honeyhere

[honeyhere]

The Midnight Reflection

It was December 31st, and Rhea found herself alone in her dimly lit studio. The faint hum of her laptop and the occasional crackle of fireworks outside were the only sounds breaking the stillness. She was editing a reel for her 100-day content challenge when her phone buzzed.

A message from an unknown number popped up:

"Happy New Year, Rhea. Do you like the way you look tonight?"

She frowned, brushing it off as a prank. But as she glanced at the mirror on the wall, a chill ran down her spine. The reflection showed her seated at the desk—but something was off. Her mirrored self wasn’t working; it was staring directly at her with a cold, unsettling grin.

Rhea’s heart pounded as she turned back to look at the mirror again. Her reflection was still grinning, its eyes gleaming with malice. It slowly raised a hand and pointed toward the window behind her.

She froze. The blinds were half-open, revealing the pitch-black street outside. Gathering every ounce of courage, she turned toward the window. It was empty. But when she turned back to the mirror, her reflection was gone.

Her phone buzzed again.

"Turn around, Rhea."

Her breath caught. The air felt colder now, like someone—or something—was watching her. She grabbed her phone and dialed her boyfriend, but the call wouldn’t connect. The screen flickered, and her phone turned off.

Suddenly, a knock echoed through the room. Soft. Insistent. Coming from the bathroom door inside the studio. She hadn't been in there for hours. Trembling, she approached the door, gripping a pair of scissors from her desk.

“H-Hello?” she called out.

No response. The knocking stopped. Silence enveloped the room, pressing against her ears. She was about to back away when the doorknob turned on its own.

The door creaked open, revealing the bathroom mirror. Her reflection was back, but now it was standing. It motioned for her to come closer. Against her better judgment, she stepped inside, the cold tiles numbing her bare feet.

Her reflection leaned in, its lips moving, though no sound came out. Rhea leaned closer, trying to decipher its silent words. Suddenly, the reflection's hand shot out, slamming against the glass.

"Time's up," it whispered, its voice raspy and distorted.

The lights flickered, and the room plunged into darkness. Rhea stumbled back, her scissors clattering to the floor. When the lights returned, she was no longer in her studio. She was in a room full of mirrors, each reflecting a version of herself—some smiling, some crying, some bloodied and lifeless.

Her phone buzzed one last time.

"Happy New Year, Rhea. Welcome to your reflection."

Her screams echoed, bouncing off the endless mirrors, as the clock struck midnight. Outside, the fireworks burst in celebration, masking the sound of her terror.

No one would ever see Rhea again—except in mirrors.

[honeyhere]

Unbreakable Spirit

In the heart of a small town, where the sun set over the river and the temple bells echoed in the evening air, lived a girl named Ishani. To those who crossed her path, Ishani seemed quiet, a little withdrawn, but no one knew the storms she carried in her heart.

When she was thirteen, Ishani lost the one person who made her feel alive—her father. He was her anchor, her safe place, and when he was gone, a part of Ishaani disappeared with him. She retreated into her room, closing herself off from the world, trying to shield her broken heart from the harshness outside. But the walls she built around her couldn’t keep the pain out.

While she grieved in silence, the world around her became colder. Her mother, once distant, seemed to lose herself after Ishaani’s father passed. She wasn’t there to protect Ishaani when her aunt’s family moved in, and the abuse began. Day after day, they would torment her, making her feel small, worthless. But whenever her mother was around, they put on masks of kindness, pretending everything was normal. Ishani wanted to scream, to tell her mother the truth, but no one would listen.

When the relatives finally left, Ishani hoped things would get better. But instead, the abuse shifted—it came from her own mother. Every day, her mother’s words cut deeper, filled with bitterness and shame. Ishaani, once so full of love and life, began to doubt herself. She longed for someone to see her, to love her the way her father had, but the world only seemed to offer her cruelty.

It was on the very first day that her tenant harassed her, further compoundings her feelings of helplessness. She tried to confide in her mother, to seek comfort, but all her pleas were met with cold regard.

With nowhere to turn, Ishani's pain grew. She became deeply depressed, spiraling into a state of hopelessness. Unable to find a way to express her emotional agony, she started self-harming. The physical pain seemed like the only way to escape the torment she endured, daily. Each cut was a release, but also deepened her isolation. She searched for love and comfort in others, hoping someone could fill the void left by her father. But the relationships she found were toxic, leading to more heartache and reinforcing the belief that love might never come her way.

