Born Again (short story of brevity, under 1500 word count)

Scene #1

Sitting by the side of the infinity-edge pool on the roof of The Placebo—one of the finest motels on the Grand Highway, alongside Alex, Veronica sips her evening coffee, relaxing after an exhausting week. At 32, she has everything: the lucrative job, the greatest partner. Together, they own a few real estate properties. Despite their wealth, they lead a humble lifestyle, in a 2BHK flat at Caravan Corner—the place mostly inhabited by intellectuals who prefer simple living. Everyone in the neighborhood loves this newlywed. There could be no plausible reason Veronica could exhibit the slightest speck of sadness.

Appearances are deceptive.

A sudden gust of violent winds strikes her cheeks so hard haunting her of her past memories. She becomes hysterical and burns herself splashing the coffee on her toes.

Alex: ‘Everything’s going to be alright.’

Veronica: (starts weeping uncontrollably) ‘Save me.’

Alex: ‘I love you. Please don’t hurt yourself.’

Alex embraces Veronica and carries her to the first-aid room to address the minor wounds incurred from the burning.

*

Scene #2(6 months earlier)

Alex returns home one afternoon after his 37^th birthday celebration which marks the inception of Alex Homes—the real estate giant company. While crossing the La Opella overpass, he sees a young lady trying to climb over the sound barrier. His car screeches to a halt. As he walks towards her, she screams shooing him away.

Alex: ‘Lady, what’s the matter?’

Veronica: (her shrill could deafen him) ‘GO AWAY. I NEED TO END MY… (she collapses right there).’

Alex: ‘Hey…’

Scene #3(Emergency ward, City Hospital)

A man arrives with a stretcher. At the reception counter,

Receptionist: ‘Sir, please sign this form. What’s your wife’s name?’

Alex: ‘Wife? She isn’t, I don’t even know her name.’

Receptionist: ‘This’s no time for jokes. Your name, Sir?’

Alex: ‘Alex.’

Receptionist: ‘Mr.Alex, please pay 25 grant towards City Hospital. “John, the doctor is coming, tell Rose to prepare for the operation.”’

Alex: ‘LISTEN! DO YOU KNOW WHO I’M? I can sue you. I’m Alex of Alex Homes…’

Receptionist: (stammering) ‘I deeply apologize, Sir. On the phone, “Dr.Sebastian, there’s an emergency.” “John, Dr.Sebastian is on his way, prepare for the examination immediately.” Sir, please take a seat.’

Alex: (self-assessment) ‘There seems to be no humanity. Money buys everything. Why’d the lady attempt suicide? I need to know her dilemma.’

A bearded man in suit enters the lobby. Dr.Sebastian goes straight to the examination room.

After a few minutes:

Dr.Sebastian: ‘Mr.Alex, your wife had a terrible depression attack. She overdosed on pills last night. She needs your love. I have given her sedatives, she should be fine in a while.’

Alex: ‘Thank you, Doctor.’

*

Scene #4(present)

Alex plays the video of their wedding day. Tears roll down Veronica’s cheeks but this time, for happiness, for all the love she’s ever received from this man by her side.

Veronica: (thinking out loud) “How can I end my life? I’ve the most loving man. He does so much for me and in return, pain is all I give him.” ‘Alex, I’m sorry. I love you.’

Alex: (kisses her forehead) ‘Take rest.’

*

Scene #5(6 months earlier)

Discharged that night, Alex brings Veronica home.

Veronica: ‘Thank you but I’m not sure if I can spend the night here.’

Alex: Relax. I’m Alex. I live here. It’s late. I’ll drop you tomorrow morning. Drink this warm milk and sleep. Good night! “Veronica says Veronica” Pardon?’

Veronica: ‘I’m Veronica’

With the effects of the sedatives and the milk, Veronica retires to bed as if sleeping after ages.

In his room, Alex doesn’t understand the stir left by the woman he met sometime before. He seems to have been mesmerized by her simple beauty, still visible despite being depressed, her meaningful eyes wanting to tell him a secret, her distant stare as if lost to oblivion, her childlike voice.

Alex: ‘I’m going crazy. Is it love at first sight? Oh God! I’m in love. I vow to love her so much she rejoices to live again.’

Alex walks towards the guest room. Slightly opening the door left unlocked, he glimpses the damsel in distress and smiles like never before.

