119 comments

Creative Nonfiction Crime Speculative

The girl stared at the beauty in front of her eyes. She couldn’t resist it. She took her phone, opened the camera app and asked a passer-by to stop and take her photo.

The boy who she stopped was in a hurry, so he took the phone and clicked a very blurred, not at all focused image of the girl and went off on his way.

One look at the photo and Devaki was sure that the photo was trash. She had just deleted the photo when a hand came over her shoulder and said in a French accent, “Keep Z ‘ands behind your back, miss.”

“यह क्या हो रहा है?” Devaki said immediately, forgetting that she was in France. As an Indian, Hindi was the first thing that came out of her mouth whenever she was in trouble.

“Ma’am, please speak in English or French.” The officer said.

“Sorry, what is happening here?”

“You are being arrested for violating the law. I am officer Jean Belrose.”

“B-B-But, which law have I violated? I am just a tourist here. I don’t even KNOW how to violate a law!”

“Oui, oui. That’s what everyone says. Now come with me, quietly.”

Devaki sat down in the police vehicle. She was accompanied by Jean, the officer and another person. Devaki wasn’t able to see the person. Maybe they were another outlaw, maybe an actual one. She was worried. Her flight was going to leave in seven hours and she still had to go back to her hotel to pack her bags.

“Ou m’emmenez-vous?”

“A la poste de police.”

“Pourquoi?”

 “Parce que tu as commis un crime.”

“Quel crime?”

“Je te parlerai au poste de police.” 

“D’accord, madame.”

“What was he saying to you, miss?” Devaki said. She had known French for quite a while now, but the locals always found a way to talk so fast that she never understood anything.

“’E was saying that ‘e wanted to know where and why ‘e was being taken.”

“And?”

“And ‘e is quiet now. I would like some quiet from my left end too.”

“Mmm-Hmm” Devaki was silent all the way to the police station.

At the police station, Devaki was frisked by the police woman, Jean and then asked to produce her passport. She did so and the Indian foreign delegates were called for.

While waiting, Devaki realized that the person in the car with her was the boy she had asked to click her photo. Overcome with curiosity, she asked, “What are you doing here? What did you do?”

The boy Pierre, said, “I don’t know. I was getting late for my evening shift and then this policeman came in and took me in.” Judging by his accent, Devaki was quite sure that Pierre was French.

“Okay.”

Jean interrupted, “You people are here because you violated a law. You were in it together, so we ‘ave brought you at the station.”

“WE violated a law?” Devaki was surprised, she didn’t even know Pierre and Jean was saying that she had violated a law with his help?

“Oui.” Jean said.

“Je ne connais cette fille! Comment je peux commis un crime avec elle ?” Pierre said, shocked in the same way Devaki was.

This was getting way too creepy for both of them. Apparently, after this little, ‘chit-chat’, the ‘violators’ were taken to separate cells.

A few minutes later, a man appeared in the cell Devaki was locked in. “Hello! My name is Amit. I represent the Indian Government here. After you were taken in, the police station called my office and I was sent here. Apparently, you’ve not commited a huge crime and it won’t be that difficult to veer you away from this place. Also, I think you have a flight soon?”

“Yes, I have my flight at 2 a.m.”

“Okay. So, we’ll have to solve all this before 11.”

“Yes. But please tell why I was arrested and brought here.”

“You clicked a photo.”

“A PHOTO!?!?!”

“Yes.”

“How’s that a crime?”

“Well, you took a photograph of the Eiffel Tower at night. Am I right?”

“Yes.”

“That’s a violation of the copyright law.”

“But the tower was built ages ago and why only at night?”

“Let me explain to you, the tower was fitted with lights in 1980s and it’s builder/engineer is still alive. So, the copyright will remain till seventy years ater his death.”

“Oh.” Devaki was surprised. Such minute attention to details just to make sure the law is obeyed? She was really impressed.

“Yes. Now, why did you take the photo?”

“For my personal use. To act as a memoir.”

“Okay. Then it’s fine. You won’t be charged anything.”

“Thank goodness! So can I leave?”

