Today’s story is inspired from this couple of leaves that dangled off a dry branch. The leaves had been burnt gray in the winter frost, yet they caught my eye for the sparkle in their texture was hard to miss. These are most probably oak leaves and I just loved the way the dark veins were popping out against the ash gray.
“Only an act of true love can thaw a frozen heart.” – Frozen by Walt Disney
There was a couple sitting in the cafe when I walked in. As the light was low, I didn’t know who they were until the woman turned around, and I saw it was my wife. Her eyes sparkled with the familiar intensity as her mouth curved up in a warm smile. My heart skipped a beat as always and I rushed to greet her. I couldn’t believe I had found her so easily.
Just then the man said something to her and she looked up to him, laughing uproariously. The green monster bit so hard into me and I looked at him keenly.
Who was he?
Why was he with her?
How could he make her laugh like this?
He seemed to be a young man of about 25, fairly good looking with a cheeky mouth that matched the impish twinkle in his eyes. Who was he? I decided to walk up to their table with an intent to figure out his identity.
Just then they pushed back their chairs and got up to leave. His easy familiarity with her was obvious in the way he helped her to put on her coat. Abandoning my earlier plan, I decided to follow the couple.
I walked out and my eyes were assaulted by the bright light after the dimness of the café. Blinking my eyes helped and when I could focus, I saw them at the end of the block. Laughing and talking, they walked arm in arm in obvious comfort of each other’s company.
The first seeds of doubts took root in my head.
Had she moved on?
Did she just forget me so soon?
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Even as I gazed after them, a cacophony of colors swum in my line of vision, making me blink very hard. It was a bunch of helium balloons, swaying in gay abandon as the peddler coaxed the passer-by into buying them.
She loves them and whenever I would buy her one, she would tie it to one of her fingers. We would march hand in hand around the block while the blown up bauble would amuse her with its drunken swagger. Mind you we really made a spectacle of ourselves, much to the amusement of people around. But she didn’t care and would do it every time.
There was an ache in my chest by now as I yearned to buy her one. I wanted to hold her, run my finger through her auburn tresses and tell her how much I have missed her.
Would she remember me?
Would she be angry at my abandoning her?
Doubt after doubt began tearing up my confidence.
I followed the couple morosely, trying to nudge my bravado. It took another hit when I saw her ruffle his hair affectionately. He jumped back in mock horror and chided her for ruining it. Their easy banter suggested this was a routine thing between them.
I was by now very conflicted. If she had moved on and rightly so as I did leave without any explanation, then maybe I shouldn’t barge back into her life. She might not thank me for it.
Was I ready for her angry and hurt recriminations?
Was it better to let sleeping dogs lie?
“Love is putting someone else’s need before yours. ” – Frozen by Walt Disney
But I couldn’t will my feet to turn around. I had to meet her once and make amends if I could. Thrusting my hands deep into my pockets, I cut into a brisk walk to catch up to them. They were standing at the curb, waiting for the lights to change to cross the road.
I caught up to them and cleared my throat nervously to signal my presence. Neither turned around to notice me. I lifted a hand to gently poke her on the shoulder. I nearly passed out in shock when my hand just went through her.
What just happened?
I held up my hand to the sunlight and gazed at it in disbelief. A misty vapor of a hand winked back in the sunlight at me.
I looked back at the couple and realized for the first time, how much the young man resembled me. Another shock jolted me to note this was Adil – our first born! Up close I could see the light creasing around her eyes and mouth and the flecks of gray in her tresses. The winter of our separation had been a long one, but she seemed to have eased gracefully into it.
Oh god he hadn’t exactly abandoned her; he had died twenty years ago!
In the times of Corona Virus, I have taken to get back to creative writing and this is the second installment. These stories are prompted from the photographs I had taken on my recent vacation in Uttarakhand. I would love to hear what you thought about this. So please don’t be shy or hesitant in leaving me some brickbats in the comment section. I promise not to hyper ventilate and plan an insidious revenge on you 😉
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page marked..will read later.
