Out of Sight - By Ayesha Mushtaq

Written By: Ayesha Mushtaq

Category: Short story

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the gripping short story "Out of Sight," Ayesha Mushtaq weaves a poignant narrative set against the backdrop of war. As a part of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, this story explores the emotional turmoil and the stark realities faced by those in conflict zones. Ayesha's work stands out for its vivid portrayal of love, hope, and the haunting silence of unfulfilled promises. Through her storytelling, she invites readers to witness the personal struggles and the tender bonds that persist even amidst chaos.

About the Work

"Out of Sight" delves into the themes of love and loss with a somber yet profound narrative style. The story captures the imagery of a looming storm and the inner conflicts of soldiers, juxtaposed with the tender hope of reuniting with loved ones. Ayesha Mushtaq's prose evokes a deep emotional response, as it paints a vivid picture of the battlefield's chaos contrasted with the quiet desperation of waiting at home. The story leaves a lasting impression, highlighting the sacrifices and the ultimate cost of war.

Out of Sight.

Original Submission by Ayesha Mushtaq

“Out of sight.”

He peeked up at the sky, which was a tapestry of dark clouds, brooding and swollen, ready to unleash a storm that had been brewing for days. He sighed, fastening the shield to his chest, uncertain when the enemy might strike next. Arzhel was meant to go back home today, to meet his fiancé and his family. It had taken a lot of pleading for him to finally get a week off, but the situation here just seemed worse.

“You seem exhausted, is everything alright?” Arzhel’s comrade asked, his voice laced with worry for his friend.

Arzhel shook his head, “It’s nothing, I just have a bad feeling about today. I just hope I make it home to see Irene.”

Jacks understood the inner turmoil Arzhel was in, after all, their captain had just called them to gather everyone around the base, because the enemy had been surprisingly quiet for too long.

Jacks patted his back, assuring him with sweet words, “Just two hours left of your duty, and you can go home.”

Arzhel still wasn’t convinced. Why did his heart resist the thought of seeing Irene today? He tried to shake off the feeling, but it wouldn’t go away. Without thinking much, he grabbed the pen and paper from his pocket, scribbling a few words down before quickly putting the note back, as if scared that it’d get lost.

Suddenly, the silence was shattered by a deafening roar. The ground beneath everyone shook violently, throwing Arzhel off balance as the sky above exploded into a hellish inferno.

BOOM!

Arzhel’s ears rang as the blast sent him sprawling to the ground. He gasped for air, his chest heaving, struggling to comprehend what had just happened. The once orderly rows of tents of the soldiers were engulfed in chaos, swallowed by the roaring of fire.

“Arzhel, Arzhel get up!” Jacks yelled through the noise; his face was smeared with blood as he tried to pull Arzhel roughly to get up.

But Arzhel couldn’t find the courage in him to get up. His legs had given up on him, making him too weak to stand. Jacks glanced back, heart pounding, as the enemy advanced, rifles gripped tightly in their hands.

Arzhel coughed, his voice barely a whisper, “Go.”

Jacks shook his head, “Get up now Arzhel! I’m not leaving without you.”

Arzhel shook his head, “Note. Pocket. Irene.”

That’s all he could say before his eyelids shut tightly, leaving him to sleep forever.

Irene tapped her foot anxiously, where was Arzhel? It had been more than 5 hours since she’d been waiting for his arrival, yet he was nowhere to be seen. She gazed at the main entrance of her house, hoping that he would walk in any moment. But what she didn’t expect was to see two soldiers knock on her door from the window.

She grew worried and desperately ran to the door. She opened it and saw how expressionless and solemn their faces were. One was tall, his face was rugged and angular, with a strong jawline, a slightly crooked nose, and piercing green eyes that bore into hers, framed by a tousle of dark, wavy hair.

He was the one who stepped forward, “Miss Irene Williams?”

Irene nodded. A knot of anxiety tightened in her chest, her thoughts racing like a storm she couldn’t outrun.

“We’re deeply sorry to inform you that your fiance, Arzhel James, had been killed in action.” His voice cracked slightly as he spoke, watching her closely for a reaction.

Irene’s heart painfully thudded in her chest. He broke his promise. He was meant to be here, with her, they were meant to live together. Forever.

“No no, this must be wrong…” She whispered more to herself, but the soldiers heard her.

One of them coughed to gain her attention, he took out a crumbled note from his pocket and passed it to her, “He wanted to give this to you. His last note.”

Irene couldn’t decipher what was happening, this was too sudden. He couldn’t just leave her like that. It was a mistake. They were wrong. But the looks on the soldiers’ faces told her that this wasn’t a mistake.

Irene’s trembling hands gripped the note as if it might slip through her fingers, its edges worn and crumpled from being handled too many times.

The paper was thin and fragile, as though it might tear if she held it too tightly. It felt rough against her fingertips, smudged with faint dirt and sweat from Arzhel's hands, the creases deep from being folded in his pocket during the battle.

The faint scent of dust and something faintly metallic clung to it, making her heart ache even more. This note had survived, but he hadn’t.

Tears welled up in her eyes as she read the words, ‘When the war’s over, we’ll get married, and the earth will grow flowers like you, and your womb will carry the most beautiful girl in the World.’

She was helpless. Nothing could be done now. Her Arzhel was gone. Forever.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar welcomes writers from around the world to share their unique voices and stories. This prestigious platform celebrates creativity and expression through various forms of writing, offering participants the opportunity to showcase their talents on an international stage. The competition embraces diverse narratives, encouraging writers to explore themes that resonate universally, fostering a global community of literary enthusiasts.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Ayesha Mushtaq for her evocative short story "Out of Sight," a compelling entry in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Her contribution enriches our understanding of the profound emotions tied to war and loss. We thank Ayesha for sharing her work and wish her the best in her future literary 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.