The ink Smudge

Rohini turned on the shower and thought about her week and life which were both quiet hectic. She had to do all the dishes and clean the house due to Sumit’s parent’s visit as the maid was on a leave. She had fought with him over the issue.

“One phone call before coming. What’s the big deal in one phone call? At least I would have managed a maid.”

“They came to visit Araf uncle who lives in the adjoining building so they dropped by to say hello. We asked them to stay and have lunch. Don’t make an issue of it.”

“Not we, you asked them and why shouldn’t I make an issue? I had to do all the dishes and clean the house while you enjoyed a nice conversation with your parents. I am not a robot Sumit.”

“Rohini they are our mom-dad. You should be happy to serve them.”

“Sometimes I feel you love your mom-dad more than you love me. You were so different…. better before marriage.” She said and left.

The next day she told him about the pain in her stomach and asked him to consult their family doctor. He just brushed it as an allergy as he was busy with his work. So she went with Manish who lived in the neighborhood. Sumit did not like the guy at all. He had said many things to her when he came to know about it. He even accused her of cheating on him.

The door opened breaking her memory chain. Sumit entered the apartment feeling a bit withdrawn. His eyes were so worn out that they clearly betrayed his lack of sleep and excessive drinking. He came in the bathroom. She got scared but quickly composed herself to grab a perfect opportunity to seduce her husband. She quickly got out of the bathtub nude and crossed her arms around his neck and asked him about his day in a very seductive tone. He did not flinch and just looked at her. The smell of alcohol from his mouth disgusted her but she was persistent. She slid her hands inside his chest and smelled his armpits. Somehow it turned her on! But he did not respond. He just kept on staring her face and then he took her hand out, pushed her aside and went ahead to pee. She did not like his behavior. All she did was went to a doctor with Manish as he was "too busy" for her and she had done everything to make it right. All she ever wanted was his love and time. She loved him so much but he did not love her at all. At that moment she decided to leave him forever. He peed and left. She completed her shower and came out, dressed in her night-gown and went to the kitchen to complete her household work and prepare dinner.

Suddenly she felt a sting on the side of her neck. She looked back to find him crying. White bubbles started forming on the side of her mouth. Her face showed the hints of all the questions going in her mind. He handed her a paper. Her expression changed to shock and suddenly she collapsed on the ground. He caught her and kept her head in his lap caressing her hair. She glanced a last look at his face and thanked him. She realized she was very wrong and he loved her more than anything in life. He loved her enough to kill her. Then everything became silent.

He took the paper from her hand and read it once again with tears in his eyes.

The patient had been tested positive with stage 4 stomach cancer.

-         Report Mrs. Rohini Aggarwal.

A few drops of tears fell on the paper smudging the ink. His whole life had been smudged.