Twin Flames
Welcome to a random one shot 'Twin Flames'.
Inline comments are most welcomed.
Friendship lasts forever but love is rare and exceptional!
Two kids of seven years were seated on a low hung bridge with their legs dangling and playing with the water flowing underneath. Their shins hitted each other turn by turn. The atmosphere reverbated with their cute teases and giggles. At one such moment, the girl was about to fall forward in the water but the boy caught hold of her and pulled her into an embrace.
"Rasmalai will you always protect me like this?" the girl asked with a pout.
"Yes mishtu forever and ever." the boy replied with a sparkle in his eyes.
"But you know that Lekha aunty was saying that once we grow up we'll be separated. Is that true?"
"Nah don't believe her even after growing up I'll always be with you."
"Promise?" The girl asked innocently.
"Mishtu promise" The boy replied pinching his throat.
**************
Fifteen years later
Holding a plate of sondesh, a twenty three year old man with a backpack slung on one shoulder, was restlessly pacing up and down a small lane of his locality. Each time he heard a honking of a rickshaw or an auto rickshaw he looked towards the corner of the lane. But alas! He was disappointed. It was atleast twenty times he had checked his wrist watch but there was no sign of her.
Had he mistaken the time allotted? No he clearly remembered the said time. It was almost an hour, his legs had given up and the small kids playing in the 'para' (locality) was pissed off by him. Most of the time he had been hit by a ball such that his goggles developed a crack when it hit the hard ground. It was at that particular time he had requested them to stop playing for an hour by bribing them with chocolates.
"Oh dada ebar khelte dao!" ( Brother let us play now) a ten year old requested.
"Few more minutes and I'll be done!" He said giving him another chocolate.
Ten minutes passed and then he heard the honk of a rickshaw, he immediately turned around and found a beautiful girl running towards him in a hurry. He quickly transferred the sondesh in the tiffin he had grabbed from the backpack and waited for her to come near.
"I'm so so sorry Rasmalai I got late. My friends, you know they didn't leave me until I gave them a fuchka(panipuri) treat. And that too not from the college canteen but from the famous Arindam dada's fuchka centre." She stated panting for air the next moment.
"Have some water!" He grasped a water bottle and gave it to her.
"Thanks Rasmalai. I wonder what would I've done if you were not there." She giggled as she returned the bottle.
"Oh God! What happened to your sunglasses?" She enquired.
"The kids are responsible for this." He huffed.
"Oh dada as didi is here now please let us play." Another eight year old begged.
"Sure!" Shreyansh lifted his goggles that was continuously falling on his nose.
"By the way why you chose the lane for our meeting? Let's go to your house." Ahana caught hold of his arm almost dragging him to the other lane.
"Because this was our favourite lane since childhood remember?" She nodded, "By the way will you now tell me how was your result?"
"Only when we reach your house." She winked.
"No way Maa is on a cleaning spree. She won't allow us until noon. So we can go to our usual spot, the stream." He declared, "But I'm not going anywhere until you announce your M.A results." He stood releasing her hold on his arm.
"You're so stubborn. You can't wait Rasmalai." She made a pout.
"No I can't. It's almost an hour I've been waiting for you."
"Fine! I received a first class in English Literature and guess what I'm the topper of my college." She shouted almost damaging his eardrums.
"That's great!" He picked her up in his arms lifting her off her feet almost shocking the passers by.
"Get me down Shreyansh!" She yelled but Shreyansh was in a different world happy with his best friend's success. He was moving round and round while her feet still didn't touch the ground. It was almost when she felt dizzy, he put her down on her insistence.
"This is my favourite spot." Ahana exclaimed as they neared the stream.
"Correction ours!" His eyes twinkled looking in the distance where the clear water flowed freely in its usual path below the bridge.
Holding each other's hands they climbed the bridge and as a childhood ritual they seated themselves on the edge between the space of the wooden railings with their legs swinging below. The gurgles of the water beating against small rocks could be heard from a distance that broke the silence of the place. It was amazing that the bridge was built at that spot where the water remained calm devoid of any noises. Even small colourful fishes could be seen swimming near the bridge.
