"Love, Loss and Beyond"- My entry for the Get Published contest

Please vote (click on the heart button) at - http://www.indiblogger.in/getpublished/idea/518

The Idea

People have different ways to cope up with loss. Most enter a seemingly impermeable shell making themselves immune and indifferent from the surroundings. A few, however, become extrovert and try to connect with the world in a more lively way realizing the importance of the fleeting moments. This is also a phase where people connect with others going through similar situations. Connecting with strangers becomes easy and its them, not the immediate family, who finally bail you out of the deep and dark pit of depression and loneliness. 

This is a story of 2 such strangers who met by accident and unknowingly ended up changing each other's lives. 

Siddarth, who after losing his beloved Kacey Smith in a tragic car crash, discovers a secret about their relationship. He believes that he could have recovered from the loss of Kacey had he not known that secret. This has pushed him to the wall and he is about to get lost in the darkness, not knowing a way to cope up with his tragedy and the secret.

At this juncture Zubi enters his life. She is jubilant and carefree yet profound and deeply philosophical. She has a secret too but Siddarth could never get her to open up. However his interactions with her start to affect both of them and they realize it too. They connect instantly. But with their pasts, heavily influencing their present, they can't look too much ahead. 

Siddarth has become shelled after the tragedy, Zubi tries to bring him back to life. She is not ready to share her life but still tries to heal him.

What Makes This Story Real?

This is a story of simple and basic human need of interaction. It's not a fairy tale and the characters emerge from the deepest and the darkest points of their lives. Like all of us, they are nowhere near perfection. And it's their imperfections that help them connect. This is about sharing griefs and recovering.

Can these two ever fall in love? Is love just about ending up together? Is that the best you can do to someone.

There is a Life Beyond the conventional Love and that's my central theme.

Extract

He pulled out a crumpled piece of paper from his coat. It had some red stains on it. "Could it be blood?" she wondered.

He took her hand and gave it to her.

"What is this?"

"This was found with Kacey that night."

She opened the folds and stared at the paper.

"She wanted me to give me this on our anniversary".

"What does it say Sid? I can't read it."

Sid looked up trying unsuccessfully to hold back his tears. Zubi held his hand and reassured him of her presence.

"You have to read it Sid. At some point of your life, you have to talk to someone about this secret. You can't carry its burden. Speak up Sid."

His lips trembled and looked for words. Words, the ever elusive, words. 

Endnote: This is my entry for the HarperCollins–IndiBlogger Get Published contest, which is run with inputs from Yashodhara Lal andHarperCollins India.

Please vote (click on the heart button) at - http://www.indiblogger.in/getpublished/idea/518