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"Sacrifice, a hefty word, right? Ever given up something real—beyond just grub or the usual stuff? I’m talking about dreams, love, your own thoughts."
Everyone’s got their own sacrifice story. And you know what’s often the culprit? Responsibility. It’s like this invisible force making folks trade their needs and dreams.
“In the tumult of happiness and dreams, a whispering wind beckoned, demanding the sacrifice of my very existence...”
"In real love stories, you gotta have some sacrifice in the mix.
No sacrifices, and it’s not a love story – just a step above casual friendship vibes.
Loving someone means being ready to give up what once meant the world to you.
This chapter unfolds the story of Shree, the upbeat photographer, and Kabir, the quiet writer. Totally different worlds, right?
Destined to meet... But at what cost?
Let’s dwell into their tale of love..."
In the midst of mountain breezes and the hush of trees, a poetic melody echoed, captivating not only the serene surroundings but also drawing in the curious attention of nearby animals. The verses whispered:
“Jo beet gaya wo ek pal tha.....
Jo beet Raha hai wo tera kal hai....
Jo beetega uski umeed rakh....
Kya pata tere kal me har ek paal haseen hai.....”
Seated amidst nature’s embrace, there sat Kabir, a young man exuding innocence with his warm smile, long hair, a hint of stubble on his beard, and captivating grey eyes. His voice, a gentle mid-pitch, resonated as he shared the space with a squirrel perched on his shoulder and a rabbit nestled on his lap.
Kabir, an introverted writer, found solace in his solitude, residing in a quaint wooden cabin nestled in the heart of the forest. Writing was his true passion, and his dedication bore fruit, making him a successful author with five bestselling books worldwide. However, what set his creations apart was the enigmatic touch he added to their conclusions. Rather than conventional happy endings, Kabir’s stories left readers pondering a myriad of unanswered questions. To maintain his anonymity, he published his works under the pseudonym “Jaun.”
The allure of Kabir’s books lay in the mysteries they held, sparking endless contemplation among readers. Proceeds from his literary success found their way to old age homes and orphanages, driven by Kabir’s own upbringing as an orphan. His inquisitive nature, shaped by the stories shared by his warden, fuelled a desire to craft tales that challenged conventional narratives.
Kabir’s warden, recognizing the universal tendency to seek answers, replied, “You know what Kabir, people always want answers…not questions…when they get stuck in somewhere, they always try to run away from the questions … it’s the very nature of every human” and, urged him to pen a book that would leave readers questioning the endings. Inspired by this challenge, Kabir delved into literature, immersing himself in various styles and unravelling the secrets of unquestionable endings.
Several years later, Kabir embarked on the creation of his magnum opus, “The ‘?’." He aimed to craft a narrative where the conclusion remained open-ended, inviting readers to shape the fate of the characters. Despite pouring two years of dedication into his work, when the time came to share his creation with the warden, fate dealt a cruel blow. The warden had departed, leaving Kabir devastated and isolated.
At the age of 21, Kabir bid farewell to the orphanage, embracing a solitary life in a modest room he rented for himself. He started from the scratch, a new book, now story, giving rise to new questions. The publication of his first book, “The World” addressing societal norms and their repercussions, marked a turning point. Surprisingly, the book garnered immense acclaim, establishing Kabir as a bestselling author.
With his initial earnings, Kabir purchased a quaint wooden cabin nestled in the mountains, a sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of the outside world. Here, in his self-created haven, he found companionship with the denizens of the forest. Each day unfolded like a lyrical poem—slow, soothing, and harmonious. Mornings were spent in the company of his woodland friends, while evenings saw Kabir immersed in his writing, captivated by the sunset outside his window.
However, Kabir’s serene existence was about to take an unexpected turn destined to encounter a girl with enchanting small eyes, a radiant smile, and a heart that echoed her aspirations to become a photographer. Thus, a new chapter was about to unfolded in Kabir’s poetic life…
In the early hours of what seemed like any ordinary morning to the rest of the world, Kabir’s world took an unexpected turn. Rising from his cabin, he stepped outside to join his friends, only to discover a stranger sprawled across the pedestrian bench he typically occupied. To his surprise, it was Shree, unconscious and tightly clutching her camera.
Kabir, initially inclined to overlook the situation, found himself unable to ignore Shree’s predicament. Gently lifting her in his arms, he carried her into his cabin, laying her on the bed and draping a blanket over her. Intrigued by the contents of her camera, Kabir’s curiosity led him to attempt prying it from her grasp, even though Shree, unconscious but determined, resisted his efforts.
Eventually succeeding in obtaining the camera, Kabir connected its memory card to his laptop. As he browsed through the folder, a mix of surprise and anger washed over him at the sight of the photos he uncovered.
Moments later, Shree regained consciousness and, upon awakening, frantically searched for her camera. Panicking as she couldn’t find it, relief flooded over her when Kabir returned it to her. Expressing gratitude for the retrieval of her camera, Shree confronted Kabir about his actions.
Shree: What did you do?!
Kabir: Nothing... Just what was necessary.
Shree: How could you?!
Kabir: Exactly! How could you take someone’s pictures without permission!
Shree: Listen! Mr. ..., whoever you are, I’m sorry I took your pictures without permission, but you could have at least asked me before you deleted those pictures... those pictures were really important to me and my career...
With those words, Shree hastily left the cabin, leaving Kabir feeling a twinge of remorse. Desiring to apologize, he realized he didn’t even know her name or where she lived. Living a solitary existence, Kabir, despite his prowess with words as a writer, struggled with interpersonal communication.
Though he could control his emotions, Kabir’s inability to control his heart intensified his guilt. It wasn’t merely the fact that he angered a stranger; it was the realization that his actions had caused a girl to cry, a burden he found difficult to bear.
Motivated by an unfamiliar urge, Kabir ventured outside his cabin into the outside world, searching for the girl whose tears he felt responsible for. Days turned into weeks as he tirelessly sought her out. Finally spotting her after a week, fear gripped him, hindering any attempt at approaching her. Unbeknownst to Kabir, Shree had noticed his presence and inquired about him from her friend.
In a café setting, Shree questioned her friend, Anishka, about the mysterious man living in the forest.
Shree: Hey, Anishka! Do you know about the guy who lives in the forest in the wooden cabin?
Anishka: You mean that weirdo!!! Stay away from him!!!
Shree: What do you mean by that?!
Anishka: No one actually knows who he is or where he came from. People see him only once in 6 months, fully covered up, hiding his identity, looking suspicious. Some say he’s a criminal hiding from the police...
Shree: So, no one complained about that?
Anishka: People did, even the police went to his place, but came empty-handed. No one knows what happened, even the cops don’t do anything... so please stay away from him!!!
Shree: But he didn’t seem like a criminal?!
Anishka: Wait a minute?! You met him, when, where, and why???
Shree: Remember, a couple of weeks ago, I met a guy who deleted the photos from my camera, just because he was angry... that was him!!!
Anishka: What??? How did you escape?!!!
Shree: I didn’t... I just left after shouting at him for ruining my career... I mean, how could he just take someone’s camera and do that...
Anishka: I’m just glad that you are safe!!!
(Upon leaving the café, a waiter handed Shree a pen drive along with the bill, revealing that a man in a black hoodie and a hat instructed him to give it to her.)
