Derelict – #Blogbattle

BlogBattle is a weekly short story challenge in which participants write short stories using a single word for inspiration. You can visit the BB’s blog to find out more about it: Blogbattle: Inspired To Write.

This week’s word is Derelict.

Derelict

sad-girl-1382940_640

Genre: Dark Fiction

The smell of his sweat repels me. The sweat-soaked hair under his arms makes me want to gag. They touch my cheek even when he doesn’t move. But I can’t let this repulsion show on my face. I have no strength to fight with him anymore tonight.

I love him, I remind myself for the thousandth time tonight. I love him. It’ll all get over soon.

I turn my face slowly and look at his face trying to understand what’s going through his mind. He looks shabby and I miss those days when he used to shave and take bath every day (or every other day at least.) He’s turned into someone else entirely. Someone I don’t know. Someone I don’t want  to know.

He laughs at something making an animal sound that starts from his stomach and vibrates in his throat. Sitting this close to him I can feel it when his laugh rises from his belly and comes out of his mouth like he’s throwing up, spittle flying in the air.

I feel his rough stubble on my forehead and try to wiggle out of his suffocating half-embrace. He looks at me annoyed and tightens his grips. He looks at me for a minute before smirking and turning back to the TV.

I can feel the remains of his stale breath on my face. I exhale deeply and try to calm down my nerves. I love him and deep down somewhere he loves me too. 

I try to console myself, but when I think about what he’s become I can’t stop the tears from welling up in my eyes. And in that moment I hate myself. I begin to loathe what I’ve done, regretting the decision of leaving Ben and Adam for this bastard.

But I will not run away this time because this is what I deserve for leaving my baby and my loving husband behind.

***

Please note: This is a work of fiction. 
Any resemblance to any person or thing is purely coincidental.

Author: Heena Rathore P.

Heena is a published writer, novel critic and the chief editor at a local publishing house. Presently she is completing her degree in English Literature while also completing courses in Psychology from various international universities such as Yale University. She is a recipient of 2k20 Influential Women Award (Literature) and Top 100 Debut Novels By Indian Authors 2019. She is also a member of the Indian Author’s Association. Her works include Deceived, her debut novel, Life In Reverse: Big Bang Of Non-Fiction (co-author) and Pandemic, a collection of short stories (releasing by the end of 2020)

35 thoughts

  2. Pingback: Blog Battle 70 “Derelict” Entries & Voting | BlogBattle

    1. Thanks. I had my doubts about this at first mainly because it was so short, but I’ve realised that sometimes less is more and leaving stuff for imagination serves the purpose perfectly.
      Thanks for reading and for your kind words. Appreciate it 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  12. Pingback: Blog Battle 72 “Vampire” Entries & Voting | BlogBattle

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