Hair Strands on My Scrunchie - By Gaiyethiry

Written By: Gaiyethiry

Category: short essay

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

We are pleased to feature the evocative short essay "Hair Strands on My Scrunchie" by Gaiyethiry, submitted to the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. This poignant piece explores themes of love, memory, and the intertwined nature of past relationships. Through her thoughtful writing, Gaiyethiry invites readers to reflect on the bonds that shape our lives, even when they seem to unravel.

About the Work

In "Hair Strands on My Scrunchie," Gaiyethiry examines the remnants of a close relationship through the metaphor of hair strands entwined with a scrunchie. The narrative conveys a sense of nostalgia and longing, with vivid imagery and tender introspection. The piece artfully captures the complexity of human connections and the indelible marks they leave on our lives.

hair strands on my scrunchie

Original Submission by Gaiyethiry

if i were to numerise the hours i’ve spent threading out hair strands that have woven carefully onto my scrunchie, it would equate to at least half my life.

i am no mathematician (having studied law, i am as far away from numbers as humanly possible), but you were always great with it, right? or is my memory misrepresenting factual beliefs. i think i sat on my dark blue carpet that day, my back leaning against my bed frame, carefully threading out your hair strands that were married to my scrunchie.

one knot: it still smells like you. two knots: your hair has grown so much. three knots: i’ll miss combing your curls with my fingers.

married.

when i first saw you on park street, standing opposite pinkmans ready to cross the road, i thought to myself, “what great hair”. and that thought lingered for a while. like most of my thoughts about you, i suppose.

the last time we spoke to each other, your fingers curled against my palm, and carefully placed my off-white scrunchie in it. your eyes were locked to mine as you said, “i gave it back without you having to ask for it. for once.”

for once i didn’t ask you back for it because i didn’t want it. i wanted you to have forgotten about having it. rediscovered my off-white scrunchie from the depths of a box tagged “kaia”, as you unpack in your new apartment. i wanted you to be able to reminisce on all we’ve had with my scrunchie acting as a magic portal.

i must have spent hours carefully taking out strands of your hair from that off-white scrunchie. it still smells like you. i can’t bring myself to put in the washer.

half my life. that’s also how much time i’ve spent with you. half my life. (feels like it anyway).

all this time spent, yet, when someone asks me of my love for you, i stand stupefied. what did you mean to me? what do you mean to me? what did/do i mean to you?

forget these questions were ever posed because what we shared cannot be broken down to simple strings of words pieced together to form coherence. our bond, its very existence, is incoherent.

you should have never stopped to look at me while you were crossing from pinkmans to yokinori. i should have never smiled at you. you should have never said “your phone’s flashlight is on”. i should have never said “oh my god, no way. sorry. thank you.”

we should have never crossed paths.

and i am not saying that out of spite. i am just saying it in hindsight. sometimes, some people are not meant to meet, but the universe makes a mistake. they meet, they commit more unrepentable mistakes and convolute their fates in a way that is simply not meant to be. that simply will not untangle.

like the hair strands on my scrunchie. i always want them gone. they always look like they are not meant to be there. but every morning, i wake up to the same sight of marriage; a marriage between my off-white scrunchie and my box-dyed brown hair.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, hosted by Hashtag Kalakar, celebrates the power of words and the diversity of voices from around the world. This prestigious event invites participants to share their unique perspectives and creative expressions, fostering a vibrant community of writers and poets.

We extend our heartfelt appreciation to Gaiyethiry for sharing "Hair Strands on My Scrunchie" with us. Your participation in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 enriches our understanding of love and memory. Thank you for contributing your voice and creativity.

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.