The World That Made Me Special

Hello Stranger, welcome to my world. So let me introduce myself. I am Anaisha and meet my only Friend, My Diary. Have you ever felt a room full of people and still experience loneliness? I felt it too so thus the name of my dairy ‘ Lonely ‘. But before that how did we end up in this situation? Let’s begin…

Chapter One: The Question

It was a long day of school, yest susth agithu andre bag kuda floor mele yelko bandide. I was so exhausted—physically, mentally, emotionally. All I wanted at that moment was Amma, and her handmade food. To listen to ranting about the school. Manege bandu the first thing I do is Ammana hudkod. Idi mane hudukde Amma mathra kanustha illa.

“Amma?” Antha karde but nange nan voice ah echo aythu.

Modle hasiv agtha ide and there is nobody to hear me. Yak ast hasvu andre I was always being bullied for my looks aduke avathu thumba sittali madhyana uta na skip madide. Ide time ge Appa bandru. He looked like he lost the energy as me.

“Hi Appa” ande with a little quieter voice than usual.

Appa smiled and nodded at the same time. “Hegitu School?” antha kelidru, I wanted to tell everything – hege she gets treated in school – hege people don’t prioritize her – but appana tired eyes paused me. Avr susth ada kannu was clearly telling he was not fully present.

Instead I asked “Appa, Amma yelli?”

Mobile scroll madtha appa helidru “Hriday na pick madake hogavre. Barthare swalpa hoth ali”. I nodded and went to my room.

Hriday is my irritating and self centric younger brother.

Nan room ali I was sitting alone and was calming myself. Hall inda Hriday kirchadthavne nange ina jasthi irritation aythu. Room ache bande Amma and Hriday sofa mele kuthkond chit chat madthavre. They are laughing, talking and here I am who is not having anyone to listen to me. Nange gothu Hriday is far better than me in studies, looks, fitness and everything. I am not jealous because he is getting all attention nange sittu yen andre i don’t get bare minimum antha.

I was waiting there, ivr conversation mugsake. Mugitha ne illa. All I wanted to tell Amma nan life ali yen neditha ide antha but avr conversation na interrupt madaku ista aglilla. I was waiting near the door patiently. Amma nana observe madidru. Smile madtha “Ani, bega band idya! Hog fresh up agu, amele mathadana” andru.

Bejar adru nan yen helilla, I went back to my room. I always wondered if I am even visible to people. Yake Andre nan yen madidru I felt unnoticed and was second priority even when I was the first kid. All I wanted was a fraction of the attention and Hriday ge idu easy agi sigtha ithu. That’s when I questioned my existence and started writing down all my feelings. Ili I was a listener to my own story.

“When I am left alone, I am in the company of the only one I need”

Chapter Two: Shadows of Comparison

Hinge keluv varsha agtha banthu. Nan life ali thumba change madkond ide my lifestyle, friends circle andre no friends antha but still my only villain who had changed was Hriday. Ist varsha adru i was still feeling i was further slipping into the shadows. Hriday was unstoppable and excelled in academics, sports and even in relationship with my parents. There was a constant comparison with me and Hriday in every family gathering and all the relatives would sing Hriday’s praises.

“Yenrappa makla dodavr admele yen agbek antha idira?” For that respectfully Hriday “Doctor” anda and I responded “I am still figuring out” ande. Aduke avru “You are a brilliant boy. Anaisha nodu why can’t you have big ambition like your brother?” Antha heludru. When nobody asked for their opinion. When I want to speak I don’t have anyone to listen to and when I speak they have opinions to give.

I was in constant competition with my existence and my brother. Each time I was in urge to prove myself even I am better. But nan yen effort hakidru I felt it was never enough. Nan efforts would be overshadowed by this stupid Hriday’s effortless charm. I had a feeling that I am the dark background where Hriday shined out each time.

I am supposed to be the one who supports and protects my brother. But he is my deepest frustration now. ” Nang yake avn thara irake agalla? Nan yake yaru notice madalla? Is being an average kid a problem? ” I still remember the day when he came home. How all the attention got shifted towards him as soon as he arrived. If something is brought they will be like avn chikavn alva avnge kodu. Who will tell them even though I am a kid, too?

Hriday’s life was always filled with fun, enjoyment and friends. All I had was my dairy and four walls. My parents used to ask me to go out and play I was so done with people’s opinions. Iduna observe madid Appa brought me a golden retriever ‘Rocky’ my first ever dog. After a long time I felt I was living again. Nan kushi express madake avath nan diary page sakagilla. They thought this would make me go out and play but that’s how I completely changed  into an introvert. Thankyou Appa.

“The day I began to live is the day I discovered being an introvert was awesome”

Chapter Three: Echoes of a New Dawn

It was my first day at college. I was excited for my fresh start. Where nobody knows me and I know nobody. Hosadagi start madana antha thumba asse ide but at the end of the day I am still that shy, introvert and unsure of herself girl. I wanted to try talking to all but being something which I was not was suffocating me. But still the urge to be noticed was still top of my head.

As it was our first day seniors were in charge of showing us in and around the college. So we were divided in a group of 10 and each batch had ond volunteer senior. Nam batch Volunteer was Sanketh. First group activity nam senior madsid was a group introduction. Each one had to come front introduction madko bek. One by one yalardu agtha banthu. Nane last line ali irod ega. Prathi sali obru introduction adange the fear nan next introduction heg madkoli? Was making my heart run faster and I started to shiver. Aga the girl who sat next to me observed this tapped on my lap and smiled. “Hey, Nan Ria, what’s your name?” I smiled at her and said “Nan Anaisha, from St.Xavier college”. I didn’t know she made me introduce myself to the group even without my knowledge. Initially I was pissed about her but the way she handled my situation showed that she was so smart.

