The Taste Of Solitude (One-Shots)

1|If only

IF ONLY

Fate and action are complicated concepts. It is often said that one's action can change one's fate, but is it really true or is it the opposite? Are they somehow interconnected? Will your actions decide your fate or will your fate control your actions?

Far away, in a small village of Jammu, a worried mother awaited her son's return from school. She, who was a single parent, always tried to assure a happy life for him, giving him all that he wanted, yet never complaining. Recently, there had been some attacks in their territory. News of bomb explosion, murders, robberies were everywhere in the television. This made her worry all the more, for her only child. However, she did not have to wait for long, since the doorbell rang shortly, and she was sure it was him.

"Mom! I'm back." The six year old hugged her.
"How was your day, you naughty little child?" She booped his nose playfully.
"Hmm, it was fine." He smiled.
Convinced by his innocent smile, she said, "Okay! You go freshen up, and I'll make something for you to eat. How about that?"
"Sounds great!" He replied.

She did not need anyone or anything else. His smiling face was more than enough to satisfy her little world; a place where she lived in utmost peace.

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"Hey, mom? Do you remember what day it is, tomorrow?"
"Why, of course, my dear child. It's your birthday." She grinned.
"Yay! Tomorrow's going to be fun!"
"So, tell me, what do you want for your birthday this year?"
"Um, I want a new school bag." He fidgeted, unsure whether his request would be accepted.
"Ah, well... I did buy you one, some months ago, right?" She asked.
"Yes, you did, but come on, it's just the start of a new year, and all my friends have their brand new bags. I'm the only one who doesn't!" He complained, rather irritatingly.

"Don't you have anything else, you want to ask? Mamma can always bake you your favorite chocolates." She smirked.
"No. I had them last year too. All I'm asking for is a new school bag. Please, just give me that, and I promise I'll not ask anything more." He pleaded.
"If I do that..." she stopped for a while, and then again continued, "we won't have enough money to buy all the necessities needed to prepare food, for almost a whole week." She smiled sadly.
" I don't know anything! I'm fine with not eating anything for a week. If you don't buy me, I won't go to school anymore." He demanded.

She stared at her son's now angry and irritated demeanor. When did this happen? When did she fall short of fulfilling his desires? How was she short of money when her son asked for it? She had always given him what he wanted. Then suddenly, what happened?

"Ah, I'm so sorry dear. Don't worry, I'll buy you one." She smiled, ignoring the intense pain in her chest.
"Yay! You're the best mom ever."
Eventually that night passed, and the next morning came.

"Happy birthday, Ayush! May god bless you. Now hurry and wake up. You wouldn't want to miss the wonderful wishes of your friends, right?" She kissed his forehead.
"Boo! Haha, I've already been awake for quite a long time, and thank you, mom." He was so happy that one could practically feel the aura of happiness he was radiating.

Soon, it was time for him to go to school, and his mother kissed him goodbye. That day, she didn't even eat a morsel of bread and worked and drained and exhausted herself out, just to gather the money with which she could fulfill her son's desire. That was how she really was, she would do anything to keep him happy.

"Mom! I'm home." Ayush, cheerfully cried out.
"Welcome back, dear. I hope your day was good." She smiled warmly.
"It was great! Everyone wished me, we had so much fun. I'm so happy!"
"To make it even more joyful, mom has something for you."
"Oh, what, what?! Could it be the gift that I asked for?" He screamed with excitement.
"You got that right! Happy birthday to my dearest son."
"Today is the best day ever!"
"Haha, I'm so glad you feel that way.
With smiles and happiness, the day soon came to an end, and soon both of them were soundly asleep, totally unaware of what the next day had in store for them.

"I'm off to school. Bye mom, take care and thank you so much for the gift." He waved.
"Aw, you're such a good boy." She waved back and watched the silhouette of her son disappearing into the fog.

"Today's going to be a long day." She thought. The day went on quite smoothly, and soon she was back from her work and waited like she usually did, but something was stirring inside her; a feeling of insecurity. The clock had struck three, and even though he was normally home by 2:30 pm, he didn't return. Her chest burned with fear, uneasiness and anxiety but all of them were replaced by sheer relief, when she heard the doorbell. She came running to open the door, but it wasn't her son. Instead, it was a man in a white shirt and long trousers, wearing a cap, generally like a police officer.

"Is this where Ayush Sharma lives?" He asked.
"Um, yes. Why do you ask?" She replied.
"Oh, that means you haven't heard the news yet. I'm so sorry but 'Sprawling Buds School' has been blasted off by bombs set by terrorists. Many of them have been injured, and here's the bag that I found, which has his name written on it. I'm deeply saddened for you. I can't imagine how painful it must be for you. Have a good day." With that, he walked away.

She took it; the same bag, which was now rugged, half torn and dirty, sat down on the floor, tears gushing out from her eyes.

"If you don't buy me, I won't go to school anymore." These words repeated themselves in her mind. She had worked so hard to buy that for him, so then why did it happen to her? It just wasn't fair.

"If only, I had been a little stubborn, and refused him, he would've been here, in my arms today." She remembered the way he smiled when he had got his birthday gift. "If only, I had been a little cruel and snatched that smile away from him, he would've got the opportunity to smile forever. If only, I hadn't been so stupid. If only..."

It was just simply fate, but she could've prevented it, couldn't she?

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WORD COUNT: 1135