(Next morning)

Alex: ‘Good morning! Tea for you.’

Veronica looks up to greet Alex. Suddenly, Alex holds and kisses her. Instead of slapping the stranger cum savior for intruding, she sobs in silence, her eyes speaking volumes unsurmountable.

Alex: ‘Get ready. I’ll drop you.’

Veronica just nods.

A week passes by. Alex finds it hard to concentrate. He decides to blurt out his emotions for this unknown lady.

The door-bell rings. Trying not to take her life and having lost all contact with her dear ones, the continuous sound both amuses and scares Veronica. Mustering all her courage, she opens the door only to find her savior to her astonishment. Even before he’d utter a word, Veronica hugs him and starts crying. They make love as destined. Their worlds collide in unison.

Days pass and whenever Alex enquires about Veronica’s past, all she does is weep continuously. His consistent efforts are in vain.

Alex: ‘Darling, let’s go out for dinner.’

Veronica: ‘I’ll be ready in a jiffy.’

Alex searches the whole room hoping to find some clue as to what his girl is like. Apart from being the lady he loves and the anti-depression pills she keeps swallowing every now and then, he knows nothing about her, yet he’s so drawn towards her he’d do anything to bring her back to normalcy. Hearing the door latching down, as if luck would have it, he finds her diary beneath the mattress. He quickly hides it under his coat.

Scene #6

After dropping Veronica, Alex drives home at jet speed. Panting, he reaches for his study lamp and starts devouring her personal diary.

Two important notes as per her accounts:

Veronica’s Diary

(2 years earlier)

‘James loves me like crazy. An architect by profession, he mostly takes up interior projects for he doesn’t have much flair in design, all due to his exceptional marketing skills. For my unimaginable creativity, he’s made me Creative Head Designer. It pleases me to think I just did 2 years Diploma Course in Interior Design. My continuous hard work finally pays off though it didn’t go down too well with my senior colleagues. Rumors are spread I’m sleeping with my boss. This isn’t true but it hardly matters. After all, we love each other.’

(6 months earlier)

‘God! Please forgive me if I’d committed any mistakes unknowingly. All I did was worked hard and loved him with my every sense. His company reached the top-notch level because of me. I worked while he partied with other girls on the pretext of business trips. I was too naive. I started demanding my right in his life, in his company. Sensing trouble, he took me on a vacation. Like an idiot, I accompanied and happily made love. WHAT WAS I THINKING? We returned exhilarated. Office resumed. Everything seemed interesting until one day, when I didn’t get my periods. I got pregnant. Strange but I was happy. I went to surprise him but to my disappointment, he asked me to abort. I implored him to marry me. To my utter disbelief, he ordered me to leave.’

‘I was adamant to not kill my baby. I didn’t go to office for several days. Days turned into months. I kept waiting for his apology. My savings reduced exponentially. Then, one day, my door-bell rang. I was so excited but when I opened the door, the postman handed me an envelope. My heart pounded heavily and as I saw the word TERMINATION, I couldn’t control myself and fell down. I felt so lonely. My people, my friends—I’d distanced them all for this man.’

‘Less money and no work left me with no option but to abort. I killed my child. I’ve no rights to live and therefore, I’m taking my life.’

A possible light illuminating to save his love, Alex goes to bed with a chuckle. A new hope outshines.

(Next morning)

Neatly groomed, with a bouquet and her diary held tightly, Alex rings Veronica’s house bell. Seeing her lost diary in his hands,

Veronica: ‘HOW COULD YOU STEAL MY ONLY POSSESSION?’

Alex: ‘Marry me, love!’

(Veronica breaks down, Alex pacifies her)

‘Not only this, we’ll open Verolex Interior Solutions. “Together, we win. Together, we live. Together, we flourish.” Now, stop crying and show me your hand.’

Together, they march to the Chorus Church where they’re pronounced Husband and Wife.

*

Scene #7(The climax)

At The Placebo, Veronica wakes up at dawn. She observes the beautiful inviting sunrise telling her to relax, to breathe, to shine on. How time flies! She’s had a redundant roller-coaster ride—from nothing to everything to nothing to everything yet again. She finally learns to value her life, her love and most importantly, herself. 

She feels blissful to be Born Again!

The End.