Bergamot and Vanilla - By Murshida Mustafa

Written By: Murshida Mustafa

Category: Short Story

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Introducing "Bergamot and Vanilla," a short story by Murshida Mustafa, featured in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. This narrative unfolds during a seemingly ordinary bus ride, capturing the essence of unexpected connections and the subtle dance of attraction. As part of the Short Story category, Murshida's tale invites readers to explore the nuances of human interaction and the potent power of scent and memory.

About the Work

"Bergamot and Vanilla" immerses readers in a delicate interplay of emotions and unspoken desires, set against the backdrop of a daily commute. The story beautifully captures the subtlety of unacknowledged feelings and serendipitous moments, enhanced by the evocative imagery of fragrances. With a gentle narrative style, Murshida Mustafa crafts a heartwarming tale of longing, discovery, and the possibility of unexpected connections.

Bergamot and Vanilla

Original Submission by Murshida Mustafa

Bergamot and Vanilla

Ray rushed for the bus, managing to squeeze himself inside just in time before the driver shut the doors. He tapped his fare card and found the bus unusually packed that day. He was standing close to the front doors.

“Would she be able to board this bus?” he wondered.

As the bus stopped at the red light on the junction ahead, Ray thought back to the first time he laid eyes on her. She boarded the same bus as him six months ago and she immediately commandeered his attention. If anyone were to ask him what it was about her that specifically attracted him, he wouldn’t be able to give a concrete answer. There was a certain aura around her that pulled him in, and he couldn’t help but notice her whenever she was near.

The bus slowed down as it approached the next stop and as always, he sought her out. To his relief, she was the only one in her stop boarding the same bus. He could swear he stopped breathing when she rushed in and stood exactly in front of him. In all these six months, she had never been this close to him. The bus driver honked at a car that was blocking the bus, and Ray remembered to breathe again.

As he took a deep breath, her signature scent hit him. He could pick out her fragrance anywhere. The first few months of inhaling her perfume had him going crazy. He stopped at every perfume shop possible, trying to match the different notes to the smell that was taking over his existence. He finally identified the top note of her perfume; bergamot. He still could not figure out the other notes that mixed with the bergamot in her perfume.

He searched in Google and discovered that bergamot delivers a fresh and citrusy scent. Such an apt aroma for someone as special and refreshing as her. His own perfume mainly contained vanilla with a hint of musk.

Zesty bergamot and plain vanilla… They were never going to be a perfect match. He would content himself with these moments of stolen glances in the bus. She was way out of his league.

Ray subtly eyed her as she inserted her earbuds. In their joined commute thus far, she had mostly read books but there were days when she listened to music.

Ray loves to watch her read and he adores her tiny reactions to her books. She tries to suppress them, hoping no one would notice, but he sees them all. He will always remember the one time she gasped loudly, probably at a plot twist, and she blushed so much that she had to cover her face with her book. He will never forget the dire urge that he had that day to just go to her and claim her as his. In these six months, he has kept a list in his phone of all the books she has read. He has been reading them too, albeit at a slower pace.

The bus driver made a sudden brake and Ray lost his balance. He tripped a little and accidentally bumped into her with his bag. She turned and looked up at him in concern.

“Are you alright?” she asked, her eyebrows furrowing.

She talked to him! Ray managed to mumble something incoherent, and she gave him a small smile before facing away from him again. Was that his heart beating at this insane speed? Ray forced himself to calm down and he peeked at her again.

Her face was contorted in concentration. She was choosing a track to listen to and he watched as she skipped song after song after song. She frowned a little as she skipped more and he desperately wished he could swipe that cute little crease between her forehead away with his thumb. Her expression suddenly cleared and she smiled as she finally settled on what she wanted to listen to. Ray could hear the first few strains of the track playing softly from her earbuds and he could not believe his ears.

She was listening to “Ghost of You and Me” by BBMak! That was HIS favourite song of all time. Ray could not stop the grin that filled his face right then. What are the odds that she chose this song to hear, the same song that he listens to at least once daily? His mind was definitely boggled.

The bus exited the expressway and the next stop was approaching. The couple who was in the seats closest to Ray stood up to alight. Ray saw her noticing the empty seats and he signaled to her to sit down. She shot him a grateful look and took up the window seat, settling her bags on her lap. She looked up at him and gestured to the seat beside her, telling him wordlessly to sit there.

His heart started speeding up again. Never did he think he would get this opportunity! Ray had to stop himself from doing or saying anything ridiculous. He did not know how, but he managed to sit and not be a complete klutz.

All of a sudden, “The Ghost of You and Me” blasted loudly from her earbuds. She panicked and fumbled in her bag for her mobile phone. While frantically lowering the volume, she turned to give Ray a sheepish smile and apologized.

“No apologies necessary please. That happens to be my favourite song”, he told her.

Her eyes widened in surprise.

“You are kidding! I hardly know of anyone else who likes this song, especially nowadays. It’s good to know the track still gets attention,” she replied, blushing a little when she saw him looking at her intently.

They started making small talk and Ray wished that time will stop, right then. This moment will replay in his head forever, he was sure of that. Her scent wafted around them, and he liked that she was comfortable enough with him to share some of her stories. He enjoyed chatting with her and found that their conversation could flow seamlessly.

“Oh! The next stop is mine. I will be alighting here,” she said as she started to pick up her bags.

“Yes, I know,” Ray replied before he could think. He froze, hoping she did not catch what he said. She might think he was a creep!

She looked over at him with a shy smile.

“I notice you too you know? I see you every time in this bus.”

Ray blinked at her. He was speechless. So many words in the English language, and he could not for the life of him string a few of those to respond to her then.

“See you again tomorrow?” she asked, her voice a mere whisper.

Ray could only nod, offering her a shy smile of his own.

As she moved past him to the aisle, her handbag strap got caught on the fare machine and her perfume fell out. Ray caught the slim bottle in time and passed it to her, but not before taking a peek at the name. He waved goodbye to her and immediately did a quick Google search once the bus started moving again. He needed to know if he was right about the bergamot.

He read through the main notes of the perfume and felt shock reverberate through him. There were two main fragrances for the perfume’s top notes. Turns out, this pairing was possible after all.

Bergamot and Vanilla.

By: Murshida Mustafa

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a prestigious platform celebrating diverse voices in literature. It provides writers worldwide with an opportunity to share their unique stories, poems, and essays, fostering a community of creativity and artistic expression. Participants are encouraged to showcase their talents, contributing to a rich tapestry of contemporary literature.

Thank you, Murshida Mustafa, for sharing "Bergamot and Vanilla" with us. Your participation in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 adds a unique voice to our literary collection. We appreciate your contribution and look forward to seeing more of your creative endeavors.

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.