She Wonders

A short story which leaves the reader wondering.

A foggy morning and as usual 38 year old Trisha was out of bed at 5 am to start her day.  In her sleeping gown she goes to the kitchen, fills the kettle, switches it on and stands next to the counter.  Her mind filled with memories as old as when she was only six.  She remembers her first day at school. Linda, Trisha's mum had made her favorite pancakes with caramelized bananas for breakfast.  Linda was a single mother who worked as a sales representative at the local bookstore. She earned just enough to pay her rent, utilities, cater for food bills. Trisha gets on the school bus waving at her mum.  Slightly nervous but excited.  The bus reaches school and now Trisha's heartbeat was increasing at every step she was taking towards her classroom. As she was getting closer the nervousness grew and she felt as if she could hear sirens. Oop's!!! It's the kettle.

The kettle's shrilling whistle startled Trisha and she snapped out of her memory lane.  Opened the cupboard to grab the coffee jar and as usual there is none left. With a regretful face, she walks towards her bedroom, picks up the cigarette packet, opens it but to find none.  Trisha sits on the bed sighing heavily and stares at the warnings on the packet. She curses out loud and searches through her frayed wallet to see if she has any money. This time she was lucky in fact she had extras. She rushed to the garage, got in her semi-dead car and rushed to the nearest fuel station. Trisha bought her packet of cigarettes and grabbed a copy of the newspaper. As she was walking towards the car, she was skimming through it. Oh my God, what the hack is this?  On page 3, a three-quarter page full colour picture of Roger, Trisha's ex-husband tying knots with Elena Simpson, owner of Simpsons Group of Hotels. Trisha experienced a huge swing just as if all of a sudden she had been pumped in with drugs.  She sat in the car and began reading the article, "Roger Williams finally getting united with his long lost love, Elena Simpson.  The big day is on Valentine's Day, venue yet to be confirmed. Both the Williams and Simpsons are considering a grand but private affair."

All these seemed to have pulled the earth off Trisha's feet.  She puts the newspaper away and drives back home.  Sits on her comfy chair and lights a cigarette.  It had only been a month when the court had finalised Trisha and Roger's divorce. It was an end to a 25 year old relationship.  Trisha was in love with Roger and so was Roger, well at least it seemed.  Till this moment, Trisha is unable to figure out what went wrong. All she remembers is that since the last ten years they had not spoken to each other although sharing one roof.  After this long break, Roger broke the silence with the news of filing for divorce. The fifteen years shared with Rogers was the most beautiful moments of Trisha's life. Life never seemed more welcoming when she was in his arms.  He was the best thing that had happened to her.  Trisha began wondering if Roger was seeing Elena all these while and she had no idea.  But how did that matter as their relationship was doomed anyways.  For the past one month, this is what Trisha has been doing, having sleepless nights and waking up early morning keep on thinking why did Roger do what he did and now he is marrying his so called long lost love. Roger and I are together since the age of thirteen, so how is this possible, when did he meet Elena? She wonders.

 

Reviews

[Glen Yumang Manese]

The story read simply put and easy going for the reader...the then and now...and how things change and do not for others in this case...and you leave the ending as a cliff hanger:

She wonders...

I would advise to go through this and make grammar and spelling corrections...your usage of "she" can be depleted in areas and still get your point across to the reader...and towards the last paragraph...needs clearing...but I was able to fit in the pieces as to what you were translating...just for an example:

The fifteen years shared with Rogers was the most beautiful moments of Trisha's life. Life never seemed more welcoming when she was in his arms. He was the best thing that had happened to her. Trisha began wondering if Roger was seeing Elena all these while and she had no idea. But how did that matter as their relationship was doomed anyways. For the past one month, this is what Trisha has been doing, having sleepless nights and waking up early morning keep on thinking why did Roger do what he did and now he is marrying his so called long lost love. Roger and I are together since the age of thirteen, so how is this possible, when did he meet Elena? She wonders.
---
Fifteen years shared with Rogers was the most beautiful moments of Trisha's life. Never seemed more welcoming when she was in his arms. He was the best thing that happened to her. Trisha began wondering if Roger was seeing Elena all the while and had no idea. How did that matter as their relationship was doomed anyways. For the past month, this is what Trisha has been doing, having sleepless nights and waking up early morning. Keep thinking why did Roger do what he did and now he is marrying his so called long lost love. Roger and I were together, since the age of thirteen, so how is this possible? When did he meet Elena? She wonders...

in the other two paragraphs you just need to do the same and this is a sound short-story...

[Mudaliar]

Thanks a lot Glen for a detailed review outlining where I fall short. I would leave this as it is however would surely do better in my next one.

[Glen Yumang Manese]

You're welcome...its the thought that counts...we do not see them...until someone else read the work...its normal...good day...

[Woody]

a touching story. it is, unfortunately, something that happens quite often. love CAN die, leaving bitter regrets.
your narration is good. there are only minor errors.
nice one, Mudaliar. write on!

[Mudaliar]

Thanks Woody...much appreciated. Actually this is my first and only piece that I have written. Surely won't end here.....

[Woody]

you're welcome. and I hope you won't stop there. so go for it :)