A perfect sun-set

This post has been published by me as a part of the Blog-a-Ton 30; the thirtieth edition of the online marathon of Bloggers; where we decide and we write. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton.

The strong wind made me sway as if I was sailing on a boat. To my right stretched the most beautiful ocean, outshining its way through a plethora of golden light. The sunset seemed like a perfect start to a new decision towards life.

“Roni come on, let’s dive into the waves”, a small kid shouted at his elder brother in excitement. “Ronit, don’t let him go too deep”, shouted their father over the loud gushing and splashing of the strong Arabian waves.

The excitement and recklessness in the kid’s voice and the father’s clear concern, made me realize that I had been overlooking these small, yet necessary emotions when it came to building a family. This was the first time I had actually managed to take note of these emotions. All that mattered to me these days were emotions that I used to showcase only for materialistic things. Like the new car that I had been dreaming to buy since two years which I finally bought last week. To commemorate the success, I had taken a week off and even made Malini, my wife do the same so that we could come out of the city for a weeklong celebration and relaxation.

Over the salty wind, I could hear Malini’s voice loud and clear, at the back of my mind. “Abhi, what exactly are we celebrating? It’s just a car. I’m very happy you bought it and now it will be easy for you to travel to work every day. I don’t feel like it’s necessary to take a whole week off just to drive around in it, along the coast line.”

“What are you talking about hon? This car represents a milestone that we have reached in our marriage. We have finally reached a stage where, we as a couple can lead a luxurious, guilt-free life. Isn’t that what we always talked about?”

“That was three years ago Abhi. We were newlywed and buying a big house and a car is any husband and wife’s initial dream. We are about to enter into our fourth year of marriage and all we own is a two bed room flat in the city. Our parents don’t visit us often because it’s too far and even if they do; we are always busy travelling back and forth from our work. And now we have finally bought this expensive car which pretty soon will start hibernating in the basement because of the rising petrol rates.”

“Um, actually the car runs on diesel...”

“I don’t care on what it runs”, Malini’s voice shook in frustration. “I want to own something that is ours Abhi, not something we order and buy at a store. Don’t you think it’s time we start investing on something a little selfless?”

“Selfless? Let’s see, I work 10 hours a day so that we can afford a nice home and now a car and you work for a few hours, teaching local school kids some English. But yeah, it’s very selfish of me to buy a car and very selfless of you to point out how selfish I am! Thanks a lot Mal, I expected a little more support from you but definitely not this.”

“Abhi, aren’t you understanding what I’m trying to say? I feel like I’m the only one who is thinking of having a family with you and all you think is to invest your money in something that doesn’t have a heart!”

“You mean kids? Oh, come on Malini, it’s a new apartment; it’s only a year old. I really don’t want kids at this stage. I mean the havoc they create... it’ll be like living with a live volcano that can erupt anytime it pleases. And what about your work? You will have to quit your job to look after them. Do you really want to give up your career so soon?”

“See, this is exactly what I’m talking about. You are so selfish right now. You are saying no because you care more about the house paint getting wrecked by our future kids rather than thinking about how wonderful it’ll be to have a little baby boy or a girl amidst us. Are you seriously that heartless Abhi?”

I couldn’t stand her glaring at me. This whole having kids’ conversation always made me uncomfortable. “Look, I’m not saying no to a future prospect. But it’s too soon for us to have kids right now Malini. Let’s give it a couple more years...”

She was shaking her head in disbelief now. “You know what your problem is Abhi, you are scared.”

“Why should I be scared..?”

“Oh stop it Abhi, I didn’t marry you blindly, I knew you’re very thoughtful of your decisions. Sometimes you hesitate to make a decision to such an extent that you will end up missing an entire opportunity. Like that promotion that you bluntly rejected because you thought you were not ready for the change so soon. Life is all about change Abhi and if you don’t get that, then I don’t think neither of us will be happy together.”

“Give me a break with the preaching, Malini. We have come all the way to Goa to enjoy a few peaceful days. Can you please not ruin our holiday like this? I promise, once we go back we’ll work it out”

“You have been saying the same thing from last two years.”  Saying so Malini walked out of the Resort towards the beach.

***

Now here I was walking along the coast, in search of her for the last two hours. I saw all sorts of people; couples enjoying an evening walk, kids building sand castles together while their happy parents took photos, groups of friends running about the beach or playing with the waves.

