Thursday, April 2, 2015

B - Better

Image courtesy: Tumblr

Why is it that we are always looking for something else even when we seem to have it all? Naina asked herself the same thing each time she looked at Adithya. He was kind, he loved her dearly; but yet the feeling that something was missing between them refused to go away. The thought stayed, lodged in the deepest corner of her heart. 

Was it simply because she couldn't help but compare him to Ravi, her ex? Or was it the fact that the easy camaraderie that they had shared seemed missing when she was with Adithya? Either way, she knew that she had to make up her mind before it was too late. She couldn't bear the thought of breaking his heart. She knew only too well the pain that came with it. 

Those endless days she had spent in bed. Those nights that she would roam about her house like a crazy person. The suicidal thoughts she had harbored in her heart at the thought of spending a life without Ravi. It was her art that had saved her. She took to painting to heal herself. To find some deeper meaning to life that deluded her. 

In the process, she found that painting was something she enjoyed immensely. It was in her art class that she had met Adithya. She did not know why, but she began to enjoy his presence. He became a good friend when she needed one. He encouraged her to follow her dreams, to aim a little higher with each painting that she created. To make her believe that mistakes were fine. Add a few douses of different colors and the painting could be fixed. Like her life. It looked even better than what she had in mind when she had begun. 

When Adithya confessed his love for her, she was taken aback at first. She did not want to risk getting hurt. At the same time, the thought of losing his friendship was unbearable. But he was patient with her, giving her space and time. 

"Take your time. Even if you decide to say no, please do understand that our friendship shall always remain the same." His soothing words had assured her. 

That day, as Naina took out her brushes and dipped them in the bright colors of oranges, reds and yellows and began stroking bold strokes on her canvas, the answer to her question came as clearly as the image forming before her eyes. She had always been looking for a better man, one who was perfect. Adithya was far from perfect, he was messy, he sometimes forgot their dates but it was with him, her racing mind always found solace. 

And all of a sudden, everything made sense. Ravi shall always be a part of her, no matter how hard she tried to hide it. But it was Adithya who taught her that sometimes it's okay to be broken, to take time to heal and most importantly, to learn to accept reality and trust herself again. As she did her finishing strokes on the canvas, Naina knew that her future was going to be as bright and intriguing as the painting before her.   


Linking this post to the A to Z Challenge

51 comments:

  1. Ah, good that Naina took a right decision. We always search for that perfect companion, the perfect man, the perfect life but we forget that the small imperfections are what make things perfect. Lovely story Aathira :)

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    1. I wish a lot of people would realize this sooner. Thank you, Prasanna!

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  2. That, that and that lesson alone is enough for her to soar high! It was a pleasure reading this.

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    1. And you my dear, have just made my day :) Thank you!

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  3. Enjoyed this story - very realistic. Glad Naina made the right decision. Epiphanies come in the most unexpected ways.

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    1. Indeed. Thanks so much, Suzy! Glad you enjoyed it :)

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  4. Beautiful story Aathira. Realistic.. to the point.. clear and gave a good message in the end.!!
    Keep it up :)

    Cheers

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    1. Thanks a lot, Geetika! Glad you liked it :)

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  5. A for Aathira and A for Awesome :) Loved how you have presented this story of looking beyond imperfections :)

    Betrayed

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  6. Good for Naina. Aadithya sounds perfect for her. Enjoyed reading your story.

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  7. I could relate very well with this story as I had so many doubts in my mind though I had decided to marry Parag (my husband). I was worried whether our life would be perfect, but I am glad I decided to let go of those tiny imperfections. After all he gave me my space- something very important to me. I'll never forget this story. Beautifully captured thoughts.

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    1. Thank you, Vidya! Space is so much important in any relationship. I would feel smothered otherwise. There was a lot of me in this story too :)

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  8. Another lovely story. I love your writing style. This story made me revisit my own dilemmas when I decided to marry my now husband. :)

    -Nikita @Njkinny's World of Books & Stuff

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    1. Thank you, Nikita! I'm so glad that a lot of you can relate to it :)

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  9. Sometimes you need to let the past go and move on in life, no matter how perfect it was. Moving on is the only option we have sometimes. Well done Aathira.

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  10. Glad of her choice. Like they say, we come to love not by finding a perfect person, but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly!!

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  11. A beautiful love story. I enjoyed it very much.

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  12. A beautiful love story. I enjoyed it very much.

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  13. Ah I'm so happy for Naina! I can see a part of me in her :)

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    1. Thanks Hon! There's a part of me in her too :)

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  14. Matters of the heart... Beautiful that art helped Naina make the right decision.
    All the best for the A to Z challenge...

    Nimi
    http://FascinatingQuest.blogspot.com

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  15. Very touching and she decided well, perfect doesn't exist!

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  16. When we realize that love is truly about accepting each other's imperfections, that's the time we grow up! :)

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  17. A lovely story, with hidden depths and so sensitively written.

    ScotSue at http://scotsue-familyhistoryfun.blogspot.co.uk

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  18. The part where you wrote about the paintings and their power to heal was the one I loved....good going girl :)

    http://drsushreedash.blogspot.in/2015/04/blue.html

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  19. Very good narration, Aathira. Enjoyed reading it:)

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  20. I agree. It is not about being better. We are never going to find perfection in others or even in our selves. Like they say, it is important to love an imperfect person - perfectly. Good one, Aathira. Looking forward to C. Cheers!
    *Shantala @ ShanayaTales*

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  21. Good one Aathira :) Sometimes you have to lose it to know the real value! But then, I am hoping she doesn't feel the same about Ravi once back with Adithya... or I may b the only one seeing a pattern here.. let the colors talk I say :)

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    1. Thanks a lot, Shanx! Oh no, Ravi is well buried in the past :P

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  22. "It's ok to be broken" :)
    Another good tale from you Aathira :)

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  23. Aathira ,
    If I am not wrong you did participated last year in April A to Z Challenge too..I have always loved your work.

    Here was another great story with a deep thoughtful message - Why do we need Perfection ?

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    1. No, Nikita. This is my first A to Z. But thanks so much for your kind words :) Perfection is way overrated, I feel!

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  24. No one's perfect! You have brought across the point so beautifully in this story Aathira. Loved reading it :)

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  25. Seeking perfection will only lead to disappointment. Sweet story!

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