
Lightning first, then the thunder. And in between the two…….. my heart got broken. I should have read the signs of the approaching storm earlier itself, but again I failed to read the omens.
Earlier, the evening sky was pale as I cycled back from work, the white and dark clouds scattered in the orange glow as the sun set. Today was our 3rd wedding anniversary. There was a single red rose in my inner pocket, a heart shaped silver locket on a thin silver chain gift wrapped and in my bag.
It had been love at first sight when Sophia and I met 3 years back. Our family had arranged our meeting, but Cupid had struck immediately nonetheless. As we walked and talked that day, it had started to rain. We took that as a sign of His acceptance. We got married soon, and we loved each other. A year into our marriage, we got the good news that a third member was going to grace our family. We were very excited, but the joy turned to tears when she slipped and fell in the bathroom. Our baby was lost, and she was traumatized for months afterward. I supported her through that, and she recovered nearly a year after. We never tried to have a baby again after that.
The thunder was what urged me to cycle faster today, but I still got caught in the storm. When I got home, I could see that the lights had gone, and candlelight flooded the living room. I put my bicycle by the entrance stairs, and feeling a passion for seeing her before I entered, I peered through the living room window. Lightning first, then the thunder. And in between the two…….. my heart got broken. She was on the couch, her fair skin glowing in the light, her body sweaty. Her clothes were strewn across the floor. Her eyes had that twinkle I’d seen when we first made love, that same look that now sent a pang through my heart as her passionate moan echoed through the silent room as he entered her. I turned away and walked all night through the rain. Three years of love, not once had I betrayed her trust, and today on our anniversary, I found my sweetheart with another.
Was it a moment of temptation? Was it serious between them? I had not a clue, and I needed to know. The sun was now rising, the blanket of dawn falling on me. The rain had changed to snow and the chilly breeze echoed through as I walked back home. As I entered my street, I saw them on the doorstep as they kissed passionately. As they broke apart, she saw me. Her eyes betrayed her as I knew our marriage was over. There was hurt there, but a passion that was for him and not me. She went inside and with measured steps, I followed.

The snow still fell slowly, the cycles lay forgotten near the doorstep. As I entered, she hugged me, tried to console as my tears wet her shoulder. I tried to smile, but I knew it was over. I had never seen that coming, just as I never saw the knife that entered my heart a moment later.
A beautifully narrated story but so poignant….a harsh reality that truly exists….Glad you're back at Thursday Tales now…it's not only me who misses you but all other followers of yours I am sure of that…:)The hush..hush is…why has Leo stopped churning out beautiful stories when in fact he is the host of TT? Nope…that's my hush…hush… peace!!!
Very profound and touching..seems like betrayal needs no reasons!!
Yes, itΒ΄s a harsh story, but beautifully told.
A wonderful told story Leo very profound ……makes one think.Yvonne.
Too good Leo.. one of the best stories I have read in the recent past. Narrated really well. Loved the last line the most.
@Amity,don't think anyone else missed me dear! π i'm not that popular as a fictionist! :Dglad u liked my TT return, good to be back! π
@Jaspreet,yes.. these days, it seems so too! π
@Eva,thank u.. ! π
@Yvonne,yes.. i know! a sad thought huh?
@Ava,thank u! glad that u liked it so much! π
how devasting! that's all I thought
@Lissa,thanks! yes, it was devastating…
Aww.. A beautiful narration and apt story for the pic.. Great..Yours Frendly,Saravana Kumar M
you took it much better tha me
What a beautifully narrated tale Leo. The reader certainly sympathizes with the man betrayed by the one he loved. A sad and poignant story.
@Saravana,don't know if the story was apt, glad u liked the narration! π
@GS Batty,haha! π
@Write Girl,thank u so very much! glad u liked it! π
Your story cuts away through gentle thoughts right down to those raw inner feelings that we all try to protect! A wonderful piece!
heartfelt piece,how beautiful it is to connect the gap to one's emotions.
@Gemma,thank you.. glad u felt the piece to be emotional and wonderful!
@Jingle,thank u very much! π
Betrayal is the temptation of the moment..indeed!
@Rose,thank u..!
Great piece of writing..cut and dried
@Gautami,many thanks! π glad u liked it..!