THE NOVEMBER OF LOVE

Once upon a time, in the chilly days of November 2011, when the air held a hint of magic, a young man named Salman found himself entangled in the web of love. It all began when a radiant young woman named Sidra moved into the ground floor of his family's house on rent. At 27, she exuded a grace that captivated Salman's heart, who was merely 19 at the time.
From the moment Salman laid eyes on her, he was struck by her beauty and grace. Shy and unsure of himself, he would steal glances at her as she sunbathed on the first floor, pretending to read his book. Yet, Sidra seemed to sense his admiration and never hesitated to exchange a warm smile.
Though Salman kept his feelings hidden deep in his heart, Sidra's intuition told her that there was more to Salman than met the eye. She patiently waited for him to make a move, convinced that he would eventually confess his love. But little did she know that Salman's shyness held him back from expressing his true emotions.
Then, on a fateful day in January 2012, fate intervened when Salman received a call from an unknown number. To his delight, it was Sidra on the other end of the line. However, she disguised her identity and engaged him in conversation, wanting to learn more about him. From that day onwards, they began talking frequently through calls and messages, deepening their bond.
Intrigued by the mysterious girl on the phone, Sidra's playful nature encouraged Salman to muster the courage to confess his feelings to her directly. One day, seizing the opportunity when she was descending the stairs, he handed her a heartfelt letter, pouring his heart out and asking for a response.
Yet, Sidra chose not to reply to the letter directly, instead opting to communicate through the intermediary of their playful phone friend. Unbeknownst to Salman, Sidra's heart had its reasons, ones she could not reveal just yet. However, she continued to engage in passionate conversations with Salman, discussing love, family, and dreams of a future together.
The young couple found solace in each other's virtual company, with Salman working as an instructor at a local high school, and Sidra serving as a teacher in a madrasa. Their love grew, yet Sidra maintained her distance, not willing to commit to marriage.
As their love story bloomed, Salman's mother eventually discovered his affection for Sidra. Though initially supportive, doubts arose when she noticed a relative visiting Sidra's home in her absence. These suspicions caused concern, and she asked Salman's father to find new tenants for the house.
Desperately wanting to be near Sidra, Salman's heart ached when she moved away to another rental house not too far from his own. Undeterred, he visited her whenever he could, holding onto the hope that love would conquer all.
But as time went on, Salman noticed that Sidra was growing distant. Calls went unanswered, messages left unread, and a gnawing feeling of sadness filled his heart. Finally, Sidra mustered the courage to tell him the truth—she was going to marry a man who already had a wife. The news shattered Salman's heart, but he understood the circumstances and respected her decision.
It was a painful farewell for Salman, who could not change his financial situation or his parents' reservations about the relationship. Despite the heartbreak, he cherished the memories of their time together and the love they had shared.
Life moved on, and Salman, with a heavy heart, found solace in the bittersweet memories of his love for Sidra. The tale of their brief, yet passionate, love remained etched in his heart, forever a beautiful chapter in the story of his life. And though time passed, Salman never forgot the girl who had once filled his world with warmth and wonder, leaving an indelible mark on his soul.
Months turned into years, and Salman continued to teach at the local high school, finding comfort in the classroom as he imparted knowledge to his students. But no matter how busy he kept himself, thoughts of Sidra would often sneak into his mind, tugging at his heartstrings.
One evening, while going through his old belongings, Salman stumbled upon the box where he had kept the letters and mementos from his time with Sidra. The memories came rushing back, and he found himself smiling as he reread their heartfelt conversations.
Unable to resist, he decided to send her a text message, not expecting a response but simply wanting to express his gratitude for the love they had shared.
Salman: Hey Sidra, it's been a while. I hope life has been treating you well. I just wanted to say that the memories we created together still bring a smile to my face. I cherish the time we spent talking and laughing. Take care.
To his surprise, a response came quicker than he anticipated.
Sidra: Salman, it's so good to hear from you after all this time. You have no idea how often I thought about you and the moments we shared. Life has been a rollercoaster, but your memories have been a constant source of joy. Thank you for reaching out.
Salman's heart skipped a beat, not expecting such an honest and heartfelt reply. The exchange of messages became more frequent, as they both opened up about their lives, dreams, and the love they once had.
Salman: Sidra, I never stopped caring about you. Our time together was magical, and I've never felt that connection with anyone else.
Sidra: I know exactly what you mean, Salman. You were a ray of sunshine in my life, and I'll always be grateful for that. But we both know life had different plans for us.
Salman: It's true. Destiny can be a fickle thing. But I want you to know that I'll cherish our love forever.
Sidra: And I'll cherish it too, Salman. Our love was pure and beautiful. It's a chapter of my life that I'll never forget.
As the days passed, their messages grew longer, and their conversations delved deeper into the intricacies of their hearts. They spoke about their regrets, the what-ifs, and the feelings that still lingered.
Salman: Sidra, do you think we could have had a future together if circumstances were different?
Sidra: I've asked myself that question so many times, Salman. Maybe in another life, we would have been together. But we must find happiness in the paths we've chosen.
Salman: You're right. I want nothing more than for you to be happy, even if it's not with me.
Sidra: And I want the same for you, Salman. You deserve all the love and joy in the world.
Despite the distance and the passing years, their connection remained as strong as ever. It was as if time had no power over the love they had shared, and their hearts still beat in sync.
One evening, as the sun set, painting the sky with hues of pink and orange, Salman gathered the courage to ask Sidra a question that had been on his mind for a while.
Salman: Sidra, would it be too much to ask for us to meet one last time? Just to see each other and say goodbye properly?
Sidra: Salman, I think that would be a beautiful way to close this chapter of our lives. Let's meet at our favorite spot by the lake, where we used to sit and talk for hours.
They agreed to meet on a Saturday morning, and as the day approached, Salman's heart raced with a mix of excitement and nervousness. The day finally arrived, and he found himself standing by the lake, waiting for Sidra.
And there she was, just as radiant as the day they had met, walking towards him with a gentle smile. They hugged, their embrace warm and familiar, as if no time had passed at all.
They sat by the lake, reminiscing about the laughter they shared, the dreams they nurtured, and the love that had bloomed in the chilly days of November. As the conversation grew more intimate, Salman took a deep breath, gathering the courage to say what was in his heart.
Salman: Sidra, I've never stopped loving you, and I don't think I ever will. You'll always hold a special place in my heart.
Sidra: Salman, you've brought so much love and happiness into my life, and I'll always cherish that. But we both need to move forward and embrace the paths we've chosen.
Salman nodded, understanding the truth in her words. They spent the rest of the day together, enjoying each other's company one last time. As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in vibrant colors, they bid their tearful farewells.
Back home, Salman couldn't help but feel a sense of closure and acceptance. Their love story might not have had the ending he had hoped for, but he was grateful for the time they had shared.
Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months. Salman continued to teach at the high school, and Sidra devoted herself to her teaching at the madrasa. They both went on to find new love and build beautiful lives with their respective partners.
But in the quiet moments of solitude, when the air held a hint of magic, Salman would sometimes find himself smiling as he thought of Sidra—the girl who had once filled his world with warmth and wonder, leaving an indelible mark on his soul, and the love they had shared during the November of love.

Imran Nazeer
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