Mango Bonds
#28 100-words on old debts, bonds and bedrock of life
Mango Bonds
Summer’s end. We’re at the train station bidding my uncle’s family goodbye. The train starts pulling out. My cousin Sunil yells to me, “I stole the mangoes!”
The next day, I write him demanding my share of the money my mom made us kids cough up for the complaining mango-seller. I never hear back from Sunil.
Next time I see Sunil is two decades later. He drives 300 miles to help me move out, while my soon-to-be-ex-husband seethes in a corner.
As we drive out Sunil declares, “Even — on the mangoes now!”
I laugh out loud. First time in years.
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reena | 1.05.2024
Hope you enjoyed this work of fiction, which came together as I thought about the people who form the bedrock of our lives based on decades of history, shared experiences, good and bad, including those childhood summers where we stood witness to each other’s heroics and follies.
If you like my work, please do let me know, comment, share and pass along to others who may find resonance here. I’ve been reducing my social media footprint more and more and I rely on your good words to reach more readers…
Great story. I love that Sunil remembered the mangoes after 20 years. True story by any chance?
This gave me a smile - a mixed one :)) What a sweet story of a sweet bond