ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ashwani Roycharan is a passionate storyteller, crafting worlds with words. With a deep love for reading and writing, she brings stories to life—creating unique narratives that reflect her enduring love for ink.

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BENEATH YOUR UNSEEN GAZE 

“Do you really think your Bua will help you?“ 

“Yes.“ 

“I mean, can't we just go and talk to your father, or better your mother? Why Bua?”

Arya wasn't much relieved and comfortable with Anshuman's Bua, who'd be the first to know about their relationship. But she can't do anything, Anshuman adored his Bua too much for Arya's liking.  

“Arya, I know you're stressed, but I'm assuring you, once Bua knows about what our next step is , she'll make mountains move for us.’’

Arya gulped the sarcasm that sat bitterly on the tip of her tongue.

Later that evening ~~~~ 

Anshuman wandered through the corridors to find his Bua, the sole reason for his sane mind. 

His mother is a crazy woman and expecting help from her would mean doing nothing and his father, no way that he was going to tell his father. 

His father, a retired army officer, scared him then in his childhood and now in his early twenties.  

And his Bua, the light of his life, his sunshine, Meenu, his mimi (as he called her), will surely be on his side. That was her promise to the 5 year old Anshuman, which she abides today as well.

“You're here, and I was searching for you everywhere.”

Meenu chuckled, fitting her glasses. She put the plant down and watered it a little more.

Anshuman sat quietly next to her, like old days, when he was young. Meenu, his Mimi Bua, would share stories of her childhood, and he'd listen to her attentively while she worked in the garden, planting beautiful flowers.  

Meenu still looked the same in her faded but beautiful salwar suit. 

“Anshu?”

“Haan, Bua?”

“I've been calling you. Where're you lost, beta?”

“Nothing, I was just thinking about something.”

The duo continued on, Anshuman's gaze never leaving his Bua while Meenu's on the plants. A silent but comfortable space that made their bond stronger. 

Little Anshuman loved flowers, and his Mimi Bua planted every flower loved by him. Once done, Meenu took a last glance towards the plants and sighed, sitting next to Anshuman. 

Anshuman leaned towards Meenu's shoulder and heaved a sigh.  

Noticing him, Meenu softly asked, “What happened? Do you wanna talk?” Nodding his head, Anshuman held his bua's hands, which was soft and old, and said, “I need your help.“ 

“And how?”

“I love someone.”

“I know that.”

“Bua, I want to marry her.”

“Mutual decision?”

“Yeah. I haven't told her that you know that already.”

“Why didn't you tell her, you shouldn't keep things from her if it concerns her too.”

“Bua, I know but just because her Bua isn't an ideal person to mingle doesn't mean everyone's the same, right?” Anshuman knew why Arya held a little displeasure towards Meenu. If he's to tell Meenu about it, then she'd be hurt and he'd die before hurting her. 

“Anshu, she doesn't know me so,what she thinks won't matter for now. And it's totally alright if she's not ready to accept me now, I don't even matter.”

“You matter to me.”

“That I do. But here I'm talking about her, so you'll not keep things from her.”

“Okay, fine?” He muttered, getting annoyed. Patting his back, Meenu smiled. 

“Now, you need my help in informing this to your parents?”

“Yes.” Forgetting his annoyance, Anshuman said getting happy. Meenu chuckled but nonetheless agreed to be the captain that'd make their ship sail high. 

“Bhabhi, where's bhai?”

“In the library, and I don't even know what he is doing there.”

“Come, I need to have a word with you both.”

“What? Did Rathi chachi say something, then I'm gonna break that old hag's head?”

“Cool down, Maa. Mimi didn't even know that old woman was here.”

“Anshu, don't talk like that.” Meenu instructed.

“Why? He can talk like that. I don't like Rathi chachi similarly, my son doesn't either. Mera pyaara bacha.” Nirmala urf Nimmi, Anshuman's whirlwind mother said earning a scoff from her son and a light laugh from Meenu, her best friend.

The trio walked into the library to find a man, reading a book in complete silence. Knocking on the half open door, Meenu softly called out to her brother. Madhav looked up from his book and stared at the three characters of his life. 

“Bhai, I need to have a word with you and Bhabhi.”

The library was filled with the scent of cardamom tea that Madhav was sipping while reading. Moon's light spilled in through the sheer curtains, casting a little light over the family portraits that lined up the walls and the book shelves. Anshuman stood near one of the shelves, shoulders tense. Meenu sat comfortably on the couch, her calm presence like an anchor, while Nirmala chose to sit in a wooden chair that caught her gaze, pretending serious.

Colonel Madhav Singh, stern as ever, held the book in one hand and tea in the other hand. His wire-framed glasses, low on his nose. Anshuman’s mother seemed as normal as she had ever been, though unaware of what Meenu was going to say. 

“Bhai,” Meenu called gently, “Put that book down. I need a few minutes of your time.”

“Now what is it, Meenu? Something wrong?” he asked, keeping the book slowly down. 

“Nothing’s wrong,” she smiled. “But something is important.” Meenu took a pause to calculate her words. Anshuman shifted in his place.

“Anshu has made a decision. A good one. And I’m proud of him for it.” Meenu leaned closer, frowning.

 “What decision? We're talking about Anshu? Not about Rathi chachi?”

Anshuman looked at his mother, swallowing the sarcasm and then at Meenu, silently pleading. She nodded—this part was hers to carry.

“He wants to get married,” she said softly, “and he has chosen someone he loves.” Silence fell like a curtain. The clock on the wall ticked louder than it had moments ago.

“Arya,” Meenu continued, before they could ask. Madhav stayed quiet, a frown on his face. Nirmala glanced at her son and said, “How ungrateful, Anshu? You didn't tell me about this?”

