When I first read, a few days back, that there’s this Story Writing Contest being organized by SCMHRD, I said to myself, “Why not use this is a platform to judge myself as to where I stand on this WAT, which apparently is the next step after SNAP for admission into the ‘Symbiosis group’!” And so, there I was, writing at 2:00 AM, this piece as my entry for that Contest. I never knew while writing that it would get me the First Prize. Quite some joy it gave me today, after the result was announced. Not to forget, the 1000/- eBay coupons, which complimented as icing on the cake.

Well, there were 2 simple rules:

1. Use a minimum of 4 pictures – See the photograph below (I used 5)

2. Confine your story to 300 words (I managed just on the borderline)

So, here it goes..

As I sit on this bench, all the memories flashing by, I gather some tranquillity to recollect every moment spent here with you. It’s been exactly five years today since you have left us. Every bit here reminds me of you; reminds me of the places I moved around with you.

That little bridge, on which we used to count steps just to see who would reach first, is still here. Being juvenile with you was so much fun. I still remember that oak tree and how during our playful hide-and-seek acts you always hid behind it secretly hoping that I would find you. I still go there today in the same hope of finding you. Do you remember Jane, the car in which I took you out on our first date? Yes, it’s still here. You loved its odd color and I loved the fact that you loved it. Though it’s getting rusted, I still manage to take it out once in a while with our kids. It’s fun but without you the ride doesn’t feel like it. Even that pink studded stiletto which I had gifted you on our first anniversary is kept safe. Don’t worry I won’t let our daughter wear it until she’s 18 and ready for it. Yes, I’m a responsible father now.

Life, these days, seems more like those water droplets hanging from a cable after the rain. The moment you try to protect them by touching, they just break leaving you sad. But with you not around, I’ve realized that life is like those dice thrown around. Some are colored, some aren’t. You never know which one you’re going to get at what point of time. But whatever you get, you just have to take it and move on.