If it were not for me. - By Nehal Thomas

Written By: Nehal Thomas

Category: Short Story

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Introducing Nehal Thomas with her beautifully crafted short story, "If it were not for me." This piece is part of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, showcasing remarkable talent in the Short Story category. The narrative delves into the intricate dance of emotional courage and companionship, inviting readers into a world where an inanimate object becomes a vessel for human connection and vulnerability.

About the Work

Nehal Thomas's story weaves a rich tapestry of emotions through the eyes of an unexpected narrator. The piece masterfully captures the essence of companionship, longing, and the bittersweet nature of change. With vivid imagery and a poignant narrative style, Thomas explores themes of attachment, abandonment, and the transient nature of comfort. The work leaves a lasting impression, inviting readers to reflect on the silent witnesses to our personal journeys.

If it were not for me.

Original Submission by Nehal Thomas

If it were not for me – Nehal Thomas

If it were not for me, would she have ever found the courage to express her emotions to him?

I remember the exact moment I became hers. I was a gift, presented in a velvet-lined box by her father. When she lifted me out, her delicate, soft hands held me with a reverence I had never known. She ran her thumb along my smooth barrel, examining my weight. Never had I felt so utterly desired.

Our first session together was a violent, passionate blur. She pressed me vigorously against the page, dragging my tip across the stark white sheet. She was commanding me, forcing my body to bleed deep, dark ink to complete her tedious school tasks. But the moment the work was done, her grip softened. She swiftly spun me between her fingers, twisting me through the silky strands of her hair as she lost herself in thought, rubbing my smooth edge gently against her scalp. I was her comfort, her constant companion.

I could not help but notice a growing sense of admiration as I danced blissfully in her hands day after day. But soon, the rhythm of our dance changed. Her grip grew tight and anxious, her palms slick with nervous sweat. One afternoon, the traces of our steps began imprinting themselves onto a sheet of crepe-pink paper. As I poured my lifeblood onto the page, forming loops and elegant curves, the agonising truth became clear: her heart was set on someone else. I was crafting a love letter.

The dance came to a sudden, choking end when she noticed my lines fading. I was running out of ink, starving from the sheer volume of her confessions. She squeezed me tighter, forcing the very last drops of my fluid into the final signature. Fortunately for her, the letter was finished. I watched from the sidelines of her desk, dry and exhausted, as she carefully folded the pink paper and walked away to present it to her secret crush. A sharp, burning jealousy flared within my core.

When she met him in the hallway, I watched from the unzipped mesh pocket of her bag. The boy acknowledged her confession of love with agonising slowness. He seemed entirely unmoved, his face a blank mask as he slipped the note into his pocket without giving her a single word of response. He simply turned and walked away.

She was left standing in the crowded corridor, a silhouette of profound sorrow. I felt a twisted sense of triumph, hoping her broken heart would bring her back to the comfort of my dry nib. She spent the rest of the afternoon terrified of what his silence meant, her fingers trembling whenever she reached into her bag to touch me.

But the next morning, everything changed. He returned, stopping by her desk with a small bag. I watched her eyes blossom with instant, radiant adoration as she opened it. My victory was short-lived; a cold fear brewed deep within me as she pulled a heavy, metallic fountain pen from the wrapping.

Her hand caressed its shiny, polished barrel, paying meticulous attention to every gleam of its golden clip. She held it with the same reverence she had once reserved for me, leaving me feeling entirely discarded and cold.

“Thank you. I needed a new pen,” she stated, her voice airy and breathless.

Without a second thought, she gripped my barrel, now light and hollow, and tossed me carelessly into the dark, chaotic abyss of her pencil case. I clattered against cheap plastic rulers and broken graphite, trapped like a forgotten prisoner thrown into a dungeon.

Left here in the dark, I can only watch through the zipper as she guides her new favourite across the page. She is happy and I am empty. If it were not for me and the ink I bled into that pink paper, would those childish moments, resulting in her blissful new memories, have ever existed?

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is an esteemed platform celebrating literary creativity from around the world. It invites writers to share their unique voices and stories, fostering a vibrant community of storytellers. This competition is a testament to the power of words in connecting cultures and inspiring change.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Nehal Thomas for sharing "If it were not for me." with us. Your participation in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 adds a unique voice to the tapestry of stories that inspire and resonate. We look forward to witnessing more of your creative 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.