“Not so fast. You need to prove that. Also, that boy who was taking the picture, do you know him?”

“No, I just met him. He appeared to be in a hurry.”

“Fine. I’ll get you out of here. Just come with me and do what I say, ok?”

“Yes sir.” Devaki didn’t want to be in the criminal records, especially not away from her home, in France.

They went outside and saw that Pierre was brought there too, with a person Devaki guessed was his lawyer.

Jean greeted them again and introduced another man, her senior, Paulo. He was an old man, balding and had an accent different to that of Jean or Pierre.

“Bonsoir! Today, I will be presiding this meeting. Please have a seat everyone.” Paulo said.

“Sir,” Jean spoke up, once everyone was seated, “These people ‘ave violated the copyright law and ‘ave taken a photo of Le Tour Eiffel at night.”

“D’accord. Do you ‘ave something to say, miss?” Paulo asked, looking at Devaki.

“Yes, I’m from the Indian Government and I would like to represent her. According to the law, the photo can be taken for personal purposes. Devaki was doing just so.”

“Oui, mais pourquoi ai-je été entraine la-dedans ? ” Pierre asked the Major.

“Well, you took the photo. So, you were a big part of this.” Paulo explained the whole situation to Pierre.

Pierre was speechless, “I-I…..”

“Now, miss. I know we took your phone, but do you mind opening it and showing us the pictures you took?”

“Sure.” Devaki said, taking her phone out of Paulo’s hand and entering her passcode. She then opened the gallery and showed Paulo the photo which she had taken back from the recycle bin.

“This is very blur. This doesn’t show the Tower at all! I don’t think this will be a violation of the copyright.”

“So, it means we were brought here for nothing?” Devaki was surely surprised. First they say that you’ve violated a law, then they say you haven’t. What are they doing?

Both the officials were getting up and said in a sync, “Yeah, we are very sorry for that.”

Now, the police went out of the room and the others were left to discuss.

“So, now what Amit sir?”

“Now you are a free person. You can go back to the hotel and pack your bags.”

“I missed my shift for THIS?” Pierre said, abruptly pointing to the space around him.

“Sorry.” Devaki apologized, feeling very sad and embarrassed of herself.

Amit and Pierre’s lawyer went off their ways and Devaki was left alone with Pierre at the station. They decided to take a ride together as it was peak time and no cabs were free. The police had offered to help and since they were in the same neighbourhood, both of them were taken in the same car.

“So, what do you do?”

“Um, I am a photographer in a studio.”

“And yet you took a blurred photo.”

“That ‘blurred photo’ was the only reason we are still roaming freely.”

“C’est vrai.”

“Oh la la! Tu connais francais?”

“Yes, a little.”

“Nice.”

“Oh! Look the Eiffel Tower’s lighting is looking so pretty.”

“Yeah, I don’t think I’ll look at the tower at night same as before.”

“Why?”

Pierre said, “Well, it was the main reason I got almost-arrested.”

“Oh yes! But as a tourist, I still like it.”

“I don’t know, this is something I watch every day, yet it seems that I am looking at it for the first time. It looks beautiful, but it seems that it has some secrets in it that makes it even more beautiful.”

August 06, 2021 16:07

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119 comments

Dhwani Jain
16:11 Aug 06, 2021

You all might be thinking if this story is true or not... Well, it isn't, but it might be. It IS true that it is not allowed for people to take the photo of the Eiffel Tower at night for commercial use without seeking the royalty of the copyright. I saw a video on it this morning and was intrigued by it and thus, you have this story. Also, if you have Facebook, I did a LIVE, narrating the whole story myself. So you can check that here: https://fb.watch/7d68DMoe1L/ Thank you for reading!!! Do check my blog: https://djdhwanijain.wordpress.com/

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Charli Britton
21:12 Aug 06, 2021

That is quite interesting

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Dhwani Jain
03:34 Aug 07, 2021

Yes...it's true

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18:25 Aug 10, 2021

And I oop hullo

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Dhwani Jain
02:36 Aug 11, 2021

huh?