Ega next task. This was a treasure hunt game. Idrali we had to coordinate with the team and clues na huduk bek. This treasure hunt task 5 hints agi divide agithu.
1. Should head towards the library. Pick two random books and the librarian will ask you a few questions You should read out the first line of the book and they hand over the clue
2. Go to the sports area and find a group consisting of 3 members they will teach few dancing moves and they will handover the second clue.
3. Go to the cafeteria and order special treasure hunt juice and have it at one go and you will get the third clue
4. Go to the basketball court shoot the balls thrice and get the fourth hint
5. Introduce yourself to a stranger but not by your name but instead of your college name and pose in a funny manner and they will post in the college page. The post which gets highest likes in 30 minutes gets the final hint

Their main intention was to explore the campus in a fun manner.

We ran towards the library

The librarian asked, “What’s the secret to a happy relationship?”

Loki opened a random book and read, “Don’t bring your dog to every argument”

The librarian asked, “How do I know if he’s the one?”

Adi read “He was wearing a red shirt, which meant trouble.”

The librarian again asked, “How do I keep my partner interested?”

At this point of time I had lost interest in this game aduke I stopped listening to further replies.

Finally first clue kotru.

Amele sports area ge hodvi all are sitting either individually illa more than 3. Yarna huduk bek antha ne goth agilla. Finally we found them, dance moves helkotru and Avni and Naz madidru. We got the second clue too.

Third hint goskara cafetaria ge hodvi and ah drinks bere avr kudyod nodi nange uneasy aythu. I left from there and I don’t know how they managed to get the third and fourth clue.

Final clue bek ithu now it was all on me and Ria. Yav stranger hathra hogod modle introvert. So, hodvi there was one guy standing there… He was tall, straight dark hair. Karudvi “Excuse me?” antha. He turned back he had brown eyes and he said “Yes?”. Uff his base voice. Avn helide ond word. Heg explain madbek gothilla but ah moment ali I felt something I never felt before. Goth ilde I lowered my head in shy. Ria introduced “Hey, my name is Govinda institution”. Avn mukka full confusion state ali ide nange ollage ollage full nagu. Ria pulled my hand and asked me to introduce “My name is St.Xavier” ande. Avn confusion ale “I am Bhoumik” anda. Ria asked him to click our picture. Yen funny pose kodod? Antha think madtha idvi. He asked “Yen aythu?” Aduke we explained the whole scenario and he was smiling about it and initiated to take 3 monkeys iconic pose.

We posted it and we got the highest likes among all. Namge shock anthad yen madudvi antha. Nam idi team ge full Kushi. Yalargu first 4 hints bega sikithu and we won just because we had the highest likes. Nange yest kushi andre for the first time istond appreciation for the girl who was always unnoticed ge it was over whelming. But ina think madtha idvi hege istond likes banthu antha aga Sanketh said “It was because of Bhoumik”.

Who is this Bhoumik?

“Sometimes, the greatest impact comes from the unlikeliest sources. A stranger in a frame, yet the one who turns a simple moment into a story worth sharing”


Chapter Four: The Flicker and the Fade

The college will be all exciting for the first 2-3 days amele ade class, ade gossip and ade loneliness. Degree ali yala change aguthe anthare but the only thing that changes is that there will be no uniform anod aste.Nodtha nodtha 2 months agide goth agilla nothing exciting was happening in college except the fact that nange jasthi friends yaru irlilla all I had was Ria. Ria was something else yeno onthara whirlwind of energy anbahudu. She understood all my feelings even without expressing the way she prioritised my thought process and for the very first time I felt I was real and my presence was felt. Modulne sala nobody was there to compare me with Hriday or felt overshadowed. Yesto sali ankothivi alva is the wait worth it? Sometimes totally it is, modle Ria sikidre I would never know the value of being valued ansuthe.

It was a Wednesday afternoon physics class but nobody was mentally present in the class anbahudu. All of the sudden seniors entered the class. Avr bandid main reason they were organising a cultural event and they were asking us to participate in that. Guess what everyone was least bothered and avaga enter agid Bhoumik mathe Sanketh. All Bhoumik did was repeated the same thing. Interest ilde iror yala participate madthini antha hand raise madidru. Adrali eh Ria nu oblu avl participate madod alde she was forcing me too Iduna observe madid Bhoumik “Xavier, are you not interested?” antha kelda. Mans ali *Ning yak bek ivella?* antha ansidru bai ali “No, I am not” ande. Interested idor hesru na list madi kodake heli hodru. Nan yest beda andru Ria kept on forcing and added my name to the list (not that I was not interested I just wanted that extra attention from someone to be stubborn for me).

After 3 PM we had practice but thumba cultural event ithu and nam college ali inond yen andre seniors will decide what performance we are giving and will add our name accordingly. We were going to every single list but our names weren’t there. Sanketh was passing by. Ria kardu nan hesru yelli? antha keldaga he is giggling and pointed out our names in the Skit list and they had written our names as ‘Govinda’ and ‘Xavier’ all we could do was give death stare to Sanketh but nan adunu madilla. But Ria was like the Guardian of my galaxy her stare was enough to send Sanketh from there.

Practice start aythu actually very well thought skit about Maya (Illusion) and Truth. You will get to know as you read. Practice madtha all I could see was not only the skit was getting improvised but also the bonding between Ria and Sanketh. Hinge practice madhya madhya Bhoumik bartha ida but yavag nodudru he would be surrounded by people avna nodi nange social anxiety agod ast jana iroru. Eh skit ge involve madidavle Ria but swalpa dina agtha avle practice ali kantha irlilla. She would be hanging out with Sanketh, nanu jasthi yenu kelake hogtha irlilla as this is the only time they get to meet and talk antha sumne nan padige nan ide. But avr close adnage I felt I was silently fading into the background again. It was an old, familiar feeling, yavaglu nange idide fear of replacement, I was thinking how Hriday replaced me and now Sanketh. No matter how much I tried to fit in, I would always be the one left behind.

