The Past, The Present, The Future - By Bhavini Chetty

Written By: Bhavini Chetty

Category: Short story

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Discover the haunting narrative of "The Past, The Present, The Future," a short story by Bhavini Chetty submitted to the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. This evocative piece explores the intersection of time and memory, weaving a tapestry of emotions that resonate with profound depth. Bhavini Chetty's entry is a part of this prestigious competition, showcasing her talent and creativity to a global audience.

About the Work

Bhavini Chetty's "The Past, The Present, The Future" delves into the mysterious and surreal aspects of human experience. The story is imbued with rich imagery and a haunting atmosphere, as it unfolds in a setting where the past and present collide. The narrative style is both introspective and vivid, drawing readers into a world where ethereal figures and tangible emotions merge, leaving a lasting impression of introspection and poignancy.

the past, the present, the future

Original Submission by Bhavini Chetty

Bhavini Chetty

Entry 4

my eyes blurred as the night came into focus. flames danced before the candles. chopin enveloped the air around us. cutlery clanking on plates. a subtle rise and fall of voices bleeding into the background.

white light seeped through the windows, contradicting the warm light emitting from the chandelier. an uneven breath escaped my body. "excuse me," i said gently. standing up, i left the room, one foot in front of the other. walking down the hallway, i finally let myself breathe. the persian rug beneath my feet momentarily taking the pain from my stilettoed heels.

i shoved open the door leading to the library, a scent of century old paper wafted through the doorway. i steadily walked to the floor-to-ceiling windows and gazed upon the open land, with plush green grass, and large oak trees. staring through the lenses of my glasses, something

caught my eye. a speck in the distance. i blinked as the object moved significantly closer. moments later, She stood meters from me. looking closer, I could see Her feet off the ground.

Her innocent, yet lifeless eyes held My gaze. eyes that looked identical to Mine. amber rimmed the iris. Her body drained of what little life was left, on cue with the appearance of a shadow-like figure. he towered over Her. something in his hands glinted in the moonlight. wrapping his hands around the girl's face, he pressed a kiss to Her forehead. pausing, he took the object from his hands and started sewing the girl's lips shut. tears trickled down My face as pinpricks caressed My lips. a pink silk ribbon hung from Her mouth.

Her eyes pulled shut and Her body went slack as three more figures materialised. the first one went straight for Her Heart. clawing at the flesh and bones as if to find treasure. the second went for Her Mind. acting carefully and precisely, and the final figure went for Her Soul. breathing in Her happiness, Her dreams.

they all stepped back as though satisfied, turned towards Me, and then vanished. I sank into the floor, just as the girl did. the world spun around Me, a weight crushing My chest, with absolutely no way to get up.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is an esteemed platform celebrating the art of writing in its many forms. It invites participants from around the world to contribute their unique voices and stories, fostering a vibrant community of literary enthusiasts. The competition serves as a beacon for emerging writers, providing them with an opportunity to share their narratives on a global stage.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Bhavini Chetty for her participation in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 with her short story, "The Past, The Present, The Future." Her contribution enriches the tapestry of voices that form this vibrant literary event, and we are grateful for the opportunity to share her work with a wider audience.

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.