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TJ Squared
16:39 Aug 06, 2021

"It IS true that it is not allowed for people to take the photo of the Eiffel Tower at night for commercial use without seeking the royalty of the copyright." That's very interesting, I guess I haven't thought about that before. Also, I think that anyone who has a flight at 2 am in the morning is rather crazy. I did like that you included French (makes sense, cause it does take place in France), but maybe next time, give us a reference for those of us who don't know French ;). In my honest, personal opinion, I think this story was kin...

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Dhwani Jain
03:22 Aug 07, 2021

Okay....I like that you gave me your honest opinion. Oh well! I just checked the meaning of speculative fiction is kind of like sci-fi and this story is NOT that. I'll change that. Earlier, I thought that speculative fiction was kinda suspense/thriller mixture. Thanks for that! Yeah, 'cause she was using it for her personal reasons and the photo was way too blurred. Coolio!

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TJ Squared
03:54 Aug 07, 2021

'honesty is the best policy', as they say :) Ah, okay, great. makes sense I suppose. They don't want you posting it on sites or social media. :)

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Dhwani Jain
03:57 Aug 07, 2021

Yeah....

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TJ Squared
03:58 Aug 07, 2021

:)

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Ivy Spade
22:11 Jan 02, 2022

A cool story I liked it.

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Dhwani Jain
10:22 Jan 03, 2022

Thank you

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Ivy Spade
13:31 Jan 03, 2022

You are welcome!

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Philia S
03:55 Aug 11, 2021

Hey Dhwani! I think you asked me to read this? Even if you didn't, here I am XD I really loved the story and I guess the other commenters have pointed out most of the things so I won't critique...but yeah, great job!

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Dhwani Jain
04:14 Aug 11, 2021

Hello Queen! Yeah, I did. Thanks. I am so happy you read this story!!! 💖💖💖 I am going to post another story today. Do read that too!

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Philia S
05:14 Aug 11, 2021

Sure.....'D h w a n a n a'! XD

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Dhwani Jain
05:45 Aug 11, 2021

You like this nickname? If yes, then I'll add your name in the list.

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Philia S
06:34 Aug 11, 2021

Yep, I do like it. :)

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Dhwani Jain
06:43 Aug 11, 2021

Coolio!

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Dhwani Jain
10:17 Aug 11, 2021

NEW STORY!!!!!!!!!! CHECK IT OUT ON MY BLOG BEFORE YOU CAN READ IT ON REEDSY. THE STORY WILL BE AVAILABLE SOON ON MY BLOG AND I WILL UPDATE IT ON REEDSY TOO.

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Unknown User
19:54 Aug 09, 2021

<removed by user>

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Dhwani Jain
04:39 Aug 10, 2021

Maraika? I am sorry, I don't know her.

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Unknown User
05:24 Aug 10, 2021

<removed by user>

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Dhwani Jain
05:25 Aug 10, 2021

Okay, will do!

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Dhwani Jain
10:18 Aug 11, 2021

NEW STORY!!!!!!!!!! CHECK IT OUT ON MY BLOG BEFORE YOU CAN READ IT ON REEDSY. THE STORY WILL BE AVAILABLE SOON ON MY BLOG AND I WILL UPDATE IT ON REEDSY TOO.

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Unknown User
20:05 Aug 11, 2021

<removed by user>

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Dhwani Jain
02:45 Aug 12, 2021

Yeah, sorry for the 'ALL CAPS' thing, I was waaaay too excited.

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Nayonikaa Gupta
03:37 Aug 09, 2021

Gr8 story. (In the future, add a translation for french in brackets for those who don't know french.)

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Dhwani Jain
03:38 Aug 09, 2021

Thanks Nayonikaa (nice name, what does it mean?) Yeah, I can do that, but in one of my stories, someone said that the translation in brackets is kinda redundant. Also, are you new on Reedsy? Welcome to this awesome webite!!!!!!!!!!

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Nayonikaa Gupta
03:46 Aug 09, 2021

Hi Dhwani, My name means 'one with expressive eyes'. Instead of brackets, you could write the translations at the end of the story.

