Occupied by the ghosts

‘You are late again!’ alarmed my amygdala repeatedly, ‘the doctor would have scores of others fighting for his time’. Although my stomach let a sheepish rumble, I ignored it glancing at the loaf of bread on my cupboard, will bite it when I return from the hospital.

Grabbing my wristwatch and tinkering with my belt, I bolted out, closing the door shut and pressing for the lift.

The local metro was crowded as usual, but no matter what the crowd, the gentlemen in the first class compartment wouldn’t occupy the seat for the handicapped. Even when the train is packed, that one seat near the door would stay vacant as if occupied by a ghost that everyone acknowledges.

The doctor didn’t look angry when I entered his cabin half-an-hour late, instead he looked morose, he asked me to sit and started presenting the test results sequentially.

At the point he said, “It’s stage IV.”
My ears switched off at that point as if on mute.
I couldn’t remember hearing anything of what he said after.

After the visit, I returned home, the rumble in my tummy grew louder, I reached for the bread. Light-green mushy fungal mass had spread to almost every loaf.
For a moment, the loaf of bread looked like a mirror, reflecting my whole life. Should not have wasted an entire loaf of bed, should have enjoyed it to the fullest when I had the time.

I got back into the metro, to get some groceries, and a loaf of bread.
I stood next to the ghost seat, but something written on its signboard caught my attention, a detail I never noticed in all these years,
Seat reserved for handicapped and cancer patients

Just then I got a call from my mother, I picked it up,

“Ma, I have good news and bad news for you,”

“Okay…. What is the good news?”

“I would no longer have to stand in the metro again.”  

With a chuckle, she replied “Oh, that is wonderful, now what is the bad news?”

THE END         

Author's Note

Please occupy the below space with your comments :)

Reviews

[¿]

Outstanding content inside this story!!
Wasn't boring even for a flicker...each words and lines were just amazing to read...the bad news you left unwritten, left on the readers to understand...which was actually easy to guess but thrilling at the same time...am absolutely agreeing to emma, this story needs to be read!! Thanks for sharing☺!

[Kichu]

Thank you for the review once again Tahsin. I am humbled. Feel free to share this with your friends if you liked it. I would be more than grateful :D

[¿]

I will and a xerox of this piece will be in my library!!
You're heartedly welcome😊!

[barleygirl]

I was read-requested by two of the best writers on this website (Tahsin & emmajoy)! Consider yourself well-admired! *wink! wink!* And add me to your list of admirers! This is an amazing story. I can’t believe what an impact you’ve created in such a short short ditty. This is so powerful, the way you paint a few daubs of details here & there, leading us thru these few main stepping stones & leaving the rest to our imaginations. The passage about the moldy bread – that is true brilliance, when it comes to metaphors. You say barely enuf but using such vivid words, the scene pops in the reader’s mind. I’m still pondering the way this ended. It’s such a twist on how this seemed to be going & I always love a story that loops back to some seemingly insignificant detail from the beginning of the story! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Kichu]

It took me a while to discover this website and now that I am finally here. I feel like this is one big family where writers celebrate each others craft. I am delighted and humbled beyond measure. This is one culture republic where ART is the only language right?

I have many short stories and poetry coming up ma'am, would love to hear your thoughts on them as well. Do subscribe for more and stay tuned.
Thanks again for the encouraging words :D

[barleygirl]

I really love this website . . . will accept your friend request in a minute . . .

[Kichu]

Thank you Ma'am

[Onlyme]

Good story but sadly so true for a lot of people in this world. It funny how people with cancer have a great sense of humour helps to comfort and support one's own emotions. In great upset.

[Kichu]

Yes. Bang on. You have figured out the thought behind this story. Thank you for your review.

[Wild Rose]

Been there > With my wife > She had pains which refused to go away > Went to the docs
Three weeks later I brought her home from hospital > that was year 2000
Now we travel in a camper van > just keep taking the tablets

Hope you have the same luck

[Kichu]

This is a work of fiction. However, I am deeply sorry for your loss.
Thank you for the review.

[Wild Rose]

Sorry I didn't express myself properly
No loss the operation was a success just take the tablets eighteen years since . both retired and free to roam

[Kichu]

Oh Oh. SO SOrry I completely misinterpreted ure previous message. I am happy everything is well now

[Wild Rose]

Work of fiction - maybe it is
But You caught the feelings that serious illness can produce > Not only cancer

[emmajoy]

Fine flowing content, phrased gently and near enough perfectly. As for the ending: though tragic, is in its own way, brilliant. This story needs to be read.

[Kichu]

Thank you so much emma. Do share this story with your friends if you'd like. and subscribe for more '100-word flash fiction' :D

[emmajoy]

I invited a few to read it.. hope at least a few do.. can't make people do so however!

[Kichu]

Hahahaha... Wow... This means a lot. Thanks :D ... People who love it will thank you for bringing it to their notice, I am sure :)

[emmajoy]

It's you they should thank. :)