Malini and I were about to be 30 this year and having kids was the next best thing at this stage. But why do I feel like I’m not ready?

I guess Malini is right. I’m just scared to accept changes in my life, I thought. That’s when I realised how selfish and unreasonable I was sounding. Malini was the one who was ready to sacrifice her career to bear my kids and here I was, completely lost within my world of new homes and new cars and monetary investments.

I started walking back towards the resort. I saw Malini sitting on a park bench and looking to her left at the kid’s playing nearby. A little girl ran towards Malini and pulled her hand, gesturing her to play with her. I could clearly see the longing look in Malini’s eyes as she took the little girl’s hand and ran with her towards the beach.

I ran too. Towards Malini and hugged her from behind and whispered, “I’m sorry for being such a jerk this whole time Mal. I will not make you wait anymore. Seeing you with the kids made me realize how happy you will be when we have our own kids. And I want that happiness in our lives”.

Malini turned to face me and I could see her blushing. “You really meant that, didn’t you?”

And that’s how we ended the perfect setting on the sun-set beach with a perfect kiss.

***

The fellow Blog-a-Tonics who took part in this Blog-a-Ton and links to their respective posts can be checked here. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton. I’m thankful to BLOGGER NAME, who introduced Blog-a-Ton to me, and I debuted in XX edition.

Credits

Image - Shades of Orange by Harsha Chittar
Courtesy - Curious Dino Photography via www.blogaton.in

The Revenge

I was under the false radar that I was living in a paradise. A paradise of love and passion knitted together. A paradise where two hearts were pinned together by cupid’s arrow. A paradise where anything he said to me sounded like a beautiful verse taken right from a Shakespearean sonnet.

But one evening, my paradise vanished as quickly as water vanishes from cupped hands. Our six month relationship ended by just an SMS that he sent to my phone: I’m sorry Shai; it’s not working for me. I just need to be on my own right now. I hope you understand and wish you all the best for the future.

I got dumped through a SMS! My pride was hurt to an irreparable extent. Tears rightfully rolled down my cheeks as memories of him and I, together at happier times engulfed my mind like a poisonous snake. No sooner these memories started to overwhelm me, than I felt a stronger emotion than sadness. Anger. It was an intense emotion that surged through my heart and reached every part of my body. I was torn between crying my eyes out and at the same time, controlling the same tears. I felt confused, lost, defeated and betrayed.

I thought back to what I knew about Rahul. I wasn’t even sure if that was his real name now. I was so engrossed with him, his words and his charms that I had blindly trusted him. All I knew was that he lived in some flat which was on the opposite side of the city from where I lived. With a flash, a piece of memory whipped my conscience as I remembered the night I had agreed to spend with him. He had proposed that night and offered to marry me and that was enough for me as I dived into his arms like a fool. How could I’ve been so stupid?

The riot of deeply burnt emotions that were battling inside me was inexplicable. He was a cheat and his entire existence was just promoting falsification. People like him didn’t deserve to dwell happily on this planet. I had to do something to stop him cause the same catastrophe to other women.

I controlled myself from calling him or even replying him back with an SMS. I so badly wanted to curse him and shout at him. But that would just make me more vulnerable and it would show him that he had got to me and burned me. I wasn’t the type of girl who would get dumped and accept defeat on the same day.

I wiped my tears and read his message one last time before deleting it for good.

“Last night I had a revelation, somehow I have to make you pay

It’s all about manipulation, and what it takes to get my way

I don’t believe in soft solutions, no one makes a fool of me

Without receiving retribution, no one hurts me and goes free…”

                                                                                      ~ Red Delicious

***

3 weeks later...

Rahul lazily walked into the usual pub that he frequented time and again to find new game. He saw women like opportunity and once he caught hold of one opportunity and used it to the fullest extent; he always looked out for new opportunities. But today, he was in no mood to moon some random woman. He had had enough of swirling around random women until they consented to sleep with him and later ditching them the fastest way possible. Some would call people like Rahul as man-whore but he called himself an opportunist and according to him, there was nothing wrong in making use of his man-hood to the fullest extent.

