se milwana chahte ho.😊
Loved this story nd the concept of this story…..u written it really well❤
This is very interesting short story sir… I got very important message from this that one should never try to kill oneself with a thought that break up with someone is end of life …. Maybe zindagi aapko usse v acha person se milwana chahte ho.😊
Loved this story nd the concept of this story…..u written it really well❤
Like everytime, this time too you lock,stock and barrel knailed the story RD. Simple and effectual writing skills you are blessed with.
Love RD 🥰❤
You are one helluva reader, Tanjot. Your comments/ feedbacks are always encouraging. Much love back to you. Keep reading. ❤️
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Superb story….. The way u manage the words to tell the story is awesome.. I m fan of ur storytelling style.. It’s just wow.. I just fall in the story. Five star⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ for the author n the story too… 😊
Aww. That’s so sweet of you, Dolly. Delighted. Thanks a lot for a heartwarming review. ❤️
Wow, that was superbly written…
Absolutely loved the message and how it turned out in the end…
Thanks a lot, Paang. Keep reading. 😍
This short story is enough to make someone’s day..really loved it ..worth reading❤❤
So sweet of you, Arushi. Glad. Thanks a lot. ❤️
WELL WRITTEN.. SEEMS ..COMPLETELY MY STORY..EXCEPT THE SLAP… EVEN COINCIDENCE IS HER NAME WAS NEHA …. GOOD ONE… it is really hard to forget and forgive that person… JISKE CHEHRE PAR MUSKRAAHAT LAANE KE LIYE HUM APNI JARAA BHI PARWAAH NAHIN KARTE… WELL.. IN SOME TYPICAL AREA LOVE STORIES BECOME LIKE .. NAFRATON KO SABUTON KI BHI JARURAT NAHIN PARHTI SAAHAB… AUR YAHAAN MOHABAAT KE GAWAAH BHI JHUTHE SAABIT HO JAATE HAIN…
Lots of coincidence here. Glad you understood the value if life, Harish. Stay positive, keep reading. Best wishes. 😊
Love yourself first … best message
Love yourself first
No doubt about that. Thanks for reading, Madhura. 😊
I’m extremely proud of you, giving contemporary concept in an comprehensive manner…
If any such desperately seeking go through this part… Sure to give up his nuisance idea and realising his true worth beyond sneha…
We human being are so affectionate towards loved ones that losing love always had been the top reason of sorrow, painful, unbearable than any other before any disaster or calamity…
Every wise and every weird find it tough…
Last you’ve beautifully related how a single genuine reason for culminating over THIRTEEN REASONS WHY ….
Glad you loved it so much. Thanks a lot, Usha. 😊
Loved it but I thought the ending part needed a few more explanations but perhaps I am wrong.You see,short stories are NOT my forte.I loved the way the dog came in… i used the same ploy in my novel too.
Glad you loved it, Sashi. Maybe it needed some more explanation (can be a topic of discussion as this is a short story and not a full novel), but surely it needs some crisp editing as wrote this piece long back.
Anyway, thanks for reading. ❤️
Bringing out the best out of worst…powerful story…This story is a power boosters for people who at some point of life lost hope. It teaches being a Believer…Loved it.🤗
Glad you loved it. Thanks for reading, Neeta. ❤️
It’s beautiful. All I have now is smile on my face after reading this.❤
That’s sweet. Thank you, Kunang. ❤️
Its just awesome…. Some times little things do magic….. Absolutely loved it….
Thank you, Mansi! 😊
Enormously majestic…
Thank you, Megha. 😊
Subtle story…A lesson taught to many ppl who think their breakups as the end of life and fall prey to such traumatic situation….
Hi Aastha!
Glad you liked it. Thanks. ❤️
❤️❤️💝💝 lot to learn short n sweetest 💞
Thanks for reading, Piyush. ❤️😊
Its a story of so many guys, who want to be loved unconditionally… More than a story its a real life…
Thanks a lot, Tausif. Keep reading. ❤️
Do u write with imagination or Ur experience of self nd nearby
Great writing
Thanks, Atul. Keep reading. ❤️
Simply awesome and a great lesson for our generation..