It was a pleasant sight to behold for the two individuals. They took some time to feel the essence and beauty of nature's beauty that had been charming them since they were kids. They felt peace whenever they came here to spend some time away from the hustle bustle of real life. Then after five minutes rummaging through his backpack, Shreyansh took out the tiffin box and held a plate of sondesh before Ahana.
"My favourite Rasmalai!" She squealed with delight instantly grabbing one and putting into her mouth. She relished the sweetness as the sondesh melted in her mouth.
"Hold on! I should give you sweets then why are you giving me a treat?" She twitched her brows taking another one.
"Because I'm your best friend who loves to pamper his Mishtu." He winked and had the first piece of the sweet.
"Aww you're too sweet and that's why I call you Rasmalai." She pulled his cheeks, a habit he wasn't fond of.
"Don't pull my cheeks please!" He requested earning a goofy grin of hers.
Ahana was busy eating her favourite sweet one by one while Shreyansh stared at her dreamily, admiring her beauty. He always did that when they spent time together. His lips quirked up in a beautiful smile as he gazed at her beautiful form.
"Rasmalai I've a surprise for you." She licked her lips as she finished eating six of her favourite sondesh. One was left that surprised Shreyansh as Ahana never left her favourite dishes for anyone, not even for her best friend.
"I've a surprise for you too!" He said thoughtfully looking into her eyes.
She made a face because she was too excited to share the surprise with her best friend. Seeing her upset, he smiled throwing a stone into the stream that created ripples in the otherwise calm water.
"Okay fine ladies first!" He winked allowing her to spill the beans first.
"Okay but don't kill me for saying this!" She took a deep breath and exhaled. He motioned her to continue.
"Shreyansh my parents have fixed my marriage."
His eyes shot up as soon as he heard the news, the news that was the biggest surprise of his life. Surprise was an understatement, it was the biggest shock of his life.
"W-what?" He uttered shockingly.
"Yes and I'm so happy that I'm getting married next month." She flashed a brilliant smile. "You know Pranav is so cool just like you. He understands me and we've fallen in love too." She blushed astonishing Shreyansh more.
"That's a great news but I thought you will work after your post graduation." Shreyansh gulped the lump formed in his throat.
"Um if Pranav wants I can work after marriage." Shreyansh nodded hearing such words from her that he never expected.
"Wh-when are you getting married?" He asked with difficulty.
"Next month. And you've to come." She announced.
He looked away from her, probably fighting the tears that threatened to spill up in front of her. He heard her voice but couldn't gather up the courage to look into her eyes.
"Rasmalai can you hear me? You are coming to my marriage right?" She tapped his shoulder and made him look at her.
"Sorry Mishtu I-I can't come. I'm joining the army next month." He let out a deep sigh.
"What? And you're saying this now?" She looked sad.
"Just like you didn't talk about your marriage." He answered tartly.
"It was because of my exams I hadn't been in regular touch with you and I wanted to surprise you but the surprise you gave isn't done. You just can't come and say you're joining army so you can't attend my wedding." She pouted.
"I'm sorry but I'll try." He told to cheer her up hiding his own sorrow.
"That's like my best friend. By the way you never told me before you want to join army. Why so?"
"Um because it was a sudden decision. I never imagined I'll serve my nation one day." He replied with his head down.
Then all at once, her phone rang.
"Sorry Rasmalai I need to go now. Today we'll go to shop for our wedding. Even Pranav is coming. I'll text you his picture soon." She rose to her feet holding a sondesh.
"This sondesh is for you. One for giving me a treat and second because I gave you a small treat for my results and the news of my wedding." She put the sweet in his mouth.
"Bye see you again. And you've to be there on my wedding and all the best for your job." She stood on her toes and pecked his cheek. He remained mum hearing her words. He didn't know how to respond. He felt his throat was paining due to the heavy lump formed when you want to cry but you can't.
"And yes don't be upset if I am not calling or texting you. You know wedding is knocking at my door so you can understand my situation." She said before turning on her heels.
He stared in her direction until she went out of sight. And then with a thud he crumbled down on the floor of the bridge. The cards and the roses he brought to propose her remained untouched in his backpack. The girl he loved, his best friend, his Mishtu, was getting married. Moreover she was happy with the thought of getting married. It wasn't like he was jealous of her happiness. He was just shocked that she didn't feel what he felt for her all these years.
