11 The Girl With A Baby Smile52 You, me and an accident183 Kiss of Thousand Illusions274 Locket In A Penguin Trashcan345 The Ser

274 Locket In A Penguin Trashcan345 The Serious One426 Not School Anymore507 The Tough Tests578 Introduction To Graduation639 A

years

Bhubanesh Baisakha was my best friend. He was a few years older than me, but we shared the same love for exploring new places and trying new foods. We lived in a small colony called Sagar Vihar, near the cantonment area of our city. Our days were filled with laughter, fun, and endless adventures.

One day, Bhubanesh came over to my room and talked to me about going out for an ice-cream. He made me feel good with his infectious smile and convinced me to go with him. I hesitantly agreed, as I knew my parents wouldn't be too happy about me going out without their permission. But Bhubanesh assured me that everything would be fine.

As we were riding on his bike, enjoying the cool breeze and our favorite songs, we both got lost in our conversation. But our happiness was short-lived. Three college-going drunk students, riding on their bike, lost control and crashed into us. The impact of the accident was severe, and we both got seriously injured.

Narendra kaka, as I used to call him, had a hip dislocation, and I suffered from leg injuries. My left arm was also broken. It was a terrifying experience, and I felt extremely guilty for what had happened. I blamed myself for going out with Bhubanesh and putting us both in danger. If I had turned down his offer, things could have been different.

It took almost eighteen months for Narendra kaka to recover completely. I was constantly by his side, helping him with his daily chores and cheering him up during his recovery. But after the accident, doctors advised Narendra kaka to no longer ride motorbikes. It was a tough blow to him as riding bikes was his passion.

On the other hand, I recovered rather quickly. Within thirty-five days, I was good enough to go to school again. But I was anxious about going back to school as I had missed a lot of classes. There was a lot of catching up to do, and I was worried about how I would manage it all.

But the excitement to see my friends, especially Shilpi, was too much to contain. Shilpi was my crush, and I was eager to see her after such a long time. It was my first day at school after the accident, and I couldn't wait to meet her.

As soon as I stepped inside the bus, I looked around for her. My eyes instantly landed on the seat where she usually sits. She was there. We made eye contact, and I could see a lot of questions and concerns in her eyes. I knew she must have heard about the accident from others.

All my friends, even the seniors and some juniors, began to ask me where I had been. I narrated the whole incident of the accident, and they were all shocked. But Shilpi heard everything silently. She looked at me with sympathy and concern. She must have felt guilty for not being there for me during such a difficult time.

Shilpi then requested her friend, who was sitting with her, to exchange seats so that she could sit next to me. The bus ride to school was filled with catching up and laughter. It felt great to be back with my friends, and I was grateful to have such amazing friends.

The accident and its aftermath had brought us all closer. And Shilpi, she had a special place in my heart. As the days passed, we grew closer and our friendship turned into something more. I was happy, grateful, and blessed to have her in my life.

As for Bhubanesh, he never blamed me for the accident. In fact, we both learned an important lesson that day - to never take our safety for granted and to always follow rules. Our friendship became stronger, and we made a promise to out for each other.

;

It was the start of my new school year, and little did I know that it would also mark the beginning of my first and only love story.

I was a shy and reserved boy, always lost in my own thoughts and never really socializing with my classmates. It wasn't until one fateful day, when I got injured during a game of football, that I found myself sitting next to Shilpi on the school bus.

As I held my ice pack against my injured ankle, Shilpi's friend entered the bus and frantically looked for a seat. Seeing that there were no empty ones left, I immediately offered my seat and moved to sit next to Shilpi.

Being the kind and caring person she was, Shilpi took my bag and noticed my school diary peeking out. She opened it and wrote down her house's telephone number on the last page. 'In case you need any help, just give me a call at this number,' she said with a warm smile.

I was taken aback by her gesture, and this was just the beginning of a beautiful friendship. She then asked for my telephone number and I couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement that she wanted to have it.

From that day on, Shilpi would always be there for me. She would arrange notes for me, lend me her classwork and homework notebooks, and even do my homework for a few days when my ankle was still healing. I felt special, but also a little weird as nothing like this had ever happened to me before. I never expected someone to get attached to me and care for me in this way at such a young age.

I started to develop feelings for Shilpi, and even though we were just friends, I couldn't help but do special things for her. Every time I was left with a few coins after buying cricket balls, I would use the remaining amount to buy her favorite mentos candy. She loved them and it made her happy, which in turn made me happy too.

