When the World Came Together

 “The world is ending,” she said, her voice barely a whisper over the low hum of the television. The news anchor’s grim expression confirmed it that in just one year, everything would end.
Her teenage daughter, Maira’s teary eyes mirrored the fear and helplessness surging through her own.
“Ammi, what are we going to do?” Maira asked, her voice trembling.
Aaliya cupped Maira’s face in her hands. “We’re going to live, Maira. For the time we have left, we’re going to live the best we can.” She hugged her daughter tightly, as if to shield her from the approaching doom.
That night, Aaliya sat by the window of her cozy seaside café in Pondicherry, nestled in a vibrant neighborhood. Her daughter’s tearful eyes and trembling voice echoed in her mind, deepening her own sense of dread. How could I save my daughter from a world so fragile and uncertain? Lying awake, she stared at the night sky, its stars shining coldly, their beauty untouched by the storm inside her.

The next morning, a sign appeared outside the café: “The Dream Bean Café.” Below it, a chalkboard stood tall, inviting people to write their wishes: “What’s your one wish?” Aaliya promised the community they would work together to fulfill as many dreams as possible.

At first, the chalkboard remained untouched. Few days later, she found herself stopped in her tracks as Mr. Iyer, the retired schoolteacher, stood before the board, writing his wish with his shaky hand: “I want to see my childhood home one last time.”
The house got demolished years ago. Touched by his yearning, Aaliya got in touch with a local historical society, and with the help of Maira, they pieced together a scrapbook – old photographs, worn documents, and faded blueprints that brought his childhood home back to life.

That evening, while Mr. Iyer was turning through the pages, his hands had started to shake under the weight of nostalgia. It smelled like old paper as he touched the pictures, and his eyes were visibly moist with tears.
“It’s perfect,” he whispered, his voice shrieked with emotion. “You brought it back to life, my dear!”

Word of the café spread, and the board started to fill up.

The fruit vendor was known to everyone for his rhythmic calls of “Tomatoes, potatoes, fresh and ripe…” as he wandered through the streets, he quietly wrote: “I wish to sing on a stage.” Though his melodic voice had often echoed through the neighbourhood, no one had ever heard the depth of his passion for music. When Aaliya saw his wish, she thought of bringing his and Mrs. Sharma’s dreams together.
Mrs. Sharma, an elderly widow, had longed to hear her favourite tune, “I want to hear my favourite song – When Marimba Rhythm Starts to Play… performed live.”
Aaliya invited the vendor to sing at the café’s open mic night, where his rich, soulful voice filled the room for the first time, far from the street corners where it had once gone unnoticed.
As the music played, Mrs. Sharma’s face glowed with joy, her body swaying to the rhythm, and the crowd swelled with appreciation. The café was alive with warmth, and when the last note faded, the cheers erupted, their claps and shouts a celebration of two dreams fulfilled and the simple magic of living fully.

In the audience, a shy girl named Pranita watched from the corner. Inspired by the courage around her, she dared to add her own wish to the board: “I want to learn to dance.” Maira noticed Pranita’s hesitant scribble and nudged her mother.
“Ammi, we have to help her.” Aaliya turned to Ayaan, her best friend who was handling the operations of the café. He arranged for a local choreographer to teach Pranita. For the next few weeks, the café became a dance studio.
That evening was pretty amazing. Two brothers, who hadn’t talked in ages, finally got back together. One of them had sent out this really sweet message: “I wish my brother would forgive me.” The whole community made it happen, and while Pranita was spinning around on stage, the brothers hugged it out, tears just pouring down their faces.

Next was a wish that brought both joy and sorrow: “I want to know when I was born.” It came from a 9-year-old orphan. Though the community couldn’t trace his exact birth date, they rallied together to throw a grand birthday party, declaring the day as his birthday. Laughter and giggles from the orphan and his friends filled the café, leaving everyone teary-eyed.

As the year drew to a close, the neighbourhood had come together, fulfilling each other’s dreams, big and small. The chalkboard outside the café was now filled with wishes brought to life, and Maira quietly added her own: “I wish my mom could be truly happy.” Aaliya’s heart clenched as she had always found joy in the smiles of others, but in that moment, she recognized how she had neglected her own desires.

That evening, she noticed a wish on the board in Ayaan’s familiar handwriting: “I wish she knew how much I love her.” Maira nudged her whispering, “Ammi, he means you.”
Ayaan approached Aaliya. “You’ve made so many dreams come true,” he said softly. “what about yours?”

Lost in his eyes, she smiled. “I think my wish just came true.”

As the asteroid drew closer, people laughed, cried, and shared stories of love, hope, and dreams fulfilled.

Amidst it all, under the fiery sky, Ayaan kissed Aaliya, murmuring, “Even the asteroids can’t outshine you tonight.”

Aaliya’s heart swelled, as if the universe itself had aligned to grant her this moment of pure, unspoken magic. It was just them, standing together, hearts full and at peace.

Prompt: https://prowritersroom.com/unik-20-writing-event/
Image Courtesy: MAG Photography (pexels.com)