If Only - By Sabreen Hamayel

Written By: Sabreen Hamayel

Category: Flash Fiction

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Sabreen Hamayel's poignant flash fiction piece, "If Only," is an evocative entry in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. This compelling narrative invites readers into a world of emotional turmoil and introspective reflection. Through vivid imagery and profound storytelling, Hamayel explores themes of loss and survival, capturing the reader's heart with her powerful prose.

About the Work

"If Only" is a haunting exploration of grief and the deep connection between siblings. With a keen sense of drama and emotion, Sabreen Hamayel paints a vivid picture of a tragic moment. The narrative is rich with imagery, immersing the reader in the protagonist's struggle between reality and longing. The story's emotional depth and poignant message resonate profoundly, leaving a lasting impression.

If Only

Original Submission by Sabreen Hamayel

If only

Deep red liquid coated everything. I was drenched in it, yet uninjured. Where had all this blood come from? I looked around, but everything was hazy. A few feet away, a form lay motionless on the gravel, soaked in blood. It shuddered. I knelt beside it. A person. Soaked in crimson, barely breathing. I turned them over, searching the face.

When their face finally met mine, my heart seized. The face was so familiar, I could almost place it. Its features were obscured by a trail of blood, mapping every mountain and hill on their face. I wiped away the red with a trembling sleeve.

That pale face. That was my face. But I was fine. Omar. My twin. He blinked slowly. Blood clung to his lashes, nearly sealing his eyes shut. He winced as his chest rose and fell in shallow, agonizing hitches.

“Omar,” I whispered, my voice cracking. “Can you hear me?” He stared at me. Except he wasn’t really looking at me. His eyes were dull. Their usual sparkle gone. His gaze was distant. Unfocused. As if he was frozen. Yet he still shivered under my touch.

I fumbled in my pocket, looking for my phone to call an ambulance. But where were we? I looked up. We were on a road, the blood trickling down the gravel. It looked like the turn near our school, but my vision was failing me. The world tilted. My thoughts blurred. Phone in hand, I dialed the number. I looked down at Omar and saw him blink. He blinked again. Slower each time. Until he shut his eyes and never opened them again.

“Omar…Omar.” I shook his shoulders. His chest no longer rose. My phone clattered onto the gravel. I pressed my ear to his chest, waiting for a beat, a thud, a tremor. Silence. I placed my thumb against his wrist. Tested for a pulse.

Nothing.

His eyes stared back at me, vacant and cold. They no longer held any life. A heavy, hollow weight settled in my bones. I couldn’t move. The phone’s light glared at me from the dirt. The half- dialed number taunted me. If only I had called sooner. If only I hadn’t blacked out. If only… if only… if only.

If only I hadn’t survived.

If only I didn’t have to keep breathing while the other half of me lay cold beneath my hands. Something wet trickled down my cheeks. When I swiped at it, my hand left a smear of red across my skin. The sharp, metallic tang filled my senses. Overwhelming me. Consuming me.

I collapsed next to Omar. Dirt, blood, and sweat coated my body as I lay beside him. What if I just stayed like this forever?

I closed my eyes, wanting to erase the road, the gravel, the silence. I tried to rewrite the morning.

I held my breath, praying that when I woke, the road would be empty and Omar would be standing over me, telling me to get up.

I could dream. But the world would still be waiting when I woke.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, hosted by Hashtag Kalakar, is a prestigious event celebrating the art of writing. It invites writers from around the world to showcase their talents in various categories, from poetry to flash fiction. The competition is a platform for emerging writers to share their unique voices and creative expressions with a global audience.

Thank you, Sabreen Hamayel, for sharing "If Only" with us in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Your story's emotional depth and vivid narrative are a testament to your talent as a writer. We are honored to feature your work and appreciate your contribution to the world of creative writing.

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.