What Really Matters

Once upon a time, a boy didn’t know how to love. He figured he would learn the process and nuances with time and use it to find the girl of his dreams. Life, however, had something else planned for him. He would step back whenever he found someone who understood him and was willing to be with him. He would become hesitant, and the girl would leave him. He still had hopes that love would find him. But it didn’t. Time passed, and he crossed the ideal age of marriage, which he didn’t know existed. He began to think that maybe love wasn't meant for him, that he was destined to live a life without a partner.  The boy, now a man, poured his energy into his work and hobbies, finding solace in life's small victories and joys. He adopted a dog named Ollie, who became his faithful companion and confidant. Together, they would go on long walks and explore the world around them.  One day, while he was walking Ollie in a nearby park, he noticed a woman sitting alone on a bench, sketc...

Aditi loved him deeply and so did Anil. But she wanted other things too. But pursuing them was hard as it would put their relationship in jeopardy or so she thought. Whenever Aditi expressed her desire for something, Anil would put her down saying, it would affect their relationship. It kept her confined and stopped her from fulfilling her potential. Yet, she said nothing. Over time, Anil felt as if he was the sole decision-maker in their relationship. Whether it was a decision about choosing a restaurant to eat or picking a holiday destination, it was he who made them. This affected her confidence and lowered her self-esteem. One day, her friend Shikha visited her. She noticed these patterns and told her about them. At first, she didn’t believe her, but with time, she began to notice them herself. Just to be sure, she looked around the house. She noticed that most of the things that they bought were chosen by him not her. She checked out the latest pictures from their holiday....