But amid her darkest days, something miraculous happened - she discovered Krishna. It wasn’t a sudden revelation but a gradual, growing connection. At first, it was small prayers, whispered in the hope that someone, somewhere was listening. And slowly, as she began chanting and immersing herself in Krishna’s teachings. She found a new sense of purpose. The desire to self - harm faded as she embraced this newfound faith, realizing that Krishna’s love was the pure, unconditional love she had been searching for all along.

Ishani’s journey to recovery wasn’t easy, but her devotion to Krishna gave her strength to push forward. Her life began to take on a new shape. Although the scars of her past was still there, both physical and emotional, they no longer defined her. Krishna became her anchor in a world that had once felt so hostile. Despite her newfound faith Ishani still longed for human connection. Her search for love hadn’t ended, but her past relationships had left her cautious, unsure if she would ever find someone who truly cared for her. That’s when Kartik entered her life. A beacon of light in a world that seemed endlessly dark. With his practical mindset and future-focused determination, he grounded her in ways no one else had. His presence felt like safety, a sanctuary where Ishani could let her guard down, if only for a moment.

Ishani and Kartik had a connection that transcended words. In the quiet moments, they found peace in each other, away from the world that often felt too harsh. Kartik, with his practical approach to life, brought stability to Ishaani’s turbulent world, but when they were alone, it was the softness in his actions that touched her heart the most.

Kartik, too, had his share of struggles. Life hadn’t always been through relationships that left him questioning his worth. He carried the weight of the past, the scars of trust betrayed, and the pain of unmet expectations. Yet, despite everything, Kartik remained resilient. When he met Ishani, something within him softened. He saw in her a reflection of his own pain, and it made him even more determined to be the steady presence she needed. No matter how hard things got, he always found a way to be there for her - whether it was a late-night call, a surprise visit, or simply holding her when words failed. For Kartik, Ishani wasn’t someone to love, she was someone to protect, to cherish, and to fight for, even when the world around them seemed to fall apart.

From the very beginning, Kartik and Ishani shared moments that made their bond feel almost unbreakable. There were times when they would sit in silence, letting the world fade away as they found peace in each other’s company. On weekends, they would escape to quiet cafés, Kartik’s hand resting on hers while they talked about their dreams and the future they both hoped to create. One of their favorite pastimes was watching the sunset together, often sitting on a quiet rooftop or by the beach, where the horizon painted their world in hues of orange and pink. Kartik loved these moments, not just for their beauty, but because they gave him time to see Ishaani as her most serene self, her worries melting away under the twilight sky.

Once, during a particularly hard week for Ishaani, when the weight of everything seemed unbearable, Kartik had called her late one night. She didn’t want to talk at first, feeling overwhelmed by her struggles, but something in his voice—steady, patient—gave her the strength to pick up.

“Hey,” he said softly, “I know it’s hard right now, but I’m here. Just talk to me.”

For hours, Kartik stayed on the line, his voice a constant source of comfort. He listened intently as Ishani poured out her fears, her frustrations, and the pain she’d been carrying for so long. Even when she fell silent, too emotional to continue, he never rushed her. Instead, he whispered words of reassurance, reminding her that she wasn’t alone. The soothing rhythm of his voice made her feel like he was right there beside her, even though they were miles apart.

At one point, Kartik softly asked, “Do you want me to come over?” His voice was tender, full of concern, but Ishani hesitated. She didn’t want to burden him, but he could sense her need without her saying a word.

“I’ll be there in twenty minutes,” he said, hanging up before she could protest. True to his word, Kartik showed up at her doorstep in the dead of night. As soon as she opened the door, he enveloped her in a warm embrace, holding her close as if he could absorb all her pain.

They sat together in her room, the dim light casting soft shadows across their faces. Kartik gently wiped away the tears that had fallen, his touch featherlight on her cheek. “You’re going to be okay, Ishani. I’m not going anywhere,” he whispered, his forehead resting against hers.

They stayed like that for a long time, their breaths synchronized, finding solace in the quiet intimacy of the moment. Eventually, Kartik pulled back just enough to look into her eyes, brushing a lock of hair away from her face. He smiled, a small but genuine smile, and kissed her forehead gently. “I love you,” he whispered, his voice filled with warmth and affection.

