I catch a whiff of a familiar scent in the evening air as I walk down the promenade. It mingles with the other smells wafting around, but I catch it again – it drifts thus, it reaches my nostrils, invades my mind, and instantly carries me to my past.
It’s him. I feel it in my bones.
This was his favourite perfume. The one he used everyday even when he had around ten bottles of as many perfumes lined up on his bureau.
I stop dead in my tracks, my heart palpitating, my breathing shallow. Beads of perspiration dot my forehead as I argue with myself: should I turn around and face him, or should I keep walking and not show him my face; not see his?
I hear him nearing with every step, closing in on me like an enemy closing in on the lone soldier who must now fight to save his pride.
I need to save mine, from him, from the man who…
Or, what if I do turn around and face him? Forget saving my pride, I want to see his eyes going pale when they catch sight of me. His voice caught in his throat, the colour draining from his face, his breathing laboured as if watching an apparition snatching him from his present, transporting him to his past, where he left me to die.
I turn around when he is mere inches away from me, lost in the virtual world, oblivious to the person who was supposed to be dead, standing in his path, wanting him to face his past, and pay for his sins.
I will lead him to the beach, right into the roaring waves that snatch a person off the shore and swallow him whole, then spit him back a lifeless body, stripped of life, of ego,of the dignity he once held dear.
“ What is Karma?” he asked me once.
“Well, this is it!” I’ll tell him.
Word count: 328
*****************************************************************************
The above post has been written for #FictionMonday – a brainchild of my friend, Vinitha Dileep.
This week’s prompt: Word prompt – Faint and picture prompt.
Do join in the have some fiction fun! 🙂
(I am sorry, Vinitha, I crossed the word limit, but I couldn’t control myself! ;P )
That’s an interesting one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks D!
It’s loaded with cliches, I feel 😁😁
LikeLike
Wow! Shilpa very impressive piece of writing. I love how wonderfully you are evolving as a writer.
And all the genres you are exploring. Including a book review as well.
Very inspiring.
More power to your pen!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, Natasha!
Yes, I am enjoying exploring all the different genres. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looks like my comment didn’t come through? Let me know Shilpa.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Received your comment, Natasha. Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Eerie and beautiful. Such a wonderful writeup. I loved it, Shilpa.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Nabanita!
LikeLike
That’s quite a piece of tale you got there, Shilpa. I loved the imageries and the vivid description throughout the story. You are an incredible storyteller, Shilpa.
I forgive you for crossing the limit with a beautiful story. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aww..thank you for such loving words, Vini! 🙏 I thoroughly enjoyed writing it.
LikeLike
Shilpa I am in awe of the way you’re trying such different kind of writing. This was so good and so different from your usual style. I had to look up and check the blog address. Way to go!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, Tulika! I am enjoying it all so much…a good therapy, I would say 😉
LikeLike
Interesting! Very well written, Shilpa.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Tarang!
LikeLike
Wow!! The eeriness was so well constructed and I liked the way you led the reader towards the climax in the end!!! Fabulous take on the prompt, Shilpa. Well done and well-crafted tale!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Esha! I am enjoying flash fiction like never before 😁😁 And you are going to help me do it better. 😍
LikeLike