Our friendship grew stronger every day, and we would often spend our afternoons playing and chatting together. It was like we were meant to be friends.

But it wasn't until the last Saturday of February that things took a different turn. Saturdays were usually half days at our school, except for the second Saturday of every month which was a holiday. That day, Shilpi was absent as she had plans to visit her relatives.

On the way back home from school, Shilpi's friend and my classmate, Payal, sat next to me on the bus and asked me directly, 'What's going on between you and Shilpi? Are you just friends or is there something more?'

I was taken aback by her directness and didn't know how to respond. I just kept silent, trying to avoid the question. I was confused about my feelings for Shilpi, and I didn't want to ruin our friendship by admitting them.

But deep down, I knew that Shilpi wasn't just my friend. She was someone special to me, and I didn't want to lose her.

As the days went by, I couldn't stop thinking about Shilpi and our unspoken feelings for each other. I wanted to tell her how I felt, but I was afraid of losing her. However, I knew I couldn't keep my feelings hidden forever.

One day, I mustered up the courage and called Shilpi's house number from the telephone box near my house. As soon as she picked up, I blurted out everything I was feeling. To my surprise, she admitted that she felt the same way too.

That day marked the beginning of our romantic relationship, and from then on, we were inseparable. Our classmates were surprised, but happy for us. We spent every moment we could together, and our love only grew stronger.

Years have passed since those school days, but the fond memories of how our love story began will always stay with me. Shilpi will always hold a special place in my heart as my first and only love.

The accident might have changed our lives, but it also brought us closer to our loved ones and taught us important lessons. And for that, I am forever grateful.

-year-old Bhubanesh Baisakha was an introvert and shy kid who preferred solitude over hanging out with friends. The only exception to this was his friendship with Shilpi, a girl who lived in his colony. They were classmates and spent most of their free time together, playing and completing their school projects.

One day, while walking back from school, Shilpi suddenly asked Bhubanesh, 'Do you have a brother-sister like bond?' Bhubanesh was taken aback by the question. He wasn't sure how to respond. Their friendship was unique and he never really thought of it in terms of a brother-sister bond.

He replied, 'I don't think so. I see our relationship as more like very good close friends.'

Shilpi seemed surprised by his answer. 'Oh, I see. I asked because you both seem so close, like siblings. Even Payal said the same.'

Bhubanesh was curious now. Payal was Shilpi's best friend and they shared everything with each other. He asked, 'Is there something else that I should know?'

Shilpi hesitated for a moment before saying, 'Well, Payal told me that she sees you more than just a friend. You are special to her.'

Bhubanesh was taken aback. He had never thought about his feelings for Shilpi in that way. But now, after Payal's revelation, he couldn't stop thinking about it. He spent the rest of the day in deep thought, skipping his usual playtime with his friends and not even bothering to complete his homework.

He realized that his feelings for Shilpi were indeed more than just friendship. He liked her a lot and the idea of being more than just friends with her gave him butterflies in his stomach.

Bhubanesh summoned up the courage to confess his feelings to Shilpi. He was nervous and scared, but he knew he had to do it. So, the next day at school, during their break time, he took her to a quiet corner and finally opened up to her.

'Shilpi, I know we've been friends for a long time. But for a while now, I've been feeling something more than just friendship for you. I like you a lot and I just wanted you to know that,' Bhubanesh confessed, his heart racing.

Shilpi was taken aback at first, but then a smile slowly spread across her face. 'I've been waiting for you to say that, Bhubanesh. I feel the same way too,' she replied.

And just like that, two young hearts in seventh grade realized their feelings for each other and took a step towards a beautiful journey together.

From that day on, Bhubanesh and Shilpi's friendship turned into a budding relationship filled with love, laughter and understanding. They grew up together, facing the highs and lows of life, always by each other's side.

Years later, as they looked back on that day, they both knew that their love was something special. It was not just a brother-sister bond, but a bond that was meant to last a lifetime.

Bhubanesh and Shilpi's love proved that age is just a number when it comes to matters of the heart. And as they took their vows in front of their loved ones, they both were grateful for that day when Shilpi asked the question that changed their lives forever.

years have gone by and it's still my only love story

It's been 15 years since that day, but every time I think about it, a proud smile always comes on my face. It was my one and only love story, and I remember it like it was yesterday.

I was just a shy and awkward teenage boy, but I had fallen head over heels in love with Shilpi, the most popular girl in school. She was beautiful, kind, and had a smile that could light up the whole room. And I was determined to make her mine.

