For Better or For Worse – Flash Fiction Story
I hate him and his damn corner. It’s the place between the bookcase and the sagging recliner. It’s where he always stands when he has something to tell me.
And none of it is ever good.
They are his ‘tiny mistakes’. That’s what he usually calls them. And he treats me like a priest who would absolve him of his sins.
I should have just killed him the first time he had confessed to one.
His mistakes had started out small. That’s what made me overlook them.
The box of donuts – He was diabetic.
Big screen TV – Couldn’t even pay the mortgage.
Bruise on my elbow – Over waxed the wooden floor.
No, he wasn’t a wife beater. It was never a possibility.
Then came the mistakes that were bigger.
Extra hours at the office – Too much workload
Late night texting – Some new client in Antigua.
Too much cologne – Made him feel happy.
I listened and listened. Barely honoring his words with a conversation. Letting him soak in the glory of revelation. It made him lighter. It made me angrier. This was the balance of a monotonous marriage.
For better or for worse. These words now bite me.
His newest disclosure has me rethinking my strategy. It could be the consequence of my laxity. Or more rightly the doings of a shameless creature.
‘I’m in love with Kitty.’
His words try to evade my gaze, slipping quickly to the floor. I bring my foot down hard, twice, stomping the life out of them. A nervous flicker brightens his brown eyes.
Kitty isn’t a feline companion. She’s his young secretary, the one with an hourglass figure. I could never compete with that. Wouldn’t want to. He’s not too bad for his age. Has maintained his looks and physique. Comes in handy when soaking in the waters of infidelity.
My hands want to beat him. My soul wants to leave him. But my mind tells me to relax. It’s time to release the arsenal within me.
One bomb is enough. I drop it and watch it explode.
‘David is Chole’s father. Not you.’
Chloe is our daughter. David is his brother. I’ve been having an affair with him from the past fifteen years now. A good man. Much better than him.
He closes his eyes and sinks down into the recliner. I take his place in the corner. It’s my rightful domain now.
He still listens to the woman. She guides him every day. Raama Naidu’s Wise Mother is with him forever and ever.
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Terveen Gill is a versatile author and writer who has had the pleasure of growing up on two different continents. Having spent her childhood years in the United States, she returned to India, and has since been living in Chandigarh, a beautiful city in North India. Choosing engineering as her path, she obtained a bachelor's degree in Computer Science. However, paths are discovered only to be changed. Life's unpredictable tale made her realize her passion for writing, and thus began a journey that is transforming into a wonderful literary experience. The author of graphic novels and short stories, versatility is her secret weapon. From a storyteller to a film-maker, script-writing, film direction and film editing are pursuits that challenge and enhance her creativity. Her motto is, ‘If it can be imagined, it is already half-done’.
41 Comments
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wow!! just wooow!
Haha! I think it was quite appropriate. A twist with a loud BOOM!
Thank you so much! Appreciate your support. 🙂
never saw it coming
Wow. Another fabulous twist from you.
Going by your murderous reputation, for a moment I thought that she was literally planning on dropping a bomb 😂😂
Lol! Vignesh, I first had to laugh and then write this comment. Okay, I’m laughing again. My murderous reputation has definitely increased gory expectations. Thank you so much for appreciating the twist. 🙂
Ha ha. I would have been heartbroken if you had come up with a happy ending 😂
My pleasure 🙂
Happy endings are so – meh. Thanks again, Vignesh. 🙂
Yes, meh, FOR YOU 😀 😀
I though you will shoot him. But this was way better. 🙂
Haha! You’re also aware of my murderous reputation. But some paybacks can be done in a more civil way. Boom!
Thank you. 🙂
Oooh that was a twist! I kind of seem to enjoy women taking revenge on their cheating men, the TikTok algorithm has also noticed that.
Haha! I like that. It really is fulfilling. And well-deserving. Thanks for your vote of approval. 🙂
clever, incendiary writing: one bombshell deserves another 🙂
I’m glad you approve, John. Thanks so much! 🙂
Yes! That ending was so dope! I love it. Down with the patriarchy!
