A month had passed since the proposal between Ahmed and Aaliya, a month of silent
normalcy that the people of Srinagar had begrudgingly grown accustomed to. Despite the
chaos that surrounded them, Ahmed and Aaliya decided that they couldn't let fear dictate
their lives. They planned to get married, seeking solace and joy in the union that would bind
them together against the backdrop of uncertainty.
The day of their wedding arrived, marked by the simplicity that adversity demanded. Only
close neighbors and a relative who walked 30 kilometers to attend could make it to the
ceremony, as transport was forbidden, and curfew passes were elusive.
As Ahmed and Aaliya exchanged vows, their eyes filled with love and determination, a sense
of hope permeated the makeshift venue. But hope, in Kashmir, was a fragile thing, easily
shattered by the echoes of violence that had become all too familiar.
As the ceremony continued, a distant echo reverberated through the air – gunfire. The
celebratory atmosphere shattered, replaced by a collective gasp of fear that hung heavily in
the air. Panic set in as the wedding was abruptly interrupted, the joyous occasion giving way
to a sinister reality.
Ahmed's heart pounded in his chest as he grabbed Aaliya's hand, their fingers entwined as
they navigated through the chaos. "We have to get out of here, now!" he shouted, his voice
barely audible over the growing tumult.
Together, they ran through the narrow streets, dodging bullets and stumbling over the
remnants of celebration. Fear gripped their hearts as they risked their lives to escape the
sudden eruption of violence. The streets, once witnesses to joy, were now painted with the
stark reality of their plight.
Finally, they found refuge in the quiet sanctuary of a nearby mosque. Exhausted and
breathless, they collapsed into each other's arms, seeking comfort in the midst of the tumult.
The mosque, a symbol of peace, offered a temporary respite from the chaos outside.
As they caught their breath, Ahmed and Aaliya witnessed a heartbreaking scene unfold
before them. A lifeless body lay on the street, an elderly man whose existence had been
violently extinguished. The wails of a five-year-old child and the desperate cries of a ten-year￾old for her father echoed through the air.

"We were just going out to buy some bread," the little girl cried, her innocence shattered by
the senseless violence. The crowd erupted in outrage, people flooding out of their homes to
confront the brutality that had unfolded before them.
In response, tear gas canisters and the deafening shelling of bullets filled the air. The streets,
once again, became a battleground of pain and suffering. Bloodshed...