Love Letter Writing Contest: Love, Lost And Found

Note: This story was written in October 2013, for a short story contest. Although I didn't win it, I decided to share it out here. I know it's a bit late but those days my blog was closed and better late than never :)

......

It was half past six and the last rays of sun were slowly setting welcoming the pinkish hues with fading blue, when a knock on the door startled her. Though it was early dusk it was a little uncommon for a visitor at this time. Keeping aside the partly folded clothes, she got up slowly and opened the door.

“Sorry for the late hour madam, these are some letters we accidentally came across.  It seems they were sent years ago but somehow couldn't reach the intended person. They are addressed to a certain Miss Aaliya, can you call her please.” Said the postman.

“It is me. And letters for me? Who would write to me? Anyways thank you.” Aaliya took the letters and stood at the door for a whole minute. Closing the door she headed for her bed and began inspecting the coverings, there were a million questions swarming her mind. The envelope looked rugged, the color too was fading and the ink on the cover was discolored when she caught sight of a faded name. A sudden sense of nostalgia gripped her, flickering with past memories she took the letters with trembling hands and began reading.

July 25th, 1940

Dear Aaliya,

Tough and tumultuous times lie ahead. And so here I am, sitting down to pen down a letter in the hope that all my love reaches you. I am not quite assured that I will have the chance to send this to you anytime soon. Yet I write to keep the faith alive in both you and I.

The sun is going down and we are surrounded with nothing but infinite stretch of gleaming water. I don’t really know where we are at the moment, maybe in the Pacific Ocean. But I don’t wish to discuss the state of affairs here nor the perils of being at war. I wish to feel loved and remain positive.

It’s been such a long time that I last saw you, the twinkle in your eyes and the innocence in your smile. Sometimes I feel I don’t belong here, I feel like coming running back to you. I liked it there, the rainy days and the messy fields. Those carefree days when we sat arm in arm under the banyan tree gazing at the serene blue sky, envisioning  an independent future. There was a kind of magical silence still the calmness didn’t haunt me.

Here too, I gaze at the sky seeing it change colors from time to time. However, my dear I don’t feel the tranquility I felt then. Hours pass by in the silent night as I keep on pondering of the catastrophe awaiting. It is uncertain, even more uncertain than the rains.  And then an unknown fear grips me, what will happen tomorrow? Will a bright sunshine greet me or the night cloak me forever. It is in those moments I question my decision and realization dawns, I chose this mission to protect people, to protect you.

I doubt my sweetheart I can continue anymore, I must at once leave for we’re being called upon. I will write at every chance I get, do not be uneasy for when you don’t receive my letters. I promise to post them the moment my feet touch the land.

Give my love to my father, tell him I’m safe.

Your Beloved,
Imraan

To read the full story please click here.

-Fatima

Sugar Me

It was eventide; the moon was aglow and stars adorned the black sky. She was standing blindfolded on the deck of a luxuries yacht. The cool breeze was blowing swiftly ruffling her long lustrous locks and her sari making her shiver. It was their first wedding anniversary and he wanted it to be memorable for her.

She was dressed in a dark midnight blue sari with a silver low cut blouse with just minimal jewelry and bangles. She was walking slowly with her hands outstretched trying to find him but he just kept on slipping. He watched her amusedly as her anklets jingled melodiously and he felt heat rise up in his body as he slowly walked towards her. Stealthy he came and stood behind her coiling her in his arms. Smiling she stretched her neck to the left, allowing him to kiss there. His eyes glinted as he brushed them across her smooth skin before leaving a kiss there. This is when she took off her blindfold.

“Armaan…” she let out and relaxed in his hold gently placing her palm on his face, gliding it down his neck past his cheeks and lips. She smiled and said, “I wasn’t expecting this.”

“I know...” he replied entwining his fingers with her pulling her close, inhaling in her sweet scent.

“What are you up to? Let me go, you’re not touching me at least not so soon.” She said slipping away from his hold.

