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You are here: Home / Blogging, Writing & Creativity / Karma

June 2, 2013 Corinne Rodrigues 47 Comments

Karma

“What do I do with these, Mom?” Karma whispered to her Mom as she took the petals from the red roses being passed around and cradled them in her palm. “Throw them on the grave when I throw mine, sweetie,” Sarah whispered back.

writetribeprompt4

“How ironic that they’re red roses,” Sarah thought to herself as her mind started to wander back to a day some thirteen odd years ago.

She was in her early thirties then, and had finally met the man of her dreams – Sheldon.  Theirs had been a whirlwind courtship. They seemed so right together – they seemed to have it all, same background, same values and loads of passion. Sarah was ready to believe in his dreams and encouraged him to go after them. Sheldon was so happy to have finally met someone who would support him in his art. His ex had insisted that he stick to the law firm and even pushed him to try for a partnership in it. He hadn’t had that kind of encouragement before, he confessed to Sarah.

They discussed a possible  future together. Sarah was mentally prepared to support them, while Sheldon focused on his art studies.  Sarah was also ready to move to Mumbai, knowing that his chances of success were better there.

That day in May,  she was happy to be visiting  Mumbai on work. It meant that she got to spend time with Sheldon.  It also meant that she would be able to tell him her big news. He picked her up from the guest house and took her to Church. After Mass, he stopped to buy some roses. A whole big bunch of roses. As he stepped back into the car, Sarah was so thrilled. Could this be the day he was going to formally propose to her?  But he placed the flowers on the dashboard without a word. “I’m taking you home for breakfast,” he said.  When they reached his home, he took out a single flower from the bunch and absentmindedly gave it to her. Sarah was puzzled, wondering who the roses were for. It was only when he presented them to his mother, that she realized it was Mother’s day, and felt a little foolish. But she held on to that single rose, still hoping for that proposal. ‘Next year, he’ll just have to give me a fantastic bouquet,’ she smiled.

Later in the day, he took her for a long drive, parking the car in a quiet spot under the tree. “You know I love you,” he said.  She had guessed of course, but he had never actually put it in words. Sarah nodded and smiled quietly. “Here it comes,” she thought trying hard to quell the butterflies in her stomach.  “But, I’m sorry I can’t marry you. I’ve thought about it and I realize I want to have children. You’re in your thirties, already. I can’t take a chance on not having children. I’m the only son after all and my mother needs grandchildren.”

Sarah answered with all the dignity she could muster, “I understand, Sheldon. I hope you find someone who loves you as much as I do.” He nodded, relieved that she hadn’t made a scene.  She looked down at her lap and saw that she had crushed that rose and scattered those petals.  ‘Broken,’ she thought, ‘much like my heart.’

Standing here today, she wondered for a brief moment whether she had made the right choice back then. But then good sense took over. Her life since that  day hadn’t been easy but she had lived with dignity and with a lot of love, joy and laughter too.

The service was getting over and she threw the petals, nudging her daughter to do the same.  Then taking the girl’s hand she turned and left the cemetery.

“Mom, didn’t your friend have a family?”

“Not any more.  I heard his mother died a few years after his wife did.”

“So sad. And didn’t he have any children, Mama?”

“He had a beautiful daughter he didn’t know about, sweetheart. But that was his Karma.”

 

 

This is my response to the Write Tribe Prompt # 4

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Filed Under: Blogging, Writing & Creativity

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Comments

  1. blogwatig says

    June 16, 2013 at 5:01 pm

    Well, nothing quite prepared me for the end. Beautiful, sad…..but beautiful. If only people live knowing Karma is gonna get them whenever she can, happiness would not be a butterfly.

    Reply
  2. sharmila says

    June 9, 2013 at 12:36 am

    Wonderful story Corinne.The grace and dignity of Sarah has come out beautifully through the narration.

    Reply
  3. Kislaya Gopal says

    June 6, 2013 at 2:58 pm

    That was a well woven srory, I really wish that Sarah had reasoned with Sheldon, then their life would have been so different. Touching tale!

    Reply
  4. Aditi says

    June 6, 2013 at 12:15 pm

    And Karma it was!! Beautifully narrated….
    The story depicts strenght of a woman, her dignity, her pride!! It also reflects on the pathetic mindset of males in our society…he deserved this!!

