Monday, April 14, 2008

As I look back!


Namrata looked longingly at the young man behind the counter. It had been a few hours since she had eaten anything. Her stomach was rumbling along and she knew for sure her daughter, Anagha's would too. Anagha was seated next to her, lost in her own fairytale world. She looked away knowing she couldnt afford it at all. She would just have to wait for the meal they'd provide on the flight.

Her thoughts wandered back to her squeeky clean kitchen she had left behind that morning, on Sommerset drive, Jersey. The announcements being made in the terminal were jarring and clashing with her thoughts. Her thoughts of another flight, another journey she had made 15 years ago, nervous just as any newly wed bride would be.

Hands crisscrossed with the red henna patterns, clutching her brand new suitcase, her neck caressed by the unfamiliarity of her new mangalsutra, she had embarked on her journey into matrimony. A flight that had taken her to faraway shores, latticed with promices of happy, bright, adventurous paths, far away from parental security. She had held his hands in nervous fervour, one she had entrusted her future into.

Now as she looked around the terminal , she tried to quell her nauseous thoughts. The painful memories of deciet, infidelity, abuse-physical and emotional had worn her thin. She dwelled on the choices she had made- a lucrative job, her warm circle of colleagues, her house,her daughter's world: she had to give them all up in search of one precious gift, her freedom. After he had wiped out her bank accounts, she had snapped. Now while she waited for her flight to be called, she shuddered at the thought of her future. But she knew she wanted to leave the place that held volcanic nightmares. She hadnt deserved to be treated the way she had, and she had taken a bit too long before coming to this decision. Now there was no turning back. She had a right to freedom and she was going to get it. A silent calm settled into her.

Was it her flights of fantasy that had held her back when she could have confided in someone? She had thought he would change if she did. Now she knew she was just clutching at a melting piece of ice. She smiled. She had made her choice and she felt happier. All she had to look forward to, once her flight was called and she bent down to lift her bags and hold her daughter's small hands.
This time her she was embarking a flight that was less unknown and she ,less nervous.


This piece was written in response to the prompt at writer's island.



26 comments:

Rambler said...

hey didn't know you had another blog..

I think taking the decision is important..so what if its a little late..its never too late :)

Pri said...

beautifully written!
i loved the way u used the prompt...

cheers! :)

Keshi said...

beautifully written!

Better late than sorry.


Keshi.

aMus said...

hey prats, i like your flight into story telling too :)


*she was embarking a flight that was less unknown and she ,less nervous.* very nice...

Preeti Shenoy said...

Why did she leave her daughter behind?

Jaya said...

A wonderful take. Was not aware of this space for your prompts.Will check it more often.

Here is my take.
http://trailbrooklane.blogspot.com/2008/04/flight.html

Compassion Unlimitted said...

Originally disembarking would have been by Flight to fantasy
Now embarking thru flight to reality
Very nice prats,short and sweetly written
TC
CU

rayshma said...

beautifully written... i think it's never too late to stand up for what u deserve.

Tumblewords: said...

Ah, this happens so often - nicely written!

Prats said...

@rambler I started this to post takes on prompts and also not to bug people who don't like poetry...so they can leave the blog with a smile on their face...

@pri Hey your first time here. :) Welcome and thanks. Keep dropping in.

@keshi yes, its the decision an dbeign happy that mattered.

Prats said...

@suma gee thanks...I like that ' my flight into story telling" Hopefully I'll land back soon...

@joy Thanks. Decided it was better than torturing poor 'poetry disliking' bloggers.

Prats said...

@CU coming from you, thats a compliment i'd like to believe. Thank you. And what you said was right...flight to reality...

@rayshma Thanks. Yes , always better to make decision that'll keep you happier.

Prats said...

@ps She doesn't, she's set out with her daughter in hand.

@tumblewords. Yes, so true. Many daughters married off to boys in another land, without an idea of how they could be ....its quite sad actually when such things happen. Thanks

Sairekha said...

Wow!:) A wonderful take!:) Love how you used the prompt!

Always told you, you're story telling material:) You should listen to me more often:)

ceedy said...

Interesting - well written - well there are dreams and then there are nightmares - some cant enjoy sweet dreams and some cant get out of nightmares....so kudos to this girl

Anonymous said...

wowzzz
beautiful indeed.. the feeing.. the thoughts.. :)

KBDGR8EST said...

a very well written story! I guess it has a faint link to realty somewhere!

Solitaire said...

Brave woman!! Better late than never.

Prats said...

@ziah Thanks...you're such a balm, to my blocked brains :) I'm so happy that you're back to this space now.

Prats said...

@ceedy you said it so right. Not many can make such decisions so easily considering how conservative some of our societies are...thank you

Prats said...

@veens thanks babes...

@solitaire. Oh yes, I really think she was brave to have taken this decision. Thanks

Ekta said...

sad story of many Indian women...remindes me of the movie provoked...touching!

amna said...

thanks for dropping by my blog and the wishes, prats :) i am actually not going to the UAE :)

Keith's Ramblings said...

Hey Prats - what a beautifully written story. You captured the emotional turmoil perfectly

Arunima said...

very nice.

Anonymous said...

Well written article.