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.

Comments

  1. Brilliantly written, Saru. Such profound emotions, captured in this short story. It was a great read :)

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  2. Wow! Two intertwined stories; both tragic. Beautifully penned, Saru.

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  3. Short, poignant and terribly tragic.

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  4. Wonderfully written - and poignant!

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  5. Nice. Till I reached the end, I thought it was the other way round.

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    1. I wanted to change the obvious. Thanks for reading, Somali.

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  6. Beautiful! The Other Woman is not always the mean vixen popular media makes her out to be... this story reminds me of that :)

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  7. WoW! I didn't expect the sublime finish. It's brilliantly narrated. Simply superb, Saru:)

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  8. What a soulful piece, literally made me brimming with emotions. Hats off :')

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  9. You kept us on toes till the end!

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  10. Wonderfully written and very beautiful...

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  11. The characters came alive in this short. Beautifully written!

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  12. beautiful creativity... short, precise and perfect one... superlike... :-)

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  13. a truly engaging narration you have here Saru...great!

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  14. Short and crisp! and excellent narrative.!

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  15. Hmm. I wonder which bedroom Ajay will walk into first. Well written, G.

    Leo @ I Rhyme Without Reason

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  16. Power packed! Well written Saru.

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  17. My goodness. That was incredible. A tale of almost every female next door.. Very well penned.. :)

    Cheers

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  18. Crisp ..is the word Saru .. Everybody has a story I feel !

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  19. Short with extensive emotions.. Loved the end.. Brilliantly laid out Saru.. You are venturing into uncharted waters and conquering the waves , as always..

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  20. A perfect example of a short story. You meant a lot there.

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  21. hmm... that's a short and packed one. Nice job, Saru. (y)

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  22. Oh wow, so beautiful! So much pain and remorse and yet nothing to be said.

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  23. I love the pain u artistically express pain...

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  24. Wow! This was so well penned, Saru.

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  25. Such short and so nicely expressed....loved it, Saru!

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  26. Super short story Saru :). You have captured so many emotions in so few words.

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  27. Yeah, I know many you share the same story.

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  28. Saru it is super excellent. Only you can depict such emotions.

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  29. That was beautiful.
    In 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.

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    1. I am doing good. How are you? You go into hibernation. Will call you soon and thanks a bunch for reading, Punam. :)

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  30. Everyone has a story some express it and some not.

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