I had a frustrating day at work. I was worried about timelines, office politics and impending performance appraisal.
When I returned home, my tiny daughter ran up to greet me. Once in my arms, she cupped my cheeks in her little palms. Looking in my eyes, she said, “Mommy! I love you!” She kissed me and ran back to her dolls.
She left me smiling from ear to ear…
Daughter: He broke my knee!
Mom: If I see the boy again, he will be sorry.
After 16 years…
Daughter: He broke my heart!
Mom: If I see the man again, he will be sorry!
He looked at the tears flowing down her blackened eyes. He pulled her in his arms and, once again, said, “Sorry, Love! Just don’t make me angry again.”
The Kiwi fruit smelled divine. For the hundredth time, she looked at the price tag–more than half a dollar for a single fruit!
She thought of her children and 90-dollar-a-month salary. She sighed and continued restocking the fruits in the display for those who could afford.
Looking at the mirror, she wondered what she had done to deserve the fate. People were petrified when they first looked at her, averted their eyes and avoided her the best they could.
Even a monster deserved love; but she would always be alone and that made her angry and murderous…
“Hey Girl!”
(Silence)
“What’s wrong?”
(Silence)
“I hope you did not give in to your mother’s threat. She thinks marrying a man will ‘cure’ you. But if you can’t bear the touch…”
(A gasp and silence)
“Look, I know! The entire group knows and we are okay!”
(A sigh and silence)
“I have a spare room if your mother doesn’t understand.”
(After a long silence) “Can you call an ambulance, fast?”
-Based on a true story
Before I met you, I wondered why I existed
As life dragged along slowly.
After I found you, I wondered if it was worth
The pain you caused each day.
Once I walked out of your door
I truly found a purpose: My ‘Self’.
As usual, he went to her cafe, asked for a pastry and sat there hoping she would notice him. It had been three months ever since the shop opened and she was always too busy to talk.
As usual, she brought his pastry to the table, unusually late though. She had decorated the icing on the top with tiny roses… and her phone number!
The anticipation made his hands moist and mouth dry. He felt unprepared as he slowly covered the space between the two galaxies to reach her home across the road from his.
She, the daughter of a Hindu…
He, the son of a Mohammadan…
-Dedicated to W
The rising Sun in the horizon made me ache.
It was such a beautiful day with no one to share.
I wondered if I would have noticed the colours
Had you never happened.
You brought beauty to my life and also the pain.
Short Stories | Fish-eye Perspective 