I prepared for weeks for this big occasion. I was committed to my decision, and I wanted everything to be perfect. I even used talcum powder that day after a long time, just to smell nice for her. I was never one for perfumes, but I found one of my sister's bottles and used it to impress Shilpi.

I also applied hair gel, got dressed in my best clothes, and on my way to my bus stop, I brought mentos candy of different flavors. I had a plan to write a love letter for her, but as I was walking, I started to have doubts. What if she rejected me? What if she found the letter disgusting and showed it to the principal?

I didn't want to risk it, so I dropped the idea of the letter and decided to just give her the mentos candy and tell her how I felt. I was nervous, but I knew I had to do it.

As soon as we got on the bus, I waited for the recess break to tell her. I thought it would be the perfect time, as we would have some privacy away from our classmates. And I had a few tricks up my sleeve to make it extra special.

As the recess bell rang, I quickly pulled out the ladies' perfume that I had taken from my elder sister's room and sprayed it on myself. I also grabbed my lunchbox and the mentos candies that I had bought for Shilpi.

I made my way to her classroom and saw her talking with her friend Payal. My heart started pounding in my chest, but I took a deep breath and walked towards her. As soon as she saw me, she smiled and came out of her classroom with her own lunchbox.

I asked her what she had brought for lunch, and she replied, 'Aloo sabji, roti, and sweet mango pickle.' My mouth watered at the thought of sharing her food. We sat down on a bench and shared our food, talking and laughing as we ate.

After we finished, we took a walk together towards the school park. The sun was shining, and the trees were swaying in the gentle breeze. It was the perfect setting for what I wanted to say.

I could feel my heart beating faster as we walked, but I knew I had to do it. So I mustered up all my courage and turned to Shilpi with a shy smile.

'Shilpi, I just wanted to say, I really like you. Will you be my girlfriend?' I asked, holding out the mentos candy as a symbol of my feelings.

At first, Shilpi seemed surprised. But then, a big smile spread across her face, and she took the candy from my hand.

'I would love to be your girlfriend,' she replied, and my heart felt like it was going to burst with happiness.

From that day on, Shilpi and I became inseparable. We shared all our highs and lows, and our love only grew stronger with each passing day. We went to prom together, graduated together, and even went to different colleges but managed to make our long-distance relationship work.

And now, 15 years later, we are happily married with two beautiful children. Whenever I think back to that day, I am reminded of how gutsy I was to confess my feelings to Shilpi. And I am grateful every day that I did, because it led to the best love story of my life.

-year-old Bhubanesh was a shy and introverted boy, always keeping his feelings to himself. But when it came to his love for Shilpi, he couldn't keep it quiet any longer.

It was the annual school picnic and Bhubanesh could feel the butterflies in his stomach as he eagerly waited for the recess time. He had been planning to confess his love for Shilpi for weeks now, but every time he tried, his nerves got the best of him.

As the recess bell rang, Bhubanesh quickly made his way to the playground where Shilpi was sitting with her friends. His heart was beating a mile a minute, and he could barely control his trembling hands.

Shilpi looked even more beautiful that day, with her hair tied back in a ponytail and her bright smile lighting up her face. Bhubanesh couldn't take his eyes off her as he nervously played with the pack of mentos he had brought for her.

But as the recess time was about to end, Bhubanesh realized that he had wasted the whole thirty minutes without saying a word to Shilpi. He started to panic and in a moment of jittery and impatience, he grabbed her hand and blurted out 'Shilpi, will you marry me?'

As soon as the words left his mouth, Bhubanesh realized his mistake. He had planned to tell Shilpi that he liked her, not ask her to marry him. But it was too late now, and he just stood there with a goofy smile on his face, waiting for her answer.

Shilpi's friends started giggling and teasing her, as she looked at Bhubanesh with an amused expression. She took all the mentos candies from his hands and with a mischievous smile, she said 'I won't marry an i***t like you.'

Bhubanesh's face turned red with embarrassment as Shilpi continued to mock him playfully. 'You know, in India we are all Bollywood fans. Most of the things we know about love is from watching romantic movies.' She said, trying to lighten the mood.

Bhubanesh couldn't believe that he had messed up his plan so badly. Two things he had learned from Bollywood was that if a girl smiles at your jokes, it means she is into you and when a girl says no to your proposal, it actually means yes.

But instead, Shilpi made a joke out of his confession and gave him a playful nickname- 'female perfume'. Bhubanesh couldn't help but laugh at her witty response and his embarrassment slowly turned into amusement.

