April 4th - By Jasmin Tran

Written By: Jasmin Tran

Category: Short Story

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Enter the captivating world of Jasmin Tran, writing as April 4th, in her short story "April 4th." This piece is a part of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Jasmin Tran's story invites readers into a complex narrative of introspection and unending cycles, demonstrating the power of creative storytelling. The competition celebrates global voices in poetry and creative writing, providing a platform for unique and compelling narratives like Jasmin's.

About the Work

"April 4th" explores the haunting and surreal experience of being trapped in a time loop. Through a series of diary entries addressed to various fictitious friends, the protagonist grapples with the repetition of a single day, marked by the arrival of a mysterious mirror. The story delves into themes of mental struggle, memory, and the fear of losing touch with reality. Jasmin Tran skillfully uses imagery and emotion to depict a world where time and identity blur, leaving readers pondering the boundaries of sanity and love.

April 4th

Original Submission by Jasmin Tran

April 4th

Dear Derek,

Derek is a more interesting name then diary isn’t it? Alice mentioned I should try doing something like this. She’s been a gem throughout this whole process and I sincerely love her for it. I should really get her a present. We moved into our new home today and since I’m currently not working and prone to getting lonely, here I am. We’ve been waiting for our new mirror today but for whatever reason, it’s taken a lot longer than we thought for it to get here. Alice said it belonged to her grandmother. She didn’t like her much but when I met her the other day she seemed like the sweetest thing. Alice already had to leave, tragically leaving little old me all alone to wait for the mirror. Lizzy is still asleep. I can’t believe she’s already 8 months old! I remember like it was yesterday when Lizzy came into the world. Well not really more like I passed out and heard the details after. But still I love the little gremlin.

The mirror just arrived! I can see why Alice wanted it. It’s quite big and the frame for it I’m pretty sure is golden. Like real solid gold. I had to set it up in the corridor facing the front door. Feng shui and all that. Oh, Lizzy’s up, I should really get to her now. I can hear her rattling her little toys. So cute. Fuck, I think I left the front door open. There’s a mess on the floor because somehow a ball came flying in just to hit the mirror I just set up. I’m in so much trouble. Hopefully Alice forgives me. I’m going to go clean it up now.

Your friend,

Ben

April 4th

Dear Dylan,

Dylan is more interesting then diary isn't it? It’s like I’m writing to a friend then into a diary haha. Alice was talking to me about this last night, how useful diary writing was. I thought why not. She’s been a real gem throughout all this. I really should get her a present. I’m currently not able to work due to… reasons and since I’m prone to getting lonely, my lovely Alice suggested this. She left little old me home alone. But that checks out since I’m waiting for the mirror today. Moving to this new place has been a real pain but anything for our little one. Lizzy has been sleeping like a baby. Though that kinda makes sense.

She is one.

Our new place is 13 Willow Way. Not too far out from the city which makes the transition back to work smooth sailing. Hopefully.

The mirror just arrived! Alice was so wary for no reason honestly. She said it was from her grandma and I can say as someone who's met her, she’s the sweetest little thing. I just set up right in the hallway, across from the front door. I’ve heard that it increases good luck or something. Feng Shui. Who knows. I don’t.

I hear Lizzy waking up. She’s rattling her toys, the cute littl-

Shit. I fucked up. I accidentally knocked into the mirror and now there's a mess on the floor. I’m going to have to go clean that up now.

Write later

Benny

April 4th

Dear Dexter,

Dexter’s much more interesting than diary, isn’t it? Alice, the greatest love I have (and is clearly the only thing keeping me going) suggested I should start this little hobby of mine. She suggested it after Dr Miles mentioned it during one of my appointments. He said he was on entry number 317 during our last appointment. I can’t believe she paid so much attention to another man who wasn’t me but I guess it makes sense. It was for my health after all. But since the love of my life has decided to leave the little old me in our new house, I decided to take up her suggestion (Technically Dr Miles but screw that).

I say as if it wasn’t a fair enough suggestion.

I’m not currently working and there’s a package being delivered today after all. It’s a mirror that belonged to Alice’s grandmother. Her grandmother gave me a sweet little smile when we met and said something along the lines of ‘Take care of yourself son. The first seven years are always the hardest.’ Isn’t she the sweetest little thing. No idea why Alice doesn’t like her much. Our new place isn’t too far from the city. We’re in a quiet little street called Willow Way. Perfect for raising our cute little child. Lizzy’s been sleeping nonstop since it’s so quiet here. It’s been doing wonders for my mood too.

The mirror’s arrived! I already prepped this morning and left the space across from the front door empty for it. Feng Shui and all that. It’s quite large. The frame itself looks like solid gold though there’s small scratches across it. They’re quite strange. They almost look like little tally marks. High fashion I guess.

Fuck, I woke Lizzy up. I dropped the mirror. Whoops. I’m going to have to clean that up before Alice gets home. I hope she doesn’t get too mad.

See you whenever,

Ben

April 4th

Dear Danny,

Danny, my diary, can I be honest with you? I’ve been having these strange deja vu moments and it’s getting fucking weird. Alice said that I should write down all my thoughts so here it goes.

My name is Bennett, I’m married to the love of my life Alice and I have an eight month old daughter named Lizzy. We’ve just moved to a new place Thirteen Willow Way and I think that this isn’t my first time living through this day. I have no proof though. I can't have Alice tell Dr Miles about this. I swear this isn't because I got into that car accident. It's been nearly two years since then. 730 whole days! I'm perfectly sound. Dr Miles even said so.