    Reply
  5. Afshan says

    June 6, 2013 at 10:32 am

    Strange!
    Just due to the reason that one may not give birth they have to sacrifice love !
    I dont buy it. Feels sad but ya it is like that I GUESS

    Reply
  6. Shilpa Garg says

    June 5, 2013 at 1:48 pm

    Karma has her way of coming around when you least except it. Such a beautiful story, Corinne! Loved it.

    Reply
  7. Jas says

    June 5, 2013 at 1:39 pm

    A wonderful story Corinne. Very nicely written.

    Reply
  8. Latha says

    June 5, 2013 at 5:16 am

    Short, crisp and neat…loved the story, Corinne.

    Reply
    • G Angela says

      June 5, 2013 at 12:48 pm

      Beautiful corinne ! loved every bit of it ! we never know in life, how some decisions can create consequences one could never dream of…. thanks for sharing such a lovely post ! I am proud of you !!

      Reply
  9. Mayura says

    June 4, 2013 at 8:16 pm

    Hi Corinne,

    Felt like watching it dear 🙂 I don’t know why, but at the start when I read the line ““What do I do with these, Mom?””, I’ve imagined two characters wearing black 😀 lol…

    I felt what if Sarah could discuss about it rather than nodding and accepting his point. But in real-world, it happens. Someone who look at it can argue for that. Love is blind! 🙂

    You have a lovely week there Corinne 🙂

    Cheers…

    Reply
  10. ajiteja says

    June 4, 2013 at 5:44 pm

    I just loved all the 3 characters sarah, sheldon and karma. They so perfectly depict our lives. Sarah for strength and dignity, sheldon for stupidity and confused and karma for innocence. Story was worth reading…..Thanks Corinne for posting it….

    Reply
  11. Ruchira says

    June 4, 2013 at 11:12 am

    Oh Corinne ! Superb story ! Excellently told. You had me gripped till the end !

    Reply
  12. Sheela says

    June 4, 2013 at 6:12 am

    This story depicts dignity, tolerance, and strength in the form of Sarah…creator of Karma. Maybe connection with Karma would have changed Sheldon’s life…but…

    Very well written….All the best!

    Reply
  13. Swati Nitin Gupta says

    June 4, 2013 at 5:52 am

    good story Corinne and aptly titled too. Keep writing.

    Reply
  14. Rachna says

    June 3, 2013 at 7:47 pm

    I hadn’t guessed the end at all. Superbly narrated. So difficult to know what decisions work in life and what don’t!

    Reply
  15. Jyothi Nair says

    June 3, 2013 at 6:12 pm

    So well written. I believe in Karma too in that it comes back to bite you at some point in time. Sheldon got what he deserved. If Sarah had told him about the child, maybe life would have been different for both. But then, why should she when he doesn’t care about her feelings at all. Lovely!

    Reply
  16. Bhavya says

    June 3, 2013 at 5:13 pm

    Wow! What a story. Loved it every bit.
    And I loved how you named the child Karma. Guess, Sheldon got what he deserved.

    Reply
  17. Meena Menon says

    June 3, 2013 at 5:02 pm

    The kinda story that brings a lump to my throat!

    Reply
  18. Melissa says

    June 3, 2013 at 2:06 pm

    I had goosebumps reading this… You’re such an amazing writer! Perfect ending BS.

    Reply
  19. Smitha says

    June 3, 2013 at 1:54 pm

    Such a beautiful story! Such irony, isn’t it?

    Reply
  20. Meghna says

    June 3, 2013 at 11:46 am

    Wow! That was such a beautiful story. It spoke tons! Specially when I am going through this phase of making choices and letting things that are dearest, go off! Guiding it is.

    Reply
  21. Privy Trifles says

    June 3, 2013 at 11:26 am

    Life is all about choices I guess and this story just re-emphasizes on it….

    Beautifully told as always Corinne, I could have never guessed the ending ever 🙂

    Reply
    • Corinne Rodrigues says

      June 3, 2013 at 7:49 pm

      Yes, it’s truly all about choices – and learning to accept that we might have made bad ones, accept and move on too.

      Reply
  22. Cairn Rodrigues says

    June 2, 2013 at 9:18 pm

    Great story! You gave me a shiver at the end, well done 🙂

    Reply
    • Corinne Rodrigues says

      June 3, 2013 at 7:41 pm

      Thanks, Cairn. When you tell me it’s good, I believe it! 🙂

      Reply
  23. Joyce says

    June 2, 2013 at 5:15 pm

    Interesting twist at the end. What a jerk! These days, thirty is not too old to have children . . . obviously.