It’s these women who have to wake-up to the modern day. Who wants to live in a confiscated relationship with a nagging wife when one gets more than that in an open relationship, he thought as he sipped his beer. But women need to learn to get over themselves once they get stood up. Every time I dump them, they’ll be behind my back like leeches either begging me to come back or cursing me death. Till now, the only woman who didn’t call me back to retaliate was Shai.  Man, that was a good night and she had me going to think that she was a decent girl. She put up so much protest that I had to pretend to ask her hand to marry me just to get her to bed. I wonder why she had to put up all that fuss if she took the one-night stand so coolly, without even a word back at me. Well, she should be the role model to these other women who are on my case. They should learn a thing or two about being cool when they get ditched, he thought savagely.

He was drunk to the brim and was about to pay the bill when the bartender pushed another drink under his nose. “Complimentary drink from that lady over there, sir”, he told Rahul by pointing to his left. Rahul turned and saw a beautiful red-head in a very revealing tube-top and saw her smile at him lustily.

“The night just got better. A new game awaits”, he slurred to himself as he doggedly approached the red-headed woman.

“It’s usually men who offer free drinks to stunning women, you know”, he winked at her as he took his seat.

“You look like you could use another drink”, said the lady.

“Yeah, that I do”, he laughed as he mindlessly drank the whiskey in one shot.

“You have a name, beautiful?” he asked her.

“Yes, but you can call me red-head”, she said playfully.

“What’s a pretty red-head like you doing alone in this pub?” he inquired.

“Your questions will soon be answered if we could go somewhere...more private”, her sensuous tone was enough to get Rahul up on his feet the next instant.

An hour later, Rahul led the pretty red-head to his hotel room that he used on special occasions like this.

“You know, I would love to take you to my place, but it’s under renovation right now. So staying here for a while”, he told her as she entered the room with him.

“All the more better”, she said tersely.

Once inside the room, Rahul dropped his pretty playboy act as he approached her wildly. He held her close to him, tightening his grip on her shoulders as his eyes took in her pretty face. Her red-luscious hair complimented her red-lips. But her big dark brown eyes somehow seemed very familiar to him. But his vision was clouding fast and he could hardly see her or the room behind her.

The last thing he remembered was seeing the red-head escape from his grip and moving aside as he fell, face-down on the bed.

                                                                                  ***

3 hours later...

I saw him stir as he slowly opened his eyes. I made sure once again that his hands and feet were tied at either side of the bed tightly. “wha...what happened?” he asked groggily.

“Well, let’s see... I tipped the bartender to slip a small dose of sleeping pill in your drink and it took its effect on you. Oh by the way, while I was at it, I decided to tie you up nicely to the bed too”, I said in a bored tone as I looked at his state with satisfaction.

Rahul tried to move but he couldn’t. He raised his head and saw that he was lying on the bed with no clothes on, save for his underwear. “What did you do with my clothes, you bitch?” he screamed at me.

“Your clothes look too decent to be worn by you. So I’ll make sure to give it to a homeless on my way out of here”, I said in disgust.

“Wait a minute... who are you?” he said, as his eyes widened with fear and rage.

“It’s not at all important. What concerns me is how you are going to play your “get the girl” game once your reputation is ruined. I was thinking of taking a few pictures of you in this state and mailing it to the press. But then I got an even better idea. While you were snoring like a gorilla, I took a few snaps of you from your shiny new smart phone and I saw that you love sharing your thoughts and pictures on Facebook for your friends to see. So guess what? I shared a few pictures of you in your underwear on your wall. It’s been over 2 hours since I shared this and they are being circulated at tremendous speed. A hundred thousand shares already. You really should consider locking your personal pictures from being viewed by the public Rahul”, I told him mockingly as I showed him his photo.

When he saw the photo, he realised that he was not only tied naked to the bed, but was also bearing a few shameful words, written across his chest and stomach in black marker that said: I AM A CHEATING DOG.

“Oh come on, whoever you are, I’m sorry. Now can you be an adult and untie me. This is really not necessary you know...”

I looked at him with even more disgust. “You are not in a state to bargain. If you had been a responsible adult all your life, you wouldn’t be here in this state today. I have half a mind to lock the room and leave you like this until the hotel staff found you. But I won’t do that. I guess you have not confined about this secret hotel “business” of yours to anyone or else someone would have been here to pick you up by now. Your cell has been getting a lot of calls. Even your mother has called a few times. Tch..tch..tch.. Poor you, but don’t worry, I’ve just forwarded the hotel address and room number to her and to some of your other contacts too!!”

