Unfinished Story
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THE SINGLE MOTHER
Fiction Short Story
By
VIKRAM KARVE
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A short story is a piece of prose fiction which can be read at a single
sitting.
In today’s technology-driven hectic times – the “span of attention” of
the reader is just a few minutes.
So now – a “single sitting” means just a few minutes.
Dear Reader – let me try to write a very short story that you can read
on your smartphone in a “single sitting” of a few minutes.
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THE SINGLE MOTHER
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PART 1
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“It’s one year since your divorce – have you thought of getting married
again…?” I asked Nisha.
“No…” she said.
“Why…? You are so young…” I said to her.
“I want to focus on my son…” she said, “he is the only thing in my life
now…”
Nisha looked at me and spoke in a resolute voice.
“My son means everything to me – I quit my successful career in Mumbai –
and – I took up this modest job as a teacher in this school up here in the
hills – because I want my son to get the best education…” she said.
“Yes – this is a really good school – internationally acclaimed – top
class, elite and famous – it must be very expensive…” I said to her.
“My son gets free education – that’s the perk I get as a teacher – and –
I am the warden of the girls’ hostel – so – I get free accommodation too…” she
said.
“You really love your son a lot – you sacrificed your career for him –
and your friends and your active social life in Mumbai…” I said to her.
“I didn’t want him growing up in that bohemian atmosphere – my son is 12
now – he will be 13 soon – a teenager – of impressionable age – over there – in
Mumbai – with me spending long hours at work – he may have drifted – but here –
faraway in the hills – the environment in the school campus is conducive for
studies and all-round development – and – I am there for him 24/7 – remember – as
a single parent – I have to be his mother and father both…” she said.
“Yes – a child needs both mother and father – you shouldn’t have got
divorced…” I was saying – when Nisha rudely interrupted me.
“What do you mean “I shouldn’t have got divorced”…? How could I
live with that unfaithful adulterous bastard…? Don’t you know…? He was disloyal
to me – he cheated on me…” Nisha said, angrily.
“You cheated on him too…” I said to her.
“Just once – it was “revenge sex” – on the rebound – when I found out he
being unfaithful and was cheating on me – but – his was a full-fledged
extramarital affair – I think he has married that woman too…” she said – and
looked at me – with a question in her eyes.
“Yes – he married her last month – after her divorce came through…” I
said, matter-of-factly.
“Good for him – let him do what he likes – I don’t care – I just want
him out of our lives…” she said – with a tinge of bitterness in her voice.
“I believe he gave you full permanent custody of your son…” I said to
her.
“Yes – my son is mine – 100% - he can’t even visit him – he has given it
in writing…” she said.
“That’s generous of him…” I was saying – when I saw her flare up.
“Generous…? What nonsense are you talking…? I gave up everything – no
alimony – no maintenance – no child support – I didn’t take a single rupee from
him – not even my share in the house – nothing – absolutely nothing – I took
nothing from him – I just wanted my son – that’s all…” she said, vehemently.
“It’s surprising that he gave up visitation rights for life – I thought
he loved your son…” I said, confused.
“Well – my lawyer “convinced” him…” she said, with a canny look.
“Oh My God…!!!” I said, appalled, “don’t tell me you…”
“Let’s not talk about it…” she interrupted me, “I wanted my son
exclusively for myself – so – we had to use these tactics…”
“But…” I tried to say – but she interrupted me again.
“I don’t want his influence on my son – please try to understand – I
desperately love my son – I will bring him up all by myself – that’s why I have
“burnt my bridges” and come here…” she said, proudly, “I have even told my
father that I want nothing from him…”
“Why…?” I asked her – I knew that her mother had died in her childhood –
she had no siblings – and her father was her only close living relative.
“My father was vehemently opposed to my marriage with that man – he
didn’t even attend the wedding – and now that my marriage has failed – I don’t
think I will be able to bear his sadistic rebukes and hear him say “I told you
so” – I’d rather struggle myself – rather than be at his mercy…” she said, with
a tinge of haughtiness in her tone of voice.
Suddenly – the door opened – and her son came in – a handsome boy –
dressed in sports gear – he had come home after a game of football – his
evening organized sports session.
He smiled at me – wished me “Good Evening” – and went inside.
Nisha looked at me.
“I think you should go now…” she said to me, “it’s almost 6 PM – and – I
have to supervise the evening study session…”
“Yes…” I said, “if you need anything – don’t hesitate to ask me – I’ll
give you my card – you can call me – email – and I’ll be there for you…”
“That’s so kind of you – but – I can manage by myself…” she said,
confidently.
“I know…” I said, took out my visiting card from my wallet and gave it
to her, “just in case – no harm keeping my card…”
Nisha took my visiting card and kept it on the table.
Then – Nisha looked at me – and she spoke in a polite yet firm tone of
voice.
“I have one request…” she said to me.
“Yes…?” I said, wondering what she wanted.
“Please don’t come here again – and don’t ever try to contact me…” Nisha
said to me – and then – she escorted me out of her home and closed the door.
________
I was stunned by her snub – and – I felt hurt at the way she had
rebuffed me.
I decided that I would never ever contact Nisha or try to meet her
again.
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Story To Be Continued in Part 2
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