Tag: family

Medical terms

“Well, the severity of chemotherapy varies from person to person. For some its a seven-course treatment, and for some, it’s just one. And who’s to say, sometimes neither survives longer than a few months. In any case, Mom, it’s difficult to generalise the effects of chemo.”

As Dr. Castro spoke, his mother cast him a look of love and distain. Candid though he was about his own disease, his impassiveness pained her.

Driving away, Dr. Castro let a single tear fall from behind the mask he’d worn all day. After all, he’d never see his daughter dress up for prom.

Deserving

The Masons never hurt a soul. With abundant wealth, the childless couple donated to countless charities every year. They were good people.

They didn’t deserve a stillborn.

The doctor held the unmoving child, as he extended trembling arms. His wife slept, peaceful and unaware. The never-existed ghost of a smile played on his daughter’s face. Time froze. What would he say when his wife asked? He’d promised her all would be well. He’d assured her. He was to blame.

As his tear dropped on its cheek, the baby stirred. Before he could comprehend, his Hope blinked and began to cry.

Unseen

The detective studied the rotting corpse laid out on the table in front of him. She had lived the high life, he could tell from her manicured finger nails and pruned eyebrows. She’d made conscious efforts on her appearance, he realised observing a sheen of foundation clinging to skin that stretched over handsome cheekbones. Young and married to a wealthy realtor who was working out of town, nothing about Keira betrayed the cause of her sinister suicide.

He scrutinised her for a sign. Why had she overdosed on sleeping pills? Alas, he couldn’t have known: loneliness left its mark within.

Memories

Though he had to walk an extra mile, he chose the longer route. That way, he could avoid the forlorn building.

It’d been an impressive construction once. The entire village witnessed the minister inaugurate the glass factory. Thousands of workers marched every morning into the building alight with energy and abuzz with activity. The villagers could afford additional meals and silk garments. For five months everything had been wonderful. Until one afternoon a machine collapsed and the boiling liquid ruined eighty families.

The factory had been abandoned since. And Prem had dropped out of school to replace his father elsewhere.

Welcoming a New Year

“I’m allergic to negativity. It’s my New Year’s resolution.”

Jessica said to the woman smiling at her from the mirror. She brimmed with self-confidene and positivity. New Year’s Eve had been crazy. She’d dined with friends from work before heading out again to welcome the new year with friends from college. As she washed away the previous night’s vodka and lemon from her hair, she also washed away all her problems.

Shielding her eyes from the bright light, she stepped out of her apartment and into the gleaming Honda Civic fresh from a service. Enjoying the lingering buzz, she zoomed her way to the towering corporate building.

————————————

“Chai!”

Jesintha cowered as her father’s foot jabbed her ribs. She should’ve known. The previous night had been New Year’s Eve—as if he’d needed reason. Before he kicked again, she sat up rubbing her swollen eyes.

Her mother died giving birth to her on a New Year’s Day. The man who’d raised her didn’t resemble a parent. He’d give her enough to last the day—she’d cook, clean, and eat leftovers. He’d sleep at the toddy shop, coming home for tea every morning. Unless she overslept. That’d result in black eyes and aching ribs.

Handing him chai, she wished only one thing: to be elsewhere on her next birthday.