Saying so, I placed his smart phone on his dumb torso and I picked up my stuff and his clothes in a bag and walked towards the door.

“Aren’t you going to tell me who you are?” a low, threatening voice came from the bed.

I closed my eyes, took a deep breath and said “Have fun solving that puzzle for the rest of your life. You probably must have cheated about a 100 women. Why don’t you call them all one by one and find out?”

With my heart pounding loudly, I walked out on him. On my way out from the hotel, I gave the bag containing his clothes to a homeless person and dumped the red-wig in a trash can.

Two days later...

I and my best friend Mia sat sipping chai on the veranda. Mia had her laptop perched on her lap. “You know Shai, you never told me what happened between you and that guy you said you went out on a date with a few months back...”

“I dumped him Mia.”

“Oh? Good for you I guess?” Mia enquired tentatively.

I laughed loudly before saying, “Yeah, best decision ever!”

Mia suddenly turned her laptop towards me, “Hey look at the photo of this guy. It’s apparently become one of the top viral things going around about the internet. Do you think that guy deserved being called a cheating dog from his ex-girlfriend in this fashion?”

I observed the picture with mild interest before saying, “I don’t know about that, but Revenge is Sweet, isn’t it?”

***

Disclaimer: “The Revenge” is a work of pure fiction. Any resemblance to the story, place or characters is purely coincidental.

This post is part of the contest Ten words to a Story(or Poem).. on WriteUpCafe.com

Summer in Brazil

It was one hell of a summer this year. Even wearing the finest quality cotton cloths wouldn’t withstand the amount of heat hitting my body every second in a day. Every morning when I left my home, I would look fresh as a daisy but one trip to my office was enough to wilt all the morning freshness out of my physical being. And the Brazil summer they say, was only just beginning.

I couldn’t bear this Brazilian heat. It was a new job and a new place but me being from the Canadian country-side, you could imagine my state to adjust to this very new and different environment. I hadn’t even packed my cloths properly to commemorate my move to Brazil’s most talked about, hottest place: Rio de Janeiro.  I had moronically packed all my thick-full sleeved tops and corduroy pants and jeans and tight knitted leggings.

The first day I entered my new work place, I found my fellow colleagues (all dressed in shorts and extremely informal sleeveless and deep necked tops!) look up at me with pity and amusement in their eyes as they took in my ensemble. I was the only person who was dressed from head to toe and sweating profusely, making me look like I had just got out of a hot water tub, fully dressed.

My boss called me to his cabin and gave me my first assignment as a travel reporter- change my wardrobe, visit the beaches, bathe in the sun, do a bit of snorkeling and surfing, socialize with the hottest Brazilian men (and women too if you are into it!, he added with a smirk), let your hair down and have some fun, the Brazilian way!

I was taken aback. Never had I had a boss who ordered me out of his office just to have some fun. Waiting for the cache, I asked him tentatively, “So you want me to just go out there and have fun? And I suppose you have a dead line for me to come up with an article of my expeditions?”

The boss gave a loud laugh before saying, “This is Brazil my dear, and this is how we roll. And also I just can’t bear to see you come here in your military outfit. You need to blow off some steam. Forget you are in Canada. I order you to get out there to the beaches and just have some fun and also find someone who helps you change your wardrobe” he eyed my baggy jeans and full sleeved shirt with pity. “So I’m giving you a few days off. Report back to work in a few days when you are dressed like you belong to the festive carnival!” And that was how I was shooed off from my work place on an extended holiday.

With a boss like that, I was starting to like Brazil already! But where do I find someone who helps me fit in comfortably with the Brazilian wardrobe? I hardly knew anyone here. I visited the nearby beach from my office that afternoon. I saw men and women sprawled over the hot sand, soaking up the sun in just their bikinis. I just couldn’t remember the last time I wore a swimming suit. May be 20 years ago when I was about 8, I thought sadly.

I sat on one of the beach chairs under the umbrella, sipping coconut juice and watched those beautiful Brazilian ladies in their skimpiest bikinis, showing off their curves so confidently. May be the boss is right; I really need to blow off some steam. But I can’t just wear a bikini all of a sudden. I don’t even know how to carry myself in those things. “I probably look like some red sausage bumbling about on the sand!” I said out loud in exasperation.

