Between Hills and Heartbeats

In the tranquil village of Muzaffarabad, nestled between rolling hills and lush fields, a young boy named Arif Malik (22) often felt like an outsider. He was a dreamer, fascinated by the stories of old—tales of enchantments, heroic quests, and mystical creatures that lived in harmony with nature. One sweltering afternoon, seeking respite from the heat, he found solace under the sprawling branches of a majestic banyan tree at the edge of the village.

With the headphones on his ears he was lost in music, completely unaware of the world, when the sun started setting down he stood up and as he was walking by he accidentally bumped into someone. The shock jolted both of them, the world around them fading as they locked eyes. Standing before him was Qudrah (21), a girl from the lower valley who is full of vibrant energy, her curly hair bouncing with every motion. Their laughter filled the air, breaking any remnants of embarrassment.

“Hey! Watch where you’re going!” Qudra playfully nudged him with her shoulder, her emerald green eyes with slender strands of gold-like spikes around a wheel was sparkling like the lake under the sun.

From that day, an ordinary encounter birthed an extraordinary connection. They began meeting under the banyan daily.

Yet as quickly as their flame ignited, obstacles appeared – Qudra’s family was moving from the valley to the city- Karachi a dream city where Qudra can continue her college education. The two found themselves at a crossroads, hearts fluttering at the thought of separation.

A week before Qudra was set to leave, they took one last walk on their very own banyan tree. He needed to confess how she transformed his world. In that moment under twilight skies illuminated by lanterns strung through branches above them Arif whispered, “Life without you?”, “I can’t Qudra, how could I?”

Qudra took a long breath, the moonlight catching her tears. “Neither can I, her throat was choked in tears.” Inspired by courage and desire to be together they devised a plan to make long-distance work. They knew love wasn’t straight—it is curved and twisted like the road they walked.

As the sun set behind them, they held hands, the road ahead unknown but lit by hope. A thousand miles felt smaller when joined by dreams, laughter, and the promise that love finds a way.

As they exchanged their glance and were drowning in their pain of being apart a distant shout erupted. “Qudra! Come back!” Her mother’s voice pierced through their bubble.

“Run!” Arif urged, pulling her hand. They dashed down the narrow alley, hearts racing, laughter echoing in the twilight. “What if they catch us?”

“They won’t!” she shouted back, exhilarated. “Love isn't a straight path, Arif!”With an unspoken promise shimmering in the depths of her emerald eyes, she looked at him with an intensity that seemed to pierce through the very fabric of the world around them, capturing him in a warm embrace of pure, unadulterated love.

Eventually, they reached a secluded hill overlooking the town. Panting, they collapsed onto the grass. “So, what now?” he asked, glancing at her.

"Arif, we've always dreamt of conquering the world together. We must heed its call, complete our studies, and become the people we're meant to be before we can truly belong to each other. Arif’s eyes reflecting the warm amber of the sunset, nodded solemnly, the corners of his mouth tugging downwards in a bittersweet smile.

"We'll be like the swallows that fly far and wide, only to return to the very nest from which they took their first flight. Let's make a pact, Qudra– we'll keep the flame of our love burning bright through the years of our parting, complete our studies, stand tall as independent souls, and then, my love, we'll come back to this very spot, where the whispers of our hearts first collided, and build a life that's as strong and as beautiful as the roots of the ancient oak that shelters us."

They agreed to part, to grow, and to return, for they knew that only through this journey apart could their love truly flourish and withstand the tests of time, ensuring that when they were reunited, it would be in a place where their dreams could intertwine, forever entwined.

The stars began to twinkle above them, and in that moment, they knew their journey was just a beginning.

@ molli Sherchan Kaur