Bridging The Gap...


'Stop looking in the mirror,' Reema instructed Sanjay. 'The signal is red and it's for three minutes. So, just chill,' he replied to his wife who was extra protective of their new car. 'By the way, what are you admiring in yourself?' she teased.

'Not admiring silly, something is stuck between my teeth. Trying to pluck it out,'  Sanjay tried to soothe the irritating area with his tongue. 'We should keep toothpicks in the dashboard; now we have a car, we can carry whatever we like,'  his wife didn't miss the opportunity to take pride in the new possession. 

'Drive!' she pointed towards the green light and thanked her superstitious mom. Unlike her husband who had perfect teeth, Reema had huge gap between her teeth. Her mother believed in the superstition that gap between teeth brought good luck. So, the imperfection was never corrected. She hated it but at least nothing ever got stuck in her teeth. She plugged in her headphones and listened to her favorite song.

She enjoyed the drive back home. No pacing down from office to bus stop, no struggle to push people to get into the bus and no tricks to catch a seat. She could spend more time with her husband. Now, they came back together in their new car. She loved the traffic signals a lot. They talked about their day and the halt at traffic signals was perfect to prolong that conversation. They listened to their favorite songs, chatted, stopped at road-side for snacks. She felt fresh when she reached home.

Reema started advocating her new found bliss to her friends. 'You should also buy a car. It's so much fun. We talk, listen to music and enjoy,' she brimmed with pride. 'Listen to music? I would rather finish my work on my laptop and watch my favorite shows on TV later at home,' one of her friends contested. Reema liked the idea, she pondered and did the same that day while going back home. She immersed herself in work and completed the task even before she reached home.

Once back, she changed and cooked. Then, she sat in front of TV to watch her favorite shows. 'Sanjay, this is amazing. Why don't you come and watch.' 'No, I don't like these saas-bahu sagas,' he went for stroll after dinner and Reema paid no heed to the beginning of a drift.

She continued this routine for few days and when Sanjay couldn't bear it, he tried to talk about it. 'Reema, we bought the car for comfort. You always said we should spend some time together. Now all you do is everything but that.' 

'No, what are you saying? We come together and we eat together,' she tried to defend herself.

'But, you work in the car. We eat together but you watch TV and we hardly talk,' he corrected her.

'Sanjay, I do everything, don't start fighting now. Please understand even I need some space,' she almost yelled this time.

Sanjay didn't try to correct her. She continued with her routine, created space for herself. Slowly the long chatters dimmed to occasional conversations. The drive back home turned from being joyous to dull to boring. Instead of feeling fresh, she felt tired when she reached home. Her life become mechanical. Sanjay went along with Reema's lifestyle. He became quieter, giving his wife her much needed space.

'You look tired. Are you not keeping well?' Reema's friend asked her. 'Nah! just busy,' she replied. 

With passing days almost everybody asked her the same question. She could feel the change in Sanjay's behavior too. Her life became a chart, set of statistics where she ticked all activities but enjoyed none. She was caught in a labyrinth, she was ignoring all the warning signs which could solve her problem.

'I am doing everything right,' she wondered. She looked in the mirror and tried to smile. She could see the sadness even in the curve of her lips. To add to her anxiety, she found that the gap between her teeth became more prominent, as if distance between her teeth was a metaphor for her personal life. Her words struck her back. She needed space and she never realized when that space became distance.

She picked her phone and texted Sanjay - 'Lets go home early today. Pick me at 5.' 

He came slightly curious but was happy to find the glorious smile on Reema's face. 'What happened? Hope everything is ok.'  

'Nothing much. Sanjay, have you noticed the gap between my teeth has increased? she smiled, turned her face towards her husband to show him the gap.

'How would I? You rarely smile these days. You are super busy, enjoying your personal space,' he answered.

'I know what you are trying to say. I know I've been wrong. Now I realize that if not checked, space can become distance in relationships and can shake the foundation. It can make life dull and less attractive,' she teasingly pointed towards her teeth.

'Don't worry Reema, you can consult a dentist OR buy back your teeth from the tooth fairy to fill the gap,' he smiled at his own joke.

'Buying back sounds a better option considering the dentist fee,' she played along.

'…And what about the distance in relationships you were talking about?' Sanjay asked.

'What distance?' she moved closer to Sanjay and smiled.

***********************

The moral of the story is don't let space become distance; it's not good for relationship and teeth. 


Comments

  1. Good one! All the best Saru :-)

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  2. Excellent story. Yes we should fill all possible gaps.

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  3. Wonderful post Saru :) I liked the moral of the story very much. It was so true .

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  4. Very sweet story, thoroughly enjoyed reading it :)Loved the message too...

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  5. Too good. I'm gonna share this on my FB wall. Must read for all. :-)

    By the way, I too have space between my teeth. But I don't seem to be very lucky. :-P

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    1. Even I don't so, I have so much space between all my teeth. Super excited to know that you liked the story that much. Thrilled to read your comment. Thanks a ton Rekha :)

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  6. Wow... what a beautiful metaphor.. .teeth ~ relationship! loved it!

    Also, I like one thing..you use indian names while writing fictions, i've seen many ppl is US use american names.. somehow that doesn't work for me.. and indian names here, make me smile! :)

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    1. You can use English names if the plot is such, like in 'Mont Blanc and a sip of wine,' I used English names. Otherwise, it doesn't make sense.

      Happy you like the story and the metaphor. Thanks for reading Mi :)

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  7. I liked the way the conversation restarted between the two, by showing gap of the teeth.
    Lovely story ended well...Beautiful piece of writing. I enjoyed it thoroughly...
    Keep rocking!

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    1. That what matters the most to any writer. Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for reading Mithlash :)

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  8. Saru this is a very sweet story about relationships.Wish you all the best.