“And we’re hearing this now?” Madhav asked, in his army-stern voice. Both husband and wife said together. Well, one spoke in uttered childishness and the other in a tough voice.  

“You’re hearing this now because they needed time. Because they wanted to be sure. Because they respect you.” She looked at her brother with hope and a known smile. “As you once taught me to.”

Meenu cheerfully asked . “Do I get to meet her?”

Anshuman’s head snapped up.

“Yes,” he answered quickly. “Yes, I want you both to meet her.”

Meenu softly signed at her brother and Madhav could only nod. Anything for his sister, she meant the world to him. 

If there was a competition for who cared for Meenu, the father-son duo would have to appear for a tough contest. 

With joy and content, Anshuman left the library while Madhav stared at his sister and wife, who were, unbothered by his presence, were planning the wedding.  

Exhaling, Madhav said, “I sometimes wonder, if you both are sister-in- laws or sisters.“ 

Meenu chuckled, true to the word, Nirmala wasn't just her brother's wife, when her brother got married, she thought she'll have innumerable fights with her, but Nirmala was something else, she proved to be a sister that Meenu never had. 

“And you stop eyeing our happiness, such an evil.” Nirmala said with displeasure and walked out of the library, hating her husband's laughter. 

“You don't make fun of her, bhai.” Madhav said nothing for a while. Both the siblings sat quietly.  

“You do talk for everyone's love, but you don't take a stand for yourself.”

“Bhai, that's a closed chapter.“ 

“Closed chapter, really Meenu?” Madhav scoffed, displeased in his tone. 

“Been years, bhai. Let it go.”

“Did you?”

“I did bhai, a long time ago. I ….” She paused , unable to breathe. 

Meenu couldn't sleep that night , she lied , she couldn't move on. She was a failure at moving on from a man that she loved all her life. 

Flashbacks ruined her sleep, and she silently grabbed her diary. Going through the pages of her life, experiencing the pain again. 

A thunderstorm, followed by a heavy rain, has been reported by the meteorological department this morning. News flashed on the TV when Meenu called her professor to ask for a day off. At 25, she was a researcher.  

“Maa, it's raining heavily.” Meenu's mother just hummed before glancing at the TV and dialing her husband. A sudden knock on the door startled Meenu. She looked at her mother and walked to open the door. The sight she saw gave her butterflies in her stomach, and a dimpled smile tapped her shoulders. 

“Move.” Rajveer Chabra slightly pushed Meenu aside and walked into the room to see Meenu's mother holding the phone. 

“ Raj…” 

“I know, Aunty, you'd worry, that's why I'm here. Uncle is busy, he'll return by tomorrow.”

“I'll get you something to eat.”

“Yes, please.”

Rajveer Chabra was a colleague and best friend of Meenu's brother. Madhav and Rajveer have almost held friendships for two decades or more. 

And Meenu admired Rajveer silently and softly. 

Meenu loves him. How could she not? 

Rajveer was the exact opposite of what Meenu was. 

She strongly believed Rajveer shared the feelings, too. 

The silent stares from him, or the way he took a stand for her. 

“Meenu, no research works today?”

“I took a day off.”

“Indiscipline.” Rajveer laughed, knowing that Meenu fears thunderstorms.  Meenu was waiting for her brother to return so that she could confess and marry the man in front of her.  

One autumn evening, Meenu's patience gave up, and she rehearsed and was motivated to propose Rajveer. 

She was walking out of her university, a ten minute walk to her home. Somebody called her name, Meenu glanced back and saw Rajveer. The perfect time, her heart whispered, her eyes shining. 

But the shining eyes saw a hand in hand couple walking towards her, the girl had her hand in Rajveer's hand, he was holding her so close that Meenu's breath almost stopped.  

The man she loves introduced his love, his long-time girlfriend. Meenu felt something shattering. That was her poor heart. 

She cried her heart out without the world knowing. No one noticed her disheveled appearance, the anxiousness. The girl was left on her own. 

Days later, when Madhav came home, he was shattered to see his sister in misery. Meenu, with great difficulty, opened her heart to her brother. Madhav couldn't believe it, but things were not in his hands anymore. He could only be a shoulder to her, a silent spectator. 

Months gone by , Meenu was still lifeless, though she continued her struggles. She couldn't face Rajveer anymore, he was not hers anymore. She felt guilty and wrong. Her head messed up.  

In the end , she witnessed the love of her life, tying a knot to the love of his life. 

Rajveer married his girlfriend. 

And just like that, Meenu blamed her for expecting too much. But the glances he gave her, the soft smile and most importantly calling her 'very special' felt like a molten lava on her chest. 

“He never looks this way, but I still exist beneath his unseen gaze.“ 

Meenu closed the diary reading the last line, eyes teared and heart shattered.  

Meenu didn't move on. She couldn't accept anyone in his place. She loved him enough to let him go but move on. 

A knock on the door startled Meenu. She opened the door to see her brother, Madhav, looking at her. She placed her head on his chest, and the brother embraced her. 

Some loves aren't meant to be held, only witnessed, like a distant beautiful star. 

Abhiman and Arya were happily married, and Arya was hugging Meenu, and Meenu posed happily with the couple.  

I thought that the charming smile was for me,

Or the shyness of your dimpled face.

The averting gaze or silent, sneaky glances.

The fleeting light of the moon's stillness,

shadowed the stars, and

I stared into nothingness.

You stole the key to my happiness 

Yet I wish you to have your own. 

The instant chaos of my heart,

Pains and tears found their way.

Beneath your unseen gaze,

I still stay with a hope

Bloom would find a way to me.

Heal a part of me that had shattered.

THE END .

ASHWANI 

Thank you.