The very first time Shreyansh realised that he was falling for Ahana was in the twelveth grade when he could not see her spending hours in the library with some other guy. Jealousy had raised its hood quite a number of times since then. It was when he gave his intermediate finals, the time when he buried himself in his books, the time he missed her the most, he understood what was the so called new feeling. It was love after all. And then he never looked back, he loved her with all his heart and soul.
Shreyansh couldn't built up the courage to speak his heart out to her. It had been years he had been her silent lover. But this year before leaving for joining army, he decided to speak his heart out to the girl he loved from far. He had made his mind that if she didn't reciprocate his love, he would continue loving her but what he feared most was what if she broke their childhood friendship. He had come to meet and propose her at their favourite spot with such apprehensions in his mind but what he got to learn was beyond his comprehension.
Yes Shreyansh was ready with the idea of rejection but the idea of marriage was beyond his expectations. He never thought she would marry so soon that too an arranged marriage given her fiesty nature. But what done was done, he couldn't reverse time and make everything work out in his favour. With tears rolling down his cheeks he got hold of the roses and the cards from the backpack.
Gazing at them with tearful eyes, he kissed the tip of the cards, one of each depicting his stages of love right from childhood to the day of his realisation. One of the thorns pierced the skin of his finger making it bleed at that very moment. Wiping off the tears, he kissed the roses ignoring the pain of his injured finger. Maybe the physical pain was far less than the emotional blow he received few minutes ago.
Caressing the cards and roses, Shreyansh looked up at the bright sky blinking back his tears. It seemed he asked why him? Why God didn't even allow him to open his heart? The numerous questions his heart raised had no answers at all.
Breathing heavily, he stood up and leaned over the wooden railing of the bridge. He looked down at the water, his tear stained face being reflected in the crystal clear water. He looked pale, devoid of life. That's what it feels like, looks like especially in a one sided love story.
Rubbing his face, Shreyansh let go of the cards that flew in the air and dropped on the surface of the water gradually immersing themselves. Then he plucked the petals of the roses and threw them one by one into the water. The rose petals floated on the water. It looked beautiful as the stream carried them away with its flow. However beautiful it looked on the superficial level, deep within the rose petals symbolised the broken pieces of his heart.
Once the last petal dropped from his hand, his eyes watered up with the fresh onslaught of salty tears. Swallowing the lump of his throat, he turned away making a promise to himself of never returning to this place. It seemed even mother nature bid him goodbye with the sudden showers soaking him wet in a few minutes.
Rains and pains go hand in hand but it's said there's always a rainbow after a storm. Would Shreyansh's life get coloured with the rainbow of his life? That was a question that only time could answer.
But other force that came into play in Shreyansh and Ahana's life was the concept of twin flames. Twin flames are the mirrors of the soul who have same kind of thinking, taste and even weaknesses. Here one of the flame fell in love but the other was happy with another one. As is known, twin flames does not end in a romantic relationship so would Ahana ever fall in love with Shreyansh?
***************
Eight years later
"Baba Ankita aunty is not giving me chocolate." A five year old kid came running towards her father who was shaving his beard.
"Ouch!" He winced as tiny drops of blood appeared on his skin.
"Issh Shreyasi ki korli tui?" (Shreyasi what did you do?) The kid slapped her head seeing her father's cut.
Shreyansh laughed at his baby girl's behaviour. Picking her up, he pecked her cheek caressing her hair.
"It's okay Shreyasi, your baba is a strong man." He showed his muscles making her giggle.
"But baba aunty is very bad. She is not giving my chocolate." She pouted.
"Okay so baba will take Shreyasi to an ice cream parlour where she can have lots of chocolate ice cream." He said putting her down.
"Ankita get her ready. We're going outside." He announced in a grim tone amusing Shreyasi who thought her father was scolding Ankita.
In the next half an hour Shreyansh drove his daughter to the nearest ice cream parlour in Srinagar where he had been posted since two years. It was the month of June so having ice cream wouldn't cause cold and cough to his angel.
"So tell me which one you want?" He asked taking her to the ice cream parlour.
"I want this and that and that too baba."
"Just two okay or your throat will swell like a potato." She nodded and then looked around.
A woman entered with her child and ordered some ice creams for themselves.
