RamPrompTime

Pointless (Prompt: Repeat)

There are times in your life when you are so exhausted, you don't want to sleep; you want to die. It doesn't work that way. So, I made myself some tea and sat in front of the life size mirror that hung from the grey walls looking at what my pitiable self looked like.

The faint vestiges of three upright lines on my forehead came in view when I squinted hard. Three lines. A reminder of the days, better days when all was left to the almighty's care. Ah! How it let me lead a carefree and contented life! Back then, the marks on the forehead were prominent with or without the white and vermillion streaks and they stood out against my dusky-brown skin. A mere symbol to some, but to me it was my identity. As time went by, life took a nosedive into the dark abysses, God was shut away and the sun tanned the hitherto untouched part of the forehead. An inexplicable darkness crept over before I knew and it showed on my forehead and me.

I ran the warm cup along my cheek, feeling the cup fight its way up the stubble. The aroma of freshly brewed tea made its way in through my parched nostrils that had taken the musty smell of sweat all night long. I ran the rim of the cup under my nose after a few sips, inhaled hard, hoping it would give me a jump start.

"Why spare your ears? You've got two holes there. Reaches the brain directly." The tea was good and so, had to be ruined. Padma stood beside me, her reflection in the mirror snickering at mine.

"About time you wear something," I said as I took another sip of tea. Padma stood, hands on waist, swaying from side to side. A saggy slip dangled from her forearm and it swayed to the gusts from the oscillating fan. The musty smell returned and my cup of tea now seemed to be looking for deliverance. I emptied it in a go, and felt like God.

"Are you disgusted? I thought you couldn't get enough of it just some time ago," she said.

"Correction. Years. Not some time. And that isn't good enough reason to walk around like this. The sun is up."

"You think I am flabby, don't you? You don't like me anymore." Battle clouds loomed and I knew it was better I left in the interest of keeping my sanity.

"Well I don't think so. But if hearing it straight from me will give you any comfort, I don't think you are ugly," I said before walking into the bathroom. "And, go wear something. The maid will be here anytime now."

I was up and running, but not the way I wanted it to happen. Classic W.W. Jacobs, I reminisced the story of the cursed monkey's paw before letting the cold water from the shower rain down freshness upon me.

I still wanted to die, but a shower would do. Another day to see out, just like the ones seen out and the ones that lay ahead.