Rikara One Shot Story Collections I

The Moon Series 1 : Lonely Moon

Thanks to all for voting and commenting on the previous story.

This story has two parts.

Gauri stood by the window with the phone clutched to her ears as she listened to the ringtone. She knew he wouldn't answer; he never did because he didn't need her. For him, she wasn't his wife just a charity case he had to take upon himself. She knew what she was getting into, she knew he didn't love her then why is she still clinging on the hope that one day he is going to turn around and look at her and say 'I love you' or say that he wanted their marriage to last for a life time and not just a year?

Gauri throws the phone on the bed as she turned to look at the bright full moon. She was like that moon, all alone in the big sky like she is all alone in this big house. Gauri looks at the moon as she leaned her head on the windowsill remembering those teenage moments with Om, when they used to sneak out at night to gaze at the moon. Om had a certain fondness for the moon while she had always felt the sun was more beautiful, but she used to accompany him every time to gaze at the moon. While he gazed at the moon, she gazed at him. As long as she could remember, she had loved him and thought even he did but he didn't. She thought of calling him again but changed her mind. She wondered if he was looking at the moon now, if he was then was he with someone? He had told her that he can never be with a single girl and girls entered and exited his life day in and day out. But he was kind enough to keep it all private and away from their house.

Gauri wipes away her tears as she walked towards their bed. She settles on the bed as she tried to sleep knowing full well that she won't sleep till she sees her Om stumble back into their bedroom in the wee hours of the morning.

************

Gauri was cutting the vegetables when the white blade brushes through her skin and cut her deeply. Gauri flinches as she gripped her finger and ran to the tap to keep it in cold water. She had started cooking only after her marriage, four months ago and she was still learning the ways of cooking. Om's household had only ceramic knives which were too sharp for her liking or comfort. When she had requested him whether she could buy normal knives he had casually informed her that she should not forget that she is here for just a year and not to try changing things in his house to her comfort. So she had to make herself acquainted with all the fancy chinaware and expensive crystals of his house for day to day use. Being from a middle class background she really couldn't appreciate the overindulgence of the rich people in these things.

"Did you cut your hand again?" Omkara asks her warily as he walked into the kitchen.

Gauri nods as she tried to stop the bleeding. Omkara walks to the fridge and grabs an ice and walks towards her and keep the ice on her wound and hold it tight.

"If you don't know to cook then get a cook." Omkara tells her.

"No, I'll cook."

"It's not like you are a good cook." Omkara mutters as he with his other hand pulled open the drawer and took out the bandage from the first aid box. Gauri looks away hurt hearing his callous comment.

"I am trying." Gauri whispers, she didn't know cooking when they got married but she herself had felt that she was improving tremendously.

"You don't have to try, Gauri. You are not going to be here for more than 8 months now."

Gauri looks away upset that he was counting down the days for her to leave.

"Or is it practice for the man you marry after our divorce?"

Gauri snatches her hand from his and walks to the counter. "Breakfast would be ready in a few minutes."

"I'll have from out." Omkara tells her. "I am meeting someone for breakfast."