Loved it😍
Thanks a lot, Kajol. Glad you loved it. ❤️
It was just beautiful.♥️♥️loved it.👌❤️♥️
It was just beautiful.♥️♥️loved it👌❤️
Thanks, Kanishka. Glad you loved it. ❤️
Very interesting .,I love it🖤
Thank you, Inigo. ❤️
Oh my my..
I’m always amazed with your writing skill…
Sweet as always…. Great imagination… Nice flow of the story with nice words…😍😍😍
I was a lil lost in between the story… But then I took myself back on track as the story helped me…👏
Good job…
Waiting for next book..😍💝✌
Thanks a tonne, Arti. You are an amazing reader. Keep reading and keep writing. 😊
Wow…..its just amazing…. #relief #motivation 😇😍😍…am loving it💞💞
Thanks Rudhra. Keep reading. 😊
love the story and the part ….decided to not take his life and live life in any situations….story with a great message…say no to sucide in any condition,in any situation of life ………..
Exactly, Sanjay. That was the idea. Thanks for the appreciation. 😊
A story from loser to winner from all the obstacles. Beautiful explanation of struggle from inner self.
But success story could have been be more interested.
Amazing❤ although.
Thanks for reading, Simran. Keep reading. 😊
Woow it’s amazing and it shows us how to shape a life from shapeless ..I loved it and yes you used such a sophisticated words ..just wow keep writing sir..😍💕
Thanks a lot, Shamima. Keep reading. 😍
Wow sir……its too osm…..between the words u have said a alot…..means alot sir thankyou soo much for writing such stories…its a ray of hope…….n also the stupid somebody is perfect…..its can be named as perfect mismatch
Sincre thanks
Lots of best wishes keep going ahead😇
Ahan! Perfect mismatch also sounds good. Glad you love my work, Anjali. Keep reading. ❤️😊
Good story with great message.
Looking to read such more stuff from you till your second book arrives😉
Sure, Rakshit. Thank you for reading. ❤️😊
Good story with great message.
Looking to read such more stuff from you till your second book arrives😉
❤️😊
Beautiful and inspiring as always! You expressed it so well!! ❤❤
Thank you, Vidhi. Keep reading. 😊
As i was eagerly waiting 4 ur beautiful crafted words ..its worthy. .agn u nailed…lved it😍
😊❤️
As i was eagerly waiting for ur beautiful crafted words..its worthy…agn u nailed…lved it..😍😍😍
Thanks a lot, Kusum. You are generous. Glad you loved it. 😍
Awesome once again. Very good lesson of week ppl. The way u have conveyed past and present beautiful. It’s a learning that people should start loving themselves first. Well written MR COOL WRITER❤ KEEP WRITING FOR CUTE READERS LIKE ME😉 TONS OF LOVE❤
You have always been a sweet reader of all my works, Avani. Thanks for reading this one too. Glad you loved it. 😍
Well.. I liked the Story.. It’s just wow.. Even the end is ♥️.. I don’t think words are needed in place of *Heart* to express what I felt..
That’s sweet of your, Sagar. Thanks for reading. Glad you loved it. 😍
Sometimes all you require is a good earful or a nice story to help you out of the trauma. This definitely proved to be one of it.
Exactly, Yashaswi. Thanks for reading. Glad you loved it. 😍
Nice ,innovative.
Thanks for reading. Glad you loved it, Archana. 😍
So beautiful story sir. Loved it😍
Thanks for reading. Glad you loved it, Pallabi. 😍 Keep reading. ❤️
such a nice story:)
waiting for more….
