Win Or Lose?

By Caroline Sabitha

On a very bright afternoon as none was outside, the street looked abandoned. With no people around, the entrance of the houses looked orphan with few dogs huffing and howling.

“Yes!!!” He exclaimed for the 15th time of the week, his grin widened each passing seconds.

“Can we talk?” Her question lingered in the air when his eyes never left his phone screen. “George, I am talking with you?” She ended it as a question.

“Yeah. I am all ears.” He said with a smile towards his phone, displaying online Rummy game. She stood infront of him.

“Please keep the phone aside.” She pleaded him in a stern tone. Unhearing to her, his smile only grew looking at his gadget.

“My ear is not using the phone. You can talk.” He told making her sigh in defeat.

“I wish your phone have a game for time travel.” Once she said that he looked from his phone and laughed at her.

“Oh, you want to travel to your past?” he asked amusingly for which she shook her head.

“I want you to go back to your past. Before 3 years.” Hearing her he looked at her confused. “Do you remember? What you were doing exactly three years back?” for this question of her his mind couldn’t form any answer.

She looked at her watch and said. “You proposed me for the third time. And it was the last since I accepted you.” A small smile formed on his lips reminiscing that day. “The funny part is you forgot your phone at the restaurant, when I accepted you.” He nodded with a small smile. “And that will never happen again, right? Me being much important for you!!!” she smiled painfully and he slowly kept his phone on the table.

“Now travel back 2 years. Do you remember what happened?” his eyes widened. “The day we got married.” Her hands were holding tight of her nuptial chain. “That day you cried when you tied this thread to me. And I smiled at you.” He moved closer to her. “you know why? I felt much happy to get loved by you with such eternal love. But I didn’t know they were short lived.” Her voice vibrated when tears fell off his eyes.

“Now 1 year back.” She whispered as she closed her eyes letting her tears flow free, her voice turned hoarse with words struck. He held her arms. “We had our first baby. And you were with me all the time holding my hand chanting your love. I thought more than anything you would be the best father. But you even forgot- She got interrupted when someone tug on her skirt. It was their one year toddler with the birthday hat wore on. Anjali took her daughter in her arms. But the toddler was so determined in going to its father. “Pa.” Aurora, their baby pronounced her first word calling her father. Tears flown from George’s eyes and emotional heart that he hugged his princess to his heart. “I am so so so sorry.” He mouthed and pulled his love in his gasp, “Happy Anniversary, my love.” She beat him and smiled with tears. Wiping her painful drops he sealed their lips. Their daughter looked at them, “Happy Birthday, princess.” They both wished her. And they got busy with the birthday decorations.

“Another man committed suicide on losing much money on playing online games. His family is heartbroken.” The news was read by the newsreader. Anjali heart drummed watching the news. Slowly she felt her husband hug her from behind. She faked her smile. “Don’t worry. I won’t do that mistake again. You guys are my success, always.” He kissed her cheeks.

By Caroline Sabitha