"Baba where is Ma?" She asked staring at the woman.
"Shreyasi I'm your father and mother both. Your mother left. Okay." He gave the ice creams to her, "Now come on lick it faster before it melts."
With a sad face, she held the ice cream cones and as soon as she licked them, her sadness disappeared. That's what children are like. They don't hold on to grief for a long time unlike adults. Shreyansh smiled at her as he licked his own ice cream. He never liked the questions she raised but he knew she would always ask and he would always say the same. That's what he had been doing since all these years from the time she understood what a mother is. God knows how would he divulge the secret when she would grow up.
As he was busy musing over the future, his phone went off.
"Lieutenant Shreyansh Chakraborty you need to come to the Srinagar - Jammu highway immediately. There has been an accident."
"Yes sir I'll be reporting in a few minutes." He disconnected and hurried back home with his daughter.
"Ankita take care of her. I'll be back by night." He ordered and wearing his unifom he left in a hurry.
He rushed towards the accident site in his jeep. Fifteen minutes later he found few of his friends and officers of his regiment rescuing the passengers of the bus.
"Shreyansh I don't think any more are alive given the serious nature of the accident." One of his friends Ankush said.
"How many passengers were on board?" Shreyansh enquired.
"Around twenty with ten women. We've saved hardly five. Rest went to heaven. Even the bus can't be seen from this height." Ankush said glumly.
Shreyansh moved towards the edge and didn't find even a trace of the bus involved in accident. He got to know that while taking a turn, the bus lost its balance and fell off the cliff with only a very few passengers jumping off the windows as it made its way downwards.
"I'm late!" Shreyansh admitted observing the damage.
"It's fine. No problem!" Another colleague named Yash assured.
Shreyansh, disturbed by the news of the casualties, strolled towards the edge of the cliff and brought out the packet of cigarettes. He seldom used them except in tensed situation. His ex wife always asked him not to smoke, but he didn't listen and once she left he became more of an active smoker. He took a puff on his cigarette looking at the distant mountains. Then he heard something that his mind couldn't register. Taking another puff, he threw the cigarette when he heard another faint sound and then another and so on.
"Help someone please help!" This time the sound was louder than before.
"Yash t-there's someone d-down there, just heard a woman seeking help." He stammered.
"Impossible bro! We have already checked. There's none."
Shaking his head, "See again I heard it. I'll take the charge now."
Saying that Shreyansh strode towards the edge and looked down below to see anything that could help him. Down below he saw a tree, most probably a branch protruding from a tree around five metres below. Using a binocular he saw someone, a lady hanging on the branch wearing something red. Immediately he asked the soldiers to bring a rope.
"There you see someone is hanging for her dear life. We must rescue her before she leaves us." He declared and as a team everyone got ready to rescue the woman.
Shreyansh with the help of a rope, climbed down and extended his hand for the woman to hold. The woman in no time clasped his hand. Her face wasn't much visible as it was soaked in blood. Without looking, he grabbed her closer and asked his comrades to pick them up. After some struggle Shreyansh and his team succeeded in rescuing the woman.
"Madam please have some water." Ankush gave her a bottle.
"Thank you Sir for saving my life." The woman thanked Ankush and splashed her face with the water and later gulped down the rest of it.
"You should thank Lieutenant Shreyansh. He was the one who heard your voice." Ankush smiled and the woman turned to face Shreyansh.
"Rasmalai!" Her lips formed a curve.
"Mishtu!" He uttered not believing his eyes. He was taken off guard seeing his long lost love again in front of him after such a long gap. Before he could ask her something she fainted. Shreyansh with two long strides moved closer and held her in his arms.
He himself was astounded by what he saw. He was seeing Ahana after eight long years that too in this dishevelled state. His mind had stopped working. His colleagues were saying something that he didn't pay attention to.
"Shreyansh let's rush her to the hospital." Ankush yelled grabbing his attention. Shreyansh nodded and he accompanied her to the hospital in the ambulance along with Ankush.
"Do you know her Shreyansh?" Ankush broke the ice after reaching the hospital.
"Yes a very close friend of mine." He said with his head hung low.
"Hey the doctor is here!"