But if they ever find out…

Oh no. They’re here again. I can't take it again. I can't look into my reflection knowing I haven't aged a single day. That my Alice and Lizzy are never changing while I constantly change.

I opened the door. Why did I open the door? Why did I set up the cursed mirror again? Why are there even more scratches on the frame now?

Fuck. I punched it.

…

Bennett

April 4th

Dear Cain,

Cain is interesting isn’t it? Much more than diary at the very least. The mirror has arrived already. Lizzy has already been put to sleep and Alice is still at work. I swear I’ve been staring at this mirror for eons and I can’t even do anything but laugh. What is this cruel thing? Lizzy should’ve been four years old by now.

I’ve been counting.

The scratches on the mirror.

They call me to count them.

Each and every single tally.

1217 scratches and counting.

Has it been 1217 cycles of this cursed day? Why am I the only one rewinding? Am I going crazy? Will Alice tell Dr Miles? I can’t mention this to her. She’d be worried. She won’t let me see Lizzy again.

I CAN’T TELL HER

CAIN WHAT DO I DO

I CAN’T LOSE ALICE OR LIZZY AGAIN

I CAN’T I CAN’T I CAN’T I CAN’T I CAN’T I CAN’T I CAN’T-

April 4th

Dear Derek,

Derek is it? I don’t know if I’ve used your name yet. I’m sorry to drag you in this mess, constantly resetting yourself to be the perfect empty book I originally got you as. How many rewinds has it been? How many cycles? How many years have passed without me knowing. The mirror isn’t here yet. I can’t spend my day counting the scratches away yet. Alice gave me the ‘look’.

She knows.

I saw her bag in the closet. The one she had last time. It has her and Lizzy’s clothes. None of mine. She’s going to leave me. She’s going to call Dr Miles and tell me I’m insane.

I’m not insane

I’M NOT INSANE

I ‘ M N O T I N S A N E

Lizzy is fine around me. Alice still loves me. You believe me right, Dylan?

I’m not insane.

It’s that mirror. That cursed mirror.

I need to keep Alice with me. She must know that I love her right?

That even if I’m insane WHICH I’M NOT I still love her. Right?

RIGHT?

I was just waiting for the mirror, that's all. Why would she give me that look? I just sat in front of the empty space for the mirror and started scratching on the wall. Have to study wall integrity right?

2103 is a perfectly normal amount of tallies I scratched. Not at all insane. It’s to represent our birthdays. It’s perfectly normal. Two for me (Feb), one for Alice (Jan), zero for Lizzy (2010) and three for all three of us.

IT’S PERFECT.

Alice surely understands. She always does. Even when she ran away that one time. The doctors said I was ‘unstable’ after the accident. That I wasn’t ‘sound of mind’.

WHAT DO THEY KNOW

They don’t know shit. I’m not insane. I was just

Just…

Confused!

Disoriented even!

I was just told what to do and me being a good citizen, did what I was told! Dr Miles doesn’t understand. He just wants my darling wife! But Alice knows better. She loves me.

She loves me

She loves me.

And she should know as someone who loves me that I would never hurt Lizzy. My sweet daughter. I only raised my arm once and Alice came flying over to put her between us. Her eyes gave the same look. I see it every time she comes home and I’m staring at the mirror. Every recurring day, she enters the door with me staring at the broken mirror shards AND EVERY RECURRING DAY SHE GIVES ME THAT LOOK.

AND EVERYDAY SHE LOOKS AT OUR CALENDAR AND WITHOUT FAIL SAY ‘Should we schedule another appointment with Dr Miles, dear?’

Dexter, I think that mirror is changing me. I don’t know how to fix it. Can I even fix it? WHEN IS THAT MIRROR ARRIVING

It's past ten am. They should be here.

I need to break it.

I can't have my reflection staring at me. And I can’t look at Alice’s reflection staring into me.

I can’t

I CAN’T

I CAN’T I CAN’T I CAN’T I CAN’T I CAN’T

Danny, am I crazy? I’m not right? I’m perfectly sound of mind. Nothing wrong with me at all. I just need to get out of this time loop.

I need out

Thank you Danny, for listening

Benny

April 4th

Dear Yraid,

2555 scratches. The mirror frame has 2555 scratches. It’s nearly all filled up now. Maybe only one or two scratches left and I don’t know what happens after that.

I don’t know how much more of this I can take Yraid.

2555 cycles.

2555 rewinds.

2555 days.

2555 days where I couldn’t grow old with Alice.

2555 days where I couldn’t watch Lizzy grow up.

How much longer am I stuck here?

Do you know Yraid?

Do they live on?

Do they experience their future days with another Bennett?

I think I’m done Yraid.

I’m broken

…

Benny

…

Bennett opened his eyes. He scrambled for his small leather book and the calendar. He was out. There was a cross on April 4th. He survived. Broken but alive. The broken mirror was in the trash, the frame covered in scratches. His wife gave him a kiss, something she didn’t do on the 4th and Lizzy was wide awake finally having aged a day. So there at his desk he wrote

‘April 5th’.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a prestigious event that spotlights exceptional talent from around the world. Participants share their voices through poetry, short stories, and creative writing, contributing to a rich tapestry of global narratives. The competition is a celebration of creativity and expression, encouraging writers to explore diverse themes and ideas.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Jasmin Tran for sharing her powerful short story, "April 4th," as part of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Her compelling exploration of time and memory captivates and challenges readers. We look forward to witnessing more of Jasmin's creative endeavors in the future.

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.