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Dhwani Jain
04:05 Aug 09, 2021

Hey! Nice.... Cool, I could do that. Well, in my next stories.....

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Dhwani Jain
02:58 Aug 11, 2021

You know what? I have a best friend irl who's name is quite similar to yours....What are the odds?🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️

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Dhwani Jain
10:19 Aug 11, 2021

NEW STORY!!!!!!!!!! CHECK IT OUT ON MY BLOG BEFORE YOU CAN READ IT ON REEDSY. THE STORY WILL BE AVAILABLE SOON ON MY BLOG AND I WILL UPDATE IT ON REEDSY TOO.

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I love ur new nickname! Also congrads on passing board exams! Thats a big achievement!

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Dhwani Jain
15:26 Aug 08, 2021

Nice, I'll add your name to the list.

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19:55 Aug 07, 2021

I didn't know about that law- thanks for putting that in there ;) I like how you alternated between French and English (I know a bit of French, so I could kinda understand :) but maybe you could put in an English translation for the Hindi, since it is a completely script and I had no idea what she was saying :) I like how you ended it~ made the audience think a bit after reading it, pondering :) WRAPPAMAZING 🥙🥙🥙 job!!! ;) ~ Amethyst

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Dhwani Jain
06:05 Aug 08, 2021

Thanks! Nice, I could have done that, but there was just one dialogue in Hindi and that was kinda told again in English. Thanks again! Hey, I've seen that you do this a lot, what's this? Kind of a new trend you have?

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23:50 Aug 09, 2021

Np! ahhh okay XD got it! no problem! ehe ;) I always end my comments in a food-themed pun lol, it's kinda like my trademark :)

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Dhwani Jain
04:41 Aug 10, 2021

Nice, I'll try to do that too rn: 🍭 LOLLI-JOLLY!!!! Well, that took a lotta 🥚EGG-XTRA effort.....🤣🤣

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Dhwani Jain
10:18 Aug 11, 2021

NEW STORY!!!!!!!!!! CHECK IT OUT ON MY BLOG BEFORE YOU CAN READ IT ON REEDSY. THE STORY WILL BE AVAILABLE SOON ON MY BLOG AND I WILL UPDATE IT ON REEDSY TOO.

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23:43 Aug 13, 2021

XDDDD gRaTe 🧀🧀🧀 job!!! ;> I'll read it soon!!!

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Hi! I really loved how you used french phrases and french names! And the part about not allowed to take pics of the Eiffel tower at night was genius. I didn't know that. :) But I would have elaborated more on how Devaki felt when she was being accused. Other than that, I loved it!

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Dhwani Jain
06:02 Aug 08, 2021

Thanks Varsha! Sure, I could have done that too.....

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Of course Dhwani! :))I still think its great!

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Dhwani Jain
15:26 Aug 08, 2021

=D

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:)) Also i saw ur facebook, where u read the story out loud. Wow! loved the way u pronounce the french words!

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Dhwani Jain
02:56 Aug 09, 2021

Thanks...I am kinda bad on pronouncing French.....

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Kendall Defoe
23:15 Aug 06, 2021

Do I laugh or cry? I know that this is satire-and a pretty good one-but you can never tell where you will bump into the absurdity of a stupid law. Well done, et je prefere l'edifice Empire State! ;)

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Dhwani Jain
03:36 Aug 07, 2021

Laugh? Yeah, I know. Thanks et oh la la! C'est aussi un bon monument! =D

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Kendall Defoe
02:39 Aug 08, 2021

Cool...!

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Dhwani Jain
10:20 Aug 11, 2021

NEW STORY!!!!!!!!!! CHECK IT OUT ON MY BLOG BEFORE YOU CAN READ IT ON REEDSY. THE STORY WILL BE AVAILABLE SOON ON MY BLOG AND I WILL UPDATE IT ON REEDSY TOO.

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21:47 Aug 06, 2021

Hi! You had a great take on the prompt. It was really interesting. I did not know about that law. Wonderful story! Happy writing, Dhwani!

