The Return
#43: A 100-word prequel to "Saubhagyawati"
The Return
Trishna sobbed at her parents’ front door, “Don’t tell me to return there.”
Trishna’s mother glared, but let her in. Trishna, fleeing her abusive husband, wondered how long she could stay this time.
Her mother bellowed, “So much we gave in dahej! Shamelessly burdening us again. Wish I’d only had sons!”
Trishna’s father remained mum.
Why do the “strongest” women in this society devote their energies to subjugating other women?
Soon a headache tormented Trishna. She died two days later.
People asked, “Brain hemorrhage? Injury from abuse? Autopsy?”
“No need,” said the mother. “She’s simply returned—to where we all will.”
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reena | 05.02.2024
*dahej = dowry
BTW, the above story is the prequel to “Saubhagyawati” (see below), which I wrote last year. Sharing it here once again:
In the News!
I was recently interviewed and featured by the Women’s National Book Association (San Francisco chapter), about my journey to and as a writer. You can read it here here:
Published!
My 100-word story “Mango Bonds” was published in the Flash Flood Journal, a UK journal, on Flash Fiction Day (June 15th 2024). Read it here.
Here’s the original, in case you missed it:
Very succinct and powerful piece Reena:
Powerful prequel.
Congrats on the interview.