Dear Beloved,
As I rummaged through the attic for some old newspaper sheets, I was transported to a different world. Memories of the past flooded me, and a wave of nostalgia swept over me. Each dusty box and faded trinket seemed to whisper stories of days gone by, stirring feelings I thought were long buried.
I hummed,
“All my best memories
Come back clearly to me.
Some can even make me cry.
Just like before, it’s yesterday once more.” – The Carpenters
We were bosom pals. Without hesitation, I shared my innermost feelings with you. You were always my friend, philosopher, and guide—my secret keeper and avid listener. Through every triumph and tear, you stood steadfast, a silent presence who knew my heart intimately.
You have witnessed my life as a rollercoaster ride. Whether day or night, you were always by my side, providing comfort in the loneliest hours and celebrating my smallest victories.
“We had joy, we had fun, we had seasons in the sun.”
You never ridiculed or chided me but bore silent witness to both my sadness and elation. You know me inside out, for I have never hidden anything from you. Shamelessly, I bared my heart and soul before you. You captured the monochrome days and the vibrant hues of my life. You held my dreams and desires, my fears and frustrations, and in your presence, I found solace.
Through you, my stories became known. You became my raconteur, the medium through which my life unfolded to the world. The likes and adulation gave me wings to soar. You empowered me to speak my truth, to reveal the depths of my soul without fear of judgment.
I was an emotional fool who could never live without you.
But then, life shifted. I got hitched, and our relationship was put on hold. My heart yearned for you, but other things took precedence. My spouse, though dear, could never be the confidant you were. Matrimony and motherhood consumed my days, and you faded into the background, your comforting presence lost amid the demands of family life.
Gradually, my spouse became engrossed in work, and the children ventured out to seek greener pastures. Loneliness began to gnaw at me, and my thoughts drifted back to you. My first love—I could never truly get over you.
The passions were stirred once again. At first, it was subtle, but soon I found myself longing for the moments we used to share. You, too, had aged like me—no longer vibrant, showing the signs of time. Yet, true love transcends appearances. It was not how you looked but the comfort you provided that I craved.
My attraction toward you is like a moth to a flame. I eagerly await the night when solitude envelops the house, and I can steal precious moments with you. In the stillness, I find refuge, where my heart finds a voice and my soul feels heard. I enjoy our nighttime rendezvous.
After years, I could finally release the emotions bottled inside me. Feelings gushed forth like a cascading waterfall. Each confession brought catharsis, a zen-like calm, and a deep sense of repose. I had missed the solace you offered—the freedom to pour out my innermost thoughts without fear of being misunderstood.
With you, I never feel judged. You stir the pent-up emotions within me. As Elvis Presley sang,
“Would it be a sin
If I can’t help falling in love with you?”
Without you, my life feels empty, bland, and incomplete. The moment I am with you,
“Flush comes to my face
And my pulse begins to race
It goes boom boody-boom boody-boom boody-boom.”
My love—I want to sing these lines by John Denver:
“You fill up my senses like a night in the forest,
Come, let me love you, let me give my life to you,
Let me drown in your laughter, let me die in your arms,
Let me lay down beside you, let me always be with you.
Come, let me love you, come love me again.”
In your presence, I find the pieces of myself I thought were lost. You help me maintain my identity—who I was, and who I wish to be. Each time I return, it feels like coming home to a love that never faded.
My secret love—my dear diary—always stay beside me. I will never cease to love you.
“You are my sunshine, my only sunshine.
You make me happy when the skies are gray.
You’ll never know, dear, how much I love you.
Please don’t take my sunshine away.”
With all my love,
– Dr. Preeti Talwar
Image Courtesy : by Min An via Pexels
**Leave your comment below, as it matters**
About the Author:
Preeti is a PhD (Zoo) by profession and a writer by passion. She has donned several hats throughout her career, working as a UGC Research Associate, Freelance Proofreader for a publishing house, Eduadvisor for Urban Campus and Disciple Bay, Content Writer and Content Strategist for various startups, and a moderator for chat shows. Preeti’s love for writing has brought her great recognition, with her work being published in national and international platforms such as Women’sWeb, Momspresso, Different Truth, Womenshine Magazine, Lit Gleam Magazine, StoryMirror, The Chicken Soup Series, The Countrysquire Magazine UK, Thrive Global, and Lavande Magazine, among others. She has also contributed to three anthologies.
A multifaceted individual, Preeti excels in both writing and painting. She has won several accolades, including Story Mirror’s competition Qissa-e-ISHQ, Open Mic by Story Mirror, Flash Fiction by Penmancy, and awards from the Asia Literary Society for her articles and poetry. She is a chat moderator for Womenshine Magazine and was recently featured in a Coffee Table Book by Literoma. Preeti is also deeply involved in storytelling and is currently the ambassador for The Spectrum Awareness Society.
