The Monologue (Short Story)
He: [Rings the doorbell]
She: [Opens the door] You know what your son told me, today? He told me not to ‘interfere’ with his life.
He:
She: Did you hear what I said just now? I am ‘interfering’ with his life, it seems. I carried him in my womb for almost a year; I sacrificed my career to give him the best possible attention; I dropped him to school, tution classes, hobby classes, and brought him back daily, for years; I made sure he got healthy meals even though I slept hungry on some days; I have sacrificed so many things for his happiness only to hear him tell me that I was ‘interfering’ with his life?
He:
She: You know why he told me that? I asked him where he was going today morning. That’s all I asked. Can’t a mother ask her teen-aged son, even that?
He:
She: What is the use of telling you all this anyway? You’ll never find fault with your son. If anything, you’ll advise me to be patient and you’ll blame me for whatever happens in this house. Is that not what you have been doing all this while?
He:
She: What is making that soft howling sound behind you? What are you hiding from me? Bring both your hands forward and show me what you have.
He: [Moves his hands in front, from behind]
She: A puppy! You brought home a puppy! You know how much I hate dogs. In spite of knowing that, you still brought home one? I just cannot stand the sight of these dogs. I want you to return this animal to its owner, right now.
He: [Drops the puppy on the floor]
She: Hey, what are you doing? The puppy is coming towards me . . . It is . . . It is climbing on my feet . . . It is licking my legs . . .
He:
She: [Bends forward and lifts the puppy with her hands] Oh, look at how small this dog is! Golden brown hair, little eyes, little ears, little mouth, little legs . . . He’s . . . sort of . . . cute. Is it he?
He: [Nods his head]
She: [The puppy jumps on to her shoulders and licks her cheeks] Oh, my! What is it doing? No . . . Now, come back to my hands . . . Come back to mamma’s hands . . . Good boy – there you go.
He:
She: Did you see how restless this puppy is? Just like our Rohan when he was little. Does he have a name?
He: [Shakes his head]
She: No problem, we’ll find a good name to call him. I’ll do some research on the net and will ask our relatives and neighbors. I am sure we’ll get many names. We’ll select the best among all of them.
He:
She: [Goes into the home and sits on the chair. Places the puppy on her lap and pets it gently] Why are you still standing outside? Come inside and join us, no?
He: [Comes and sits on a chair next to hers]
She: So, what made you get this puppy for me? I am sure there was some occasion for it.
He: Yes. I want to divorce you. This puppy is a better listener than me.
She: [Drops the puppy onto her lap and turns to stare at him]
Ten minutes of silence follows between them.
He: That divorce thing was an April fool’s day prank. But the puppy is yours to keep 🙂
Destination Infinity
Photo credit: By Steve-65 (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons.
Excellent story. It is like double cross. And also, looks like the trick used by car salesmen in USA. If you go to look for a car, the salesman would give you the key for a brand new car and tell you to drive for a week. If you do not like it return it back. But once you keep the car for a few days, you will never return the car. Or, your wife and/or kids will never allow you to return the car.
Good one Rajesh 🙂 I super-like the pic of the doggie 🙂
I loved the story. Good one, Rajesh.
That’s a fantastic story, Rajesh! Liked it a lot!! The twist in the end was super! Didnt see it coming at all 😀
Unlike Rohan the puppy will listen to what all she says with no defiance.
A good story.
Enjoyed the story and the puppy’s photo! A good twist in the story too! The conversation is very natural…happens in every home!
Keep writing more stories, D.I.
I liked the way she accepts the pup as soon it touches her… despite who hate dogs. Simple and neat script and unexpected twists, makes quite impression!
Keep it up, I liked it
Haha Good one 🙂 I can empathize with the lady coz my managers at worked pulled a similar April fool prank on me 🙂 Very nicely written.
hahaha too good. I never expected the twist at the end. 🙂
Hehehe that’s quite a story. But she talks to much 😛
Hehehe that’s quite a story. But she talks too much 😛
Ha haaa!! Cheeeeeeeky!