It was then that he realized that it didn't really matter how he confessed his love to Shilpi. As long as he had her by his side, everything else seemed insignificant. And as they both walked back to their class, with Shilpi still teasing him, Bhubanesh couldn't wait to tell his friends about his failed yet memorable confession.

-year-old

It's Not Just My Only Love Story

As a teenager, I was a hopeless romantic. I would watch romantic comedies and tear-jerking love stories, believing that they were a reflection of real life. That is, until I met Shilpi.

We were both 17 when we first laid eyes on each other in high school. It was like a scene straight out of a Bollywood movie. Our eyes met across the crowded hallway and time seemed to slow down. The way she smiled at me, it felt like the whole world disappeared and it was just the two of us. I couldn't believe it, but it was love at first sight.

But as I got to know her more, I realized that our love story was nothing like the movies. In fact, it was quite the opposite. Our society portrayed love as grand gestures and perfect endings, but that wasn't the reality for us. We were from different backgrounds and faced challenges that I never thought I would have to overcome.

But despite the obstacles, our love only grew stronger. We were both determined to make it work, no matter what. We didn't have fancy dates or expensive gifts, but we had each other and that was more than enough.

It wasn't until one day, when we were walking hand in hand by the lake, that I realized just how lucky I was. We didn't need words to express our love for each other. Our eyes, our smiles, our very breath spoke volumes. We were the new couple in school, but we didn't care about what others thought. We knew that we were meant to be together.

One day, while sitting under the shade of a tree, Shilpi looked at me and said, 'You know, I never believed in fairytales or love at first sight. But then I met you and everything changed. With you, it just feels like we're living in a movie.'

I couldn't help but smile, knowing that she felt the same way I did. We were like two pieces of a puzzle, perfectly fitting together.

Years went by and we faced many challenges, but our love remained unshaken. We went to separate colleges, but our love stayed strong despite the distance. And when we finally got married, it wasn't a grand wedding with fireworks and extravagant decorations. It was a simple ceremony, surrounded by our loved ones, and that was all we needed.

Looking back, I realized that our love story was indeed a little filmy. But for us, it was so much more than just a movie. It was our reality and we wouldn't want it any other way. Because with Shilpi, I had found my one and only love story, and that was all that mattered.

th March, 8th Grade in the middle school

Bhubanesh and Baisakha had been in love since they first laid eyes on each other in the first grade. They were young, innocent and full of dreams for their future together. But as they reached the eighth grade, their love was put to the test.

They had always shown their affection for each other through small gestures, like holding hands in the hallway or exchanging sweet notes in class. But one day, Baisakha decided to take their love to the next level.

It was a beautiful day in March, the sun was shining bright, and the birds were chirping. As they walked hand in hand to the school bus, Baisakha leaned in and whispered in Bhubanesh's ear, 'I have a surprise for you today.'

Bhubanesh's heart fluttered with excitement. What could it be? He couldn't wait to find out.

As they boarded the bus and made their way to their seats, Baisakha had kept her promise. She had saved a seat for Bhubanesh next to her. He sat down, and she shyly handed him a small box.

'What's this?' Bhubanesh asked, already knowing what it could be.

'Open it and find out,' Baisakha replied with a mischievous smile.

Bhubanesh opened the box, and inside was a single chocolate truffle. But it wasn't just any ordinary chocolate, it was a special one called the 'Kiss of Thousand Illusions.'

Baisakha explained to Bhubanesh that the chocolate was supposed to give the eater a blissful illusion of being in a magical world where time stood still. And in that moment, Baisakha wanted to create a memory that they would both cherish forever.

Without hesitation, Bhubanesh took a bite of the chocolate and immediately felt the sensation of being transported to a world where it was just him and Baisakha. They were swirling in a dreamy dance, surrounded by the sweet aroma of their love.

As they savored the chocolate, Baisakha leaned in and gave Bhubanesh a kiss. It was the most magical and perfect moment of their young lives. Basked in the illusion of their love, they didn't care about anyone else on the bus.

But as they arrived at school, they were snapped out of their dreamy state by the strict teacher who was notorious for catching couples in the act.

With a stern look, the teacher said, 'No PDA on school grounds.'

Bhubanesh and Baisakha quickly pulled away and blushed with embarrassment. They knew they had been caught, but they didn't care. They had shared a moment that would forever be etched in their minds.

