A tiny mouth suckles at her dry breast, defiantly trying to cling on to life. Two pairs of small hands tug at her tattered sari, faces streaked with dirt, tears and hunger pangs. Wings clipped, she only gazes listlessly at the sky.
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As Melina reached her doorstep, the clouds shifted, casting an ominous shadow on the ground. She shivered and then shrugged off the feeling of unease. A blue envelope peeped out from the letter box. Her fingers trembled when she picked it up, noticing the very familiar handwriting. Julian!
She took a deep breath and went inside .She slit open the envelope. A white monogrammed sheet slipped out. It had been two long years-of heartbreak, heart ache, loneliness and healing. Why now? Why again? Melina started to read.
17th September,London
My Sweet Mel,
It’s been a long time and yet it seems just like yesterday. Believe me; you were never far from my heart. I just wanted to let you know that Betty and I decided to go our own ways. I have returned to our country house, which won’t be a home till its rightful mistress returns to it. I know you will find it in your heart to forgive me and return home.
Waiting for you,
Only yours
Ju
Melina was aghast! What temerity! To think that she would return to him after what he put her through? Two long years without a word! The memories she had so painstakingly wound up in skeins were coming unravelled and she had no control over it.
She had loved Julian and had believed he loved her too. They had been together for five years and were planning to get married. But then Bettina aka Betty had walked into their lives and everything had fallen apart. Only she had not known, till it was too late. Julian had eloped with Betty. She was a rich heiress and it had all been in the news the next morning. Disbelief, betrayal, grief had made Melina go numb
.It had taken her more than a year to get her life back on tracks. Thanks to her wonderfully rewarding career and of course Shawn. Finally, she was breathing again without choking on a ragged piece of painful memory.
No, Julian, I carried the scars of your love long enough. Now it is time for you to pay.
She had a plan. She called Shawn.
“It’s playing with fire Melina! You sure you want to do this?”
“I am positive. Julian cannot get away with playing with my emotions.”
“Fine .I will set the wheels in motion. All will be ready in two week’s time.”
Melina replied to Julian that night.
20th September,Derby
Darling Ju,
I am beyond myself with happiness. I knew true love will win.
I will be driving down to our house on 23rd.
I am dying to see you.
Lovingly yours
Mel
Next day, Melina went shopping. She pulled all stops and got a total makeover. Shawn teased her mercilessly about him being cuckolded which made Melina laugh.
On 23rd evening, the astounded look on Julian’s face at her new avatar was reward enough for her efforts. Ten days of romancing had Julian eating out of her hand and she kept him hooked by not allowing him in her bed. On the eleventh day Julian proposed with a solitaire.
Melina accepted on the condition that the wedding would take place in three days time at Derby in the Magistrate’s office at 10 in the morning. Additionally they would neither meet nor talk to each other before the wedding date. Julian agreed and Melina returned to Derby.
Three days later Julian reached the magistrate’s office dot at 10, dressed in his new tuxedo, looking dapper. A few minutes later he was surprised to be surrounded by the Paparazzi. He wondered who had tipped them off but then smiled, puffing up with importance-he was quite well known.
The newshounds started firing questions at him.
“Sir, heard you are getting married today?”
“Is it true that the lucky lady is your first girlfriend?”
“ Isn’t she the one you deserted to elope with Bettina, your ex?”
Julian began sweating.
“Where is your intended?”
“Hope she is not going to leave you stranded here!”
Everyone tittered.
Julian felt his face redden. Never in his life had he been so humiliated. Where was Melina?
Unseen, Melina and Shawn watched the whole drama unfold, grinning at each other. Their plan had worked. Tomorrow’s headlines were sure to tom –tom this juicy bit of news and Julian would be history. Melina felt her heart soar at the thought. Revenge was surely sweet.
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This is my response to Speakeasy’s weekly prompt #161 which required us to (a)write a response(fiction or poetry) in 750 words or less (mine is 735, including the title) (b) using the following sentence anywhere in your submission: “The clouds shifted, casting an ominous shadow on the ground.” and (c) make some reference to the media prompt,which this week is a music video by Adele,”Rolling in the deep.” . For more details and rules,please click on the url below
http://www.yeahwrite.me/speakeasy/fiction-challenge-161-open/
Sonia sat patiently in the lobby of Hotel Amber, waiting for Murdoch, the casting Director. Over the past few weeks, she had rehearsed n number of times; still she went over her lines once again in her mind. There should not be any faux pas-she would not get a second chance, she knew.
A few minutes later, she saw Murdoch striding into the hotel, alone. A good omen, she told herself and moved towards him. Seeing her Murdoch smiled in recognition and beckoned her to follow him.