“Honey, if I were you, I would look gorgeous in a bikini I tell you that”, came a voice from my right. I looked sideways and noticed a pretty girl with long brown hair and in an even prettier sunshine yellow and flowery dress, sitting cross legged on the beach chair and staring out at the sea.

“Oops, sorry I didn’t notice you sitting here. I was just talking to myself and hadn’t realised I said the last sentence out loud”, I said in embarrassment.

The girl just smiled and looked at me, “I’m Kyra by the way. And judging by your look, you are very new to Brazil, am I right?”

“Hi Kyra, nice to meet you and I’m Nancy. Yep, you are not the first one to notice it today!” I laughed.

And soon we got into talking. Kyra was here on a vacation and she was on a fashion and make-over expedition. When I pointed out to her that she looked more fabulous than ever with her current ensemble, she laughed her pretty girly laugh as her sparkly blue eyes looked into mine and said “Well, maybe I’m on an expedition to give you an overall make-over”.

“You know, I really would appreciate that. You look like a girl who knows where a good buy is. So if you are not busy or anything could you hang out with me on a shopping spree?” I asked glad to have found someone to guide me through the unknown shops on the Brazilian streets.

Kyra got up from her chair and put on her big hat. “I’ll be glad to accompany you. So come on Nancy, let’s hit the shops right now. But first you’ll need a big hat and lots of sun-screen. Never let your skin get burnt. It’s a real pain I tell you”, winking at me, she led me to a small cosmetic shop and made me buy one of those Lakmé products with lots of SPF.

“Hey look, that girl on the cover of the sun-screen lotion, she looks exactly like you, with yellow dress and all” I showed her the cover.

“Well how about that! Maybe I’ve done some modelling that I don’t know about!” Kyra said making me laugh. I was glad to have befriended this witty, care-free humorous girl.  

That evening, Kyra and I had visited about two dozen shops all over Rio and that included me burning quite a big hole in my bank balance. Nonetheless, with Kyra’s help I was able to buy really good stuff that ranged from glittery accessories like stoned necklaces and bracelets and feathery ear rings to fabulous clothes like breezy, flowery dresses that were so popular in these parts (and which incidentally complimented my ample curves to my surprise!) and many colourful and fun looking sandals and foot wear.

I did had my doubts when we entered the bikini shop (I suddenly became very aware of all the extra pounds that I had put on recently) but Kyra insisted that I bury my shyness and discomfort as women of all ages and sizes walked around happily in bikinis. “So you have got absolutely nothing to be shy about. And a woman your size is considered sexy, not fat!” she reassured me and that made me feel a lot more comfortable as I solemnly bought two pairs of colourful bikini’s myself.

The next day, I woke up with excitement. Today Kyra had promised to take me out for some sun bathing and relaxation. So I wore my new flowery dress, and sun glasses and pink slip-ons and headed out of my place to the beach. Kyra was already lying on the warm sand, applying sun-tan lotion and she looked amazing in her blue bikini. As I approached her, Kyra grinned at me and said, “Come now sun-shine, let’s see that pretty bikini we shopped last night”.

I was hesitant at first as I eyed my surrounding for any on-lookers, but there were so many men and women disrobing, it really didn’t look like I would be the centre of attention. With a sigh of relief, I removed my dress and lay down on the sand. “Don’t forget your sun screen”, Kyra reminded me again.

I reached into my bag and pulled out Lakmé sun-expert and was in the process of applying some of it to my back when I heard Kyra call my name from a distance. I looked up to see her running towards the sea with a surf board in her hand. I got up and ran to catch up with her in my red bikini and I heard a few wolf whistles at me from random Brazilian guys who were playing volley ball nearby. I imagined gleefully that I might look like a life-guard from the Bay Watch series!

“Kyra, wait-up! I don’t know how to surf!” I called to her, but she was already far off into the sea and she just waved for me to join her.

“I could teach you how to ride the waves, if you like miss.” I turned around to see an attractive Brazilian guy in shorts. “I am Emmanuel and I teach for the beginners”, he added in a strong accent. So I found myself a hot tutor too!

For the next two hours, I graced from being ridiculously clumsy on the surf board to actually sitting on it at least once. Emmanuel was a good tutor and very patient too to handle all my clumsy antics and I immediately took a liking towards him. “You come here every day and I teach you, eh?” he asked me hopefully and I nodded my head in excitement and waved him good-bye for the day.

