Love's Strange Ways – Finding My Darling

Vishal's P.O.V.

I returned home from my office and as soon as I entered inside, I could feel loneliness which I've been feeling since one week without my darling.

After freshening up and eating my dinner, I switched on the television and sat on a couch but if anybody asked me what I was watching I'd say I have no idea because I'm just waiting for darling's call.

She has gone to a fashion expo in Mumbai, and I'm missing her terribly. I'm feeling so alone without her; we've been married for five months and I couldn't have asked for a better life.

Life with darling has been full of happiness and love. She is my life; she has made my life beautiful with her presence. I can't even imagine my life without her.

I still smile like an idiot whenever I think about our wedding day. I had been so excited and nervous to meet my darling. I can't explain the happiness which I felt that day when I saw her in her bridal outfit.

I can't believe I married the same darling to whom I started talking to as a stranger; then she became my best friend, and then I fell in love with her. All this seemed like a dream to me and I don't want to ever wake up from this beautiful dream.

I pick up my phone and saw it for like the 25th time in the last five minutes. Before I could put it back, it started to ring. Automatically a smile tug at my lips when I saw the caller ID.

"Hey, darling, I missed you," I said, while picking up the remote to switch off the television.

"Hey, Vi, I missed you too," she said.

"How is your fashion expo going on?" I asked her.

"Its good, Vi," she said excitedly.

"That's great, darling," I told her.

"So, you are coming back tomorrow, right?" I asked her.

"Well, that depends on you, Vi," she said and I could feel the amusement in her voice.

"Darling, what are you saying?" I asked, totally confused.

"I'll explain that later. First tell me, what can you do to meet me?" she asked.

"I can do anything, darling," I told her honestly.

"That's great, I have a challenge for you then," she said.

"What challenge?" I asked, getting more confused where she was going with all this.

"Well, if you complete the challenge, you will see me today. But if you loose it, I'll come home only next week," she said.

"What? You are kidding, right?" I asked, shocked.

"No, I'm not kidding Vi. So, do you want to see me or not?" she asked and I was sure she was smiling right then.

"First tell me, what's the challenge?" I asked.

"Well, its simple. You will get clues and by using those clues you have to find me," she explained.

"Do you accept this challenge, hubby? Or are you afraid of losing?" she teased me.

"Fine, wifey, I accept your challenge," I told her confidently.

"Oh, you accept it, then get ready to lose this challenge," she giggled and said.

"We will see, darling, who will win and who will lose," I told her while smirking.

"Yes, we will see. Now, get ready. You will get your first clue soon and we will talk at the end of this challenge, which I'm sure you will lose," she said.

"Keep thinking that, darling, I'm sure I'll win," I told her. I hope I do win.

"No, I'll win and I'll enjoy my vacation in Hosur," she said.

Before I could say anything, I heard the doorbell ring.

"Vi, that's your first clue," she said before hanging up.

I just shook my head and put my phone in my pocket while walking towards the main door. I expected someone to be there but instead I found an envelope with 'CLUE #1' written on it. I smiled and opened it to see a riddle written in my darling's handwriting.

Hey hubby,
This is your first clue so it is simple.

"Despite what they're called,
They don't cover your eyes.
You fill them with drink,
And then maybe some ice."

I'm sure you got it, Vi. :)

I smiled. This is more easier than I thought. I'm sure I'm going to win this hunt. I walked towards the dining table and lifted all the glasses to see a red envelope with 'CLUE #2' written on it. How did this envelope get here? Did she put this here even before going to Mumbai?

I grabbed the envelope and opened it to see a letter with another riddle.

I told you it was simple. :)
Let's see if you can crack this riddle.

"A necessity to some,
A treasure to many,
I'm best enjoyed alone,
Maybe sometimes in pleasant company,
Some like me hot,
Some like me cold,
Some like me mild,
Some like me bold."

Get ready to loose Vi. :)

Now, I'm 100% sure I'm winning this challenge. These riddles are so simple. I locked my apartment and in excitement, I took the stairs to reach the ground floor. By the time I reached the ground floor, I was breathing hard after running all the way.

I walked towards the café near our apartment. I reached the café and checked all the tables. Then I saw a table which has a envelope with 'CLUE #3' written on it. I took a seat and started reading my next clue.

Vi,
You cracked those two riddles fast, lets see
how much time will you take to solve this one.

"A thousand colored fields,
stretch towards the sky,
Atop a tender strand,
Rising from the land,
Till killed by maiden's hand,
Perhaps a token of love,
Perhaps to say goodbye."

Keep thinking ;)

I smiled and tried to think of the flower shop which was the nearest. Come on, Vishal, think hard. I again walked towards my building and reached my apartment fast.

I grabbed my mobile, car keys and wallet. After locking the door of my apartment, I walked into the elevator. I waited impatiently and tapped my feet as it took time to reach the parking lot. As soon as the elevator stopped and the doors opened, I quickly walked outside and towards my car. Then I drove it towards my clue.

I reached the mall and started walking fast towards the shop but I couldn't find it. Where the hell is that shop? I look around and then I saw the mall map. I walked towards it and searched for the shop.

"Found it!" I cheered and started walking towards it. Before I could step into the shop, a cute little girl came towards me with a bouquet of red roses and an envelope which had 'CLUE #4'. I smiled and took both the things. After giving a kiss on her cheek, I took out the letter from envelope and read it.

You got it, Vi, so here is your next clue.