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Dhwani Jain
03:35 Aug 07, 2021

Thanks! Everyone's saying that they didn't know about that law, well, it's true. Thanks a ton for checking this story out!!!!!!

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11:47 Aug 07, 2021

:D No problem!

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Dhwani Jain
11:52 Aug 07, 2021

Yeah...

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Esther :)
19:06 Aug 06, 2021

PS I VOTE YES FOR THE NICKNAME. Heh

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Dhwani Jain
03:32 Aug 07, 2021

Okay.

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Dhwani Jain
10:21 Aug 11, 2021

NEW STORY!!!!!!!!!! CHECK IT OUT ON MY BLOG BEFORE YOU CAN READ IT ON REEDSY. THE STORY WILL BE AVAILABLE SOON ON MY BLOG AND I WILL UPDATE IT ON REEDSY TOO.

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Esther :)
19:05 Aug 06, 2021

This was very interesting. I liked the aspect of slowly being let in on the mystery. Good Job.

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Dhwani Jain
03:32 Aug 07, 2021

Thanks Esther!!!! =D

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Esther :)
17:00 Aug 07, 2021

Anytime!

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18:26 Aug 06, 2021

Wow, interesting story! Great take on the prompt. I didn’t know about the Eiffel Tower photography-copyright law before, so that was really cool to learn. I’ll have to remember that if I want to visit Paris someday XD Some parts of the story were a bit hard to follow at times, but other than that I enjoyed it! :))) 🐈‍⬛

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Dhwani Jain
03:29 Aug 07, 2021

Thanks! XD Do remember that.... Okay...thanks for your feedback, 🐈‍⬛.....

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15:41 Aug 07, 2021

Ofc! Yep, I will XD No problem! :D

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Dhwani Jain
06:01 Aug 08, 2021

Yeah

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Palak Shah
17:22 Aug 06, 2021

Nice story Devaki, I really like the way that you used the prompt and the title is great. Well done :)))

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Palak Shah
14:36 Aug 08, 2021

Yh I also love sleeping beauty. Well it makes me happy that you are also obsessed with spiderman

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Dhwani Jain
10:20 Aug 11, 2021

HAHA NEW STORY!!!!!!!!!! CHECK IT OUT ON MY BLOG BEFORE YOU CAN READ IT ON REEDSY. THE STORY WILL BE AVAILABLE SOON ON MY BLOG AND I WILL UPDATE IT ON REEDSY TOO.

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Palak Shah
16:59 Aug 11, 2021

Okay sure :))

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Dhwani Jain
02:42 Aug 12, 2021

=D

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Dhwani Jain
03:27 Aug 07, 2021

Thank you Palak di!

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Palak Shah
11:28 Aug 07, 2021

No worries :))))

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Dhwani Jain
11:29 Aug 07, 2021

Yes, someone's down- voting me again, they did 100 points overnight and are still at it, 10 at a time.... :((((((((((((((((((((((((

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Palak Shah
11:36 Aug 07, 2021

No way, that is horrible. I have seen that there have been a group of downvoters trying to downvote everyone and it is so annoying because I also got downvoted 100 points overnight now that I've checked.

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Dhwani Jain
11:46 Aug 07, 2021

Oh my, you too? Do you know the names or something of the downvoting group?

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This was a great story, Dhwani! I loved how you used the dialogue. My favorite part was, well...all of it! I had a bit of a hard time understanding the story, but overall, it was a great piece! -Breckin N. ;)

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Dhwani Jain
03:26 Aug 07, 2021

Thank you Breckin! Please do tell which parts you didn't understand....

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Unknown User
19:37 Aug 06, 2021

<removed by user>

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Dhwani Jain
03:34 Aug 07, 2021

Thank you. Even I watched a video yesterday which inspired me to write this. No, I didn't. Will you do that for any of your stories? Yeah...about a 100 points *Trying my best not to cry*

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Unknown User
19:37 Aug 07, 2021

<removed by user>

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Dhwani Jain
06:03 Aug 08, 2021

lol

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