Beautiful Chaos - Link to Thread II (Index) - Page 71

im just spamming at the moment

its only 2 episodes old, but.

its real good.

Really? I'll check it out.

Any hot guys?

YES

SO MANY

EVERY ONE IS REALLY PRETTY

Anjali watched her husband from the kitchen window, while he was busy wood carving outside. She smiled at the concentration on his face as he worked the piece of driftwood they'd found on the beach a few days ago on their evening stroll.

Anjali thought it was beautiful as is, but she knew that if anyone could turn that piece of driftwood into something magical, it was her husband, Rahul.

Tomorrow would be their fiftieth wedding anniversary. She couldn't believe it. She remembered their wedding day as if it were just yesterday.

Of course, no one was with them at the time, because they'd eloped. They'd refused to accept their love, but their love was stronger than that.

Her wedding was both the happiest and saddest day of her life. She had made a promise to the man she'd fallen in love with, but without her family's blessings.

And yet... she wouldn't change a thing.

Life was never lonely for them, even without children. There was so much love between them, that they never felt a void by not having had children. Anjali would always tell Rahul that it felt like they were in their own little bubble, and he'd smile at her words.

Rahul was an excellent woodcarver, and through his fine workmanship, he managed to gain regular, very wealthy clients who were always willing to pay copious amounts for his every little piece.

He didn't get the fuss over them, but then again, that modesty was a part of the charm that had won her over.

A few years ago, Rahul had gifted Anjali her dream of living close to the seaside. The house wasn't fancy, but it was filled with love. Anjali loved it and turned it into a home.

She had no clue that he'd saved almost every penny he'd earned for years to be able to do that. They'd always lived a simple life, and it suited them both.

Rahul looked up suddenly and caught her looking at him dreamily.

He smiled at her. He was still so handsome. Love must truly be blind, because when she looked at him, she still saw the gorgeous teenage boy she'd lost her heart to.

She smiled back at him.

They were as in love today as they were on that day they married fifty years ago.

***********

Rahul started getting frustrated. He got the idea of turning that piece of driftwood into an ornately carved jewellery box for Anjali.

Not that she had much jewellery, but it wasn't about that anyway.

In any case, he was having a tough time with the salt-saturated wood. He finally got into a particularly difficult curve and managed to dig out the piece of splintered wood that rotted due to the saltwater.

Sighing with relief, he kept at carving until his fingers hurt.

The arthritis was starting to really settle in. He flexed his fingers and looked up to find Anjali looking at him, a small smile on her lips as she held the teacup to them.

He smiled at her. God, she was still so beautiful, it made his heart swell with pride that he was the one she loved.

And yes, he could sit and stare at her all day, but then he wouldn't finish this special piece by tomorrow.

**********

Aahil eyed the man suspiciously. "What makes you think you can do this job?"

The old man hobbled closer and Aahil instinctively got up from his chair and helped the man into the chair at his desk. "No need! I'm ok" he said grumpily, in response to Aahil's gesture.

Aahil was about to defend his actions when the old man piped up again. "I can do this job, son"

Something about the old man's quiet strength and the determination in his eyes made Aahil look at him intently. He looked wise, and Aahil found himself asking the man to tell him a bit about himself.

"I've worked as a woodcarver most of my life. Life has been good to me. I was married to the love of my life for fifty glorious years until she passed away peacefully in her sleep the night before our fiftieth anniversary..."

"I'm sorry to hear that" Aahil said softly, noticing the glistening tears in the old man's eyes. "No children?" Aahil asked, clearing his throat. The old man shook his head in the negative and Aahil decided to not pry further.

"Just one more thing... what is it that you're holding?" he asked.

The old man looked down to his hands. "This... I carry this with me everywhere. Might seem strange to you, young man, but this was the gift I was meant to give my wife on our anniversary. I never got the chance... But, it's a constant reminder of the love we shared. I carved it out of a piece of driftwood myself, y'know?" he said with evident pride in his voice as he touched it lightly with his finger.

Aahil smiled despite himself. There was something about the old man that made him want to hear more of the story of his life. Especially since he had just got married to someone that he was so much in lo... But.

No, Sanam hated him. Nothing would or could change that.

"You've got the job. You stay at the farmhouse and just make sure everything is in order. I will pay you well" Aahil said, standing up.

The old man stood up too. "No need to be paid well. I've always lived a simple life. I just need something to pass the time until I can be with my Anjali again" he said gruffly.

Aahil's heart thumped at the man's words. How lucky he is to have experienced that kind of love?