"Lieutenant Shreyansh the woman has fainted due to a shock. We are attending to her injuries especially her face, hands and neck. It's really a miracle that she survived the fall without even a single broken bone." The doctor stated with a smile.
"How long will it take her to gain consciousness doctor?" Shreyansh asked blinking back the dampness in his eyes.
"Maybe hours maybe days." The doctor informed before turning on her heels.
"She will be okay Shreyansh. Don't worry!" His friend reassured.
Shreyansh nodded and walked away. An hour later he came back and went to see Ahana in her cabin. Bandages covered her face and hands and yet she appeared calm in her unconscious state. Hot tears rolled down Shreyansh's cheeks as he watched her from outside through the tiny hole of the glass door. He wanted to talk to her, to touch her but he didn't. He walked away wiping off those tears. He decided to wait until she regained consciousness.
Two days later, he got a call from the hospital that Ahana was back to her senses. These two days he couldn't get enough sleep such that large black bags formed under his eyes. Even his little Shreyasi had sensed something was wrong with her father. Immediately he rushed to the army hospital after disconnecting the call. He ran towards her cabin but waited until the doctors left her alone.
"Ahana!" He spoke softly as he neared her bed.
Slowly she opened her eyes and a smile spread across her face though it hurt her facial muscles.
"Shreyansh how are you?"
"I'm fine how are you feeling now?" He asked with a smile. The smile that had disappeared since two days made a comeback.
"I'm okay! What about you? Do you know how much I had called you? You didn't come to my wedding. In fact I tried your number for one year but you never responded to my calls and messages." She spoke altogether while coughing a little.
"Calm down please!" He made her drink some water.
"I had changed my number. And was very busy in my work. I had lost your number as well." He lied.
"And you were never on social media." He nodded sheepishly.
"Hey I think we should call your husband." Shreyansh changed the topic.
"No you can't call him." She said with tears in her eyes.
"But why?"
"He is no more. I lost my husband and son last year in a terrible car accident." She replied with a sniff.
"I-I am sorry Ahana."
"I had lost my parents last year to cancer. And even my in-laws aren't there anymore. They too died in an accident two years ago. I was coming to Srinagar for a job in an army school. Interview was on the very same day when I met with this accident. Now even that opportunity is gone as well. Why am I alive Shreyansh? Why didn't I die?" She sobbed while Shreyansh side hugged her to calm her down.
"I don't know why was I screaming help when I had no one to take care of me."
"I'm there. I'm always there for you Mishtu." He patted her head in his usual way.
"Promise?" She asked in her teary voice.
"Mishtu promise!" He smiled through his tears.
Later that day she was discharged from the hospital and Shreyansh brought her to his bungalow. He was glad that she didn't reject his offer.
"Baba I missed you!" Shreyasi came running down the stairs as soon as she heard the jeep's honk.
"Aww my puchki. Baba missed you too." He dropped down on his knees and hugged her tight.
"Shreyansh is this your daughter?" Ahana asked as she alighted off the jeep.
"Yes Ahana. Shreyasi this is Ahana aunty, my childhood friend." He introduced both of them.
"Hello Ahana aunty. You are so beautiful." Shreyasi held her hand and kissed on her knuckles.
"Aww you're so sweet Shreyasi." Ahana planted a soft kiss on Sheyasi's cheeks.
"Ahana come inside please and feel at home. Shreyasi Ahana aunty will stay with us okay. And don't disturb her much. She is a little sick." Shreyasi nodded and went inside to play with her dolls.
"Where is her mother?" Ahana asked slumping down on the couch.
"Long story short! Her mother left us when she was two years old. I mean she ran away with her new boyfriend and rest I don't know." Shreyansh remarked with a gloomy sigh as he called out for Ankita.
**************
Months passed by and Shreyansh's and Ahana's relationship status was still stuck to friendship. Both being loners, they helped each other in every possible way. Their friendship grew a lot in these months. The lost connection was revived and none could guess that they hadn't been in touch for eight years.
Well, Shreyansh had missed her the most. He didn't want to marry but even after saying no to marriage proposal for two consecutive years, he was forced to marry Priyanka. He had promised himself to just fulfil his husband duties but not to love her. She had behaved like a beautiful wife for three years but something changed and one night she eloped with her new boyfriend leaving a letter for her husband. Shreyansh accepted his fate with a pinch of salt, concentrating on his top most priority, his baby girl Shreyasi. Deep inside, he still loved his childhood love, his twin flame Ahana but succumbing to the forces of fate he accepted what fate had offered to him.