I like how you’ve framed that, Tony. It is a punch in the gut. Thank you so much. 🙂
You lost me. I’m still with the pussy…meow
No problem, Don. 🙂
I can understand cats. It’s people I have trouble understanding……
Wow, what an ending. I love it. He probably won’t survive such a shocking piece of news. LOL.
I guess not. But it’s sad and strange how certain marriages are based on lies, deceit, and getting even. Certainly paints an upsetting picture. Thank you so much! 🙂
Yes, that’s so true. Some are just a facade and charade people try to keep up on the outside. While in essence, a lot of resentment hidden underneath. LOL. Life goes on no matter what.
Hahah omg loved the twist, so unexpected. “I take his place in the corner. It’s my rightful domain now.” And all this while I was on her side thinking this is another sob story of infidelity where husband is the culprit.
Haha! Now that would’ve been a boring sight. She gave him what he’d been asking for. Actually much more than that. Kaboom!
Thank you so much, Sherry. 🙂
Well, what can I say, Terveen. All the twists and turns and what an ending. haha.
Had me smiling imagining the whole scenario in the wee hours of the morning here.
I’m glad this made you smile, Shobana. The story says a lot about relationships these days. Wonder who is doing what. It’s just a matter of finding out. Thank you so much. 🙂
Yes, I think trust is fragile these days.
Oh my, Terveen, I think that’s what the boxing world calls a KO; and, I don’t think the opponent is getting back up. I also get from your story that we create that which we see…great story, my dear friend. 😊
It definitely was a knockout blow, Jeff. 🙂
I agree with you. We create our own set of ideas and opinions and these shade the world we live in. It’s all about perception. Thanks so much! 🙂
Indeed, and completely agree, Terveen. You’re welcome! 😊😊
Ah, we humans just love to complicate matters. Instead of keeping a tally of all his mistakes, she could be with David, he could have his Kitty, and if they cared about Chloe at all, they would find a suitable visitation arrangement, if he still felt fatherly toward his brother’s offspring. Some men don’t.
I’m always amazed at a cheater’s reaction when they learn they’ve been cheated on as well. It doesn’t matter who stands in that corner, there are no winners in this toxic bout, and the “knockout blow” was a cheap shot delivered by a petty dirty fighter.
The only person I feel sorry for in this scenario is Chloe because she stands to lose the most out of all of them.
Hmmm…apparently someone was a bit tired when they left the above comment, and they forgot to commend you on crafting a story that evoked an emotional response.
A tip of the hat to your talent, Terveen.
Your words are always thought provoking, Rhyan. The support and encouragement is felt and understood without being said.
A curtsy and a warm smile, dear Sir. 🙂
This is really the reality of life.
And these days it’s just becoming more common. I think lies and deceit never ever win. It’s a matter of how far you can go before being branded a cheater, or how much your own conscious allows you to hide in the shadows of your own wrongdoings.
And you’re right, in such cases, if children are involved, they suffer the most. And this hurt and suffering carries on till they become disturbed adults, who may have a tendency of repeating their parents past mistakes or creating many more of their own.
It’s a vicious cycle. I wish people would just have some guts and show their true selves and embrace their faults and feelings openly so that others are spared from more years of meaningless effort and indecisive living.
If it’s not working, give up and move on.
Thanks for your wise thoughts and honest opinions. They are appreciated. 🙂
I’d like to add my “Wow!” to all the other ‘wows’.
Great work here.
Bravo!
Thank you so much!
It’s a bout of punches where no one has the liberty to say ouch. 🙂
Haha I knew a twist was coming, was waiting for it.
Best part is the plot buildup for David bomb to explode.
“He closes his eyes and sinks down into the recliner” gives a feel of drowning into the ocean. Fantastic story!
Thanks so much, Mayank. 🙂
It was a punch to the gut. Guess, both had things to hide. But one of them sparked the greater explosion.
[…] can’t stop making mistakes. She won’t listen quietly anymore. For Better or For Worse takes an ugly […]
ka-booooooom!!!!
Haha! Just the right sound effect. 🙂