30 Minutes - By Simrat Kaur Bagga

Written By: Simrat Kaur Bagga

Category: Short Story

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Simrat Kaur Bagga enters the realm of suspense and thrill with her short story "30 Minutes," a gripping contribution to the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. In this narrative, Bagga takes readers on a tense, adrenaline-fueled journey, exploring themes of urgency and mystery. As part of Hashtag Kalakar's celebration of global creative writing talent, this story promises to engage and captivate audiences with its intense plotline and unexpected twists.

About the Work

"30 Minutes" is a thrilling exploration of suspense and urgency. Through vivid imagery and a tense narrative, Simrat Kaur Bagga crafts a story that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The piece unfolds with a chilling sequence of messages, driving protagonist Sara into a race against time. Bagga's skillful use of pacing and atmosphere heightens the anxiety and intrigue, culminating in a surprising twist that showcases her prowess in creating engaging and entertaining short fiction.

30 Minutes

Original Submission by Simrat Kaur Bagga

​30 Minutes

By, Simrat Kaur Bagga

​Sara's phone hummed twice, the screen casting a dim, red glow across her face. A notification popped up, displaying a chilling message:

​Unknown Sender: 30 Minutes

​Assuming it was just a random message, she swiped it away and went right back to scrolling through short videos, laughing hysterically. But a moment later, another message popped up, wiping the smile from her face. This time it said,

​"First the light, then the dark. Look to the room where water turns cold. 25 minutes remain."

​Sara's heart sank to her feet as she remembered what had happened to her best friend. She hadn't completed the tasks on time and had suffered. Thinking of it, Sara quickly got to work.

​Cold water. The guest bathroom. She crept toward the guest bathroom, moving one cautious step at a time, right as the house plunged into darkness. There was a power cut, and it was pitch black. Taking a deep breath, she kept walking towards the door. The moment she reached it, Sara pushed down the rusty handle, as the door creaked open. She stared at the sink, then gently opened the faucet. Chilled water rushed down, as she received the second message:

​"Pencils blunt and pens out of ink. Go to the place where heavy books lay. 15 minutes remain."

​The lights started to flicker as her brain worked fast. The study room. Sara darted down the hall and shoved down on the study room handle. Nothing. The door wouldn't budge—it was locked.

​Hands trembling, she looked at the screen. The timer ran fast: 8:41, 8:40, 8:39.

​As Sara started panicking, a final message lay on her screen:

​"The final keys lay behind the glass. 2 minutes remain."

​Sara turned to the other side and looked at the shelf with all the emergency keys. With just a minute left, she snatched the spare key for the main door from the shelf and sprinted toward the entrance. Sara quickly inserted it in and—CLICK! The door was unlocked.

​Beep Beep — Beep Beep.

​The timer had finished. As Sara let out a sigh of relief, the lights turned on and the door to the study room creaked open. It was Sara's brother.

​"Yess!! My escape room project works!" he yelled.

​At first Sara was confused but then she took a big sigh and started laughing while her brother joined her.

​Some time passed, and it was time for bed. But they both screamed at the same time as the red light now flashed on her brother's phone.

​THE END

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a prestigious platform celebrating literary talent across the globe. It invites writers to present their unique perspectives and creative flair in various categories, including poetry, short stories, essays, and creative writing. This competition is a testament to the power of storytelling and the diverse voices that contribute to the rich tapestry of global literature.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Simrat Kaur Bagga for her thrilling contribution, "30 Minutes," to the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Her engaging narrative and ability to create suspenseful tension have truly enriched this year's lineup. We look forward to more of her creative ventures and wish her continued success in her writing journey.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.