Where There's a Will, there's a Way!

“Sitting on the study table with things i.e., the book and pen, lying on the polished table are inviting me… but I reject them. 

I typically know by their presence, they are asking me to hold them once and scribble a word and see; just as you give a peck, the way you put a piece of food in mouth and want more. The same way you start writing and see the familiar magic you create. 

But still, all I do is reject them.

After a particular time, we don’t feel like kissing, don’t feel like stuffing food in our mouth, the same way….”

THUDDDD

"I can't do it Vansh, I can't.”, Riddhima cried instantly covering her face with her palms.

"Just try Riddhima....try, you can do it." Vansh tried motivating her.

"What do you think Vansh I haven't been trying, huh? Since the past 1 hour am stopped at this point only, can't write anything and since, 1 full month, you are eating my head to try…and see what I have written in that period, only half a page. So, no more Vansh."

"Why Riddhima? At least acknowledge to this question of mine."

"You know it Vansh, don't act as if you don't know, it's because I'm facing a writer's block since the past 5 months and can't come out of it.", said Riddhima not meeting Vansh's eyes.

But Vansh was Vansh he knew there was something else that was genuinely troubling his girlfriend. And it was high time he should uncover it.

Vansh being in his own thoughts didn't notice that Riddhima had taken the move to tear the pages from the book that she had written.

But in the nick of time his eyes diverted to her and seeing what she was upto, he speedily stood up from the chair and grasped Riddhima's hand.

"Come with me."

Making her stand from the chair Vansh took her to the dining room, sat on the sofa and made her sit on his lap with his hands instantly pulling her closer to him.

"Time to confess the truth Sweetheart.", he spoke the whispered the words in her ear.

Shivers went down Riddhima's body, which wasn't left unnoticed by Vansh. "I....I'm telling the truth only Vansh. I'm facing a writer's block, and that's the one and only problem."

Sitting on Vansh's lap with he is doing magic on her stomach with his hands wasn't helping Riddhima at all. And Vansh was very well aware of this fact.

It's been 2 years since they have been dating that Vansh knows and notices everything about her which he's sure off a few things Riddhima might not be knowing. His one touch or a kiss could just hypnotize her, but he didn't want that at this moment. Vansh wants Riddhima to tell him the truth with a straight mind.

"Sweetheart either you tell me the truth; what's bothering you or I have my own ways to which you are very well aware off...." He just trailed those words near her ear.

A few minutes had passed, but there was pin drops silence. None had spoken a word, and Vansh could feel something wet falling on his hands which were protectively wrapped around Riddhima's stomach.

Sensing what the wet droplets were, he made Riddhima turn towards him making her legs wrap around his lower back. Her feeble muffling cries could reach his ears.

Loosening one of his hands around back Vansh took that hand to lift her chin up. Making the dark brown eyes meet the glassy ones. And that the last straw for making Riddhima break down in front of Vansh.

Vansh didn't say anything, he let Riddhima cry her heart out because he knew she needed that.

Riddhima, on the other hand, was in a turmoil. She didn't want to cry in front of Vansh, she didn't want to show him by crying that she's a weak soul. But somewhere down she knew, she knew she has to tell the truth to Vansh and for that first she needs to cry her heart out which she wanted too, since long.

Vansh felt Riddhima's hold on his torso getting loosed.

Slowly she raised her head and when the saw her face it was the last thing he wanted to see ever.

Her doe shaped eyes which once used to have a shine in them wasn't the same today rather they were red eyes as if blood was flowing out of it at a point, her dark pink nose which once used to get pink whenever she used to get angry but the case wasn't the same today, her pink cheeks which once used to get pink whenever he used to say something cheesy but the case again wasn't the same. Vansh wiped the remaining tears off Riddhima's face and made it a point to never let her cry ever.

Sensing her discomfort in speaking Vansh made Riddhima sit on the sofa and went to the kitchen.

He came back with a glass of warm water because he knew her throat might be a little dry due to her continuous cry and offered her the glass.

Vansh sat on his knees in front of Riddhima and patiently waited for her to tell him what's bothering her with his hands moving in a circular motion on her knees as if trying to relax her.

Riddhima sensed that it was high time she shares the thing with someone who won't judge her, and Vansh was the one. Taking a few deep breaths, she started off.

