Simple Gestures
In a world where scepticism overshadowed belief and self-doubt shrouded life's journey, nestled in a small town between rolling hills and whispering trees, lived a girl named Eleanor. She moved through life with a quiet demeanour, her eyes reflecting a lack of belief in the grand journey everyone spoke of. Eleanor carried the weight of self-consciousness, her steps measured by the shadows of doubt cast by her reflection.
Guarded by the walls of her doubts, Eleanor had no aspirations to delve into the complexities of relationships. The idea of opening up to someone seemed like an unattainable fantasy. Her days unfolded in a routine of solitude, a cocoon she had woven around herself to shield herself from the judgments she believed awaited her. Trapped in the confines of her apprehensions, she found herself navigating a landscape of muted colours.
The mirror was a harsh critic, constantly reminding her of perceived imperfections that echoed in the corridors of her mind. Relationships seemed like distant constellations, beautiful but too far away to touch. And for her to survive on these stranger roads, Eleanor gracefully recites the life quote from MEHJABEEN's tale, syncing her destiny with the exquisite composition that guides her journey as she slowly falls asleep.
AMIDST HER DREAM—Eleanor who was bound to make her life as an arrow, the tip a deadly sharpened point, so people never came so close, fearing that she may disappoint, she'd sit and watch in silence, as the world would pass her by, wondering how far she'd fall If she ever tried to fly.
But what's the use of being a lone discoverer for all it costs? Hearing her calls then came a charming knight.
He watched her with such interest like it was her he'd tried to find, As though he knew all of her darkest secrets, and the thoughts within her mind, even though he looked like all the others, But what did she not know; Was while she'd made herself an arrow, he had made himself a bow, And apart they'd both been useless, But they'd finally worked out why, since he needs someone to pull him back as she needs herself a ride, If they ever want to fly,
So he aimed at her with precision, and she flew straight from the start, knowing how blind it sounded, until she landed with a solid thud, on the target of her twin flame’s Heart.
Now the sole question that revolves in Eleanor's mind is who that mystery Man is! Or does he ever exist?!
Little did her inner soul know that her sweet and crafty grandmother, a wise fox in disguise, had hatched a plan to free her from the chains of doubt.
Beautifully concealed behind the wrinkles of wisdom, Eleanor's grandmother, Callista, was a master weaver of destinies. She sensed the chains of doubt that bound her granddaughter and, like a wise fox in disguise, set out to unravel them.
One day, as the aroma of freshly baked cookies filled the air in Callista's cosy kitchen, she invited Eleanor to join her in a seemingly innocent baking session. Grandma and Eleanor are set to create a delightful array of cookies, from classic chocolate chips to intricately decorated sugar cookies. The kitchen surely be filled with the sweet aroma of their baking adventure! Unbeknownst to Eleanor, this was Callista's crafty strategy to impart life's lessons through the simplicity of shared moments.
As flour dusted the air and cookie dough clung to their fingers, Callista wove tales of her journey, stories of resilience, heartaches, and triumphs she had throughout her journey in Greece. Each anecdote was a thread carefully chosen to mend the fabric of Eleanor's doubts. Through these narratives, Eleanor began to see the beauty in imperfections, the strength in vulnerability, and the resilience woven into the very fabric of her existence.
With keen insight, Callista gently guided Eleanor to the mirror hanging in the hallway. Instead of highlighting flaws, she encouraged Eleanor to see reflections of courage and uniqueness. With a twinkle in her eye, Callista spoke words that echoed in the depths of Eleanor's soul, "You are a masterpiece in progress, my dear."
This subtle intervention, a blend of love and wisdom, worked like magic. Eleanor's perception shifted, and the chains of doubt began to loosen. Callista, the wise fox, had orchestrated a transformation that surpassed the confines of mere appearance, empowering Eleanor to embrace life's journey with newfound confidence.
In the warmth of that kitchen, with the aroma of cookies lingering, Eleanor not only discovered the art of baking but also the art of self-acceptance. Little did she know, her crafty grandmother had been the mastermind behind this beautiful revelation, weaving a tapestry of love and guidance that would forever colour the canvas of Eleanor's life.
In a move both mysterious and poignant, Eleanor's grandmother executed a king's gambit that transcended the ordinary. The day after their kitchen revelations, Eleanor awoke to find Callista's chair empty, the aroma of cookies replaced by an inexplicable void. No note, no explanation—just the lingering scent of an ethereal departure. Perplexed and initially distraught, Eleanor searched every nook and cranny, hoping to unravel the enigma of Callista's disappearance. Yet, her wise grandmother had orchestrated this exit with purpose. Callista knew that for Eleanor to truly step ahead, she needed to face the unknown without reliance on the familiar.
In the void left by Callista's absence, Eleanor found a letter tucked away in a forgotten drawer. The words, written with ink that seemed to shimmer like stardust, carried a message of encouragement and liberation and a small favour that she'd come to know sooner. Callista's note spoke of a journey, both literal and metaphorical, that awaited Eleanor—a journey where self-discovery would be the compass and courage the guiding star.
In the unfolding saga of feline antics, the unsaid favour is her grandmother's cat. Initially hesitant about keeping her grandma's cat, Eleanor contemplated placing it in pet care. However, the thought of parting with the last reminiscent connection to her grandmother, coupled with her fondness for the cat named Whisker, melted her resolve.
End of The Excerpt- When In Greece