"My life can be measured in hours,
I live by being devoured,
Thin I am fat,
Fat I am slow,
The wind is always my hoe."

This is a tough one, Vi. ;)

I read the riddle again and again while pacing in the mall. I don't care if I'm looking like a mad person right now. I need to crack this if I want my darling.

What does that mean? What is thin and fat? Foe means enemy, so whose enemy is wind?

"I got it!" I shouted and many people stared at my direction. I whispered sorry to them and walked towards a candle shop which I saw while coming here.

I entered the candle shop and all kinds of amazing smells surrounded me. I looked here and there and found darling's favorite candles. I grabbed the envelope with 'CLUE #5' and opened the letter which has my next clue.

You are good at this hubby. :)
But I'm sure you can't crack this one ;)

"I have no voice but I can
teach you all there is to know,
I have spines and hinges
But I am not a door.
Once I've told you all,
I cannot tell you more,
What am I?"

I don't know how darling was so sure that I'll get this envelope. What If somebody else took it? I'll ask her this for sure when I'll meet her. I looked towards the counter and saw an elderly lady sitting there. She gave me a warm smile and showed me a thumbs up. I too smiled at her. Okay, now I know how darling was so sure. This lady knows me; my darling is smart.

I scratched my head while reading it. My mind is blank; I can't think of anything. I sighed and looked around. Something caught my eyes and I walked towards it, grinning. I entered the bookshop and started to look around. There are so many books; where can I find the next clue?

Someone tapped on my shoulder and I turned around to see a man standing there with a smirk on his face. Before I could ask anything, he gave me an envelope which had 'CLUE #6' written on it. I said thank you and read the letter inside envelope.

Hey, Vi,
Are you enjoying this? ;)

"I don't like hot,
I do love cold.
Some eat me on pyramid,
Some eat me in bowl.
If you keep me in your mouth,
I'll explode.
As soon as you get some,
You want me more and more."

Think hard. ;)

What can we eat on pyramid? I'm so confused. What to do? I'm feeling like a stupid person. After putting more pressure on my brain for another 15 minutes, I finally got the answer to the riddle. I looked at my watch and saw that it was 11:10 pm. Oh God, I've been doing this for the last 3 hours. I started to walk towards my car. But where can I find ice cream at this time?

I sat inside my car and thought of all the ice cream shops I know. I started my car and drove it towards the shop where me and darling used to eat our late night ice creams every time. After driving for 25 minutes, I reached the shop.

I entered the shop and saw some couples were sitting there and enjoying their ice-creams. So, I'm not the only one who eats ice creams in winter season. I looked around and then walked towards the counter and grabbed the envelope with 'CLUE #7' with my favorite ice cream.

Hi Vi,
I never knew you are so smart, but I'm still sure I'm going to win this challenge so enjoy your ice-cream and here is your second last riddle.

"The place where you come and go,
Where you start and you end,
Where you laugh and cry,
Where you are weak and strong,
Where you feel loved and safe."

Use your brain. ;)

I leaned on the car door while eating my ice cream. I closed my eyes and thought of the riddle and instantly an image of darling laughing came in my mind. I quickly finished my ice cream. After tossing the empty cup in the dustbin, I started my car to reach my final destination which is our home. What was the point of all this running if she is at our home? I need a serious explanation from darling about this.

After parking my car, I made my way towards the stairs and started running towards my apartment. As soon as I opened the door of my apartment, I jumped at least 4 feet in the air, hearing "HAPPY BIRTHDAY VISHAL" shouted loudly.

I looked around and saw my parents, Granz, my in-laws, Shruti and some of my close friends were here but my smile got a lot bigger when I saw my darling walking towards me.

"Happy birthday, Vi," she said while smiling at me.

"Thank you, darling," I said while hugging her.

Loud coughing voice brought us back to reality. Smiling sheepishly, I took blessings from the elders and hugged all my friends. After cutting cake and feeding all, I looked around and saw everyone is chatting and laughing with each other.

After some time, I closed my apartment door after Rhea left. I turned around to see darling but instead of her, I saw an envelope which had 'CLUE #8' written on it.

Vi,
did you forgot about the last clue?
Well I didn't, so here is your last clue.

"It somewhere that you lay your head,
The answer is not a pillow
But what it sits on
It's a ......."

Come and find me, Vi. ;)

I walked towards our bedroom, grinning. I entered and saw a gift on my bed. I opened it to reveal a wristwatch, which I had seen in the mall last month. I felt my darling's hand on my back. I grabbed her arm and brought her in front of me.

"Thank you darling for everything," I said while looking in her eyes.

"You are welcome, Vi, did you like your surprise?" she said while smiling. I love the way her eyes shine when she smiles brightly.

"Liked? I loved it darling," I told her honestly.

Later that night, when I was lying in our bed with darling in my arms, I asked her a question which was on my mind since this hunt started.

"Darling?" I asked softly.

"Hmm," she said while looking at me.

"Who kept my first clue at the door?" As soon as I asked her this, she started laughing and I got lost in her angelic laugh.

"It was me." she said after calming down.

"What?" I asked shocked.

"Yes," she said.

"So, you were here all the time while I was finding you?" I asked.

She nodded her head while smiling at me.

I laughed and said, "Btw, it was fun finding my darling."

I kissed her forehead and closed my eyes. After one week, I'm finally sleeping peacefully with darling in my arms.

***

This one shot was written by ChronologicalReader.. Congratulations, you have won the first prize! Thanks a lot for taking part in this contest.. You can PM me to get your prize.. :)