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  9. Good one. Loved the moral wrapped prettily in gaps :)

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  10. Gaps are good only when we can fill them whenever we feel like doing... the moment they become big pits.. something is definitely wrong

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  11. very good superone. moral is very inspring in relationship keep writing

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  12. Great thought, Saru - Don't let spaces fester for so long that become distances.

    I did notice one thing, not sure if it was intentional. The tense you used in the narration seemed to flip from past to present to past, especially in the earlier portions of the story. It usually happens with me, too, when I start writing a piece in one tense but then decide to change it to another, but forget to change it across the entire text! Just thought I'd alert you.

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    1. It was not intentional. I hurt my right hand and can use it for few minutes at a stretch. I write a paragraph here and there, format and paste it. That's why there was inconsistency. Thanks for pointing it.

      And glad you like the idea :)

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  13. good story.....you mixed all the shades of a matrimonial relationship....

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  14. Very good story and true to its core. Some times the along with a smile, the term 'we' creates wonder and bridges the gap created by 'I.

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  15. Beautiful story...loved the dental aspect :)

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  16. Not good for teeth! LOL What a punch!

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  17. Conjugal Bliss gets blurred when couples distance themselves in the name of giving space to each other. Wonderful write, Saru.

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    1. It does happen. Thank you so much for reading and sharing Sir :)

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  18. Sometimes the gap which were intentionally put become so huge that they cannot be mended ever again. Loved this post. So you are a poet and a amazing storyteller!

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    1. That is so true, we create differences in that process. Thanks for reading and for an encouraging comment RH :)

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  19. The end made me smile :)
    Such a simple story, but with so much of meaning.
    You're an amazing writer. You know that, right? :)

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    1. Nah! I am learning and I'm grateful to all the lovely people on blogosphere for accepting me with my flaws. Thanks for reading and for a wonderful comment Juhi :)

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  20. Loved the connection..space between teeth and relationship.
    To fix the space between teeth we need a dentist but for relationship we need to work ourselves.

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  21. It took me a while to figure out this was an entry to the contest, it was blended in so well with the story! Loved the import of space becoming distance.
    All the best, Saru!

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  22. Nice little message. You packed it into the story so beautifully, Saru.

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    1. Thank you so much Divya. Thrilled to read your comment :)

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  23. This has become a reality in every home. But people hardly realize this to correct it as everybody feel they are right.

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    1. Very true, we are busy living a mechanical life. Thanks for reading Rajesh :)

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  24. I didn't realize what you're saying at the start... but when I figured it out it turned really true! You rock!

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  25. So from an awesome poet, you have turned into a master story teller. Awesome Saru :)

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  26. Great write-up!Liked it a lot :)

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  27. very nice story saru and quite true too...

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  28. The enduring nature of true love triumphs over all the illusions and restores its essence to those who are in love in an unconditional manner. The theme of conjugal life is brilliantly explored in the story. Enjoyed reading it.

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    1. Very true, they have patience and maturity. Thank you for reading and glad to enjoyed it :)

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  29. again a wonderful read ! Loved the thought 'Don't let spaces fester for so long that become distances.'

    All the best for the contest Saru :)

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    1. Thank you so much Naba and best of luck to you too :)

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  30. Very nice read, the way you have narrated is really good.

    Looking forward to read more.

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  31. the moment this happens, relationships begins dying! Nicely written. All the best Saru!

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    1. Yeah, kinda. Thanks for reading Saurabh and good luck to you too :)

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  32. Cute story. Had me smiling all along :).

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  33. heya.... nice take... gudluck for the contest...:)

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  34. Wow! Banged the nail right. Very interesting plot!
    Good luck, dear! :)

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  35. Brilliantly written! And so true...

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  36. I enjoyed reading this one else and also liked the message that one should fill the gaps between the teeth

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  37. Wow! super story Saru with a very good message!

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  38. a great message and a great story :)

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  39. A beautiful message to learn and remember in relationships, there exists only a thin line between space and distance. Loved reading it as always, all the best for the contest Saru :)

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    1. Yes, there is a thin line and we have to be very careful. Thanks for reading and for your wishes Arti :)

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  40. Lovely writing Saru! Best wishes for the contest... still traveling so a short message!

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  41. Sweet story! Well written and true to life!

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  42. Saru, only you could marry teeth,relationships, morals and a car together for this sweet story. Loved it. Good luck for the competition.

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    1. Hehe...Glad you did and thanks a ton for your wishes Sonia :)

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  43. Nice corelation between relationships and teeth Saru! Too good.. All the best for the contest.. :)

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  44. hahahaha...message is the best part of the whole story...loved it Saru ma'am :) Will be visiting "Words" frequently from now :)

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  45. Did someone mention bridging the gap and teeth?! Consult me and I will send you the bill :)
    Been quite a while since I've been here! Lovely analogy! All the best!

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    1. Bill is the only reason I have been postponing it. Any discount for blogger friends?

      And, thanks for reading and for your wishes Danny :)

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  46. A nice write-up. nice bridging between the gap in teeth and gap in life.

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  47. Congratulations Saru Dear!! very well deserve!! So many comments that I thought I have to scroll forever. Your blog is very popular.. Kudos on that as well!! :)

    XOXO
    Ankita Singhal

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    1. Hehehe...A big big congratulations to you too.

      *Hugs* :)

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  48. This is absolutely a well deserving win.. Great story.. I loved it.

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  49. Great story dear. Congrats for the award.

    Cheers,
    Janika
    http://crazysketchbook.blogspot.in/

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  50. simple but very catchy....worth the win

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  51. Congrats Saru! As always you are rocking at your best :)

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    1. Thanks Uma, I am trying to follow your footsteps. :)

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