Echoes Of Longing

Chapter 1: Echoes of the Past

The clock struck 4 am, casting the room in a dim glow as Arohi found herself back home with her parents. The darkness outside mirrored the chill that enveloped her, but it was the memories swirling in her mind that sent shivers down her spine. She gazed out the window, lost in the labyrinth of her thoughts.

February 13th—a date etched in her mind, marking the day she first crossed paths with Jash. His name echoed through her consciousness, stirring a whirlwind of emotions within her. Yet, amidst the memories of Jash, another figure emerged—someone she had met just two months prior. Their closeness, that fleeting moment of intimacy, flashed before her eyes, causing her hands to tremble uncontrollably.

Seeking solace in the familiar ritual, Arohi reached for her bag, fingers tracing the outline of the hidden treasure within. With practiced ease, she retrieved a box of cigarettes, concealed from prying eyes. Selecting a Marlborough Light, she lit it with a silver lighter—a memento from their second encounter in Tardeo.

"Why do I always get stuck in this?" Arohi's thoughts echoed in the stillness of the night. "I didn't want to get attached after Jash, but now... my lips, my skin, every part of me can't seem to forget him. It was just a fling—how do I make myself understand that?" Frustration laced her words as she took a long drag, attempting to regain control over her racing thoughts.

In the haze of smoke, Arohi grappled with the tangled mess of emotions, struggling to find clarity amidst the chaos of her desires.

Arohi's voice, barely a whisper, filled the silence as she began to verbalize the doubts gnawing at her soul. "Where do I lack? Is it my looks, my weight, my intelligence? Do I lack a good character?" The questions hung heavy in the air, each one a dagger piercing her already fragile self-esteem.

Self-doubt flooded her mind like a relentless tide, threatening to engulf her in its suffocating embrace. "Where can I find peace?" she mused aloud, her words tinged with desperation. "Someone to call mine..." The longing in her voice betrayed the ache in her heart, yearning for a sense of belonging in a world that seemed determined to keep her adrift.

The past year had been a whirlwind of highs and lows, a rollercoaster ride that left her feeling more lost and alone than ever before. "It feels like I'm a fully-fledged teenage character from some fiction book," she admitted ruefully, the irony not lost on her. "But the fact is, all that happened was real, and I'm no longer a teenager—I'm 22 years old."

In her career life, Arohi was a force to be reckoned with—responsible, confident, and driven. But in matters of the heart, in the realm of emotions and social interactions, she found herself stumbling, grappling with uncertainties that threatened to undo her.

As she sat in the darkness, the ember of her cigarette casting flickering shadows across her face, Arohi yearned for a respite from the relentless turmoil within. Despite her outward strength, she was keenly aware of the cracks in her facade, the vulnerabilities she struggled to conceal from the world. And in that moment of quiet desperation, she longed for someone—anyone—to offer her the solace and reassurance she so desperately craved.

Tears welled up in her eyes, threatening to spill over as she sought refuge in the comforting embrace of Bollywood music. The familiar melodies washed over her like a soothing balm, transporting her to a world where pain and uncertainty were drowned out by the sweet strains of melody.

"Yaara kaisi ye berukhi hai
Kyun judaa tu huaa

Haan tere aur meri darmiyaan
Ab bhi baki hai ik daastaan"

As the tears trickled down her cheeks, Arohi allowed herself a moment of vulnerability, letting go of the façade of strength she wore so diligently. Each note, each lyric, served as a cathartic release, allowing her to purge the pent-up emotions that threatened to consume her from within.

Despite the darkness that threatened to engulf her, Arohi found solace in the simple act of surrendering to her grief. And as she lay in bed, the soft strains of music lulling her into a fitful slumber, she couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope flicker within her.

But even as she drifted off into the realm of dreams, Arohi remained vigilant, keeping the window of her room open just enough to allow the faintest hint of cigarette smoke to escape into the night air. It was a small act of defiance, a silent rebellion against the watchful gaze of her father, who had long since forbidden her from indulging in such vices.

In the solitude of her room, bathed in the soft glow of moonlight, Arohi found a fleeting sense of peace. And as she succumbed to the embrace of sleep, her heart heavy with the weight of her burdens, she clung to the hope that tomorrow would bring with it a glimmer of light amidst the darkness.