Afterward, he made her tea, like he always did when things got tough, and they spent the rest of the night talking. As the conversation grew lighter, they began reminiscing about the funnier, happier moments they had shared. Kartik leaned back against the headboard, pulling Ishani close to him, her head resting on his chest. His arm wrapped securely around her, and for the first time in days, she felt a sense of peace.

“Promise me something,” he said, his voice quiet. “No matter what happens, we’ll always have moments like this. Just us, together.”

Ishani nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. She knew that with Kartik by her side, she could face anything. In those moments, his love became her shield, protecting her from the storm inside her heart.

Kartik encouraged her to stand up for herself, to distance herself from the toxic influence of her family, and stop letting their cruelty define her self-worth. For the first time in a long while, Ishani felt like someone truly believed in her. But as much as Karik cared for her, he was also clear about his future. He had his own dreams and couldn't afford to take risks with them, not even for love. He gave Ishani one month-one month to prove that she could change her life, to become the woman he believed she could be. If she couldn’t, he would have to move on.

The ultimatum tore Ishani apart. She loved Kartik deeply, but how could she undo years of trauma and neglect in just a few weeks? She wanted to be the person he saw in her, but healing wasn’t something that could happen overnight. The pressure weighed heavily on her, and every day felt like a countdown to losing the one person who gave her hope.

But she tried. For Kartik, for herself, she tried. She stood up for her mother and brother, refusing to let their cruelty break her any further. She distanced herself from them, hoping that by cutting them off, they would realize her value. But it wasn’t easy. Her love for her family was still there, tangled up in the years of pain.

Despite her efforts, Kartik’s words echoed in her mind-he couldn’t take risks, and he couldn’t give her more time.

The days passed, and Ishani’s heart grew heavier with every moment she spent thinking of Kartik. He was her anchor in a world that often felt unstable, the one person who saw her potential when no one else did. But his words haunted her-he couldn’t risk his future for her, and he couldn’t give her more time.

Ishani wanted to become the person Karik believed in, but the scars of her past were deep, and healing couldn’t be rushed. She spent nights awake, staring at the ceiling, her thoughts spinning between the love she had for Kartik and the reality that his future didn’t seem to have space foe her anymore.

One evening, after days of praying and searching her soul, she met with Kartik again. Her heart raced as she tried to hold back the tears. She knew what was coming, but didn’t make it any easier.

“I love you,” Ishani whispered, her voice trembling. “I can’t imagine my life without you. You’ve given me strength when I had none left. But I know you can’t wait for me to become the person you want me to be.”

Karik looked at her, his expression conflicted. He cared for her deeply, but his focus on his future, on his plans, wouldn’t allow him to risk waiting any longer. “Ishani, you know I care about you,” he said softly, “but I can’t put my future at risk. I can’t give you more time”

The weight of his words crushed her, but she nodded. She had known all along that this was the end. No matter how much she loved him, how much she needed him, she couldn’t force him to stay. Love wasn’t enough if his dreams took him down a different path.

Tears filled her eyes as she spoke again. “I never wanted to give you up, Kartik. I can’t even imagine a day without you in my life. But I love you too much to hold you back from what you need to do. And I can’t change myself overnight. I need time to heal, to grow into who I’m meant to be, and I can’t ask you to wait for me.”

Kartik’s silence was answer enough. He understood, but it didn’t make the goodbye any easier. They sat in quiet for a while, neither of them wanting to break the fragile peace that hung between them.

Before leaving, Kartik took her hand one last time. “You’re stronger than you know, Ishani,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “I’ll always care about you. But we need to follow our own paths now.”

As he walked away, the weight of his absence fell on her shoulders, and the tears she had been holding back spilled over. The world felt hollow without him, and the thought of facing tomorrow without Rohan by her side was unbearable. She couldn’t imagine moving on, couldn’t picture a future that didn’t have his presence in it.

But as she sat alone, Ishani felt a familiar warmth wash over her. It was the same feeling she had whenever she prayed, whenever she placed her trust in Krishna. Through her grief, she whispered a prayer, “Krishna, I don’t know how to do this without him. But I trust you. Please show me the way.”

The ache in her heart didn’t go away, but in that moment, Ishani realized that even though she couldn’t move on from Kartik, she wasn’t entirely lost. Her love for him would remain, a part of her that she couldn’t give up, but she had to trust that Krishna’s plan was greater than her pain.