Meeting his love after years rekindled his hope but Ahana never showed any romantic feelings for him. So again accepting his kismet, he decided to stick to friendship. Shreyasi had become fond of her and enjoyed her company. Secretly, she told her kindergarten friends about her new mother.
It was Shreyasi's birthday when Ahana brought her the biggest teddy bear ever. She was extremely delighted to hug the big teddy that was too large for her. The birthday party was over and it was time for her to sleep. Like everyday, Ahana came to her room to put her to sleep. Ahana made her hug the teddy and in return Shreyasi showered her with lots of kisses. Ahana kissed her forehead and turned to leave after switching off the lights when something stopped her in her tracks.
"Maa! Can I call you my Maa?" The sleepy voice of Shreyasi reached her ears.
Turning to face her, Ahana marched towards her bed and engulfed Shreyasi in a tight embrace. Tears welled from deep inside and coursed down her cheeks. She heard the word 'Ma' after so long. She was dying to hear that word again and Shreyasi, her best friend's daughter calling her ma seemed surreal to her. It was an unbelievable experience for her.
"Ma please don't cry. I love you!" Shreyasi pleaded hugging Ahana back.
"I won't baby! Yes you can call me Maa. I would love to hear that." Ahana kissed her baby wiping off her tears.
"Now sleep. Tomorrow you've school." Ahana pecked her forehead again and left.
Closing the door after her, Ahana found Shreyansh waiting for her with moist eyes. He hugged her tightly and thanked her for what she did inside. Together they moved to the terrace with two cups of coffee.
"You don't know Mishtu how happy I am. Shreyasi always craved for a mother and the motherly love you gave throughout these months shows how deeply you love my daughter." His lips trembled as his voice cracked while speaking.
"Even my heart yearned for that word ever since I lost my son. Shreyasi your puchki, also gave me unconditional love in these few months." She answered primly- squeezing his hand.
"Ahana if you don't mind I have something to say to you." He sipped the coffee and watched the moon shining above the mountains.
"Come on Shreyansh you don't need permission. Tell me." She said deliriously.
"Will you marry me Mishtu?" He blurted out biting his lower lip.
Shreyansh had no such plan to propose her but today with the onset of happiness he couldn't stop himself from saying what he wanted to since all these years. Ahana's silence was killing him. He shifted his weight from one leg to another and looked away from her. He stared at the night sky and then shifted his gaze towards the hill side that illuminated brightly under the moonlight. The moon had swept away the darkness that covered the mountains otherwise. Would Ahana's answer remove the darkness that he had been living in since ages?
"It's okay if you don't want to say anything. But think about it!" Shreyansh being restless rose to his feet.
"Rasmalai I'm really happy to be the mother of your child but I won't do justice if I lie to you. I mean I've always seen you as my best friend and I've always loved Pranav and I don't think I can ever love you." She expressed affably. "I'm sorry Shreyansh!" She apologized with her head hung low.
Shreyansh let out a deep sigh. Finally he got an answer to a question that had been gnawing his head multiple times since the day he had fallen in love with his twin flame. Yes, he knew twin flames doesn't always end in romance. Sometimes friendship is the ultimate end. But with a glance at the moon and the twinkling stars, a flame of hope lighted his heart. Maybe it was his destiny's signal but he was happy and content with what he received this time. Turning around he found Ahana leaving the terrace.
"But I know one day you will because I love you Ahana. I love you so so much!" He yelled with joy.
Happiness crept over Shreyansh as he ultimately confessed what he felt for her. Satisfaction settled in his soul when she didn't utter a word but walked away with a beautiful smile on her pink lips. He felt a sense of euphoria in love and he was confident that ecstasy would last longer in his life.
The end
(5354 words)
Hello everyone!
Tell me how was this one shot?
What is your favourite scene?
What do you feel about Shreyansh and Ahana's relationship? Will they ever get together or just be best friends forever? That's an open ending for y'all to answer.😉
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Thank you
Sangita (Crystle_Heart)
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