So she wants to play, he mused. Very well then two can play this game, smirking he walked towards her picking her up in his arms nuzzling her neck.

“Put me down this very instant” she muttered and glared at him. Shocked at the sudden turn of events, he slowly dropped her to the floor.

“What the hell is wrong with you? I planned all this for you and there you are glaring at me. Care to tell me what is the problem?” was all he managed to say trying to keep his anger at bay.

She was trying to suppress her smirk but it was just impossible. Keeping a straight face devoid of sweetness she replied, “That stubble of yours, your priced possession well that’s my problem. I simply do not like it!”

“Huh! What’s there to be so miffed about? I look sexy, don’t tell me you don’t like your husband to look good.” He replied coolly liking her irritation.  

“I recall a particular conversation…” she began and drifted away for a second before continuing “Well I’m sure you can recall, can’t you?” making his face go pale.

“So this is revenge, isn’t it?” he asked hesitantly.

“Tit for Tat, my dear husband. You either shave that stubble of yours or crave. The choice is entirely yours. And yes, do not give me the excuse you haven't carried your Gillette shaving kit because I personally took care of it sweetheart.” She whispered slyly kissing him lightly on his lips before heading back to the table amidst the candles and roses.  

This post is a part of the 'Shave or Crave' movement in association with BlogAdda.com

Mischief Managed

Far away in a land of dreams

You get what you wish

With a swish and flick

You wave your wand

Changing your hairstyle

From Modern to traditional

Wavy to smooth

And get the perfect straight hair!

I was happy with my long lustrous wavy locks but looking around it seemed everyone was into straight. All I got to hear was, “I got the perfect smooth and silky hair” and it drove me crazy. Alas! We don't live in a magical world and so we've got no wands and potions to change hairstyles without any hassle, so this year on Eid I decided to venture into this unknown arena with my new found obsession of getting straight hair  off course without magic. Being low on budget I couldn't even afford going to a parlor so I thought of ‘Do-It-Yourself’ though I had no idea what to do and how to go about it.

To begin with I spent hours thinking of a simple yet effective way to tame my curls, it was then that the iron yes the device that you straighten your rumpled clothes with came to my rescue. Though it was a risky job I was up for it.

Since it was not a single person job, my younger sister assisted my in this wacky experimentation.

Having washed and dried my hair of excess water, I brushed my hair a bit so that they do not tangle. Once I was done with this, I applied a Heat Tamer spray to keep my hair safe from damage and I was glad that I do watch the idiot box called television as I had seen the advertisement of the product there. Coming back, once I was done with this I placed a fluffy towel on the flat iron board and lay my head on the towel spreading my hair and again covering my hair with a thinner cloth. Once this was done, my sister very carefully slid the iron atop my hair as if ironing the clothes. After a minute or two and I couldn't believe my hair were no more wavy but flowing smoothly. And to retain the longevity and getting the frizz under control I applied some hair spray.

Ultimately after, such a simple yet tedious process I got the perfect straight hair. And what’s more awesome is it didn't take much time and is home effective.

In fact, I tried another technique my mom's secret and simple recipe for straight hair. Apply warm mustard oil overnight so that the hair soaks the oil. Wash hairs the next day with water do not use shampoo while washing. Air dry your hair, once this is done oil your hair with the same mustard oil again. Leave it oiled for a day. This time wash your hair with a mild shampoo and cold water as it leaves a shiny effect on the hair after drying. Allow your hair to dry naturally. And Tada! you will find your hair to be smooth, shiny and straight! But you need to do this procedure twice a month, easy and feasible isn't it. :)

The third and final option I tried last month , though it was not this much effective neither the effects long lasting but it is a quick quick method. All you got to do is, after washing once the hair are slightly dry tie them tightly for a while. After an hour or so open them up and place heavy books atop them while you lie down and get a power nap. At least being an engineering student I have loads of heavy books and want loads of sleep so no worries!

This post is a part of The Perfect Straight Hair Experiment Contest ~ Sunsilk on IndiBlogger