In the quiet of her room, with the soft glow of her Krishna murti watching over her, Ishani understood that this was her path. She couldn’t rush her healing, nor could she change for anyone else. Her heart was broken, but her spirit wasn’t. She would carry the love she had for Rohan with her, even as she walked forward alone.

The journey ahead felt uncertain, and the road was full of heartache. But with Krishna guiding her steps, Ishani knew that somehow, she would survive this, even if the pain never truly left. She couldn’t let go of Kartik, but she could learn to live with the love she had for him, trusting that her path, though difficult, would lead her where she was meant to be.

Months had passed since Ishani and Kartik parted ways. During those months, Ishaani threw herself into her healing, working on herself spiritually and emotionally. But despite all her efforts, there was one part of her heart that still longed for Kartik. No matter how much time passed, the love she felt for him remained as strong as ever. She often found herself thinking about him—his smile, the way he listened to her, the comfort he brought even in his absence.

One afternoon, while Ishaani was sitting in her favorite café, lost in her thoughts, her phone buzzed. She looked down at the screen and saw a name she hadn't expected to see again—Kartik.

Her heart skipped a beat. It had been so long since they last spoke, and yet the sight of his name brought back a flood of emotions. With shaky hands, she opened the message.

"Ishani, can we meet? I really need to talk to you."

Her heart raced as she read the message over and over. What did he want to talk about? Had something happened? For a moment, she considered not replying, afraid that reopening this chapter would hurt even more. But she couldn’t ignore the pull she felt toward him.

"Okay, let's meet," she finally replied.

They decided to meet at the park where they used to go on long walks, talking about everything and nothing. It was a place filled with memories—some sweet, others bittersweet.

When she arrived at the park, her heart pounded in her chest. She saw Kartik sitting on the bench, looking out at the trees. He looked different, more mature, like someone who had been through a lot since they last saw each other. As soon as he saw her, his face softened, and he stood up, walking toward her with a tentative smile.

“Ishani,” he said softly, his voice filled with emotion.

“Kartik...” Her voice was barely a whisper. She couldn’t believe he was standing in front of her again after all this time.

There was an awkward silence for a moment before Kartik spoke again. “Can we sit?”

They sat on the bench, the familiar space between them filled with tension and unspoken words.

“I’m sorry,” he started, his voice thick with emotion. “I know it’s been a long time, and I know I hurt you. I had to take care of my career, and I thought I was doing the right thing... but I’ve realized something important.”

Ishani looked down at her hands, unsure of what to say. She had been preparing herself for this moment for so long, but now that it was here, the emotions were too overwhelming to put into words.

“I thought I needed to focus only on my future, but I was wrong,” Kartik continued. “None of it matters if you’re not a part of it, Ishani. I tried to convince myself that I had to choose between you and my career, but the truth is, I want both. I need you in my life. You’re the reason I want to succeed.”

Tears welled up in Ishani’s eyes. She had waited so long to hear those words, but now that they were being spoken, she didn’t know how to feel. “Kartik... you left me. You said you couldn’t give me more time because of your career. How can I trust that things will be different now?”

Kartik sighed, running his hand through his hair. “I know I messed up. I thought I had to choose, and I was afraid that if I didn’t focus on my career, I would lose everything. But I realized that I lost something far more important when I let you go. I was chasing success, but all I could think about was you. I didn’t want to admit it, but every step I took felt empty without you.”

Ishani wiped away a tear that had escaped down her cheek. “I missed you, Kartik... every single day. But I can’t go through the pain of losing you again.”

“I’m not asking you to trust me blindly,” Kartik said, his voice gentle yet firm. “I’m asking for a chance to prove that I’ve changed. I’ve been through my own struggles too, Ishaani. I’ve faced failures, dealt with disappointment, and questioned everything. But the one thing that stayed with me through all of that was you. I couldn’t stop thinking about the love we shared. I don’t want to be successful if I can’t share it with you.”

Ishani looked into his eyes, searching for the truth in his words. “Do you really mean that, Kartik? I don’t want to be left behind again.”

“I mean it with everything I have,” Kartik said, reaching out to hold her hand. “I want us to face the future together this time, not apart. I’m not perfect, but I’m willing to fight for us if you are.”

There was a long pause as Ishaani took in everything he had said. The memories of their time together flooded her mind—the late-night phone calls, the quiet moments watching the sunset, the way he had always been there for her, even when life got hard. But she also remembered the pain of their separation, the long nights of missing him, wondering if she would ever feel whole again.

