The Second Circle

"I was born when she kissed me. I died when she left me. I lived the few weeks she loved me."      - Humphrey Bogart in 'In a Lonely Place'

She said she didn't like me. I keep going back to the day again and again trying to look for any clues why or how I rubbed her the wrong way. I went to their family house party on occasion of Diwali. I wore a red saree with a blue ajrakh blouse. The blouse in question had a wide opening at the centre of the back portion with one button at the nape of my neck and the other one at the lower end of the blouse. I had accessorized this outfit with my stone studded gypsy headband worn as a choker necklace. The look was meant to be subtly seductive and not provocative. I had carried a 12 year aged single malt for his father(which had been consumed by him and his friends eventually). On the terrace, where the fireworks were being set off, I had briefly held her son. I remember she came and took him away abruptly stating he was hungry. Don't know if she knew then. Her husband and his friends were congenial during the dinner. My car was dented by one of the immersion parties bu...

"How happy the blameless Vestal's lot The world forgetting, by the world forgot: Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind! Each prayer accepted, and each wish resigned."       - Alexander Pope in 'Eloisa to Abelard'