Meraki...

It’s a not so cold evening and the darkness is just beginning to gently embrace the surroundings. How enchanting to watch the stars one-by-one switch on their lights and tiny fireflies happily illuminate their lamps! Shadows take over from daylight. A few flowers that had been waiting for the velvety touch of darkness are wide awake and the tiny creatures sleeping within their soft petals rise and shine. A gentle fragrance permeates the quietude. Eventually the street lights come on and some crazy moths with other insects dance noisily around them.  

In the silence this word comes to my mind again. I’ve been coming across this word frequently but rarely have I paused to consider it. Today morning something made me deliberate it... I repeated it a couple of times in my mind and then set about researching it with the desire to know more.  

It is a Greek word that means to do ‘something’ with soul, creativity and love or rather let’s say to pour something of yourself into your work. How romantic!

It’s been quite some time now that I’ve taken up writing seriously – three fantasy novels for everyone who’s a child at heart and four romance novels for those who believe in the magic called ‘love’. Whoever reads them says they see something of me in each of them. Now, on hindsight I’m amazed how each story does hold a piece of me!

I’ve had known people and even random strangers (to me) asking me if Gulmohar Love is my story. Initially, I just laughed off the connection but later I began to realise I had actually poured not only something of me but more than that into my maiden romance novel. No wonder, the queries! Even if I couldn’t see it others could – the love for floral chiffon sarees, for one. 

In each of the love stories I have woven parts of deep seated desires, dreams and hopes. And, I like to believe that the one who truly loves you will find you, will make a way to reach you, however difficult the journey. A true artist or writer creates with passion and love. And, the reader can visualize each moment, can feel each emotion with equal intensity.

What better time than the month of love to celebrate this pure feeling? Valentine’s Day is here; Nature is celebrating with pretty, fragrant blossoms and sweetly singing birds and bees. Florists, gift stores and jewellers are doing a roaring business, everyone wants to give a loved one something special, confess their love or pledge their undying love forever. The novel Mistletoe Magic saw Cupid bring Alex and Lavinia’s love story to fruition on Valentine’s Day. What a lovely magical tale! 

Nothing can beat a love story that can cause the heart to flutter and eyes to water. Here, we have the best stories from among the many entries which poured in for the #lovestories 2024 short story contest. I hope you’ll be able to connect with the feelings and enjoy reading them. 

Curly Tales of Aditi by Mansi Sangtani

My Love Story by Kum Kum Ajit Singh SHIVAMRIT by Mudita Shekhawat The Unspoken by Kritika Motiani

The Life of Death by Saniya Jha