Manege bandu Iduna share madkolake idide nange nan diary. Avath i didn’t write my diary not just with ink but also with my tears. At this point I felt nane problem irbek, nan yargu ast important alla antha that’s when Rocky hopped over me. Ah moment ge I forgot my sadness avn jothe atta adtha ide avaga Amma utake karudru Rocky na karkond horte.

Avathu final day practice madtha idivi we got news that the Srish (main lead) of the skit met with an accident and he will not be able to participate. Yalargu tension yen madod ega antha avaga Bhoumik stepped in and told he will take care of the main skit. Nan thale ali the first thought I got *Ond dina skit nodilla madaku bandilla nam skit kathe Govinda!*

Bhoumik bandu nan hathra “You go through with your lines, Srish ge yen agide antha nodkond barthini ” antha heli hoda. Nan nan padige I was rehearsing my lines 7 PM adru Bhoumik didn’t come back and I lost my patience and it was already time antha horte.

So finally the skit day. I was ready with my lines and Bhoumik banda. Nan kelde “How is Srish?” antha. He replied “Swalpa blood loss agide”. I felt bad for him nan mukka nodi “Hey saviour I mean Xavier let’s focus on the skit, All the best” anda. And we started the skit and we reached the final scene of the skit

(The stage is dark, save for a solitary spotlight that rests on Anaisha, who stands alone, caught in the center of the stage. She seems overwhelmed, surrounded by a constant buzz of voices, the glare of flashing lights. The weight of attention is unbearable, yet no one truly sees her.)

Anaisha (as the character, Maya):“Is this it? Is this what they wanted—this noise, this endless chase for attention? All these eyes are on me, but no one really sees me. I’m drowning in it, surrounded by everything and nothing at once.”

Bhoumik ( as the character, Truth):“While you bask in the lights, I’m left alone, forgotten in the corner. People can’t see the quiet ones, but they don’t see the toll it takes to always be seen either.”

Anaisha: “You’ve been here all along… but I didn’t see you. Why are you in the shadows? Why are you hiding?”

Bhoumik: “You never looked for me. You were too busy looking at everyone else, at their approval. And now that you’re suffocating in it, you realize I was always here. I was always here.”

Anaisha: “Do they even want me? Or do they just want the image I give them—the version of me they created?”

(The crowd’s noise swells, almost deafening. MAYA turns back toward the blinding lights, but she’s torn. Her gaze flickers back to TRUTH, who remains quiet in the shadows.)

Bhoumik: “Fame isn’t a gift. It’s a prison. Everyone wants something from you, but no one really knows you. And when you’re left alone, behind the applause… you realize what it costs.”

Anaisha: “Who am I really when no one’s looking? When the lights go out, when they forget… will I still be enough?”

(The lights dim completely, leaving the stage in silence.)

Light dim aythu but the applause got louder. Everyone was shouting my name and It was so overwhelming.

Nange avath thumba kushi aythu because it showed me sometimes attention is not all you need it was the truth that we needed the most and I wanted to thank the skit writer hogi Sanketh na kelde who wrote the skit. He  was smiling and said “Performance yala madumele keltha idyala, it was Bhoumik”. I was actually in shock now I was connecting the dots that without even practicing how he performed so well antha.

Bhoumik hathra hode and told him thumba olle skit actually lot to learn antha. He smiled at me nange munde hege conversation madbek antha goth aglilla “Hordthini” ande and he was like “I will drop you”. I didn’t know what to tell and without realising I nodded. Hortvi and he asked me “Can we walk?” antha. It was hardly 1 km to my home “Okay” ande. He asked me “How was the skit?” I responded it was good how can I tell him all I wanted to experience this fame antha. Aga helda it is actually a story of him like how he feels when surrounded by all and needed by none. Popularity is more like a trap and not the freedom antha. Now I saw the skit in his perspective and it was so true. I had so much to speak to him but nav already mane reach agidvi. I said “We will catch up tomorrow” and I left.

It was such a good day I just wanted to write all this down in my diary and was waiting to tell my story to my Rocky. I entered my home only to witness that Rocky was no more.

Why God? Why it should be me? Aren’t we allowed to be happy?

It was 3 days since Rocky left us and I was still not ready to accept the situation. With a heavy heart I went to college and for the very first time I wanted to share this with a person and I felt Bhoumik is the right one. I went to his class only to discover he had taken TC.

“In the silence of loneliness, I found the one who cared—only to lose them when I needed them most”

Chapter Five: Threads of Fate

I always have this feeling that I am stagnant in this fast moving world. People of my age are getting committed , few are getting placed, few are having plans to do Masters in foreign. But nanu still that lonely person but this time in the final year degree. Ille idre FOMO feel aguthe antha I decided Bangalore ali internship madthini antha and nan adrustake Caprikon company ali internship request na kuda accept madidru. I was so happy to start this journey but life had some other plans.

Being lonely was not a new thing to me but being alone was. Nan yavthu nam family ge centre of attention agirlilla it was all about Hriday, so I thought I had learnt to navigate the world in solitude and I was so wrong. It was the first day at my office they assigned me a desk and said nothing related to work. Modle introvert agid nange heg conversation start madbek antha nu gothilla. I sat there watching people absorbed in their work. Ist dina college days has no life ankontha idid nang IT employees proved me wrong.

It was not even a week and already I started feeling I am lost in this big city. Maneli idire at least uta madu ba antha karyoke appa amma idru and ili ‘Uta madidya?’ antha kelaku jana illa. We often don’t realize what matters until we’re far away from it. Eh nan emptiness na fill madbek andre only one way I should put my  heart and soul for this internship. But nan yest idrinda escape agoke try madidru, the realisation of being lonely and alone was a quiet ache in my chest.