The elevator journey to his suite on the 10th floor was punctuated only by the frequent phone calls that Murdoch kept making. As they stepped out, Murdoch switched off his mobile and told her, “Don’t want calls to distract us.”
Entering his suite he turned towards her and said, “Not that I mind but hasn’t the agency sent you a little early?”
Sonia smiled and responded, “I believe in being a little early. It gives me time to warm up.”
Murdoch guffawed and said, “I like attitude and I must say the agency has surpassed my expectations this time.” His eyes moved over her appreciatively.“So, what’s on the agenda?” he asked, sprawling in the chair and loosening his tie.
“What about a drink?” Sonia said, moving towards the bar, licking her lips provocatively.
“Sure! Let’s get things started.”
Handing him his favourite drink, Sonia sat across him and crossed her legs. Her dress immediately shot up and Murdoch got a glimpse of her creamy thighs. His gaze was reptilian and though Sonia was prepared, it scared her.
Don’t back out now, she told herself.
After a few minutes, Murdoch decided to take off his coat and shoes. Sonia bent down to pick up her bag, allowing Murdoch to have a good look down her cleavage. She knew the effect her sexy body was having on him and hoped to use that to her favour.
She stood up and began taking off her slinky dress slowly, moving sensuously making sure that Murdoch could see every hidden curve. Looking up, she saw him devouring her with his eyes. She winked, stretched lasciviously and said, “I think we need some music.”
Murdoch was quick to oblige and as she started her striptease, he grew aroused. Soon, Sonia was wearing nothing but her high heels and stockings. Murdoch lunged towards her but Sonia laughed and moved away. She said, “What’s the hurry? Wait a few moments while I go get ready for some more fun.” With that she picked up her dress and bag and went into the bathroom.
Once inside, she locked the door, took out her mobile and quickly sent two messages, then slipped back into her dress. She flushed the toilet and came out smiling.
Murdoch looked puzzled. She crawled into the bed and bit his ear playfully and said, “How about you and me playing a game? I pretend to be a scared virgin and you try to rape me?”
Sonia knew that it was playing with fire but she was ready to face the consequences. She had waited too long. Murdoch needed no more incentive. He jumped up to chase Sonia as she ran around the room. He pounced at her and scratched her arms. She fell, with him atop her. She whispered seductively, “Bite me” and he did. She wriggled away as his greedy fingers caught on her dress and the sleeve tore. She ran, with him at her heels and snagged her stockings. He caught up and kissed her viciously and her lipstick smeared. Her arms had bruises and her hair was all awry.
Just then there was a knock at the door. Sonia kicked a surprised Murdoch on his shins and ran screaming to open the door. “Help me please! This monster was trying to rape me!” Sonia sobbed and fell down in a faint. Murdoch was bewildered to see the Police and the media gathered outside.
It became the biggest scandal in the town’s history. Medical examination provided enough evidence to send Murdoch behind bars. He lost his reputation. His family and friends disowned him.
A few months later he received a note and a 5 year old news clipping. It reported a young girl’s suicide. She had been accused of seducing an upcoming Director. Her suicide note said, “I loved him. Was that a mistake?”
Understanding dawned on Murdoch as he read the attached note,” The rightness eclipsed every mistake made along the way.”
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This is my response to Speakeasy’s weekly prompt #158 which required us to (a)write a response(fiction or poetry) in 750 words or less (mine is 750, including the title) (b) using the following sentence as the LAST line in your submission: “The rightness eclipsed every mistake made along the way.” and (c) make some reference to the media prompt,which this week is a trailer(video) from the movie,”Love in the time of Cholera”. For more details and rules,please click on the url below-
http://www.yeahwrite.me/speakeasy/fiction-challenge-158-open/
Do you see her much?
Oh, all the time, all the time!
Oh, I see her everywhere.
Why, oh why won’t she let me be?
When all is over between her and me?
I did her in and buried her
Then, why won’t she just lie still?
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This is my response to this week’s ultimate question at Gargleblaster #157. The challenge was to answer the ultimate question “Do you see her much?” in exactly 42 words. If you are interested in joining the fun,rush over to the site for complete details by clicking on the url http://yeahwrite.me/gargleblaster-157/ but hurry for the grid closes at 42 entries.
The Professional
He saw the two moppets playing in the park. His heart leaped. No parents in sight. He waited patiently. At the right moment, he aimed and shot both. Then, with a smile, he tucked his camera into his bag and walked away.
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This is my submission for this week’s gargleblaster #156.The challenge is to give our answer in exactly 42 words to the ultimate question ,”Who dunnit?” If you would like to participate too, do hurry up or you may miss the bus for there is a limit-yep,the grid closes at 42 entries 🙂 For more details,click on the url http://yeahwrite.me/gargleblaster-156/
@Zebra Crossing 