"You've pushed me away from the start, and I let you. Kept your distance from me and I let you. Now when you've finally come to terms with your feelings, you're letting me go without a fight?!"
Muaaz, a talented yet struggling architect based in Lo...
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Sunlight streamed across the kitchen floor, highlighting the dust dancing in motes. Dishes piled precariously in the sink, a casualty of this morning's rushed breakfast. With a sigh, I attacked the mess, the clinking of china blending with the infectious soundtrack of a Bollywood movie playing in the background.
It was Padosan, and by the sound of it, a full-blown dance sequence was erupting on screen. I hummed along, my movements mirroring the film's chaotic energy as I scrubbed a greasy pan. The kitchen gleamed when I finished, a stark contrast to the playful Bollywood chaos.
Grinning, I grabbed a dish towel and dried my hands, sneaking a peek at the living room. Collapsing onto the couch, I snatched a stray pillow and settled in. The scene unfolded in a burst of color - Nisha and her friends danced in vibrant sarees, a kaleidoscope of movement against the backdrop of the song.
Just as Nisha twirled around a tree, her voice filled the room, singing, 'Is pyaar ka fasana hai, yeh ishq ka nasha hai' I smiled, picturing the iconic scene.
Giving the worktop a final swipe of the washcloth, I move to wring out the water in the sink and then lay it flat out to dry. Grabbing the freshly washed mugs and spoons, I arrange them in the overhead kitchen cupboards, before stealing a bag of Butterkist Toffee popcorn and a box of Jaffa cakes from the other.
I may have watched the movie and heard the song over a billion times now, but everything the words register in my mind, my heart goes mmmm. It pushes me to say words like 'manifesting', 'me and who', and 'this could be us', as though my life is an Instagram affair and I am posting stories in search of 'the special one'.
Let's face it, music back then was to die for.
The memory triggered a flicker from last night's dream. I'd been walking along a beach with a girl. The sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in fiery hues of orange and pink. The sound of crashing waves mingled with the gentle melody from her phone, a song by some unknown artist but with a strangely familiar tune.
We stopped, her hand brushing against mine. The touch sent a jolt through me, but something was wrong. Her figure was bathed in a soft, golden light that obscured her face completely. It was like looking at a shimmering mirage.
"Wanna dance?" her sweet voice, soft like the lapping waves, asked.
The strange music swelled, and despite the unnerving lack of a face, I felt drawn to her. Before I could stammer out an answer, she grabbed my hand and pulled me closer. We swayed to the music, a strange sense of familiarity washing over me. Her laughter blended with the melody, a sound as captivating as the unknown tune.
As the song reached its peak, the sky pulsed with a kaleidoscope of colors, mirroring the swirling light around her figure. The beach shimmered, and for a fleeting moment, I thought I glimpsed something ancient and powerful etched beneath the sand.
