Story 7 : Soni's Smile

The prompt for this month's story was simple: Cats and Dogs
Word count was very low too : 300 words only


And yet, no inspiration struck. Probably because (new realization) my love for animals does not extend beyond the boundary of the homo sapiens variety.


As I sat with my son watching the FIFA World Cup semi-final between England and Croatia, a part of my mind fretted over not having a single story idea even worth considering. I even began thinking along the lines of how the sky wouldn't collapse if I failed to post a story this time.


But the Universe had other plans, I suppose. For, when I woke today morning, it was with the thought of a story that seemed write-able.


I suppose I should be saying thank you to FIFA .......

Soni's Smile


Soni toyed with the food on his plate.

“Cats,” called Seema.

“And dogs,” whispered Soni.

“Eat,” said Seema, and watched her son Soni tuck into his breakfast with gusto.

Seema sighed. 368 days since that fateful accident. The one that took her husband away. And wiped the smile off her son Soni’s face forever. He’d been badly hurt, too. The body had healed within a few months. Not the spirit, though.

Somewhere in the middle of trying to get Soni to respond like before, Seema had found this way to goad him into action. She didn’t know how the messaging worked. But it did.

Seema had been so excited by her discovery, she’d even shared it with Soni’s football coach. The man just stared like he thought she was crazy.

Soni picked up his school bag and walked to the door. Through the fog that swirled in his mind, he remembered something. He gave Seema a quick hug and left for school. Another day. The same gray cloud inside and outside. A pinprick of light in a corner of his mind – yes! Football match today. The light dimmed. Only sitting on the reserve bench.

Match time. A blur of action as his teammates tried to score. Coach stood in front of him and was saying something, but it was too fast for Soni. He just stared at Coach.

“Cats,” said Coach.

“And dogs,” Soni murmured.

“Go play and score!” Coach shouted

Soni ran like he’d never run before. The fog lifted, the sun was out, and it felt warm. Soni’s eyes never left the ball and yet, even he didn’t see exactly how it flew into the net.

As his teammates fell all over him in their excitement, Coach caught a glimpse of what Seema hungered to see. Soni’s smile.


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