I saw Kyra drying her hair and galloped towards her with a weird grin on my face. “I see somebody found a new interest in surfing!”She laughed at me seeing that ridiculous look on my face. “Um, you know how it is...” was all I could manage to say without blushing like a little girl.

That night, Kyra took me to an awesome pub by the sea shore and we had a blast with tequilas and martinis. Boosted by our drinks we both invaded the dance floor and I felt like the night would never end. And I bumped into Emmanuel on the dance floor too and we got to know each other more. The night was turning out to be magical after-all.

The next few days were as exciting as the first day on the beach. I was hanging out more with Emmanuel both on and off the beach as we went snorkeling, paragliding and he even taught me how to skate. And gradually, I saw very little of Kyra. She was always around whenever I had any wardrobe or make-over emergencies. Other than that, she used to magically disappear from my sight.

Very soon, my extended vacation had stretched over a week. And within this span of time, I had changed from being a shy, introverted Canadian girl to this care-free, fun-loving and almost-tanned-enough-to-be-called- Brazilian Woman.

I had never given much thought to my wardrobe or make-over’s. Back in my Canadian home it really didn’t matter what I wore as anything I wore would be covered by a thick jacket and a scarf. But in Brazil, one had to be in their bare minimum in order to withstand the heat. And all thanks to Kyra, she had helped me out when I needed proper fashion guidance. Now I can confidently walk into a bikini shop and select the one that suits me the best. Kyra helped me overcome my silly fears and shyness. And only because of that, I was able to talk and hangout with Emmanuel. Kyra lit up a side of me that I didn’t know existed in me till now.

And where is Kyra now, do you ask? Well, Kyra is a part of me. She is that bubbly-sided personality in me who lights me up from deep down. Like you, even I thought Kyra was a different person altogether, until recently, when I looked into the mirror, a pair of sparkling blue eyes stared right back at me and that’s when I realized, me and Kyra were the same person.

There’s always a Kyra within every girl. You just have to trust yourself and boost up your confidence to bring her out!

 ***

P.S: After two weeks of a wonderful vacation, it was time for me to get back to work. I walked into my work place in one of my flowery dress and all my colleagues gave me happy thumbs up as some shouted "Aye Caramba!!" and my boss’s voice drifted over to me from his cabin, “I see the vacation indeed helped you fit in. Welcome back Nancy and I expect your travel report by tomorrow. Now get to work!”

P.P.S:  Well as I type now, I’m ending my travel report with a double post-script. This is Nancy, signing off and Kyra says hi too!

________________________________________________________________________

This post is written for "The Lakme Diva Blogger Contest" and my post on IndiBlogger can be found here.

This contest is sponsored by: 

More Flash-55 Fictions

1) Eyes Speaks All

Standing inside a bus, I saw him staring at me. His piercing gaze caught my attention. His eyes challenged me. Well, two can play this game! I stared right back at him and our eye-contact continued till the next stop. As I passed him, smiling and ruffling his hair, the little kid said "Bye Didi"!!

2) Splash of Color

“Red, Blue, Green, Orange... all those colours you sport yourself and yet you dare tease me??”

“Colourful, colourful, you are colourful!!” came the jeering.

“But it’s only a streak of pink”, she replied ruefully, checking out her new hair-do from the mirror.

“Behind her, the happy parrot continued to guffaw, “Colourful, colourful, you are colourful!!”

3) Mind Games

Tiny thoughts tickled my mind;

His tiny trots engulfed me to find.

Where did he go? Looked around;

Caught him disappearing behind the forbidden blind-fold.

I followed him, increasing my pace;

Was pulled back by man without a face.

His gurgling laugh made me scream.

“Mommy, wake-up! It’s just a dream!!”

Relief washed over me.

4) Flirt Fail

“Hey there, you need a ride?”

“No thanks, I’m married”, she flashed him her ring-finger.

“Come on baby, get in the car. I don’t mind”, he winked at her playfully.

She glared at him and continued to walk towards the house.

She turned back and yelled, “Honey, quit fooling around and bring in the groceries!”

***

Mag 107 - A Short Fiction

“Don’t you worry honey, there's no one stalking you. It’s all in your head. Now, you get some nice sleep and I shall meet you in your dreams”.

