A Writer’s Fairytale…

Ruhi sat at her desk, surrounded by piles of books and strewn papers, her laptop screen illuminating the dimly lit room. She was lost in the world of words, crafting stories that danced across the pages like poetry. It was past midnight when she decided to call it a night, shutting down her laptop and stretching her tired muscles. Her eyes watery from writing a very melancholy scene of her ongoing novel, but she knew that the life is not the garden of purple gardenias as she used to imagine in her childhood.

As she reached for her phone to set an alarm, a notification caught her eye—an email. She frowned, wondering who could be contacting her at this hour. With a curious click, she opened the message and her breath caught in her throat. It was a love letter, beautifully written with words that seemed to have been plucked from the depths of a soul in love. The sender poured their heart out to her, expressing admiration for her work, her spirit, and her essence. It had everything related to her, about her stories and how much love and emotions she pours that makes thousands of hearts beat. It was signed simply, “Your Secret Admirer.”

Ruhi felt a rush of emotions flood through her—a mix of excitement, curiosity, and a hint of apprehension. Who could this mystery person be? And why had they chosen to reach out to her in this way? Was she that good? She never had any type of appreciation before she started writing, and honestly that was the best decision she ever took for herself. She has always been the elder, model child, and she felt like quite a burden on other shoulders.

Without hesitation, Ruhi composed a reply, thanking her secret admirer for their heartfelt words and expressing her own curiosity about their identity. Thus began a series of exchanges—long emails filled with thoughts, dreams, and snippets of their lives. About music, series, flower, books and everything that cease to exist in this world, they talked about.

Their correspondence blossomed into something more than just words on a screen. They shared playlists and favourite quotes from books and movies. Each message felt like a piece of their souls reaching out to connect with the other yet they were unknown about each other’s identity of self.

Months passed, and Ruhi found herself eagerly anticipating each new email, each new glimpse into the world of her secret admirer. She felt herself falling, slowly and inevitably, for this person who knew her so well, cared for her from the deep of his heart, yet remained a mystery.

One day, as she sat at her desk, reading through another heartfelt message, Ruhi made a decision. She wanted to meet her secret admirer in person, to put a face to the words that had captured her heart. With trembling fingers, she typed out a request for a meeting, her pulse racing with anticipation, questions turning and twisting in her mind, whether he will accept or not.

To her surprise and delight, her secret admirer agreed. They provided an address and a date, leaving Ruhi with a fluttering feeling in her stomach as she counted days, she counted miles to see him there, to finally feel his presence in real and to assure that part of her brain which was one step away from declaring everything a beautiful fortnight dream.

The appointed day arrived, and Ruhi found herself standing outside a gorgeously aesthetic café but it was empty and that developed an eerie feeling in the pit of her stomach, heart pounding in her chest. She took a deep breath and pushed open the door, stepping into the unknown.

What greeted her inside was beyond anything she could have imagined. Before her lay a series of puzzles, each one a symbol and a part of her favourite web series. Ruhi’s eyes widened in amazement as she realized what was happening— the man who already had captivated her heart, had created this elaborate scavenger hunt just for her.

With determination and excitement, Ruhi threw herself into the challenge, solving riddles and unravelling mysteries with each passing moment. And then, finally, she reached the end, her heart racing as she awaited the unveiling of her secret admirer’s identity.

As the last puzzle fell into place, the room was filled with the sound of applause, and Ruhi looked up to see a figure emerging from the shadows. Tall and handsome man with mysterious aura, with a bouquet of flowers obscuring his face, he stepped forward into the light.

“Ruhi,” he said, his voice filled with warmth and affection, “It’s me.”

And then, as he lowered the bouquet, revealing his face, Ruhi’s breath caught in her throat. It was Varun, her childhood best friend, the boy who had always been there for her, even when she couldn’t see it. He had loved her from afar, protecting her and cherishing her, waiting for the moment when she would finally see him for who he truly was.

Tears filled Ruhi’s eyes as she rushed forward, throwing her arms around Varun and holding him tight. In that moment, surrounded by the echoes of their past and the promise of their future, she knew that she had found her true love at last.