“I need time to think,” Ishani finally said, her voice trembling. Kartik nodded, squeezing her hand gently. “Take all the time you need. I’ll wait, Ishaani. I’m not going anywhere this time.”

They sat in silence for a while, the weight of the moment hanging between them. Ishaani wasn’t sure what the future held, but for the first time in a long time, she felt hope. Kartik was back, and maybe—just maybe—this time they could make it work.

[honeyhere]

THE LAST CONFESSION

The storm raged outside, rain pounding against the windows like a relentless drum. I was alone in the house, the flickering candlelight casting eerie shadows on the walls. My mother had gone out to meet a friend, or she said. I had learned not to question her late-night escapades anymore; I didn’t want to provoke her ire.

But tonight felt different. As the thunder cracked, a sense of foreboding washed over me. I had been shifting through family photographs earlier, old memories buried under time. One photo caught my attention: a faded snapshot of my mother with a man I didn’t recognize. They were standing in front of a rundown house, smiles plastered on their faces, yet something about it felt wrong.  

I tried to push it aside, but curiosity gnawed at me. I needed answers.

When my mother returned, I confronted her about the photo. Her demeanor shifted instantly. The warmth in her eyes faded, replaced by a cold,by calculating stare.

“That was a long time ago,” she said, her voice steady but laced with something darker. “It’s best forgotten.”

“Who was he?” I pressed, feeling the adrenaline spike. “You can’t just hide things from me. ”Her expression hardened. “You’re too young to understand the past. Trust me, some secrets are meant to be buried.”

That night, I couldn’t sleep, I replayed her words in my mind, each repetition fueling my unease. What had she hidden from me? What had she done?

Desperate for answers, I slipped out of my room and headed for the attic. My mother rarely ventured there, and I hoped to find clues. The attic was dark and musty, filled with forgotten memories. As I rummaged through boxes, I stumbled upon a dusty journal—my mother’s journal.

With trembling hands, I opened it. The entries were dated from the time when the photo was taken. Each page was filled with my mother’s elegant script, recounting a twisted love story with the man from the picture, who she referred to as "David." But as the entries progressed, they grew darker. I read about jealousy, betrayal, and a shocking revelation: she had killed him in a fit of rage after discovering he was planning to leave her.

My heart raced. Was it possible? I had always thought of her as a gentle, nurturing figure. How could she have committed such a heinous act?

Suddenly, I heard a creak behind me. I whipped around, heart pounding, and saw my mother standing at the attic door, her face pale and expressionless.“I told you not to go through my things,” she said, her voice dangerously low.

I backed away, clutching the journal to my chest. “You killed him! You murdered him and buried it all in lies!”

For a moment, silence hung between us like a thick fog. Then she stepped forward, her expression shifting from anger to something much colder. “You should have left it alone,” she whispered. “Now you know too much.”

In a flash, she lunged at me, and I stumbled backward, the journal slipping from my hands. It fell open on the floor, pages fluttering. As I scrambled to pick it up, I saw her face shift from rage to something almost… sad.

“I loved him once,” she said, her voice breaking. “But love can turn dark when you feel betrayed.”

Just then, the lights flickered and went out. The storm outside intensified, drowning the attic in darkness. I fumbled for the journal, my hands shaking. In the chaos, I knocked over a box, revealing a glint of metal—the knife.

My instincts kicked in. I grabbed it, feeling it's cold weight in my hand. “Stay back!” I shouted into the void.

She laughed softly, a chilling sound. “You think you can stop me? You’re still just a child.”

As my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I saw her silhouette move toward me, a predatory grace in her step. With a surge of adrenaline, I brandished the knife, my heart pounding in my ears.

“I won’t let you hurt anyone else!” I shouted, feeling the power of my words surge through me.

In that moment, everything changed. The storm outside echoed my turmoil. The fear that had chained me to her was breaking.

Just as I lunged, the candle flickered back to life, casting a glow that illuminated her face—a mix of rage and despair. But before I could react, she lunged at me. We collided in a desperate struggle, the knife clattering to the ground.

As the fight ensued, I felt the weight of her betrayal, the darkness that had tainted my childhood. But I was ready to fight back, to escape the clutches of my mother, the killer.

In the end, as the police sirens wailed in the distance, I realized the truth: I had not just killed the memory of my mother that night, but the innocence of my past.