Ticking Memories

In a small, intimate town between the landscapes of gentle hills, there was an old antique shop with dusty trinkets and forgotten treasures in its windows. Among this treasure, lay a broken wristwatch, its complex mechanism stuck in time.

The broken watch was dear to the heart of Babu Lal, the shop owner, for no reason or you can say for many reasons. He often went into a daydream wondering about the stories it contained within its fragile frame. On a beautiful sunny afternoon, she walked into the shop with a basket of flowers hanging from her arm. Her name was Naina; she was only eighteen. Looking upon the row of curios, her eyes glittered with curiosity.

Upon seeing the broken wristwatch Naina was intrigued. She very carefully picked it up, admiring its handcraft. Babu Lal saw the glint in Naina’s eyes and went to her with a smile on his face.

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That wristwatch tells a significant story, Babu Lal sighed with remembrance. Fascinated, Naina listened to Babu Lal narrate the story of a young couple who had once possessed the watch. They were out on immeasurable exploits and their love was entwined in each day that passed. However, one dark afternoon fate decided otherwise and the watch was shattered beyond recognition in a devastating incident.

Naina was saddened a bit as she heard the story. Seeing her blue mood, Babu Lal fell behind the counter and gave her a fistful of peppermints.

‘So sometimes even broken things can keep good times remembered,’ Babu Lal whispered.Naina nodded, grabbing the peppermints tightly in her hand. She thanked Babu Lal for telling the story and left the shop, with that broken wristwatch and peppermints comfortably tucked in her pocket.

As more days passed, Naina’s fascination with this shattered watch grew, as its silent ticking echoed into eternity – a constant reminder of elusive and unpredictable time. She studied its complex workings with her fingers darting along the delicate lines imprinted on the surface.

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On one of the evenings, when the sun set behind the horizon, Naina sat on a bench in the town square and was lost in her thoughts. She was thinking about the person who was wearing this watch at some point in time. What must have happened to that duo? They must be a much-in-love couple. Why do they have to endure such a painful separation? Or was it a separation or were they together till eternity? Then she had a sense of arms around her and being pulled into an embrace. The sight of Ranveer, her childhood friend made Naina suddenly startled.

Filled with emotion, Ranveer held Naina tight. His hug lasted too long. Naina felt an odd but pleasant sensation wash over her, not knowing what she should do with that information.

Just as they were separating, they sat together on the bench looking at the setting sun and went back in time, to when they were together in school for a decade. It was in college they went their separate paths. The good old and some not-so-good memories come to the forefront of their minds. Naina remembered their last day, last fight and when they parted ways.

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Naina observed something that was glittering in Ranveer’s hand – a new wristwatch. He blushed, admitting that he had purchased it as a present for her. Naina’s heart was filled with love. He gave the watch to Naina, and her heart was full of hope.

In that instance, immersed in the calming buzz of the town square and gentle light from street lamps Naina understood how broken things can be mended as well sometimes the least expected actions could give wholeness and happiness.

Neerja Bhatnagar

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Prompt by Authorpod- A broken wristwatch, peppermints and a hug that goes too far.