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Your query appears to have a psychological basis. An individual’s response on reading and choosing the background narrative, tells a lot about that individual’s thought processes and background. Both women, in my mind, are good manipulators. I suspect a mutual (tacit) agreement at their parting. Neither was really enthralled with the marriage - the younger got swept up in romantic visions and the older saw right through her. Cynical me has seen both parties over the years.

I loved the premise and how you condensed the story.

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Ah Philip what a perspicacious read on your part! Some of our personal + cultural context also plays a part and I think you are largely correct that we see what we want to see.

And yes! Both women are complicit in some form is really true in many regards. Payal almost felt like she was ready to be persuaded. And the mother needed her gone for her own agenda, right. Thank you for reading and offering that perspective.

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Thoroughly enjoyed, as I do enjoy all your stories.

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Thank you so much Penelope! So wonderful to hear that. Made my day.❤️

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I had to go back and read it to see if I could catch Seema in her plotting! Good one, Reena, lots to think about! Parents and their attempts to control all outcomes always make me think about this quote- A person often meets his destiny on the road he took to avoid it.- Jean de La Fontaine

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So very apt Priya! Thank you so much. So glad you liked it.

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Jun 14Liked by Reena Kapoor

Why did Payal leave so easily? If the love was true and the foundation strong, then the words of a strange woman on the train might have been shaken off as something from a bitter old lady. Seema...well, I think the encounter on the train was planned. I think she wanted to control the marriage of her son, Manohar, the real victim in this story.

Well done...there is a lot to unpack in those 100 words...

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Good questions, Jack. I imagine Payal perhaps already had some misgivings about Manohar and all that she was giving up for him and yes Seema simply fed that doubt.

I agree with you. I think Seema planned it.

I also wonder if Manohar simply agreed to change course or tried to contact Payal again to find out what happened?

Thank you for reading with such care, Jack. Appreciate it.

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