His voice made her smile with relief. “Ever since I met you, my stalking troubles have finally come to an end. Whoever it was has finally given up on me to find a new prey. I used to get these horrible phone calls and letters. You are the only one I have had the courage to confide this horrible secret. It’s like you understand me better than anyone else...”

“There there, I’m the lucky guy here. I would have never imagined I would end up in the life of a famous model such as you. We must thank the stalker for bringing us together honey. Without his intervention, you would never have gotten into my car, asking for my help. Remember the day we met?”

“Yes, how could I forget? I dare not imagine what would have happened to me if you hadn’t safely dropped me off at my house", she laughed feebly."Goodnight Jack. See you in my dreams”.

“You betcha, my angel”.

As Jack (the ripper) placed the phone down, he stared right into the eyes of his next prey. The giant painting magnified her beauty to a remarkable level. An evil grin lit his face to many shades.

“Tonight you will be mine and forever be a dream in many men’s lives, my beautiful angel...”

He took out the knife from his bowler hat and slashed it across her painting. A maniacal laugh reverberated around the empty room.

***

Shared with: The Magpietales

P.S: I know its pretty predictable, I strongly believe in the phrase "practice makes perfect". I hope to better myself with every post.

Realization

Courtesy: Google images

“Would you care to explain your reaction back at the restaurant when you saw that girl?”

“Mom, would you please give it a rest. It had nothing to do with her. I don’t recall making any reactions that you so badly want me to explain”.

“Don’t lie to me Nicolaus, we were in a middle of a very serious conversation and all of a sudden you spilled yourself with wine when that waitress arrived with our food.  And I observed a very cold reaction on the girl’s face when she looked at you. Don’t tell me you are befriending all the downtowners in this city...”

“Mom please, she just looked like someone I knew back in my college days. That’s all...”

“Okay honey. I’m just concerned about your future. You know how much the Andersons family has helped your father in his business. You barely listened to what I said after you saw that girl. Anderson’s daughter Jenna has taken quite a liking for you. I have called her to our residence tomorrow. Would you please stay back and engage her. She’s a doll Nicolaus and I’m sure you will tell me the same after you see her tomorrow.”

“I really don’t have time to play house guest Mom. Why don’t you two ladies talk? Don’t involve me in this. I’m not ready to see anyone right now.”

“What do you mean you are not ready? You are 28 and the most eligible bachelor in our social circle. Of course you are ready to settle down Nicolaus. What’s gotten into you lately? I hope you are not on some dingy drugs...”

“Think what you like mom but don’t expect me to stay back tomorrow.”

 Saying so, Nicolaus stormed out of the house, got into his car and drove all the way to the restaurant they had just come from.

Parking his car right beside the brightly lit “Four seasons Restaurant”, he watched her as she carried out food trays in and out of the kitchen.

Where were you all these days Caroline?

His mind wandered back to a memory that took place 6 years ago.

One late night, Caroline had called him saying there was something she needed to talk to him about. They were both studying at the same university and they were dating from four months.

“Hi baby, what’s so important that you called me to meet you at this hour?”

With her head bent down she said slowly, “Nick, I’m pregnant...”

The news had shocked him but he didn’t show it. He needed to handle this very carefully. There was no way he was ready to father a child at this point in his life. His father was the CEO of a top Marketing Company and a lot of responsibilities were waiting for him back at home.

He hugged her and whispered, “Its ok Caroline, everything will be fine. I promise you...”

She looked at him in surprise and said, “Really? This is fine with you?”

“Yes of course, there is no need to panic. Tomorrow let’s go to Doctor Martha and she will take care of everything. She is a close acquaintance with my family and we can let her do her thing and in two weeks everything will be back to normal. You can attend your classes and we can go back to dating...”

As he saw her hopeful eyes change from shock to anger, he knew he had just said all the wrong things.

“I’m keeping the baby Nick. I don’t need your help. I made up my mind last week itself. Yes, I knew this news from one week. I found courage to let you know today. I hoped you would react to it differently and I almost believed you will help me raise the baby when you said “everything will be fine”. If killing the baby is fine, then I don’t want fine. You get it?”

Anger still burning in her eyes, she backed away from him and said her final words, “Good-bye Nicolaus”.

He had been a coward to call her back and hold her hand and give her his support. Deep in his heart, he wanted to be there for her but the thought of letting his father and mother down made him stop in his track and just turn away.