Fifteen days have passed since I joined the internship but I was not involved in the project. Mans dhairya madkond nam manager hathra hogi I spoke about my interest. Funny fact yen andre they had completely forgotten about my presence as an intern, hing adre who will not get existence crisis?
After carefully considering my request nam manager put me in a Food product team. Our team wanted to start an advertising campaign for a nutrition-based food product. Multiple AD agency inda pitch banthu but yala concept fell in the similar lines ‘ It’s not only about right exercise it’s also about Nutritious food ‘. I felt there was no unique selling point but helake dhairya nu illa and pitch madake hosa concept kuda illa.

The project had stalled for weeks. AD agency na finalise madbek and the ideas had been tired and predictable. Avaga nam team lead was asking everyone’s suggestion and this was the only time to shine. But hege? Ide time ge nam amma ond 2-3 sali call madtha avre. Each time I ignored mathe mathe call madtha idru. I was fed up and asked “Yenamma?” And all she asked was “Uta madidya?” Aga banthu nodu ond idea. Nam ammandirna bittu who else can think about Nutritious food for kids?
I utilised the opportunity and pitched the idea. Nam Team lead ge full kushi and he was like “It’s a nice line, we have one last pitch and that’s from Prerana Creatives. Let’s ask them to build a concept from this line”.

Prerana Creatives was here and they started their pitch. And the AD concept went like

“The Essence of Nourishment”

Scene 1:
Soft background music begins. A cozy, sunlit kitchen. A mother gently prepares food, her hands moving with care and grace. The aroma of freshly cooked food fills the air.

Narrator:
“A mother’s love isn’t just in the food she prepares… It’s in the warmth she serves, the devotion she pours, and the essence she gives with every bite.”

Scene 2:
The camera focuses on a small child, looking up at their mother with trusting eyes. The mother smiles lovingly, spooning food into the child’s bowl, her hands tenderly brushing the child’s hair.

Narrator:
“It’s not just nourishment… It’s life itself. The love that fills the space between each meal, between each moment.”*

Scene 3:
The camera pulls back to reveal an empty chair at the dinner table, the food untouched. A quiet moment of stillness.

Narrator:
“But sometimes… there’s an empty seat. An unspoken absence. A loss that can never be replaced.”

Scene 4:
The mother sits down beside the child (imagination), both sharing a quiet, comforting moment, silently connecting. The camera lingers on their hands holding each other.*

Narrator:
“In the absence, we find the space to remember, to cherish… and to love, even more deeply.”

Scene 5:
The logo of the product appears, a soft glow around it. The tagline fades in:

Narrator:
“More than nourishment. More than love. It’s life, in every bite.”

It was such a beautiful concept The idea was of a mother feeding her child not just food, but love, devotion, and life itself.The concept wasn’t just about a mother’s love; it was about the space left behind by someone irreplaceable. Nan ideology and this pitch maybe match made in heaven anusthu.

I was curious who’s the person who brought so much life to my small ideology. Narrator explain madbek adre I felt like I knew this person for a long time. In the end credit of the AD concept said Prerana Creatives….. From Bhoumik

“Sometimes, the smallest spark of an idea can ignite a flame that changes everything. But little did I know, the spark I had ignited would lead me back to someone I never thought I’d see again.”

Chapter Six: The Unfolding of Heartstrings

Nan yavath expect madirlilla that my path would ever cross again with Bhoumik. Bhoumik nan college mate who vanished without any trace is now standing in front of me. He looked so different now but avn brown sharp eyes had the same intensity and curiosity.Whole team was happy about the concept yala wish madake hodvi and my heart skipped a beat as he extended his hand for a formal handshake.
I was not sure if he remembers me and there was a smile on his face. “Xavier” antha karda with his warm voice, the moments I spent with him were small but yala memory ge ondsali revisit kotange ithu. My face turned red and the fact that he remembers me made my pulse race.

AD shoot commence aythu. Concept line nand agidrinda nam Team lead made me deeply involved in the process. The concept of shooting ah hosad nange. It was fascinating how Actors action adaga they were involved in the character ade cut andid thakshana they were back to their life. Bhoumik break antha helida I was sitting in a corner lonely avaga Bhoumik bandu “Coffee ge hogtha idini barthira?” antha kelda. Nangu bore agtha ithu horte avn jothe. We went to the Cafe and he started speaking “Hegide life? How’s Banglore treating you?” antha. Nan helde ” Life thumba boring agide and talking about the city I am feeling lost in the city, overwhelmed by the hustle”. Avn yen helilla for that he just smiled and said ” Nale if you are free I have one more AD shoot. Free idre bani nimgu untold side of Banglore nodange aguthe” anda. As it was Saturday nanu “Okay ” ande.

It was early morning at 3:30 AM. Bhoumik phone madida ina 10 minutes ali I will be near your Pg anta. Nange heavy nidde but still yeddu ready ade bega bega and he came at 4:10 AM. “Thumba time sense ide” antha mock madide. Smile madtha he responded “10 minutes ali irthini ande, 4 AM admele 10 minutes ali ide” anda. Avn joke ge avnge nagu barlilla ina nange ina yeli. “Yelige hogtha idivi?” antha kelde. ” Mandaragiri lake ” anda. Reach ago astrali it was 5:30 AM.

Car na lake pakka park madida and hathra idid coffee shop inda bisi bisi coffee thago band kotta. The Sun was slowly rising. Strong coffee jothe warm and golden reddish suryana kirna bettad madya inda was enough to cool me down. Hinge coffee kuditha I asked
“How do you come up with such relatable concepts? Like college days ali with that skit and ega about the mom’s love…it was so real”

Bhoumik paused, avn mukkdali there was sadness “Actually nange 10 years idaga Amman kalkonde and my dad did his best to fill the void. But appa yene kotru amman preethi kodake aglilla.The person who inspired me to follow my passion is Prerana and that’s my mom and because of that today we have Prerana Creatives. Eh beautiful sunrise hege irreplaceable hange mom’s love towards kids is also irreplaceable”.