**********

In the next few months, Aahil found himself visiting the farmhouse often and unnecessarily. Something about Rahul drew him in, and he'd spend quiet afternoons with the old man, drinking tea and listening to his stories.

It amazed Aahil how strong the love between Rahul and Anjali was. That they had forsaken their families and entire lives to be able to be together, was something he found himself admiring.

Aahil was always fascinated by the jewellery box that Rahul would keep close to him, and started bringing pieces of wood, to encourage the old man to carve again, but he would look at the jewellery box and say, "This was my best piece... and my last. I can't carve again"

He'd become somewhat of a father figure to Aahil, without either of them even realising it.

Aahil confided in Rahul about his marriage and how much he really loved Sanam, but how much she hated him and understandably so. He had treated her so badly.

The old man had always told him that not everything was as it seemed, and had always encouraged him to confess to his wife, but Aahil always said the same thing in response.

"She hates me, and she thinks I hate her too. She won't believe me"

**********

"Uncle! You're never going to believe it... I told her. I finally told Sanam how I feel about her... and guess what? She told me she's been waiting for me to tell her and that she loves me too. Can you believe it? She loves me too, Uncle!" Aahil laughed happily into the phone.

"Son, I'm very happy for you. I told you things would work out. Your life starts now, Aahil beta. Make the most of it"

**********

Aahil threw a pebble into the river at the farmhouse as Rahul watched him. "What's wrong, son? You seem troubled...?" he asked, as he sipped his tea.

"Nothing at all. Ok, well... It's Sanam and my anniversary in two months... and well, I want to gift her something - something really special, but I don't know what that is. I've given her jewellery, clothes... everything. I just want this gift to be different, y'know?" he said softly, looking out onto the river.

"I know what you mean, son. I think... I may have just the thing for you" Rahul said. Aahil had become like a son to him. And now he was a man in love. Who better than Rahul to understand a man in love?

"Really, what is it? Where can I find it?" Aahil asked, turning to the old man with a beaming smile on his face.

Rahul got up. "No more questions. You'll get it before the anniversary. Go on, get out of here. It's time for my nap" Rahul said, feigning irritation. Aahil couldn't help himself. He hugged the old man tightly.

"Thanks Uncle"

**********

"Dearest Aahil

I am sorry I am not here to give this to you personally. If you are reading this, then well, you know that I am with her again...

It's where I have wanted to be for the last ten years, so don't feel sad for me, ok? Chin up. Yes, there's that smile I've grown so fond of.

I haven't seen you in a few days, and so I thought I would write this down as I am not feeling very strong these days. I feel Anjali's presence around me more and more. I feel like she's calling out to me, right now.

Anyway, enough of the sad talk.

I want to thank you for your friendship. You've given me a glimpse of what it would've been like to have a son, and I am very grateful for that.

I have loved you like a son.

I want you to have this jewellery box. I've re-carved it with the initials, A and S. I know you would want to ask me at this point why I carved again when I said I never would. Well, the fact is son, that I couldn't help myself.

This box has always been my reminder of Anjali's love. It is old and worn now, but it's time to pass it on to a new love, that I hope will stay as strong as ours is.

This will make the perfect anniversary gift now, as it would've fifty years ago.

Fill it with love, Aahil... This box is but a shell, but the wealth of love is the only kind of riches that matter. Always remember that.

I wish you and Sanam to be blessed with all the love in the world, always.

Rahul"

**********

"Aahil! This is sooo beautiful! Where did you get it?" Sanam squealed with delight as she held the jewellery box in her hands. Aahil smiled at her and shook his head.

"Don't worry about that. Do you like it?" he asked. "I love it!"

"We'll fill it with love..." he whispered to himself, looking skywards.

Sanam looked at him strangely. "Aahil, did you say something?"

He shook his head again. "Nothing at all"

Sanam went to him. "The initials are lovely..."

"Always entwined..." he murmured into her as she hugged him to thank him for his gift.

"I love you, Aahil"

"I love you more... more than you know"

"One day, you're going to have to tell me the story behind this jewellery box" she said, hugging him even tighter.

"I will, one day..."

I got to bail out. Happy Dusherra!

I am off to eat Bhel, Pani puri and Jalebis at an Indian Bazar.

Keep Up the good work.

WHAT THE EFFING HELL IS THIS EVEN?!!! 🤣🤣

You. Jules . You are so.. 🤣 HOW DO YOU GET THESE IDEAS?! Why is only for motivating me?!! 😆

DONUT. DO-NUT. 🤣

HELL I DIN'T EVEN USE PROPERLY 🥺

😆😆