Muhammad Aafaq Nabi Creative Writing

19U00729 Quiz#4
Section C

a. First, you are required to write a short story that begins with “Once upon a time’, and ends
with “and they lived happily ever after’

Once upon a time, there were two friends named Emma and Jack. They were both orphans and had
grown up together since they were children. Emma was a tall, fair and sombre girl. She was bright in
her studies and was a dreamer. Jack, in contrast, was a street smart child, who did not perform very
well in his studies. Nevertheless, he was very sharp and cunning. As the time passed, they both started
to develop feelings for each other. But destiny had other plans.

When they were both in their early teens, Emma was adopted by a rich couple who did not have any
children. They both tried hard not to get separated but the couple was a donor of the orphanage and
for the sake of the other children, Emma had to do this sacrifice. Jack was left alone while Emma,
along with the couple, moved out of the country all the way to the United States, far away from her
love, Jack. Years passed but their love for each other never faded. Both were in pain and wanted to
live together once again.

After Six years, Jack completed his high school and applied for several scholarships in USA, hoping
to meet Emma. Jack had no contact with Emma in these years and doubted if she would even
recognize him. But still, he wanted to take this chance. He only had one old address of the couple who
adopted Emma years ago. Jack luckily got the acceptance from a university and went to New York for
the sole purpose to find Emma amongst those thousands of people.

After arriving, he went to the address straight away to find that there was no house at that place now.
After inquiring from the neighbours, he found that the family shifted houses a while ago and no one
knew where they lived now. Jack was devastated at his fate. He didn’t know what to do in an all knew
place and how to find Emma now. Strange thoughts crossed his mind as he stood on the roadside,
confused and sad.

Next day, Jack went to his university for the very first day. He decided that he won’t stay here any
longer as the reason behind coming to New York was now looking impossible. He was quiet during
the whole day. After the classes, while leaving class, he noticed something strange. He saw a girl on a
bench, sitting alone reading a book. He recognized her long, bright hair from a far, and then noticed
she was wearing exactly the same bracelet Jack gave to Emma the last day they spent together. He
was wearing a matching bracelet.

Jack knew it was Emma.

He moved towards her, his heart pounding and hands shaking. He was nervous about seeing her again.
Several thoughts crossed his mind regarding how she would react. He was now standing in front of
her, mouth agape and eyes staring at her. Emma looked up at him from where she was sitting, and
smiled.

“Jack!” she exclaimed, happily.

She pulled him down next to her, and he smiled too. The two old friends caught up with each other,
and it felt as though nothing had changed between them. They exchanged phone numbers, and Jack
asked if he could show her where he was living. The two friends spent the day, and the rest of their
lives, together, and they lived happily ever after.
Muhammad Aafaq Nabi Creative Writing
19U00729 Quiz#4
Section C

b. Then write a second short story that begins with the same line ‘Once upon a time’ but ends in
‘and they lived miserably ever after’.

Once upon a time, there were two friends named Emma and Jack. They were both orphans and had
grown up together since they were children. Emma was a tall, fair and sombre girl. She was bright in
her studies and was a dreamer. Jack, in contrast, was a street smart child, who did not perform very
well in his studies. Nevertheless, he was very sharp and cunning. As the time passed, they both started
to develop feelings for each other. But destiny had other plans.

When they were both in their early teens, Emma was adopted by a rich couple who did not have any
children. They both tried hard not to get separated but the couple was a donor of the orphanage and
for the sake of the other children, Emma had to do this sacrifice. Jack was left alone while Emma,
along with the couple, moved out of the country all the way to the United States, far away from her
love, Jack. Years passed but their love for each other never faded. Both were in pain and wanted to
live together once again.

After Six years, Jack completed his high school and applied for several scholarships in USA, hoping
to meet Emma. Jack had no contact with Emma in these years and doubted if she would even
recognize him. But still, he wanted to take this chance. He only had one old address of the couple who
adopted Emma years ago. Jack luckily got the acceptance from a university and went to New York for
the sole purpose to find Emma amongst those thousands of people.

After arriving, he went to the address straight away to find that there was no house at that place now.
After inquiring from the neighbours, he found that the family shifted houses a while ago and no one
knew where they lived now. Jack was devastated at his fate. He didn’t know what to do in an all knew
place and how to find Emma now. Strange thoughts crossed his mind as he stood on the roadside,
confused and sad.

However, he refused to give up. He continued to knock on doors until someone could give him an
answer. An old woman, who lived three houses down Emma’s old house, was able to provide some
information.

“She was very sick,” the lady whispered as she stood at the door, “your girl.”

Jack’s heart sunk.

“They had to move for her treatment,” she continued, “to Plainsboro, New Jersey.”

Jack felt hope once again. He travelled another night to the neighbouring city, and found his way to
the hospital where she was admitted. After asking the receptionist where he could find Emma, he
rushed to the elevators and to the fifth floor – the oncology wing.

He stood in front of her room, and opened the door. She was weak and frail. He had never seen her so
weak before. He moved towards her, his heart pounding and hands shaking. Several thoughts crossed
his mind regarding how she would react to seeing him. He was now standing in front of her, mouth
agape and eyes staring at her. Emma looked up at him from where she was lying in bed, and smiled
softly.

“Jack?” she questioned, coughing.

“Emma,” he replied, tries brimming in his eyes.

Muhammad Aafaq Nabi Creative Writing
19U00729 Quiz#4
Section C
Though Emma was sick, and she could barely talk, she was determined to catch up with her old
friend. She whispered on her bedside, with him sitting closely beside. He would have to watch her die
for the rest of her short life, and she would have to watch him waste more years pining after a dead
woman.

But, they refused to leave each other, and so they lived miserably ever after.