I sat in silence, processing his words. I had always felt that everyone around me was too busy to listen to my story, Bhoumik had no one, and his words seemed to echo with an ache. It was deep silence and avagle my curiosity piqued, “But… College ali yen aythu? Yav reason goskara sudden disappearance? I’ve wondered about that for so long.”

Avn expression complete agi change aythu and I could see hesitation in him “Ega sadyake beda. I will tell you someday but ivath beda” anda. I could sense he was hurt but yen reason gothilla. He went and sat near the shore and i followed him and asked him ” What’s a lake’s favorite type of music? ” He was confused and I answered as ” Wave rock! “. Eh joke work out agilla antha inond joke helde ” Why did the math book look sad? ” Again silence aduke nane “Because it had too many problems”. Nan joke ge nagu barde idru he smiled looking at me breaking my head to make lame jokes.

Swalpa time admele “Hordana?” antha kelda. Nange confusion ega aduke kelde “AD shoot antha heli karko bande, Yenadru cancel aytha?” Aduke smile madtha helda “Anaisha, keluv moments are irreplaceable—like this sunrise, Ning gotha why we feel the world slows down? just to remind us eh galate alu there’s beauty waiting to be discovered. Just like how places like this exist in a city full of traffic. Don’t get lost in the noise of the city; find your own happiness by embracing what’s around you and ning gotha what keeps us alive is simple moments. Just like the taste of today’s coffee witnessing with the sunrise”. I felt each word he said. And this became our routine finding new places to create my simple happy moments.

AD shoots complete aythu and so is the internship and even Caprikon offered me a job if I wish I could come back and work after my graduation. I felt so happy initially they were not even aware of my existence as an intern but ega they are offering. I kept the offer on hold. The day to leave Bangalore came too quickly maybe Bhoumik sikilla andre time would not pass this fast ansuthe. I could sense the change in me, bandaga I hated the city and ega vapas hogbek adre I am already missing this beautiful city and Thanks Bhoumik for making me realise this. We were standing in the bus stand and I told him “You should come to my graduation, It would mean a lot to me” antha.

He hesitated for a moment, then sighed. “Avath kelde alva yake disappear ade antha. My father passed away in my final year degree. I am not brave enough and the feeling of losing him still haunts me. I can’t bring myself to go back to Mangalore” anda. Nange yen helbek artha agilla I gave him a tight hug and whispered “I get it”. Keluv sala yala idu yaru ilde iror thara badukthivi and keluvr yaru illa andru nenapugala jothe badukthare. Usually when buses get delayed I get so irritated but ivathu I was hoping it would get delayed and I can stay with Bhoumik a little longer anustha ithu. Bus bande bidthu, bus hathkonde and I was watching him from the window as he waved goodbye.

Mangalore reach ade. Nanu Bhoumik ast doora idru we made sure we gave time to each other daily and stayed connected. Nodtha nodtha graduation day had arrived. It was a bittersweet day nange yak andre ivathe Hriday’s first day of his MBBS college. Appa amma avna bidake hogidru bejar agilla analla but now I was a changed person ega I had a person to listen to my story antha samadana ali ide. Group photo thegitha idru suddenly bright flash. Kannu open madide there was a 6 foot man standing among the crowd. Ah crowd madya nu he took my attention it was none other than Bhoumik.

Nange avath agid kushi ast ist alla the moment our eyes met odi hogi avna thapkonde. The person who was not ready to face the fear came to Mangalore just for me. Without missing a beat, he dropped to one knee, and in front of the gathered crowd, he proposed. I felt my life was so complete ah moment ali. Ide time ge appa, amma bandru, they were shocked and angry at the sight in front of them.

“Sometimes, we wander through life feeling invisible, lost in the shadows of others. But when we find someone who truly sees us, we realize that the light we’ve been searching for was always within reach.”

Chapter Seven: Revaluation of the Heart

The silence in the house was deafening after the graduation ceremony. Nam appa amma were still reeling from the shock of seeing me and Bhoumik together. Nam amman mukka was filled with confusion and concern as she walked back and forth in the hall. Appa dinning chair ali kuthkond avr alochane ali kaldogidru. I was sitting on the couch, heart racing, unsure of how to process what had just unfolded.

Amma decided to break the silence. “Anaisha, Yen idu? Yar ah hudga? Yak hinge madide?” antha kelidru. I could sense the anger and frustration in her tone. Avath dina ina maryake agalla mansali ast baya idru I looked at amma and tried answering calmly “Avn hesru Bhou… Bhoumik, first year college time inda ne parichaya” and then I explained the whole story.

Nam amman kannali sittu kanustha ithu, “Avn ninge nijvaglu right person ansutha? Amman Preethi goth ilde appan neralali beldiron avnu. Avn nijvaglu ninna care madthane ansutha?” antha kelidru. I was shocked by this question and felt like a sharp slap. I nodded my head and asked “Niv nan bagge care madidira? All you cared for Hriday aste. Ega Bhoumik na caringness bagge question rise madtha idira”. Nam amma stood in shock “Anaisha, Caring anod bari giving things or doing things for someone alla… It’s about showing love, bekad time ali bekagiro jagdali irodu”. Aduke I responded ” Correct time ge correct place ali irode love andrala if that was case Hriday’s first day of class goskara nan graduation day na bittu hogtha irlilla and Bhoumik came to Mangalore just for me. Adu sak avn nana love madtha idane antha thorsake”.