I hope you did read it Balaka 🙂
Yes, I did read it. A heartwarming story. From the beginning I had a feeling that he had died but irrespective of the prediction I loved how you weaved the story intricately and delicately. The soothing romance really made my heart calm. The son angle was a twist in a way. I hope you wrote few more during this lockdown. Please post them.
Aww thanks Balaka- that felt so so good to read. Yes I have had a few simmering in the head though havent gotten around to put them on paper. Will just go for it in the coming week, I promise 🙂
Wow Shalz! You must write fiction often, the ending was just mind-blowing!
Loved it! <3
Oh thanks for the confidence boost. When I was done with it I was in two minds over the ending. I kept editing it but couldnt find better words. This feels very good to hear Soumya. Thanks so much!
Read the second sentence, and I was hooked! Very well written and very engaging story. 🙂
Thanks Tarang- this feels very good to hear, coming from you.
Very well written.
Thanks so much Damyanti 🙂
I thought I saw where the story was going. But the sheer live presence of the man in the story kept confusing me. And the emotions left me with a pang. Such love! Beautifully written Shalini!
Wow!!! You sure did make my day Anu – this feels so good to read. Every time I write a story, I have so many doubts about how terrible it is and whether I should post it or not. I love the praise so much – thanks love 🙂
Never expected a jealous ghost ! Really well written and chilling
Glad to hear you enjoyed reading this one Sunita 🙂
I enjoyed the tale . Sort of guessed that he was dead not not the son bit. Nicely done.
Thats good to hear Rachna; love the feedback and glad you enjoyed the writing 🙂
Too good, Shalz!
The last line was a surprise.
Though I knew he was their son. Loved ones never truly desert us, they are near us as our guardian angels.
Stay safe. Take care.
Thanks so much Anita. Positive feedback feels very good to read and encourages me to write more 🙂
I didn’t see that end coming! Love truly transcends beyond….Looking forward to more of your lovely fiction, Shalz.
Thanks so much Corinne. Hoping and waiting for the Festival fo words to come back to write some more..
Nice one Shalz. I got the son bit, but not the ghost bit! Nice thrill actually.
Thanks so much Jayanthy- the comments here are really going to help me work on my next one!
Good one, gripping narrative.
Thanks so much Ramya 🙂
Oh gosh, Shalz!!! What a story! You are so brilliant at weaving stories, girl!
Loved loved loved the story! I really had to keep myself from rushing ahead to know the end 😛
Keep it up, sweetie! You are gifted! <3
Oh now thats some feedback from a terrific fiction writer Shilpa- cherish the comment and many thanks for boosting my confidence 🙂
I am indeed surprised why you don’t write fiction very often? Not just because of this pandemic but I feel like you to turn to creative writing more often than you actually do. It was a very engaging story line and a great narration. Felt like a piece from a novel!
Sometimes I am surprised at myself too- I guess its part laziness and part low self esteem – I need to believe in myself a little more and just keep writing this stories out more often. Thanks for the positive comment Keerthi.
Wow! This was so good, Shalini! You should write more of fiction.
Thank you Parul – seriously considering that thought now that I have such a beautiful response on this one.You know I had started writing this for one of the prompts for the Times Now story writing but never got around to submitting it 🙂
How did I miss this? Loved the little things you put in – that bit about balloons and the easy camaraderie that comes with years of being together. So beautifully told.
Thanks a tonne Tulika – so glad you came by to read this and liked it so much. The feedback from all you wonderful writers is such a high for me 🙂
Nicely done.
Thanks Damyanti 🙂
Lovely narration Shalini! The flow was just perfect, gripping and intriguing. In a span of a few words, you conjured a wonderful imagery of the entire episode. Loved the gorgeous click and the befitting story!
Oh thanks so much Kala- thats such generous praise 🙂 Especially thrilled to hear that you could relate the pic and the story together!
Wow, Shalz! I think this is the first piece of fiction by you that I have read, and I loved it. You should definitely write fiction more often.
Oh the ending… Made my heart weep. What a beautiful heartwarming story. Your narration is so stunning. I love reading it
Oh thanks so much Raji- thats such a lovely thing to hear about one’s writing. Glad you liked it 🙂