ArHi SS || Ek Prem Kahani || COMPLETE - Page 13

moved to an open blog here.

- Author's Note -

And so it's all over!

For what it's worth I really do hope that you liked this story. At times I know that the plot line and concept were difficult for some of you to digest as you did not want to see our beloved couple apart, and trust me when I say that neither did I.

I was incredibly nervous about this story, as the Shakespearean pace perhaps didn't always make sense, many of you asked; why is it all so rushed? And the simple answer to that question is that this story was always about appreciating the value of time.

Let me start at the beginning; there were three things which inspired me to write this tale. The first was the Pablo Neruda sonnet which Delilah quoted at the end of my first story Until We Meet Again. I have always loved the intimacy of this sonnet, of the divine love which irrevocably entwines two souls into one seamless being. The second was the title song Kal Ho Naa Ho. I recently heard this song after a long time, and I realised that I actually never really understood the true magic of this song. I always connected this song to the story of the film, and felt the importance of living in the now and appreciating all that we have to cherish, but I never realised the true love behind this song; to embrace what we love before it slips away, to not live with a series of 'what if's' and regrets. How many of us have wished 'if only I had told him what I felt?' or 'What would have happened if only I had...'

This story for me was about exploring the concept of appreciating and loving intimately what we have to cherish right now, and not giving a chance to that cancerous trap of 'what if?'

Arnav didn't want to give up on Khushi and what he felt because he would rather have the chance to love, even if it is for a few days. Khushi too gives into this love, as just because she is ill, why should she give up on her life? However short it may be, it's hers to live while she can.

Ultimately however this love was theirs for merely a handful of days, as destiny ultimately had other plans, because of which every thought, every illness, every perception of right and wrong is overruled by a force beyond our control. How many of us make detailed plans for the future? How many of us incorporate in the uncontrollable factor which is death?

There is a scene in Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara in which Hrithik Roshan is outlining his life plan, at which point Katrina Kaif reminds him that life has no guarantees, therefore upon which solid foundations can we build such long term life plans? The moral of my little rant? Consider everything which makes you happy now and enjoy it while you can. Certain things in my life recently changed my perspective and belief on things, and it is these experiences which essentially became the third driving source of inspiration for me.

I sincerely hope you liked this story and the moral which I tried to get across, I would also like to take this chance to apologise if I have upset anyone with my thoughts and words, it was never my intention to do this.

Finally I will leave you with the sonnet that ignited this journey:

I don't love you as if you were a rose of salt, topaz,

or arrow of carnations that propagate fire:

I love you as one loves certain obscure things,

secretly, between the shadow and the soul.

I love you as the plant that doesn't bloom but carries

the light of those flowers, hidden, within itself,

and thanks to your love the tight aroma that arose

from the earth lives dimly in my body.

I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where,

I love you directly without problems or pride:

I love you like this because I don't know any other way to love,

except in this form in which I am not nor are you,

so close that your hand upon my chest is mine,

so close that your eyes close with my dreams.

Pablo Neruda

Manreet :)

P.S I would also like to take this chance to thank Delilah for her support on this story and to all of the other dedicated readers who gave this offbeat story a chance. Thank you :)

Res

Follow the heart. Give love a chance. Anything else does not matter.

simply fabulous
loved it
incredibly beautiful👏

Manpreet...you have written a wonderful story!

Lovely dear, you weved a beautiful story, want to read more stories from you now

When the title said it is completed I couldn't believe it! Uff! Such a beautiful, beautiful ending. More realistic than Khushi getting rid of brain tumor... Thank you thank you for this beautiful story. I do love the quotes you post... Thank you for the happy ending. I couldn't have asked for anything more.

Handsome doctor and enchanting Enigma. <3

mindblowing updt.
Perfect ending.
Yes,their love is eternal.