"For whom should I write?"

Seeing him frowning she knew she needs to elaborate while, Vansh preferred to stay mum because at times its always better to listen what's bothering the other person because if in between you interrupt him/her the person tends to feel neglected and leaves the topic in between itself.

"For whom should I write Vansh? 10 months back on your saying only I had published my book which I had written 2 years back as you said that it's beautifully written and should reach other people too. But how many have bought this book, how many? Only 5! Why should I waste my time Vansh when no one's going to buy it. No one who's going to read it. And damn no one who's going to know that a book was published, written by some 'Riddhima' is laying at a corner of each book shop. Why should I Vansh when no one is interested? Why Vansh...." saying so her eyes again started tearing up.

Vansh was in his own thoughts after he heard what Riddhima's thinking was. But he soon came out of it because he didn't want to be late again.

Holding her hands in his, Vansh asked, "Riddhima tell me one thing? What do you do when you are bored?"

"I write the thoughts that I have in my mind and weave it into a story." while telling it, a smile was formed on Riddhima's face and her swollen eyes shined differently.

Now it was time for a reality check that Vansh needs give Riddhima, "For whom do you write?"

"Off course Vansh, I write for myself."

"Wrong"

"Huh?"

"You write for the people."

"What? What nonsense is it Vansh why will I write for the people?"

Smirking Vansh said, "Off course Sweetheart, stop speaking lie, even I know you write for the people."

Riddhima was losing her calm each second, "What's your problem Vansh? Why will I write for the people? I write because I have craze for writing and love writing! Why will I write for people? And who are these people, I don't know!? So why will I even care to write for them?"

"So, why have you left writing?"

"Because the peop.......". Riddhima's words stayed in her mouth itself. She now understood what Vansh was trying to say, "Vansh."

"Exactly Riddhima, exactly. You write for yourself, then from where did these people come from? You have craze for writing, then from where people don't like your work came from. You express your feelings by writing, then from where did people's opinions started mattering."

"Vansh, the peop...."

"Shush Riddhima shush, just tell me how many people have purchased your book?"

"5"

"Hmm 5, they are a good number, Riddhima!! If by chance what people thoughts matter for you then why have you stopped writing Riddhima? 5 people have bought your book then write for them only. Why are you even thinking about others? You are crazy Riddhima you write for your own joy then write it. Why are you stopping yourselves just for others?"

"But Vansh what should I write?"

"Complete the book which you were writing and write it for yourself."

"But I am losing ideas?"

"Riddhima ideas toh you have a lot, and you are just afraid of penning them down. And if by chance you don't have then go to take a bath or sleep as you say at that time only you get ideas. And if that doesn't help then come to me, we'll experience it by ourselves and then you can write." Vansh said while smirking because somewhere he knew that she's still finding excuses.

"Sweetheart just tell me one thing, while writing your 1st book did you think about the people that what people would think and all?"

"No Vansh at that time I didn't even think of publishing it."

"Then why now? Riddhima you shouldn't think about what people think. Its people work to speak, and it's your work to concentrate on your work. If you keep on thinking that people don't like your work, they haven't purchased your work. Then it's your fault, not the people's. It shows how negative your thinking is, nothing else. Why are you bothered by the people? You used to write it for yourself, write it for yourself now too. Don't stop writing just because of the people, comparing yourself with others is of no use Sweetheart."

"Hmm....Vansh I am going to take bath."

"Arrey why are you going to take a bath? You took it 2 hours ago only."

Lightly encircling her arms around his neck, she asked, "Well do you want me to sleep then."

Horrified Vansh now understood what she wanted to convey, sleeping was no chance because if she slept then it very difficult task to wake her up, 'Khumbkarni' is what he has named her, and he's thankful to God that she still isn't aware of this name, "No no you go and take a shower only, no sleeping at this time."

Laughing off Riddhima gave a peck on his lips and straight went to climb the stairs but was stopped by Vansh calling her.

"Riddhima when you study at one point, you are given a break or a vacation to relax yourselves and then you go back to study, the same way for any work you do, break is needed and then come back to do your work. It's never like you take a break and never come back from your vacation. It can't be too, because in the end you have your exams. Exams are in every field its upto you whether you want to pass or fail."