From that day onwards, they made a pact to always express their love through simple yet meaningful actions. And whenever they felt like reliving that magical moment, they would share a kiss of the 'Kiss of Thousand Illusions.' For Bhubanesh and Baisakha, their love was sweeter than any chocolate and stronger than any illusion. It was pure and true, and it would last a lifetime.

-year-old Neha and 21-year-old Sameer were high school sweethearts. They met in ninth grade, in the same section of the school. Both of them were known for being rebellious and constantly getting into trouble with the teachers. Despite their rebellious nature, they found solace in each other's company.

Their love story was not like any typical high school romance. It was filled with sneaking around and secret rendezvous, always careful not to get caught by their strict teachers. Neha and Sameer were two peas in a pod, always finding ways to have fun and defy authority.

But their love was not just about breaking rules and getting into mischief. They also genuinely cared for each other and supported each other through their personal struggles. Sameer's parents were going through a divorce and Neha's family was struggling financially. But they found comfort in each other's arms and gave each other strength to face their problems.

Their love story was a well-kept secret, known only to a few close friends. They didn't want anyone to know, especially their teachers who would harass them and take them to the principal's office, who also enjoyed calling parents and complaining about their children.

So after classes were over, they would walk hand in hand to the field where the school buses were parked. This was their only window of opportunity to hold hands as no teachers were present, and it was hard for anyone to notice them among so many students in school uniforms.

For Neha and Sameer, that was the only good thing about wearing a school uniform. It was a thrill for them, a small act of rebellion in a strict and conventional school environment.

But their love also came with challenges. Sameer's parents did not approve of their relationship and forbade him from seeing Neha. This only made their love stronger and they became even more determined to be together.

Neha and Sameer secretly planned and saved money to buy gifts for each other on special occasions. Neha would sell handmade jewelry and Sameer would do odd jobs to save up. Once, they saved up to 120 rupees and Sameer planned to buy Neha a pair of earrings and a matching finger ring. It was a small gesture, but it meant the world to them.

They both lived in Cuttack, a small town in Odisha that was once the capital of the state. It was known for its casual and easy living style, making it a suitable place for habitation. Life was not expensive, and everywhere you could find grocery stores and street food stalls offering a variety of affordable options. It was a safe place, with friendly and helpful people.

Neha and Sameer's favorite street food was Aludam Dahibara, which was a popular dish among the locals. They would often indulge in it for breakfast and lunch, savoring the delicious flavors and enjoying each other's company.

As their high school years came to an end, Neha and Sameer knew that their love would be put to the test. They had both applied to different colleges and there was a possibility that they would be separated. But they were determined to make their relationship work, no matter what.

With the support of their friends and their unbreakable bond, Neha and Sameer's love continued to blossom. They faced many challenges together, but their love only grew stronger. And in the end, their love story was not just about their rebellious nature, but about the deep love and understanding they shared for each other.

year old Bhubanesh and his friend Baisakha were born and raise in the vibrant and lively city of Bhubaneswar.

Bhubaneswar, also known as the 'Temple City' due to its countless ancient temples, was not only rich in culture and history, but also in its vibrant and enthusiastic lifestyle. Bhubanesh and Baisakha, both being natives of this city, were proud of their city and all that it had to offer.

One of the things that made Bhubaneswar unique was its food. The street food in Bhubaneswar was something that could not be found anywhere else. Every evening, Bhubanesh and Baisakha would go to the nearest street food stall to enjoy their favorite snacks. It was not just a snack for them, but it was also their main course. The mouth-watering aroma of different dishes from the stalls would make their tummies growl with hunger.

But Bhubaneswar was not just known for its food, it was also known for its extravagant celebrations and festivals. The city not only celebrated its own native festivals, but also the major festivals of the country. Every festival, be it Diwali, Holi, Dashera, Christmas, Eid, Ganesh puja or even chat puja, was celebrated with great enthusiasm by all the residents of the city.

However, there was one festival that was cherished the most - BALIJATRA. It was the Asia's largest open trade fair, which took place every year in the month of November for seven days at the Gadagadiya Ghat of river Mahanadi. Bhubanesh and Baisakha eagerly waited for this fair every year. They would save up money to buy different items at the fair. The fair was not just a place for buying and selling, but it was also an opportunity for people from different parts of the country to come together and celebrate their cultural diversity.

This year, Bhubanesh decided to visit the fair on its last day, as he had heard that the items were sold at a very low price on the last day. He had planned to buy a pair of earrings and a finger ring for his friend Shilpi. However, he ended up buying two pairs of beautiful earrings and a finger ring. He even managed to save ten rupees, which