“Hriday bagge mathad beda… ” antha helidru amma asthothige I stopped her and said “Sometimes I wish Hriday was never born”. Ivathigu I regret for telling that but ah moment ge I felt relaxed and I went to my room and closed the doors. After sometime Appa bandu door knocks madidru. Open madide he sat next to me I put my head on his shoulder. Comforting me he asked “Putta , I want to ask sorry for letting this type of thought be generated in your head. But yav appa amma nu ond magu na jasthi preethi madi inond magu ge kammi preethi kodalla. Nam putta family ali you were the first celebration. Nin hutid dina nam mukkdali agid santhosha… Module mathu kalthaga agid anandha… Modulne hejje itaga agid uthsaha… Yavthu maryake agalla. But putta ond artha madko namge nenu modulne magu hange namgu it was the first time being a parents alva? Thap navu madidvi because we were learning with you. Ide thapna we didn’t do with Hridya because we learnt it with you. Idu nodake avn mele jasthi preethi ansir bahudu but ad nijja alla. Nin nam modulne maglu mathra allamma nin nam modulne guru kuda”. Avr helid mathu ond ond kuda was so true. Ist heli appa horutru, hogo munche inond helidru “Inond yen andre namna force madi nin graduation ge baro hange madid Hriday. Avn mukdali nervousness kanustha ithu as it was his first day but still all he wanted was us to attend your graduation” antha heli hodru.

Nange tension ge nidde bartha irlilla I was sitting on my bed and heard a knocking sound again, It was Hriday. He stood at the doorway, looking unsure. He was always so quiet, always so measured in his words. But avathu, he spoke with a rawness I had never seen in him before. “Akka, all fine?” antha kelda. Nange yen response kodbek antha goth agilla. “Akka, nang gothu we never spoke about our personal life. Nam chik vaysinda we are more like competitors than siblings. Yaladralu competition ithu… I always wanted to be better than you. But when you went for an internship I was all alone. I did all this for what? antha nange prashne baroke start aythu. Nin value i understood only when you went away from me. Nang gothu I made you feel lonely many times but in reality when you left I was the one who was lonely in my life. Avath inda you are not my competition nin nan inspiration agidya. Nan first day ivathu and I was nervous and all I wished was you were next to me antha. Goth ilde we both care about each other If you want to be happy with Bhoumik, I will support you. I just want my sister to be happy. You deserve it.” antha helda.

Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes. Yavthu Hriday eh reethi mathad irod na nodilla. Avath avn mele idid kopa and confusion got washed away with my tears. We both hugged for the first time, It felt like I was hugging not just a brother, but a protector, and a friend.

“Nan bagge ist care madthiya antha nijvaglu gothirlilla,” antha I whispered. “I do care about my Competitor Anaisha” antha smile madtha helda. After his promise and comfort I slept peacefully. It was the next day the atmosphere in the house was completely shifted. The arguments about Bhoumik faded away, and were replaced with understanding. I don’t know Hriday yen madida overnight. Amma helid nijja ‘ Caring anod bari giving things or doing things for someone alla… It’s about showing love, bekad time ali bekagiro jagdali irod’ and it was so true. Devr aduke irbek correct time ge correct situation ali namna parikshe madod to show who really cares about us antha thorsake. We all came under the realisation that I was not the only one who had suffered in silence. They all had, in their own way antha.

As time passed, the wedding plans were set in motion. My heart was full of love but this time not just for Bhoumik, but for my family, too. Eh complete scenario made me look into the world in a whole different perspective. People are not that bad as we think about them antha artha aythu. Nodtha nodtha Bhoumik became part of our family already. Thank you Bhoumik, mostly nin bandilla andidre it would take a bit more time to understand my own family ansuthe.

The day of the wedding arrived. I was dressed in my pastel pink gown, stood before the mirror, taking in the reflection of a woman who had fought for happiness, who had come to understand her family’s love. ‘Do people care about me?’ inda ‘How much do I care about people?’ ano hosa transition nan jeevndali. I took a big breath and walked to Mantapa. Bhoumik was standing there in ivory sherwani, I was so happy to see the man of my dreams standing there for me. Idru jothe surprising agi Ria, Sanketh and all our college mate madvege band idru. Bhoumik tied three knots, nijavad three knots meaning gothilla but nange yen ansod andre it is the union of body, mind, and soul but it was not just these three it was also about love, commitment, and faith forever.

The ceremony was beautiful, but the most moving moment came when, just before I took Bhoumik’s hand, I turned to face my parents. Nam amma altha idru mixture of joy and bittersweet sadness, the kind that comes with watching your child leave the nest. Nam appan kannali could see his joy and pride. Ina Hriday he was hiding his tears from me but I could see his face turned red and wrist held tight controlling his tears. I hugged them all and cried my heart out and it was time for me to go.

I looked at Bhoumik, I smiled at him and I know this is just the beginning of a new chapter, one that would be filled with love and understanding, not just from him, but from the family once I thought I would never truly belong to.

I took Bhoumik’s hand and walked into my new life, knowing that my heart was finally at peace.

But, Is Bhoumik really the man he showed, or is there a side of him yet to discover?

“Sometimes, it takes losing ourselves to truly find where we belong. In the quietest corners of our hearts, love isn’t just about being seen, but about being understood, forgiven, and embraced for all that we are.”

Chapter Eight: The Beginning of Forever

I stepped through the front door of our new home, a sense of warmth and love wrapping around me like a blanket. The sun’s soft glow illuminated the room, and for the first time in a long while, it felt like everything was in place.
Nan enter agid thakshana my attention was drawn to a little bundle of joy at my feet — a small, brown puppy with big, curious eyes, wagging its tail excitedly.

“It’s Brownie,” Hriday’s voice echoed from behind, as he smiled playfully. “Congratulations and this is my small gift. Nang gothu Brownie can’t be a replacement for Rocky but Ivnu nimge olle companion agirthane”. My eyes were filled with tears, but eh sali bejar ge alla it was out of happiness Hriday was so observant about my emotions when I completely ignored him. I knelt down and scooped the puppy up in my arms “Brownie,” I whispered, “Welcome to the family.”

