The loneliness had become too much. Every one told him that he should move to a new city and start over again. He could, then, meet new people, and may be, even find love again…
He looked at his children: five and eight. Would they mind moving? Of course, they would! Their lives were here with their grandparents, their school and friends. He couldn’t uproot them at a whim!
He couldn’t hurt them, so he let the memories hurt him.
People were beginning to give me funny looks. I couldn’t stand outside any longer and opened the door. It felt like accepting defeat… as if I am a traitor. But after so many years of disappointments and heartbreaks, I had run out of options.
So, I entered the saloon and requested them to shave off my nearly non-existent hair.
As the summer Sun blazed down his neck, he wondered whether he should just give up. With cheap plastic factory-made toys flooding the market, who would buy his handmade wooden toys?
But he had children to feed… May be, he should talk to that Contractor today and get a job as a labourer…
When she left the house that night, she had tied a dupatta across her face. No one must see her.
Her trembling hands clutched the money she had ‘earned from the service’. Her children would not go hungry today…
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:Â 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
Short Stories 