Happily Ever After

Chapter 1

I stared at the blank document on my laptop, unable to formulate a single sentence.  An hour had passed, and the page remained stubbornly empty.  The ease with which I once wrote had vanished, leaving me struggling to begin. I missed the effortless flow of thoughts onto the page.

Perhaps the solution lay in a return to traditional methods.  The tactile experience of pen and paper might unlock the words trapped within my mind. Closing my laptop, I retrieved a black leather notebook from my desk drawer, my fingers tracing the gilded lettering on its cover. Years had passed since I last used it.  Why had I stopped?  Selecting a pen from its stand, I uncapped it and watched the black ink bleed onto the paper.

The ringing of my phone interrupted the quiet.  Instantly, I knew it was Virat. 

"Hello, love," his warm voice greeted me, causing a familiar flutter in my chest. Even after two years together, his voice still held that power.

"Hi," I replied, a smile touching my lips despite the fact he couldn't see it. Virat always had a way of brightening my day, my life.

"What's my baby girl doing?" he inquired. 

"Trying to write a new story," I sighed, "But I'm stuck. I have no idea what to write about." 

"Hmm...I think my girl needs some inspiration," he responded.

"I do," I agreed. The deadline for the Kathmandu Literary Club's national writing contest, July 23rd, loomed. I needed at least a plot outline by then. The contest was the impetus I needed to resume writing.

He instructed me to look outside, and a surge of anticipation coursed through me.  I held my breath, hoping to catch sight of his familiar, imposing figure. In my mind's eye, I pictured his tall, muscular build, the way his shoulders broadened beneath his shirt, and the easy confidence with which he carried himself. More than anything, I longed to see his happy grin, the one that crinkled the corners of his eyes and radiated warmth, a beacon that always brightened my day.  I yearned for the sight of him to chase away the lingering shadows and fill the world with the vibrant colors of joy and connection.

He'd been away at a cricket tournament, making our relationship long-distance. Despite the physical separation, our love and constant communication via social media bridged the gap.  However, my hopes of seeing him were dashed by the sight of an empty driveway.

"What am I supposed to look at?" I asked, confused.

"Look at the moon," he replied. "Look at how brightly it shines at night. It overpowers the darkness, just like you brighten up my life."

I laughed at his cheesy romanticism. He always knew how to make me smile, even if it was corny.

"Wow," I said, still gazing at the sky. "You just made me think you were standing outside waiting for me. " I knew it was too good to be true, but I couldn't help hoping for a surprise. I missed him terribly.

Suddenly, I felt an arm around my waist, a head resting on my shoulder. I inhaled sharply, recognizing his cologne, frozen in place.

He whispered, "I couldn't just let you think that I'm outside, love," brushing his lips against my cheek.
My heart hammered. I quickly turned to face him. "I couldn't just let you think that I'm outside, love," brushing his lips against my cheek.
My heart hammered. I quickly turned to face him.

The moment our eyes met, Virat's playful and mischievous grin, accentuated by his focused, warm brown eyes, instantly made me feel recognized and special.  His genuine smile radiated a palpable warmth. It felt as though he was genuinely happy to see me.  He exuded a playful, almost childlike energy that was both captivating and comforting, putting me completely at ease.