Bhoumik ge nan bari life partner agirlilla but work partner kuda agidhe. We would sit together, planning the next big campaign for Prerana Creatives, our minds worked in sync. I felt I was never this happy… The way Bhoumik thought about the AD concepts was unbelievable. Yest relatability tharon andre I would be lost in his concept and his eyes. Bhoumik na most of the concepts ge nan childhood ah inspiration. Eh inspiration inda concept madaga i would imagine myself as the main lead ade best part. Idi dina jothe ali idru we ended up in late-night conversations most of the time, it was not just talking about our dreams, pasts, or sometimes, avn jothe kuthkond silence kuda enjoy madtha ide. Bhoumik would look at me with those soft, searching eyes and say ” You make me wonder if I truly deserved you”. But for me he was everything—my home, my peace,my life aadre all I would do is smile at his stupid questions.

Work ali ibru yeste busy adru we reserved weekends for ourselves, we would take long walks in the park with Brownie, who had quickly become part of our world, his playful nature bringing joy to every moment. Hriday started missing me more ansuthe aduke he would join us, but Hriday and Bhoumik had better bond than I could even imagine. They would team up and tease me but still I am proud that at least they realised they need two of them to take down one Anaisha.

Prerana Creatives had reached new heights. Agency yav range ge beldid andre we were no more just a AD agency pitching ideas with private corporations but we were involved with Government campaigns that were revolutionary. Bhoumik by my side, it felt like nothing was impossible. Avn nan strength, avn nan guiding force agida and each day I would fall more for him. Ond dina it was our biggest ever client meeting, already avr hathra concept ithu all they wanted was our direction and inputs about the concept. It was an ad about online betting and the offered amount was something we never heard of. Nange eh online betting application andre agalla because yest janad jeevna haal agide. Avr kodthiro dudd na bekadre lekka hakbahudu but avr haal madiro samsara na alla. All I wanted was Bhoumik to deny the offer but yen aguthe antha nijja gothirlilla. All he did was he looked at me and kept his hand on my lap and said “Sorry, we can’t do this ad” antha helda. Nijja idunella heg words ali helbek antha goth agtha illa. Avn nange mathra value madtha irlilla he also did for my opinions and my ethics.

Nav manege baro astrali sanje agithu, it was indeed an exhausting day of work. Rejecting such a big offer seemed like we made a fool of ourselves anusbahudu for others. Nan oble kuthkond yochne madtha ide ‘Did we make a mistake by not accepting?’ antha ah moment ge correct ansithu but company growth wise nodudre it was not a great thing antha ansoke start aythu. That’s when Bhoumik called me for dinner and nothing was there on the dining table. Nan madid decision inda namge oota ildage aguthe antha indication kodtha idana gothilla but he asked me to close my eyes and he held my hand and took me somewhere. Kannu bidake helde and he surprised me with a quiet dinner on the terrace. The table was set beautifully, and the city lights twinkled in the background. We sat together and kissed me and said “This is a starter for our starter” antha, nang gothilla where he gets all these cute lines.

Oota madtha kelde “Ning heng goth aythu nange eh campaign nange ista agalla antha?” Aduke Bhoumik smiled and said “Ning gotha when you don’t like something and you hesitate to tell about you start shaking your leg (tremor). Ast sign saku to know your decision”. Nan nakshatra nodtha “I never thought I’d feel this happy. But with you… and everything else, I think I’ve found my place.” ande. Bhoumik looked at me “You’ve always had a place, Anaisha. You just needed to see it yourself.” From such a hectic day to romantic night Bhoumik brought his magic.

As the time flew nanu Bhoumik were no longer just lovers, but best friends, partners in every sense. We shared every little joy, every challenge, every dream. Eh kushi madya the most wonderful thing happened. I was pregnant. When the test result came back positive, I couldn’t hold back my tears. I had dreamed of a family of my own for so long, and adu ega nijja agtha ide. Eh kushi bere yar hathra hanchkoli it should be Bhoumik “We’re having a baby!” ande. Bhoumik looked at me, speechless for a moment, and then pulled me into a tight embrace. Avn yeno heltha ida but I couldn’t hear clearly but when I concentrated it was “Nan appa agtha idini” excitement ge avnge voice ah ache bartha illa. This is the best thing that’s ever happened to us.

As the months passed, My belly grew, and so did our love. We spent endless hours picking out baby clothes, imagining the future, and dreaming about the life we would share with our child. Not long after, the unthinkable happened. I found myself holding a little bundle of joy in my arms, a tiny girl with soft, curly hair, big eyes, and a smile that could melt even the coldest heart. Hriday said “She’s perfect”. Idru madya already Bhoumik had already decided the baby’s name too and he said “We’ll name her Inaaya,” his voice filled with emotion. “It

means ‘a gift from God.’”

Inaaya, became the center of our universe. Nam jeevndali she brought so much joy that no one had ever imagined—complete and pure. The house was filled with laughter, love, and the pitter-patter of little feet. Hriday est busy idru avn studies he would come over frequently to dote on his niece, and I could see Hriday nam anna agidre est care madtha ida antha. Loving husband caring family protecting brother ina yen bek life ali? I felt my life was complete.

But in the midst of this newfound happiness, something strange happened. Yako all of the sudden I felt unusually tired, yen antha artha aglilla. Initially iduna ignore madide thinking work pressure and felt it was attributing to the pressures of being a new mom idru jothe weakness irbek antha. But day by day the symptoms persisted—frequent dizziness, pain that wouldn’t go away, and an overwhelming exhaustion that no amount of sleep could fix.

