Stories
Story Entry #S1
Gifts of God
"Your discharge papers are ready" Said the attending nurse softly. . Her head was down. Amrita could see her mother was silently packing her things to go for home. She was breastfeeding her little bundle of joy sitting on the hospital bed. The glow of motherhood was clearly visible on her smiling face . The nurses's voice broke her trance. She was snapped back to reality.
She asked her mother hopefully " Did they come?" The hopeless sigh left her mother's mouth gave the answer.
"A boy or a girl, that's what we want," they said" Saying this her mother broke into tears. Amrita remained silent
The doctor's words echoed in her mind: "Your child is transgender." She felt a mix of emotions – confusion, fear, and a deep sense of uncertainty. She had always thought she'd be prepared for anything, but this wasn't something she'd anticipated.
Only one word left her mouth' And Dhruv? '
'He told firmly to choose between this baby or family. His family won't accept this baby. But they are ready to accept you if you leave your baby in some orpha... "
"Don't say that word. My baby is not orphan" Shouted Amrita holding her baby to her chest tightly and then. she made her decision.
Thirty tive years have passed since that day. Amrita stood at the entrance of umeed Foundation, surrounded by children who'd known only hardship and transgender individuals who'd faced rejection. She remembered the day her parents and Dhruv disowned her for having a transgender child, Arjun .The pain still lingered. She came here straight from the hospital asking for shelter for her and her three days old baby. Yet It seemed like yesterday.
Today she came here to celebrate mother's Day with the children.As she handed Rohan, a young orphan, a paintbrush, he looked up with eyes that had seen too much. "You draw the world you want, okay?" she whispered.
They have organized a function in their NGO to celebrate the joy .shreya a transgender activist, began singing a soulful song ' Jo bheji thi dua woh jaake asmaan se yun takra gayi"
The room fell silent. Amrita's eyes welled up . Someone held her hand. She turned and see her baby ' Arjun' the best gift from God she would cherish forever.
Arjun handed her a paper and said " Happy mother's day to the most wonderful mother in this whole world.This is my gift for you " Amrita read the paper. She had tears in her eyes she is now the owner of "umeed " The promoters were behind this old building since last few years but Arjun no Advocate Arjun won the case and bought it back for her and her children who live here.she can take care of hundreds of Arjun and give them a home in this big world who don't have little space for children like him. Arjun lovingly wipped her tears with his own hands and hugged her.They could still hear shreya singing another song"
Dhundhla jaayein jo manzilein
Ik pal ko tu nazar jhuka
Jhuk jaaye sar jahan wahi
Milta hai rab ka raasta
Teri kismat tu badal de
Rakh himmat bas chal de
Tere saathi mere kadmon ke hain nishaan
Tu na jaane aas pass hai khuda
Tu na jaane aas pass hai khuda
Tu na jaane aas pass hai khuda
Story Entry # S2
Duan Jiaxu learned early that gifts were not always wrapped in paper. Some arrived as silence, others as endurance. On his birthday, the city offered nothing special—just rain tapping windows. He walked home carrying a small box meant for someone else.
Inside it was a simple bracelet, chosen with patience, not hope. Giving, he believed, was safer than asking.
But that evening, a parcel waited outside his door. No name. Only a note: For the days you thought no one noticed.
Inside were ordinary things—a scarf, handwritten bookmarks, a warm flask—yet each felt deliberate, as if someone had studied his quiet routines. For the first time, Duan Jiaxu sat down, letting the moment exist without rushing past it.
He understood then: a gift was not proof of love, but recognition. Someone had seen him carry the world gently and decided to lighten it.
He smiled, softly, and kept the box.
Story Entry #S3
The girl is looking at the teenage boy standing in front of her, without blinking. Oh, how mesmerizing he looks! She cannot take her eyes off him. Does he know magic?
Of course, he knows magic. Otherwise, how did she get well?
Her past runs through her mind. She had been suffering from an illness since childhood. She could neither stand upright nor walk properly. She believed the illness was incurable.
Treatment was beyond her reach anyway. Her mother used to massage and adorn the people at the court. At times, her mother was forced to serve them in other ways as well. As a result, her father's identity remained unknown. Who would arrange for her treatment?
