She too has a story
Appearances, sigh!
She patted the corner of her eye, dabbed her tears and swallowed her pain. I could feel the emptiness she was hiding. She looked at me as if it was a gentle 'thank you' for my mute presence. She smiled meekly, I prompted that too. Then, she started fiddling with her mobile as I pretended to read. The story of my everyday commute back home - being part of someone's story, sharing a gesture here and there.
But she was an exception. Those big brown eyes pierced inside my soul. Unaware of the effect her presence had on me, she smiled intermittently. It was a fake smile, I could tell. I have seen her real smile. It is far more radiant and earnest. Ajay keeps their photo in his purse. I am waiting for the day either he takes that photo out or I kick him out of my life. Till that happens, three of us will live with a heavy heart and a torn soul.
And here comes her stop, she will walk into her empty bedroom and I will walk into a messed one.
There - she has a story and I too, have one. Albeit, a little different. She is a wife and I am the other woman.
P. S. Sorry for not replying to your comments and reading your blogs. Life was a little hectic.
She patted the corner of her eye, dabbed her tears and swallowed her pain. I could feel the emptiness she was hiding. She looked at me as if it was a gentle 'thank you' for my mute presence. She smiled meekly, I prompted that too. Then, she started fiddling with her mobile as I pretended to read. The story of my everyday commute back home - being part of someone's story, sharing a gesture here and there.
But she was an exception. Those big brown eyes pierced inside my soul. Unaware of the effect her presence had on me, she smiled intermittently. It was a fake smile, I could tell. I have seen her real smile. It is far more radiant and earnest. Ajay keeps their photo in his purse. I am waiting for the day either he takes that photo out or I kick him out of my life. Till that happens, three of us will live with a heavy heart and a torn soul.
And here comes her stop, she will walk into her empty bedroom and I will walk into a messed one.
There - she has a story and I too, have one. Albeit, a little different. She is a wife and I am the other woman.
P. S. Sorry for not replying to your comments and reading your blogs. Life was a little hectic.
Brilliantly written, Saru. Such profound emotions, captured in this short story. It was a great read :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Purba.
DeleteWow! THAT was marvellous
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sir.
DeleteWow! Two intertwined stories; both tragic. Beautifully penned, Saru.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kiran.
DeleteShort, poignant and terribly tragic.
ReplyDeleteWonderfully written - and poignant!
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteWow, nice story.
ReplyDeleteThanks and welcome back.
DeleteNice. Till I reached the end, I thought it was the other way round.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to change the obvious. Thanks for reading, Somali.
DeleteOh!! It was just wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteBeautiful! The Other Woman is not always the mean vixen popular media makes her out to be... this story reminds me of that :)
ReplyDeleteTrue that, we all have shades of grey.
DeleteWoW! I didn't expect the sublime finish. It's brilliantly narrated. Simply superb, Saru:)
ReplyDeleteThanks Vishal. :)
Deleteportrayed beautifully....
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteWhat a soulful piece, literally made me brimming with emotions. Hats off :')
ReplyDeleteThank you, Maitreni. :)
DeleteYou kept us on toes till the end!
ReplyDeleteThank you, ma'am :)
DeleteWonderfully written and very beautiful...
ReplyDeleteThanks and welcome here.
DeleteThe characters came alive in this short. Beautifully written!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much.
Deletebeautiful creativity... short, precise and perfect one... superlike... :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Ashish.
Deletea truly engaging narration you have here Saru...great!
ReplyDeleteThank you.
Deletethat is so interesting!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely wonderful story
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lata.
DeleteShort and crisp! and excellent narrative.!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ajay!
DeleteHmm. I wonder which bedroom Ajay will walk into first. Well written, G.
ReplyDeleteLeo @ I Rhyme Without Reason
Hehehe...G :P
DeleteThanks for reading, Vinay!
Power packed! Well written Saru.
ReplyDeleteThanks Janaki!
DeleteShort n crisp, Saru:)
ReplyDeleteThanks Sir.
DeleteMy goodness. That was incredible. A tale of almost every female next door.. Very well penned.. :)
ReplyDeleteCheers
Thanks! :)
DeleteCrisp ..is the word Saru .. Everybody has a story I feel !
ReplyDeleteTrue that, Kokila!
DeleteWell penned Saru.
ReplyDeleteShort with extensive emotions.. Loved the end.. Brilliantly laid out Saru.. You are venturing into uncharted waters and conquering the waves , as always..
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for a lovely comment. :)
DeleteA perfect example of a short story. You meant a lot there.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Neo.
Deletehmm... that's a short and packed one. Nice job, Saru. (y)
ReplyDeleteThanks Dee!
DeleteOh wow, so beautiful! So much pain and remorse and yet nothing to be said.
ReplyDeleteThanks Soumya!
DeleteI love the pain u artistically express pain...
ReplyDeleteWow! This was so well penned, Saru.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rachna.
DeleteSuch short and so nicely expressed....loved it, Saru!
ReplyDeleteThanks Latha!
DeleteBeautifully presented Saru!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteSuper short story Saru :). You have captured so many emotions in so few words.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I know many you share the same story.
ReplyDeleteSaru it is super excellent. Only you can depict such emotions.
ReplyDeleteHumbled, thank you so much ma'am!
DeleteThat was beautiful.
ReplyDeleteIn spite of being "the other woman" she acknowledges the beauty of the wife.
In spite of being the reason for that tear, and the one to steal that smile, she admires the radiance of her smile.
PS: How are you doing, Saru? Let me know when you come to India. We haven't caught up for a long time.. my numbers haven't changed.
I am doing good. How are you? You go into hibernation. Will call you soon and thanks a bunch for reading, Punam. :)
DeleteCrisp and well expressed!
ReplyDeleteThank you
DeleteEveryone has a story some express it and some not.
ReplyDeleteVery true
Delete