He had always wondered where she was and whether his child was a boy or a girl. But he had put these issues behind him as he slowly rose above the business ladder.

But when he saw her tonight, that was the first time in six years he was brought back to the ground.

How selfish I've been all these years. Because of me, she left her education to raise a child. We both are responsible and I selfishly backed out. That look she gave me a couple of hours back. I know she will never forgive me. But how selfless of her to not bring the issue up in front of my mother.

Then he saw her coming out of the restaurant with her coat and scarf on. As she waited by the curb for the bus, he gathered his courage and approached her.

“How have you been Caroline?”

“Nick!! You startled me... what are you doing here?”  Her eyes were reacting with his, furiously searching for answers.

“I didn't know you worked here... I thought you moved back to Jersey to your parent’s home after you told me the news...”

“Well, my parents weren’t exactly supportive with my decisions either. Like you, they were ashamed of me. So after a month there, I moved back to NYC... But why do you care Nicolaus, you must be happily married by now as per your parent’s choice”, she scoffed at him.

“Caroline, I’m really sorry. No, I have no right to apologize. I know you will never forgive me...” After a moment’s hesitation he finally said the words he had wanted to say all night, “I never should have left you Caroline. I should have supported you and our child. I’ve been a terrible boyfriend and now a terrible father too... please can I see our child? I don’t even know whether it’s a boy or a girl. I have no right to ask you this... but...”

Caroline held up her hand and cut him off, “Save the apologies Nick. I don’t need it. I’ve moved on and even though I work part time at a restaurant, I’ve saved enough money to finish my education. Emma and I are doing absolutely fine. I’ve told her daddy is not here with us as he is away on a trip. She is too young to understand. When she grows up she’ll know...”

“She doesn’t have to know Caroline. I want to see her and be with her. I want you both in my life. I know I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life. I’m not going to make another one again. I love you Caroline and I always have...”

“You can see her Nick, I will not deprive you of that. But please don’t enter my life again. Life is tough but I’ve learnt a lot along the way. I’m content with how I am. We don’t need you Nick. I didn’t need you back then and I don’t need you now”.

“I know Caroline, that you are rightfully angry at me, but I’m rightfully sorry too and I want to make things right again. I don’t care what my parents think anymore. It’s you and Emma that I want in my life...”

“Let’s not talk about that now. Come I’ll take you to my home. You meet her once and you please leave and don’t ever enter our lives again”.

“Why Caroline... Why are you being so aggressive? I really do want to be a part of your life. I want to raise my child with you. I deserted you because of fearing my parents. I was a coward until now. I’ve come to realise, no amount of power and money gives happiness in life. All these days, I lead a robotic life. I was empty inside. My decisions have made my parents happy but I certainly am not. When I saw you tonight, the past memories that I tried so hard to hide came back to me and I feared they will torture me from inside. But no, I found new hope Caroline. Seeing you tonight after all these years, has given me new hope...”

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“Save your words Nicolaus, because after you see Emma, I’m sure you will back out again...”

 She shook her head slowly and said,” Our daughter is crippled Nicolaus, from waist down. She was born that way. That’s the reason, I never really called you. You left me when you heard I was having your baby. Would you have really come back if you knew your daughter was crippled?”

 She wiped away her tears and spoke, “It’s ok Nick. I love her so much that she doesn’t need a father figure. You don’t have to disgrace your family with a crippled heir you know...”

Unconfined tears rolled down Nicolaus's eyes.“Caroline, please... I’m not a monster to turn my back even after hearing all these”.

Nicolaus took Caroline’s hand and lead her to his car. “Please take me to my daughter and not one more word above that.”

As he looked into her now surprised yet happy eyes, he knew she had found her answer at last.

Shared with: Theme Thursday

P.S:  Sometimes when I least expect it, I end up writing a short story in one sitting. Two months ago I had some characters in my mind. I had visualised a restaurant and a couple seated at a table. I had planned to let the female character tell the male character that she was pregnant, but before she can do that the male character would tell that he had fallen in love with someone else and that he was leaving her. That’s all I could come up with 2 months ago and I really didn’t know how to weave a starting and ending to such a plot. I had almost given up on this story. Today, I happen to stop by at the Theme Thursday blog and the theme was “reaction”. I’m still bewildered, how the word reaction caused me to write up this story. I guess I reacted to it at last!!