This Day, five years back - part one

A sleepless night with lingering contractions. Omelet and toast for breakfast, maternity bag deliberately left in the car.

Four centimeters dilated, no vacant rooms- the pre-labour ward is where I was put.

Three others in the ward- their entourages wondering why there was no one with me.

The others yelling, me silent. Any point yelling if there is nobody to hear?

Breathing through contractions, reading my book, fighting the pain, talking into my phone.

Lunch, tea, dinner- consumed in an instant. Brief walks, crippling back pain.

The night is the worst. The pain unbearable.




No sign yet of my Baby.


Drabble (n) - an extremely short work exactly one hundred words in length. The purpose of the drabble is brevity and to test the author's ability to express interesting and meaningful ideas in an extremely confined space.

Trains

An eternal question for me - when trains are always in motion, how is it that they are often the one unchanging part of your day?

The Snail

The snail was creeping about in the dark minding its own business when a kid spotted it. Within moments, there were five pre-schoolers jostling each other to catch a glimpse of the fabled snail. It was dark, the snail was black, and the kids were too close to a drain, so I thought it prudent to pick the snail up and move it to the lobby where there was more light.
The kids crowded around, not wanting to miss a single moment of the live action that was unfolding before there eyes. A couple of older kids joined in – one rushed off to get leaves to feed the snail. The snail did not see interested, so a couple of empathetic kids rushed off to get other delicacies that the snail may prefer to the leaves.
An inch long snail. A captive audience of a dozen.

A healthy snack

When I was rushing to work yesterday, I saw the man with a pile of watermelon slices covered by a red mosquito net, and resolved to take a picture on my way back home.

In those few hours, it had metamorphosised into a tasty snack.

Empathy ?

Put yourself in the other man’s shoes, I was told. Strangely, I listened. And made excuses.
‘He does micromanage, but that is his style, he will change.’
‘She is just a kid, she doesn’t know better.’



I understand, but do not forget. They take my silence for acquiescence. Things only get worse.
‘He doesn’t mean to be rude, he is just stressed.’
‘She behaves like a member of the family, but she does love the kids.’

When the end comes, it takes everyone by surprise but me.

Towards employer or employed. Empathy is not a good thing.

Unsteady Steps

[My father never got to take either of his grandchildren to the park, but this is exactly the kind of grandfather he would have been if he could.]

Together they take a walk in the park.

She’s still learning to walk – just putting one foot before the other is a huge challenge for her. She would fall if he lets go her hand.
He holds her tight. His back may be bent, his muscles weak. But his love is so strong, he will never let her fall.

She is his future. His is a past she can be proud of. Now, he can do little else but look after her. She does not get so much attention elsewhere.

Together, they take unsteady steps. Best friends now. And forever?

Drabble (n) - an extremely short work exactly one hundred words in length. The purpose of the drabble is brevity and to test the author's ability to express interesting and meaningful ideas in an extremely confined space.

You`ll Sleep, I`ll Stand Guard

Someday, I will bound across the Savannah with you - over rocky ground and soft, through the treeless flats and thickets of shrub. Hunting dinner, chasing food - but actually celebrating a body made for running. Someday, I will run with you, we will bring our kill home together. I will be your partner, not just your child.

Someday soon, I will take my place in the herd. But not today. Today, I am young, there is a lot I have to learn. But one thing I can do well,- I can stand guard while you catch up on your sleep.

Painting by Wendy Corbett

Drabble (n) - an extremely short work exactly one hundred words in length. The purpose of the drabble is brevity and to test the author's ability to express interesting and meaningful ideas in an extremely confined space.