After her mother's death, she was given her mother's job. Slowly, her financial condition improved because of her skill. Now she has the responsibility of adorning the king himself.
The disease had made her ugly. People used to make fun of her because of her appearance. Those humiliations used to pierce her. The lack of beauty had one advantage, though. She was never forced to accept anyone's embrace. Maybe the reason was her lack of beauty, or perhaps her good fortune.
Life went on. She had heard many times that the king was not worthy of being called human, but ordinary women like her should not think about such matters for their own good. Violence stayed away from her; love never came near her either. She knew that love would never visit her life; she never felt regret because of that.
But what is happening to her today? When she was going to the palace this unknown teenage boy had blocked her way and asked for the pastes made for the adornment of the king. She did not want to give it; how could she? But the boy had trapped her skillfully in the web of his words. A web of words? Or something else? She did not want to give but unknown to her, her heart forced her to place the paste in his hand. How the boy touched her, how he cured her chronic illness—she could not understand it. She was almost intoxicated.
The girl is looking at the teenager, mesmerized. She had heard the words—heart, love, desire, intimacy. But she never really touched those words. She did not even think in her dreams that those feelings existed within her. But today, standing in front of just a teenager, what is happening to her?
She is feeling the meaning of another word anew; that word is beauty. She knew what beauty was, but did she ever hope that one day she herself would become so exquisitely beautiful? And the beauty of the boy! It makes one forget all the definitions of beauty; one loses all words in front of it.
Who is this teenage boy? The girl thinks. The girl has heard that the king's death is written at the hands of his nephew and the king has tried many times unsuccessfully to kill him. Recently the king has invited his nephew to come to the town and the nephew has come to the town from the home of his foster father. Is this boy that same extraordinarily powerful teenager?
Let that be. Whatever be his identity, she does not want to let go of him even for a moment.
The boy asks, "You have gifted me pastes for adornment, what should I gift in return, dear friend?" Anyone else in her place would have become silent in gratitude and respect. But her desire, turbulent like a mountain river, does not stop. Fixing her gaze at the ground near the feet of the boy, the girl says, "Come to my home for one night, just for one night."
The girl lifts her face. Fixing his enchanting gaze on the girl's eyes, the boy promises, "I will definitely come, dear friend. Let me go forward now." With deep affection, the girl says, "Go forward." He goes forward."
Another word is echoing in her heart. He never said that aloud, still. Within her heart she hears, "Why one night, Love? I will remain with you forever. There is no separation between us.
Story Entry # S4
Memories and words
A small dedication to the reason of my entire existence and my only best friend in this world. She taught me to love unconditionally without any expectations. My Ma, the most beautiful person this world has ever witnessed. My comrade, my first teacher and forever go to go person in my life.
Ma – The world's greatest Gift God bestowed on me
Ma, you are the most beautiful person in and out almighty ever blessed my life with. Not in the way the world counts beauty, but in every quiet, real way that matters. The softness in your eyes when you look at me, the way your hand finds mine without a word, the little smile that appears when I share my day out with you make ordinary days feel special.I love you for exactly who you are not for the things you have done to me and still doing.
The one who still tucks the blanket around me when I fall asleep on the couch, who remembers my favorite childhood stories better than I do, who worries about me even when I say I'm fine. Your love has been my safe place forever, steady, patient, never asking for credit. Mom's love is the purest thing in the world. The only person who loves you without expecting anything in return.
This is my small gift back to you today: these words to say I see every sacrifice, every hidden tear turned into strength, every time you chose us first. Thank you for being my first love, my biggest cheerleader, my home. You're cherished more than you'll ever know.
Forever yours,
Your kiddo and little warrior.
Love you forever Ma.
Story Entry #S6
A small dedication to my favorite fictional character in ITV. My gratitude for her being the light in my life. Forever grateful to witness such great character in ITV.
