“This is heaven”

“You sure?”

“This is unlike anything you have ever tasted”

“Better than blueberry muffins?”

“Fuck your blueberry muffins, this is the real stuff”

His eyes glistened, lips curled, the shiny metal , hint of red and my end.

Few children outside were doing a protest march.

STOP DRUG ABUSE!

Life faded away.

“It’s my turn.” She pushed him.

“It’s ALWAYS your turn.” He wrestled.

“Well, I am the older one.”

“And I, am the smarter.”

“Go ahead smarty! Remember, mom gave ME the money.”

“Alright, you pick. Anything but Strawberry!”

She sported her best smile as she turned to the counter, “One Strawberry Sundae please.”

She locked all doors and walked out into the dark streets as usual. None of those who met her in the dark saw the ebony tears of mascara she shed each night.
But today was her day with her prince.
“I love you.”
“Love you too honey.” Her first night of love.

Despite the blasts he gripped her wrist, leading her to the edge of the cliff. She gathered her long white dress and halted, “I can’t.” Hurt, he loosened his grip.

Wedding bells echoing!

Phone rang. She reached for the bed lamp. “Hello?”

“Elisa? About George …”

Numbed, she checked her wrist. It’s purple all around.

A cold, icy drizzle fell, as April slowly walked home.

Sidewalks slick, reflected in the streetlights glow.

From a distance, the sound of heavy footsteps approaching.

A backward glance revealed an old man. Surprisingly agile, he silently passed April.

His cane loudly, rhythmically pounded the ice. Then faded.

April breathed out. Heartbeat, returned.

She looked down at the rust-coloured blood.

Confusion and fear coursing over her, before cold understanding settled over numb limbs.

Her life, as she knew it, was ending.

She slumped to the floor, onto hard unforgiving tile.

But unwavering faith in the omnipotence of her mother kept back the tears.

It was her first period.

Darkness was threatening to consume her.

Echoing in her ears were lullabies once sung by her mother. Torturous pain seared through the tiny mass as someone pulled her leg. Ruthlessly she was dragged out in her final moments. Blank.

Murdered by betrayal.

“Abortion successful”.

I gave birth to a stillborn baby girl and named her Envy, the very nature of which she was conceived. I went crazy after that, sat myself in a rocking chair and sang lullabies to a corpse. I let dust gather on the bookshelves and food was left to spoil.

I used to believe I was a ninja turtle until someone stole my bandanna and defecated on it. That same day a girl in my trailer park pushed me in a ditch and threw my tricycle on top of me. At sixteen I had sex with her brother out of spite.

Scary thought’s come to me in my sleep. I cry in my dreams and the pillow is always wet when I wake up. Maybe it’ my way of saying inside I am screaming. I cry so much I could sail on the sea of tear’s I’ve created. If saline was blood, I’d need a transfusion.

He looked at the one day old in his mother’s arm. He was instantly jealous. He wanted her attention, her body warmth, her gentle care, her silky soft hair, her sweet voice, her magic smile, her everything. Lying safe on the other arm he couldn’t understand papa saying “Darling, They are Such Lovely Twins.”

“… this is an insult! Say no to that impertinent girl”!
“Absolutely. What does she think of herself! HIV test before marriage?? How embarrassing”!
“.. But ma, there’s nothing wrong with it. I’ve already taken it. And would get the report any minute now”..
(Door bell)
They wait, as Prateek reads the report.
“So”?
“Positive….”!

She had her gun pointed directly at my chest. I stood resolutely, gazing into her eyes. She smiled as she pressed the trigger.
She wasn’t supposed to smile.
The curtains fell and the audience cheered loudly, as I lay there, bleeding, motionless.
She wasn’t supposed to smile.