    Reply
    • Corinne Rodrigues says

      June 2, 2013 at 6:20 pm

      Sadly, they still make men that way though, Joyce!

      Reply
  24. Talya Tate Boerner says

    June 2, 2013 at 4:31 pm

    Karma will also win! Good one Corinne. T.

    Reply
    • Corinne Rodrigues says

      June 2, 2013 at 6:12 pm

      Karma sure has a way of winning. Thanks, Talya!

      Reply
  25. Martha Orlando says

    June 2, 2013 at 4:24 pm

    Corinne, your stories just get better and better! I hung on your every word and the ending was perfect!
    Many blessings, my friend!

    Reply
    • Corinne Rodrigues says

      June 2, 2013 at 5:36 pm

      Thanks so much, Martha. I just told Ron how scared I am about publishing my stories – they never feel good enough. When a storyteller like you tells me you liked it, I makes me feel wonderful! Thanks again.

      Reply
  26. Ron says

    June 2, 2013 at 4:06 pm

    A beautifully woven story Corinne. Ironic and a metaphoric gem.

    Sarah is such a graceful character. Beautifully done 🙂

    Reply
    • Corinne Rodrigues says

      June 2, 2013 at 5:35 pm

      So glad you liked this, Ron. I’m so tentative about writing fiction. My Critic comes and sits on my shoulder and whispers sweet somethings in my ear and I have to keep fighting him off! 😉

      Reply
  27. Punam says

    June 2, 2013 at 3:17 pm

    Corinne, That was touching, awesome and the most beautiful story I have ever come across. Gave me peace. Thank you… thank you soo sooo much. Karma. Keep chanting. Karma.

    Reply
    • Corinne Rodrigues says

      June 2, 2013 at 5:32 pm

      I’m so glad it ‘spoke’ to you, Punam.

      Reply
  28. ushamenon says

    June 2, 2013 at 3:07 pm

    Corinne ,this is such an emotional story!! Sarah’s unspoken grief is is so touching.

    Reply
    • Corinne Rodrigues says

      June 3, 2013 at 7:39 pm

      I’m glad it touched you, Mrs Menon. I’m looking forward to reading your take on the prompt.

      Reply
  29. janu says

    June 2, 2013 at 2:09 pm

    Speechless Corinne. Really a wonderful story.

    Reply
    • Corinne Rodrigues says

      June 2, 2013 at 5:30 pm

      Thanks, Janu.

      Reply
  30. Suzy says

    June 2, 2013 at 1:30 pm

    Karma has a way of getting back at you. A very poignant tale. I hung onto every word.

    Reply
    • Corinne Rodrigues says

      June 2, 2013 at 5:30 pm

      Oh yes, Karma comes back to bite you, if you’re not careful! 😉 Glad you liked this story, Suzy.

      Reply
  31. Alka Gurha says

    June 2, 2013 at 12:44 pm

    We can plan all we want but we really don’t know what life has in store for us. Sarah is all grace, strength and warmth. Loved it.

    Reply
    • Corinne Rodrigues says

      June 2, 2013 at 5:29 pm

      That’s so true, Alka. I’m glad you liked Sarah’s character – I started to like her too! 😉

      Reply
  32. Kajal says

    June 2, 2013 at 12:29 pm

    Such a nice story. Sad that Sheldon never came to know about Karma. I like the character of Sarah a lot!
    Thanks for the lovely piece Corinne

    Reply
    • Corinne Rodrigues says

      June 2, 2013 at 3:48 pm

      Glad Sarah’s character came through, Kajal. Don’t you think Sheldon got he deserved?

      Reply
      • Kajal says

        June 2, 2013 at 6:56 pm

        I am not sure Corinne. Sheldon definitely had his reasons and Sarah accepted that. I don’t know if he deserved it. When he put his points across to Sarah she could make him understand her point of view as well, but she meekly accepted what was fallen on her. I may be wrong too, but I guess when we make the choices (like Sarah did to accept quietly whatever fate had) then there should not be any reason for us to complain. Of course that is what I liked about Sarah’s character is that she did not carry any grudges and moved on with her life. Also she did not let the incident affect Karma’s life in any way. Hats off to the woman, though.

        Reply
        • Corinne Rodrigues says

          June 3, 2013 at 7:38 pm

          Hmmm…I get it. We all make decisions which we can always second guess – but if they’re based on some sound principles, then we get the strength to live by them. Thanks, Kajal.

          Reply

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