Hello Semanti! 😊
I started this story today morning and finished with Chapter 10C by evening. 😆
And that's not because I have a lot of free time in my hands, trust me I have almost 20 assignments lying ignored on my study table. (Aw, Shit!)
Its also not because this story has fewer chapters and is sort-of short. (It is, it is! Ask your readers!)
The reason it took me less than 24 hours to complete reading 'The Same Coin' was because once I read the first chapter, I couldn't stop. As simple as that. Just couldn't.
Your writing is amazingly refreshing and contemporary. That coupled with perfect bits of humor and wit thrown here and there - TSC is a joy ride!
The college setting was a bonus, and made the story very relatable for me since I am currently in college too. All the fears, issues, hopes etc. of a student during this phase of their life regarding their relationships, future, parents - everything was so real. I could identify with it all.
Talking of bonuses, those bits at the end of every chapter were a riot and something I always looked forward too! Be it Khushi's personal diary excerpts or her skype calls with the cheeky Preeto...I loved it all!
You know what? The whole idea behind this story is brilliant. I have always believed that opposites are overrated, you gradually tend to gravitate towards the people similar to you.
And Arnav and Khushi of your story were a testimony to that. Even while arguing and fighting with each other, they had a connection which only they understood. They knew they couldn't take those liberties with anyone else that they took with each other. I loved the transition of their relationship from potential rivalry to peaceful acquaintance, from friendship to casual dating and then finally... irrevocable love. It was beautiful, for lack of a better word.
Now this might surprise you a little bit - but in my opinion... the best thing about this story was your author's note in the end. I'll quote the lines -
"I'm afraid I can't answer all the questions posed about how NK and V, Akash and Shahira, Payal and Aman, Khushi and Arnav sort out their relationships-- whether they even stay together in the long run or not. It's because this was never meant to be a story about Forever. This was meant to be a story dealing with Today. Even with the best of intentions, Forever doesn't always happen. And I've come to realize that Forever is a little overrated anyway.
So I chose to focus on Today.
There will be an epilogue. Not a depiction of Forever, but a depiction of another Today. "
^THIS.
Forever is overrated. You couldn't have said it better. Okay, we all love stories with a happily ever after - who doesn't like sapnon ki duniya?
But we all know asli duniya mein sirf dil toot te hain.
Well, maybe not as dramatic as that...but asli duniya is not a bed of roses. Saying 'I love you' is just the beginning and the real deal comes much later...when you have to keep the promise of those three words.
As time passes, life interrupts, we get busy and some relationships eventually fade away. It happens.
And I'm glad you've shown it the way it is. Thank you.
Having said all that, I'm sad that there's no forever as far as getting new chapters of this story are concerned. I always hate it when I finish a good story. 😭
Hmm... I guess we still have an epilogue, which is scheduled tonight? Looks like my timing was right!
I will be waiting.
And I'll miss Arnav and Khushi of this story. And NK, V, PayalJi, Aman, Akash, Sundari, Preeto...everyone. Sigh.
Thank you. I'm going off to read your other works too. You've got yourself a new fangirl Semanti! 🤗
Love Friendship Dating and Relationships
Bindi
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