I believe in soulmates.

I believe in the fact that you might find your soulmate at any hour of the day, at any place on the earth and in any condition.

I believe that everyone has a soulmate. Oh, yes! It's true. I have a soulmate, you do and that annoying kid in your class does, too.

What I don't believe is that you know who your soulmate is once you look in their eyes.

Your soulmate could be that girl who smiled at you earlier this morning at the bus stand.

Your soulmate could be the guy that stopped to pet your dog for half an hour last week.

Your soulmate could be that cute farmer you bought your groceries from just two hours ago.

Yes, anyone you passed by today or at any point in your life could be your soulmate. But, you wouldn't know. You would have no way of knowing anything. Because life doesn't work that way- your way.

Life is unexpected. You can script a story. No matter how many choices you have, you can always guess the flow of a story. However, life is unexpected. You can never guess the turns life takes everyday. That homeless person you passed by just a few moments ago might have owned a beautiful estate to their name earlier in life. The beggar you gave your lunch to last Friday might be a billionaire one day. The healthy relative you just met on the way to your college might be gone before you even reach there. There's no telling what turns life takes. Same goes for finding your soulmate. You might have your soulmate as the person who you have been familiar with your entire life. Or you can find them in a person you have never met till now- however unlikely that might be. But, you don't know. You can't know.

Indeed. Your soulmate might be your best friend who is consoling you right now as you bawl your eyes out about your boyfriend who cheated on you.

Or, your soulmate could be your girlfriend who is listening to you talk about your favorite show with an amused smile on her face, however uninterested she might be.

Have you ever considered the fact that the person who has a crush on you- who is looking at you right now with teary eyes as you make out with your significant other in the corner of a hallway- might be your soulmate?

Any one of them might be your soulmate. But, are those the only options you have for a soulmate? Are those the only people who might possibly be your soulmate? Of course, not.

Your aromantic, non-binary friend who has been tutoring you in Mathematics for the last two years could be your soulmate. Does that mean they would like you romantically? Obviously not. But, could they be your soulmate? Absolutely!

Have you ever considered the fact that your mother who listens to you patiently in the middle of the night about your nightmares is your soulmate?

Have you ever considered that your father who lets you have ice-cream for breakfast, lunch and dinner whenever you are upset is your soulmate?

Have you ever considered that your dog that accompanies you to the bathroom every time you have to pee just so you won't be alone and afraid, is the soulmate you've been searching your whole life?

Have you ever stopped to think that your non-caring cat that doesn't waste a breath on anyone but herself, but who makes sure not to step on the wet canvas that you've left to dry on your desk is the one- your soulmate?

Even that mean old lady next-door who used to bake you cookies every time you had to be babysat by her is could be your soulmate. Have you ever thought about that?

No. Never.

Before you wrinkle your nose in disgust, just listen.

Yes. Your soulmate could be anyone. You see, your soulmate just doesn't have to be only one. And they sure as anything don't have to be your romantic partner. You can find your soulmate in everyone around you, and in anyone you're close to. Yes, that even includes that annoying sibling that is peeking above your shoulder as you read this, to find something that they can complain to your mom about.

Your soulmate is your best friend, your parents, your pet and that puppy you're so fond of, that lives with his mother and siblings down the road and wags his tail every time you pass by him.

Your soulmate is everyone you hold near and dear to you.

Your soulmate is everyone whose loss will leave you in pieces.

Your soulmate is everyone to whom you would never wish any ill upon, mo matter how much they hurt you.

Your soulmate is each of that living being whose sadness will tug at the strings of your heart.

Your soulmate is everyone you share your soul with... you share YOU with.

So, before you go on a quest to search for your soulmate in strangers; before you wish goodbye as you get ready to board a train to start a new life in a different town with the prospect of finding your soulmate there; before you angrily slam the door of your room because your parents told you, 'No. You cannot have your Christmas dinner with your boyfriend.' ; before you ignore your best friend's pleas to stay with her that day-just that day because you have a date to go to with your crush; before you ignore your grandparents silently begging you to stay with them and talk nonsense with them because you are bored of their old-timey nonsense; remember.

Remember about all the soulmates you are going to hurt and leave behind.

Remember about all the soulmates you might unknowingly lose in the dream of getting a new one.

Just remember. And realize it yourself.

Cherish all the soulmates you have, because you don't know when either of your life might come to an end.

Because, unwillingly spending time with the ones you love is many a times better than lamenting yourself for not doing the same when you lose them.

Because. Just because.

So, remember. Remember to remember, realize and cherish. You don't know life's plans.