And someday If you leave me, you will regret it later

This story follows Shamas and Anamica, two individuals navigating love, loyalty, and relationships with humour and warmth. Through their sharp banter and deep conversations, the tale explores the nuances of commitment, emotional vulnerability, and what it truly means to be irreplaceable. A charming blend of wit, heart, and laughter — this is a story for anyone who's ever loved deeply.

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You know how some stories begin with "Once upon a time" and you immediately think, “Well, here comes another fairy tale”? My story, though, has no such illusion. This is real life—complete with the kind of moments that are both funny and achingly true. The kind of story that might make you say, “That’s exactly me.” Or perhaps, “I would never.” But whether you like it or not, the tale of Shamas and Anamica is one you’ll remember.

Shamas, my friend, was always the funny one. You know the type: quick-witted, always ready with a joke, but rarely letting anyone past his defences. Then there was Anamica, a whirlwind of passion, wit, and genuine depth. And the day these two collided, well, it was like throwing a match into a fireworks factory.

Let me tell you about them.

How Did it All Begin?

Shamas swore he didn’t believe in love. He had been on the other side of heartbreak too many times, and he wasn’t about to let it happen again. His philosophy? Keep things light, have fun, but never let anyone close enough to hurt you.

Anamica, on the other hand, believed in love with all her heart, despite being bruised by it before. But she was no hopeless romantic. She knew her worth and didn’t settle for less than she deserved.

“You’re too cynical, Shamas,” she said once, throwing him a sideways glance over her beer mug. “You say you don’t believe in love, but you are one of the most romantic people I know. You just hide it behind sarcasm and dry humour.”

“And you,” he replied with his trademark smirk, “are far too idealistic for your own good. The real world doesn’t work like that,

“But what if it does?” She grinned, forking out the cigarette from his mouth. Sharing a ciggy was just one of their things. They never lighted up two. Just one. “What if love really can be that great? And you are just too afraid to admit it?”

Shamas leaned back, crossing his arms. “If I believed that, I’d be setting myself up for disappointment. And that, my friend, is one thing I refuse to do.”

Why did they start dating?

Shamas and Anamica never intended to fall for each other. At first, it was just fun. They hung out in groups, made snarky comments about other couples, and joked about how terrible dating apps were. But slowly, without either of them realising it, something changed. 

It wasn’t the grand romantic gestures or confessions of love that shifted things. No, it was the small, everyday moments. The way Anamica would call Shamas out on his nonsense, not letting him hide behind his humour. The way Shamas, for all his cynicism, started caring more than he ever let on.

“I don’t do relationships,” Shamas declared one night over drinks, with the seriousness of someone delivering a TED talk.

“Good,” Anamica replied, sipping her wine. “Neither do I. But we are not talking about a relationship. We are talking about whatever this is.”

“This? What is ‘this’?” he asked, a hint of suspicion in his voice.

“Whatever it is,” she said with a shrug, “it is nice. Let us not ruin it by putting a label on it.”

And so, for a while, they floated in that nebulous space between friends and something more. No labels. No promises. Just good times.

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But what happens when someone catches feelings?

They say no good thing lasts forever, and in some ways, that’s true. One night, after a few too many drinks and a lot of late-night confessions, Shamas let his guard down for a brief moment.

“You know,” he said quietly, “if you ever leave me, you will regret it later.”

Anamica raised an eyebrow, amused. “Oh really? And why is that?”

“Not because I’d do anything,” he continued. “I’m not the vengeful type. But because I’m the most loyal person you’ll ever meet. And once you lose someone like that, trust me, you won’t find it again.”

She paused, looking at him carefully. “You talk a lot for someone who doesn’t believe in love.”

“I never said I don’t believe in loyalty,” Shamas said softly. “And that is a whole different thing.”

It was a rare moment of vulnerability from Shamas, one that caught Anamica off guard. She could see the truth in his words, and for the first time, she realised that despite his cynical facade, there was something deeper to him. Something she wasn’t ready to give up on just yet.

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So, what went wrong?

No story is without its complications, and theirs was no exception. One day, after a particularly frustrating argument about nothing and everything at the same time, Anamica sighed in exasperation.

“Why are you so difficult, Shamas? You act like you don’t care, but then you do this thing where you make me feel like I’m the centre of your world. It’s infuriating.”

