Anita stepped carefully, quietly into her garden. Her haven, the one place where Sunil wouldn’t follow her. The one place that was her own.
She knew she would have to pay for it, when she went back indoors, but it was worth it. Her only defiance was her garden. Little had she imagined, as a young bride,10 years ago, that this would be her life. Of course she blamed herself, Sunil wouldn’t have become so violent if she had presented him with a baby. He was just this way because he yearned to be a father. At least he did not divorce her, as her mother kept telling her. So what if he got a little angry? So what if she got a little hurt sometimes. Did she want for anything? ‘Just some love and not having to worry about tiptoeing around your husband’, whispered the annoying little voice in her head, but she was quick to silence it.
All the love that she had inside her, she poured into her plants. Her plants became the children she never had. Every seed that sprouted would make her heart dance with joy. When Sunil was away at work, she would spend hours, weeding, pruning, watering her plants, and sometimes just sitting at the little bench that the previous owners of the house had left there. Yes, there had been times when she wished for her husband to join her, relax, and enjoy the beauty, but of course, those were just dreams, dreams she knew now, would never come true. She knew now not to anger Sunil in any way. Even a small request could result in him blowing up. Of course, he was careful to never strike in places that people could see, yes, he was considerate that way. He never humiliated her in front of others. Her neighbours wouldn’t have a clue that their marriage was anything but perfect. The only person who knew was her mother, who lived in fear of the day that Sunil would walk out on her daughter. She just prayed that her daughter had better sense than annoy her son-in-law.
Lost in her thoughts, Anita pulled at some stubborn weeds, when she felt her head yanked back. ‘Have you gone deaf now?’ Shouted Sunil, his other hand landing on her cheek. ‘ It is a bit too much to expect a wife to get her husband a cup of tea in this place!’.
Fuming, he pulled at her biggest rose, and flung it at her, hitting her on her face. Some rose petals fell into her hands, and as she raised her stunned and stinging face, she found herself looking into her neighbour, Malini’s shocked face from the other side of the fence. But funnily, instead of feeling ashamed as she always did after one of Sunil’s out bursts, she felt light, liberated and strangely unburdened. That slap in the garden felt like fate was trying to knock some sense into her. She walked, not towards her house, but out. She walked out, head held high, the rose petals in her hands giving her some strange strength. She did not know where she was headed, but she definitely knew the place that she was leaving forever.
Picture Credit – http://sarabbit.openphoto.net/gallery/
Written as part of the Write Tribe Prompt
Jeez! who took away my fun loving Smitha?
on a serious note, it so true na..much better to walk away than live in agony!
π Its just what popped into my head:) Guess I’ve been reading too many dark and sad books:)
Yes, I think it is important to stand up for oneself. But a lot of times, victims tend to blame themselves…
I felt so happy for Anita at the end. Phew! Well written Smitha π
Thanks Swaram.
hmm beta late than never! Men like that need jus a excuse to be upset….
I guess.. I can’t help wondering what makes people be so cruel. I guess its the way they are wired.
It’s so easy to blame yourself for everything.. yet one incident can put things in perspective. Very nicely written Smitha. You should do more of this. Loved the title too.
Anita’s character is very strong. She sticks to her decision. Good narration.
Lets hope she does.
I’m so happy that finally she decided to walk out on that man, who did not cherish her for what she is. It is sad too, to think that her own mother could not be her pillar of strength.
Loved your story!
Way to go Anita. Sometimes messages and strength come to us in the most unexpected ways.
Dropping by from the Write Tribe rose petals linkup.
Nice story Smita, dark and dire though! But you are right, it’s how people are wired differently and will react so differently in the same situation.
Gosh, sorry for the typo, Smitha!
So well narrated Smitha!!!! And glad that the story ended on a positive note!
Ha, the story teller in you coming out….good one, Smitha! And I loved the way she walked out, many fear to..
π I doubt there is a story teller in me:) But somehow these prompts seem to work:)
I am an avid reader of your blogs, especially keep coming back to read some more about poohi. This post just got me hooked and I really loved it. A simple story but well written. Liked the end of the story.. a liberated sole. Keep posting… π
Welcome here, Varsha, and so glad that you decided to de-lurk. Thanks so much for those words.
Ok phew! Thank goodness for that ending. Silent agony is the worst.
Silent agony is certainly the worst. No two ways about it.
No body should be met with such abuse…additionally, nobody should tolerate such abuse. Good that Anita looked up from her life and walked out π
Nobody should, ideally, but sadly many do..
I felt so sorry for Anita – her own mother didn’t understand her – initially, but then felt happy for her towards the end of the story.
You have a way with stories. Do continue to write them. This one was very well-written. Loved it. π
Thanks TGND, glad you liked the way it ended. I don’t do fiction, normally. The last time I enjoyed writing fiction was in school:) But some how, these prompts seem to have set me off.
Glad she realized that and walked out. Hope she finds happiness…
Good one Smits π
I hope she finds happiness too, Deeps.
I liked the ending.Very well written Smitha.
Thanks Garima.
Considering the amount of books you gobble up, I knew it had to come out from you one day…err I mean the hidden Author
Very well written Smi and I love happy endings π
π There is a high possibility that these are just one off inspirations π Glad you liked it Saks:)
Glad for Anita.. I liked the title very much.. Petals of strength.. good one Smitha!
Thanks Ani:) How are you and the little ones?
When i saw the title i thought it is about book review….then i was looking for a pic of the book…lastly i realised this post is not about a book review but smitha’s story….wonderfully written smitha….Loved the happy ending…..It’s always better to put an end then continuing in the sore relation…
Yes, this was just some fiction π Glad you liked it Sari.
Beautifully written, we need more women like Anita .