Saying so, Vansh went back to the dining room, while Riddhima stood there to understand what he wanted to convey.

• • • • •

Vansh could be seen sitting on the sofa with various thoughts coming in his mind.

･ ｡ﾟ Flashback･ ｡ﾟ

10 years back:

It was a pleasant morning and a 14–15-year-old boy could be seen time and again switching on the laptop and scrolling through the notifications.

Who knew that when he had started writing merely for fun, within a few months it had such an impact upon him that slowly he would get disheartened for every little thing and his interest started to decrease...

During the beginning of his writing, his prime focus was to just pen down his feelings, what he felt and what he desired to convey. That's it. No votes, no comments, nothing mattered to him. Though somewhere it did but not in a negative way.

2 months had passed and by that time he had come across various books.... various people who started to adore his writing. But as they say no, 'A human being can't get satisfied with what he has.'

The same happened with him and he started to compare himself with others. He used to think that how someone can vote and comment on a person's book who barely knows how to write simple words' spellings, grammar was too far.

His grammar and vocabulary were up to the mark. His plots were unique, but he didn't get that many votes and comments as compared to others.

Why? Why was that person getting so much love, so many followers, so many votes? Why?

Because he was a silent person who didn't like to have a conversation with others or was, he not able to pen down his feelings well?

Daily he started to think about it. Daily he would question himself, daily he would feel unsatisfied with himself. Daily he would get envious of others.

And during that point of time, he was so blind in his enviousness that he started to depart himself from writing, started to feel that he was nothing and started to overlook the people who were waiting for his update eagerly. Eagerly just to read what happens next.

Who knew that one day he would get frustrated, his personal life was getting hampered!

That day he had decided to step down from writing. No one was interested so why should he write?!

Everything was getting out of place.

And the main reason was because of his mindset and because of his selfishness.

･ ｡ﾟ Flashback ends･ ｡ﾟ

"Good or bad, life constantly teaches you a lesson. A lesson that whatever you have you don't appreciate it, but its importance comes into light only when you are far away from it." Vansh muttered.

And now he doesn't want history to repeat again. He doesn't want Riddhima to commit the same mistake he made. The same mistake of thinking about others, of comparing yourself with others.

He will do anything to make sure Riddhima listens to what is right for her. He wants her to accomplish her dreams.

Deep inside he does know that somewhere he's doing it for himself too. Trying to rectify his mistakes.

• • • • •

After 10 years

"9 years....it took me 9 years to complete the book and publish it. And if we practically see it took me just a year to write the book." Chuckles Riddhima.

"But me being a lazy person I'm and at times losing my calm it took me 9 years. And 1 person who had been there with me from the very beginning till the very end, whose back I always had...is my ex-boyfriend, now husband, Vansh. He is someone who was very calm with me, his calmness at times used to piss me a lot. I mean how can a person stay calm when I was getting frustrated with what I was executing. Time and again he used to motivate me in some or the other way. And then another person joined his side was my son Daksh (Author: Sorry but no sorry, I'm in love with him). Like father, like son. You cannot win from them." Chuckles. "And the same happened with me. I couldn't win from them, but I could win over my fear. I had empowered my fear, and that's how I'm here. I would like to thank each one of you for giving a try to my book, for loving it and for bringing me to this position. I was, am and will always be proud to be an Indian. In addition, I would like to thank my family for always being there for me. Without them I couldn't have reached where I'm now. Thank you!" Saying this Riddhima's eyes met with those eyes which always held love for her and today it was twinkling with another emotion, the emotion of being proud of her.

Breaking her trance was the sounds of applause that filled the hall. Her eyes went a little downwards to see her son clapping as loud as he could. A serene smile could be observed on his face.

After receiving the award of being the 'Best Bookseller for the Year' with almost 10 million copies of the book sold and still people purchasing her book. She couldn't be more thankful.

Starting with no book purchased for almost a week to 10 million within a year was an extraordinary achievement for her.

She again took the mike from the host and spoke.

"Before walking down, I would like to say that 'Value what you have not what others have. Focus on your goal, not what is other's goal. Work hard for yourself not to show others.' Someone really close to me had once told me this and it is something that I always keep in my mind. Grateful!"

THE END