Shamas rubbed his temples. “I’m not trying to be difficult. I just don’t know how to... you know, do this. The whole relationship thing.”

“Maybe because you’re too busy convincing yourself it’s not real.”

“Maybe because I’m trying not to get hurt,” he shot back, surprising himself with his honesty.

Anamica’s face softened. “I am not here to hurt you, Shamas. I am here because I care. But you can’t keep pushing me away every time things get real.”

He didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he stared at the ground, wrestling with the truth of her words.

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Is love worth the risk?

They spent the next few days in a strange, tense silence. Anamica wasn’t one to back down, and Shamas wasn’t one to easily let go of his defences.

But then something happened. Anamica got a job offer in a different city. A good one. And suddenly, everything was up in the air.

“So,” she said one evening, “I have been thinking about this job. It’s a great opportunity. I think I’m going to take it.”

Shamas looked at her, his expression unreadable. “That is... great. You should do what’s best for you.”

“That’s it? That’s all you’re going to say?”

“What else is there to say?” he replied, trying to sound indifferent. But his voice cracked just slightly, and Anamica caught it.

“You could say you don’t want me to go. You could say you want me to stay.”

“But I don’t want to be the reason you stay,” Shamas said quietly. “I don’t want you to regret giving up an opportunity for me.”

“And if I don’t stay?”

Shamas smiled sadly. “Then someday, you will regret leaving me. Not because I’ll take any revenge, but because you’ll lose the most loyal person you’ll ever meet.”

Anamica’s heart ached in that moment. She saw through him — his fear of being hurt, his fear of losing her, and his stubborn refusal to admit it.

“I don’t want to leave you, Shamas,” she whispered. “But I also can’t stay if you won’t let me in.”

And that, dear reader, is the million-dollar question. Will they or won’t they? Stay tuned for more, as the story of Shamas and Anamica continues to unfold.

What Can we learn from Shamas and Anamica’s Story?

Shamas and Anamica’s story isn’t just about love or relationships. It’s about the fear of vulnerability, the risks we take in letting someone in, and the eternal struggle between self-preservation and emotional intimacy. According to a survey by the Pew Research Center, 60% of people believe in the power of love, but only 40% feel comfortable being emotionally vulnerable.

This makes sense, doesn’t it? We live in a world where people are afraid to get hurt, where loyalty is often taken for granted, and where the idea of finding “the one” can seem more like a fairy tale than reality.

But here is the thing: the most loyal people — the ones like Shamas — are rare. And losing someone like that? Well, it is not something you’ll easily get over.

So, what happened next?

Let us not pretend this is a fairy tale or a movie. Nor the OTT season with endless cliffhangers and hopes of another season. Shamas and Anamica didn’t magically solve all their problems overnight. But what they did do was have a real, honest conversation — the kind that most people avoid because it is hard, uncomfortable, and full of emotional landmines.

“Look,” Shamas finally said, breaking the silence. “I don’t want to lose you. But I’m also terrified of screwing this up.”

Anamica smiled softly. “We all are, Shamas. But that’s part of it, isn’t it? Taking the risk, even when you’re scared?”

He nodded slowly. “Yeah, I guess it is.”

And so, they decided to take that risk together — not with any grand promises or declarations of love, but with the understanding that loyalty, trust, and vulnerability are the real foundation of any lasting relationship.

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 FAQs:

1. What does it mean to be loyal in a relationship?

Loyalty in a relationship goes beyond fidelity. It means being there for your partner through thick and thin, supporting them emotionally, and being honest even when it's uncomfortable.

2. Why are people afraid of vulnerability?

Many people fear vulnerability because it opens them up to potential hurt. According to a study by Psychology Today, emotional vulnerability often triggers our fight-or-flight response.

3. How can I overcome my fear of commitment?

Fear of commitment usually stems from past experiences or the fear of the unknown. Open communication and taking things one step at a time can help you move past this fear.

4. Why do people regret leaving loyal partners?

Loyal partners provide a sense of security and trust that is difficult to find. Once lost, people often realise the value of someone who was consistently there for them.

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Tushar Mangl writes on mental health, soul food, leisure activities, and a greener, better society. Speaker, author of Hey Honey Bunch, Ardika, and I Will Do It.