It was our wedding anniversary aduke Bhoumik mathe nanu ache hogana antha plan madidvi aduke amma Inaaya na manege karkond hogidru and nobody was at home. Sudden agi avath nange thumba susth agoke start aythu I was expecting Bhoumik to be early but avathu late agi manege banda. Bhoumik rang the bell 5 times but nange yedeloku agde iro ast susthu and Bhoumik felt I was upset about his late arrival. Spare keys use madkond mane olgade banda. He saw me sleeping on the bed and asked “Yak muddu late bande antha kopa na?” There was a silence “Mathadsalva? Hogli bidu nane cook madthini. Yen thinthiya?” That was the last sentence I heard before my vision blurred, and collapsed into Bhoumik’s arms.

They rushed me to the hospital, where after several tests, the doctors delivered the devastating news. Anaisha was suffering from a rare, incurable disease ‘Myasthenia Gravis’. The doctors said “Myasthenia Gravis is an autoimmune condition where the body attacks its own nerve-muscle connections, causing muscle weakness. Sadyake we don’t have any cure for this. Avr iro ast dina kushi agi itkoli”.

My world seemed to shatter, just nan jeevandali yala settle agtha ide antha idaga all this. I was not ready to let go of the love I had found. I looked at Inaaya, the life we had created together… I couldn’t control my tears. Idru madya there was only one question in my mind which had no answer “How much time do I really have?”

The life I had always dreamed of, the family I had longed for, was slipping away. And for the first time after a long time I felt truly powerless. Doctors asked us to go back home and spend most of the time where I love. As we left the hospital, the weight of the news settled in our chest, heavy and suffocating. But the only motive which was keeping me alive was My time may be running out, but I should make every moment count. Bhoumik kissed my forehead that night, he whispered the words that had been with us since the beginning “Forever.”

But now, forever has a different meaning. The question was no longer about the love they shared.

Will I see Tomorrow?

“Even in the face of uncertainty, love remains the one thing we can hold onto—fragile, fleeting, yet powerful enough to last forever.”

Chapter Nine: The Question

Ivathu Inaaya na 5th birthday. Inaaya grew up to be a beautiful, caring and clever daughter, with love and devotion. She was the light of our life, and Brownie was by our side, an ever-present companion. Bhoumik thumba effort haktha ida to make sure nam magu ge yavdralu kammi agbardu antha. Just the way I would have wanted. But the question lingered, the one I had asked years ago “Why is it so hard to feel complete?”

Avath sanje, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Inaaya walked up to Bhoumik, her curious eyes wide and full of innocence. “Appa, amma yelli?” in her soft sweet voice. But this question struck Bhoumik’s heart like a sharp, sudden pain. His chest tightened, and for a moment, he felt the weight of all those years come rushing back. He took a deep breath, wiped away a silent tear, and held out his hand and said “Baa Kanda, karkond hogthini”

With her small hand in his, they made their way to the room that had once been filled with laughter, dreams, and a life that seemed to have no end. Bhoumik opened the door slowly, revealing the space that still held every trace of ANAISHA—her favorite books, the perfume she wore, the sketches she made, and the memories they had shared. The room was untouched, a sacred shrine to a life that had been abruptly interrupted.Inaaya kannu dodoud madkond idu room nodtha a “Appa, yardu eh room?”. “Inmele ninde kanda” antha Bhoumik helda with his voice breaking slightly. “Eh room ali iro prathi vasthu nu nim ammandu and ega idella ninde”.

Inaaya’s gaze drifted to a shelf where a small, worn diary rested, its pages yellowed with time. Inaaya ge shelf ali itoro dairy yetuslilla. Inaaya looked at her dad and called her dad with just her head nod. Bhoumik just revisited Anaisha’s memory. Bhoumik pulled Inaaya up and she was able to reach out, gently running her fingers over the cover. “Appa, idu yav book?” antha kelidlu. Bhoumik with a soft smile tugging at his lips. “It’s a story about Anaisha and me ‘The WORLD (Bhoumik) that made me SPECIAL (Anaisha)”. Inaaya again asked “Can I read it?” avl question ali curiousity ithu. Bhoumik replied “Yes, you can it’s a journey from the very beginning to an endless path”

As Inaaya opened the diary, Bhoumik’s thoughts wandered back to the words Anaisha had written. ‘ From a self-doubtful person to the most valuable person in my life, my journey is complete…’ He could still feel the weight of those words, how they mirrored his own transformation.But there was one thing he hadn’t figured out. Bhoumik life Anaisha na nenp inda thumbithu, Inaaya ge varnisoke agade iro ast preethi and support kotida, Inaaya ge yavdu missout agbardu anode avn life goal agithu but avn yeste try madidru there was still one thing missing—the answer to Inaaya’s question ‘Where is Mom?’

Bhoumik pulled Inaaya into a tight embrace “Kanda, Amma nam jothe ne idare, She is occupied in our hearts forever”. As he answered Inaaya’s question he looked up and spoke to himself ‘Anaisha nin nam jeevna na poorna madidya but Inaaya prashne ge uthara yendigu apoorna. I needed you more than you ever knew ‘.

“Some questions are timeless, but their answers can only be felt, not spoken. Love, like memories, never truly fades—it lingers in the quiet spaces of the heart”

A man who firmly believes that, no matter how many people come and go, the only companion that never leaves is one’s own shadow, proves him wrong. It was not only the shadows that remained, but memories too. And even when the shadows were missing, memories were always there.

And a woman who was lost in the depths of self-doubt and an existential crisis, struggling to find meaning in her solitude, showed that she was the one who made others’ life complete

Theme art by ✍️,
Anjana Vijay https://instagram.com/anjana_vijay?utm_medium=copy_link

Story by ✍️,
S S SRUJAN GOWDA https://instagram.com/user__not._.available?utm_medium=copy_link