In the fleeting yet unforgettable span of just 22 episodes, Riya Mukherjee became far more than a character on an Indian soap opera. She became a quiet beacon of light in my life. From the moment she appeared, with her infectious smile, those adorable dimples, and that bubbly, mischievous energy, she felt real, relatable, and deeply human. Brave yet tender, fierce yet endlessly kind, curious, respectful, dedicated, and so grounded. She was the friend everyone wishes for, the “cutie pie” who lit up her team’s darkest days with her warmth and unwavering loyalty.But it was her final, heart-shattering act that etched her forever in my soul. When a deadly virus threatened countless innocent lives, Riya didn’t pause to weigh her dreams of becoming a valor officer, of living fully, of loving and being loved. Instead, in pure selflessness, she swallowed the bacteria capsule herself, sacrificing everything so others could breathe freely. That single moment of unflinching courage taught me the true giving without expectation, without hesitation, without keeping score.Through her consistency, her 100% effort poured into every duty, every friendship, every risk, she showed me we can achieve anything not by obsessing over outcomes, but by showing up fully, day after day. In my own storms those endless ups and downs she whispered strength when I needed it most.
Riya, this is my humble gift back to you: endless gratitude for inspiring me to live with more heart, more bravery, more generosity. You may have faded from the screen too soon, but your light still guides me. Thank you for being the enigma who taught me how beautifully powerful true giving can be. You live on, always, in every selfless choice I try to make.
Riya, this is my small gift of gratitude to you:
"Thank you for teaching me how to give without counting the cost. You’ll always be my forever inspiration".
Story Entry #S7
Moments left behind
Kavita sat on her armchair, sipping her morning tea, lost in thought. The familiar voice of Ravi drifted from next door - 'Maa, I'm going to the office, you take your medicine on time.' Kavita's gaze drifted to the balcony, watching Ravi's family go about their day with such warmth. A pang of loneliness hit her.
Her phone buzzed. A notification from her son Karthik - a message saying 'Happy Diwali, Maa. Sent money for a gift. Sorry, can't call now.'His son is a busy man.working as a software architect in a reputed farm.
Kavita's eyes flooded as she stared at Karthik's message, the words blurring into a haze of pain. She'd sacrificed everything for this moment - her husband's dreams, her own desires, their home in the village... all for Karthik's success. And now, he was a stranger, sending money like a transaction
She remembered the past years when Karthik used to be so excited to celebrate diwali with family. Her choices replayed in her mind - pushing Arvind to leave their village,his parents in their village home,prioritizing Karthik's education over everything. They have never gone back to the village or let them come here. The last time she had gone there when her father in law died. Her mother in law refused to see her face after Arvind's father's demise . She was too proud to go there when his mother died shortly after her husband's death.
As darkness fell, Kavita stared at the Diwali night from her window.Arvind used to buy firecrackers for Karthik when he was alive. He passed away in his sleep five years back.A sudden heart attack shattered their beautiful home.. Karthik couldn't attend his funeral because he can't afford to loose his upcoming promotion. The competition is very high in his field.
The Diwali lights outside mocked her, highlighting the emptiness inside. She felt like a ghost haunting her own life. Why did success feel so hollow? Why did she feel like she'd lost everything that truly mattered?
Ravi's family next door laughed and chatted, a warm, loving chaos that pierced Kavita like a knife. She remembered Arvind's gentle smile, his love for the land they'd left behind. All gone.
The tears streamed down her face as she opened the drawer, staring at the sleeping pills. The bottle is empty.now a days she doesn't get sleep without one.Another sleepless night stretched ahead, haunted by choices and what-ifs.
Her gazed turned to the shelf where her husband's last gift ' Saregama caravan' sits quitly , waiting. She presses play, and the room fills with the haunting melody of 'zindagi ke safar mein guzar jaate hai jo makaam, woh phir nahi aate. The lyrics wash over her like a tide of pain, transporting her back to the past memories.
She picked up her husband's photo frame from bedside table, caressed his face. As the night swallowed her, Kavita whispered, "Arvind... I'm so sorry." A tear rolled down from her eyes and fell on the smiling face of the photograph.The darkness closed in, suffocating her with regret.
Kal tadapna pade yaad me JinKi
Rok lo roothkar unko jaane na do
Baad me pyaar ke chahe bhejo hazaroon salaam
Woh phir nahi aate
Woh phir nahi aate
Edited by Sutapasima - 3 hours ago
1. Vote for any ONE Story and ONE Poetry entry. Not more, nor less….For example... P9 , S8.
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