Thank you, Raman. Keep reading. 😊
“The only reason why!” Is simply wow 😍 I like it and it taught me a good lesson ❤️ in some places you have translated Hindi words to English, it was so easy for me to understand cuz I duno hindi😅 really it was a nice short story ❤️ I’m looking forward for your next story😍
Thanks for reading. Glad you loved it, Jenisha. 😍 and yes, I know a lot of you don’t know Hindi. I always translate if I use Hindi. Keep reading. ❤️
It’s really nice story 😊😊you are amazing in your own skills of writing..keep it up. We would like to read much more.
Thanks for reading. Glad you loved it, Sangeema. 😍 Keep reading. ❤️
That’s a wonderful writing sir…. really impressive!!….OMG I read it twice…so miraculous!!!….I’m really glad to be your fan!!
Hehe.. Thanks for reading it, twice. 😊 Glad you loved it, Raga. 😍 Keep reading. ❤️
Really sir got A important lesson from your story. ❤️ But not exactly but in some ways it realtes to my friends(some) I will surely share this to thm i m so sure that they r going to love it as well!! Great work sir uh r a awesome writer. !!!!
-Supergirl
Thanks for reading. Glad you loved it, Konika. 😍 You are such an amazing reader of my works. Keep reading. ❤️
Wow sir such an amazing work…keep up the good work as always 🙂
Thanks for reading. Glad you loved it, Kopal. 😍 Keep reading. ❤️
Really awesome and heart touching story
Thanks for reading. Glad you loved it, Mona. 😍 Keep reading. ❤️
Wow its beautiful…
Thanks for reading. Glad you loved it, Ankita. 😍 Keep reading. ❤️
Omg !!!!! Sir its beautiful….tremendously bful 💓💓 its jst wowwwwwwwww
Its d bst ..💕💕sooo lovable n inspiring tooo… Hats off 2 ur imagination n writing skills 😊 day by day m becoming bigger fan of uhhh…. jst in luv wd wot uh r writing
Wish uhh a very hppy luck 4 ur future… keep writing sir💓
This is amazing 😊 And it teaches me something .Good job please keep doing it .God bless you 😊
Thanks for reading. Glad you loved it, Sukhman. 😍 Keep reading. ❤️
It is good and beautiful but the ending could have been better.
Thanks for reading. Glad you liked it, Nancy. Will try to improve. Keep reading. ❤️
Speechless🙊
The way of conveying past and present is praiseworthy,each line itself depicts enormous emotions and obviously it teaches a life lesson,i mean just wow😍loved it
Thanks for reading. Glad you loved it, Manshi. 😍 Keep reading. ❤️
💗💖❤️💓💝💟
❤️❤️❤️❤️
Beautiful and elagent..
Thanks for reading. Glad you loved it, Arun. 😍 Keep reading. ❤️
How do you always manage to covey such amazing life lessons and emotions in such a brilliant way!! Awesome one again!! More power to you Rohit! 😊
Your love and support is what makes me do so. Glad you loved it, Nishi. Thank you. 😍 Keep reading. ❤️
Wow!Kudos to ur creativity…..
What a beautiful way of potraying the beauty of life and success……!!!
Simply awesome💞🙏…..
Thanks a lot, Somu. Glad you loved it. 😍 Keep reading. ❤️
Simply wow😍😍
Glad you loved it, Meghna. 😍 Keep reading. ❤️
Such a beautiful lesson I get from this short story. ❤❤
Glad you loved it and got something from it, Renu. 😍 Keep reading. ❤️
Omg!!!!! Sir its beautiful….tremendously bful 💓💓 its jst wowwwwwwwww
Its d bst ..💕💕sooo lovable n inspiring tooo… Hats off 2 ur imagination n writing skills 😊 day by day m becoming bigger fan of uhhh…. jst in luv wd wot uh r writing
Wish uhh a very hppy luck 4 ur future… keep writing sir💓💓
Aww. That’s so sweet of you, Vidushi. Glad you loved it. 😍 Keep reading. ❤️
Awesome story told brilliantly
Glad you loved it, Shikha. 😍 Keep reading. ❤️