“I can’t do this anymore.”
“What do you want? Don’t I provide you with enough? From that dingy one-room flat, you are living in this lavish villa. Jewellery, money, dress – you have everything, still, you keep cribbing. Any woman would be lucky to walk in your shoes.”
“I never wanted your wealth. All I demand is your time and loyalty, Aniket. Can you give me those?”
The woman’s calm demeanour was unnerving Aniket.
“Just stop your melodrama. I had enough of all the theatrics. If you are uncomfortable just leave. Stop complaining about my ways while you survive on my allowance”
The door was slammed with a thud.
Aniket looked at the vanishing silhouette of his partner leaving the boundary of his walls. Some harsh reality was too painful to face head-on.
“I will deal with this later.”
He consoled himself.
*****
Aniket framed the sentences clear in his mind. This was his last chance to amend life. Charming, smart and suave – his words had melted many a heart in past. But, today, he was nervous. Maybe because today he would not just flirt with some random girl. But profess his one true love. There have been mistakes, wrong choices but today he would try to mend them all.
“I messed up a big time. But can’t we start afresh? I’m sorry for all the miserable things I threw your way, assuming so many things, jumping to conclusions without thinking clearly. I’m sorry for being an arrogant fool. God sent you to me because He knew I needed your strength and support. You’re wonderful; you’re everything to me. Come back before it is too late.”
He kept repeating them in his head and waited for the opportune moment.
A familiar fragrance hit his senses soon after. She was here. It was time to pour his heart out.
*******
“Oh, that dreadful moans again.”
Nurse Mary hated her duty at ward number 101. She knew it wasn’t the patient’s fault, for the most part, he wasn’t aware of anything he did anymore. But his moans were loud and unpredictable, each one coming just when Mary tried to rest a little. Sometimes though she felt sorry for him. The man was merely existing by clinging to the tubes and oxygen mask until the sweet angel of death come to take him away.
Such was the volatility of life. This patient called Aniket Sharma was once a successful businessman who led a promiscuous life. But presently he was counting his last days on a hospital bed, all alone, without a single near one to care for.
This post is written for #StorytellersBlogHop FEB 2022 by Ujjwal (https://mywordsmywisdom.com) & MeenalSonal (www.auraofthoughts.com)’.
Alhough i connected the dots in my own way, it would be great if I could read some more words of this story. I liked it a lot.
May be I will write a larger version of it …thanks for reading
Life throws several curve balls at us, sometimes plain destiny on others karma. Would love to read more of this tale.
Will plan an extended version . Thanks for reading
A hard hitting story that teaches us never to take things for granted.
Thanks for reading
Balance is very important yet ignored facts of life. Specially Urban life.
Amazing story.
Thanks a lot for reading.
This is the harsh reality. All we need to live a peaceful life is counting our blessings and spreading as much as smiles we can. This is what is life made with. But people don’t realize this simple truth and chase their goals, leaving everything behind. Lovely story, Sreeparna. Reality unveiled beautifully.
Thanks a lot for stopping by the blog
The harsh reality of urban modern life. We forget to live and appreciate out of what we have and keep chasing what we can’t have.
Thanks a lot for reading
Call it Fate or Tit for Tat, a befitting end to the story. Not all mistakes can be forgotten, which is what I believe in. I’m glad justice was delivered.
Yes not every mistake can be undone. Thanks for appreaciating
To be more careful about life and not waiting for what has to be said and done at the right time would have given the rich man peace. Harsh reality-driven fiction.
If only he had remembered to count his blessings he would not have taken life so carelessly. Good story!
Our lives are full of complications, of deadlines and stress, what we forget is that most of our problems we make for ourselves, blindly following the pursuit of material happiness. This story brought out that fact beautifully. Kudos
Touching story. Well expressed.
Sad that it had to end like this for Aniket.
Wish people realize sooner and not take everything for granted. Our near and dear need our presence and time.
Life is uncertain. Success, fame and fortune does not last forever. People must choose loved ones, peace and happiness.
We are all puppets in the hands of the destiny. We realize it too late in life. Loved it .
Destiny has its own way to let a person live and let go off this karmic circle of life. I wish I could have read more on this topic. Well written.
Appreciating the life and the people who make it beautiful around it. You have weaved a brilliant story around this message, great take on the prompt.
Nice twist in the tail of the tale
Nice twist in the tail of the tale
The story talks about lot of things. About valuing what we have, about expressing our love and gratitude. Brilliant craft
If only we value our loved ones when there’s time! Wish Aniket had seen what he was missing on sooner. Good story!
Touching story but it was Anikets karma as one may say.
Beautifully penned.
Only when the man thinks he is invincible will life throw a curve ball. Aniket Sharma seemed to have learnt it the hard way.
Life can take gravely sad turns at times, and you have captured this well in your story.
Never take things for granted!
We may have unexpected turns life throw’s at us.
Love the story, and the message