I'm on a roll...
After writing the previous post I was so keyed up to put up some real stuff that I thought of publishing a story that I recently wrote for my company magazine..it is the easy way out, but that’s okay. The story is called The Sweet Lie (slightly corny title, but not too bad I think)...managed to interweave a few of likes of mine into the story too :)
The Sweet Lie
Jonathan boarded the 909 with a deep sigh and occupied his customary seat in coach 7. The usual stream of commuters passed by in the coach aisle – the pair of giggling schoolgirls, a couple of stern looking policemen clutching their morning newspapers and coffee, and the cursing mother and her tugging little daughter who always scowled at Jonathan. Jonathan returned the scowl and turning away to the limited sights that the window offered, began to reflect on where his life had gone wrong.
Ever since he had graduated a year ago, and had taken up his assignment as an investment banker in the sleepy little hamlet of Sullyhill, Jonathan’s life had been reduced to plain drudgery. Up at six in the morning, he had to rush to the station to catch the 909 to Sullyhill. The journey was a dreary two-hour drag past uninteresting towns and stark grasslands that even the cows seemed to avoid. His desk job from nine thirty to five was only punctuated by an hour’s lunch break, at which he munched down his hurriedly prepared sandwiches. In harmony with this general theme, his fellow employees were as interesting (well at least to a non-archeologist) as the rocks at Stonehenge. Back at home by eight, Jonathan dined, and then tuned up his old radio to the airwaves carrying the latest on Bush and Blair’s quest for world peace, before finally entering into an uninterrupted slumber till dawn. Thus ended a typical day in the mechanized existence of Jonathan Harper.
***
“Is someone occupying this seat”?
The lovely voice stirred Jonathan out of the daydream he had unwittingly slipped into. Rubbing his eyes in disbelief, he gazed at the charming and pretty young lady who stood before him. The woman’s cheeks blushed slightly as she became aware of his stare. She coughed lightly and repeated her question. Jonathan stammered an apology and shook his head. The train slowly lurched into motion as the girl took of her coat and took the seat opposite Jonathan.
“Hi. I am Sara.” His hand trembled slightly as he eased out of the weak handshake he had offered while introducing himself. “I am a law student currently on an apprenticeship in Sullyhill,” she continued. Jonathan mumbled out his business as an investment banker. How he wished he could have rather replied “I play left back for a second division club in Leeds and in my spare time strum the bass for a local band called the Ladybirds. Ever heard of us?”
“Well that sounds quite interesting,” said Sara, trying to sound polite. As she was saying this, a deceptive plan was cooking in Jonathan’s mind. He wondered if he could fabricate his life’s story to keep this celestial angel engaged in a decent conversation. Without this extreme measure he was sure she would before long change compartments out of boredom.
“I am divorced with two kids,” was his opening move. Jonathan was sure he sounded drop dead unconvincing and he quickly turned away to the window to hide any emotion that would give him away. “Oh! I’m sorry,” apologised Sara. “Its okay. These things can happen at times,” accepted Jonathan with a shammed tinge of sadness. “She ran away with a painter; and a rather lousy one at that. I hope his works never sell.”
“It must be tough on your kids,” sympethised Sara. “Oh no. Michel and Mary are coping fine without her. We have our own fun times. In fact this weekend I plan to take them to the village fair to celebrate Michel’s fourth birthday. My kids just love the candy floss they serve down there.”
Jonathan began to gain more confidence as he wove his fictitious tale further. A mythical aunt with foreboding powers and a romping jaguar car were all soon rolled into the narrative. Just as he was starting out on a supposed summer adventure while rowing on the Thames, he noticed the spires of Sullyhill coming into view, and realized that his small moment of delight was nearing its end.
As they were parting ways on the diminutive platform at Sullyhill station, he abruptly blurted out “I am single, unmarried and lead the most sorry and uninteresting life imaginable.” If Sara was taken by surprise, she never showed it. She dipped into her handbag and pulled out a wrinkled card. “Call me sometime,” she said and gracefully walked away with a mesmerizing, gentle smile.
***
Jonathan and Sara have now been married for seventeen years. Michel and Mary exist for real. Jonathan’s sandwiches taste much better, and he even manages to smile at the scowling daughter of the formerly scowling girl! To date he has never asked Sara if she had believed his Sweet Lie.
Hi Sidd, Good to see you resume your blogging! I read this story in our company mag and I was very much impressed then. Reading it twice has not dulled the experience! Keep blogging with words and pictures too!
Posted by
Suyog |
June 04, 2005 4:30 AM
Hi Sidd,
Superb writing! The details that you have captured on the train journey are very good, I could create a visual picture of the train journey just reading through the lines.
And I agree with Suyog - I read it all over again, still enjoyed it from start to finish :-)
Good going - Keep writing!
Kanchana
Posted by
Anonymous |
June 05, 2005 11:40 PM
Hey Elderly Camel! Visited ur blog for the first time! And good story indeed! You do have a way with words! Shall keep coming back for more!
Posted by
Daneshia |
June 12, 2005 1:36 PM
Ok, here is another one who you havent dragged to the altar.
nice stories! loved the description.
cant agree more abt Sidin. He inspired me too :)
Posted by
S m i t h a |
June 27, 2005 12:42 AM