I told you so...

A short short story

I hate it when you say that.

Say what?

Whatever you just said!

WHAT? Just repeat it already please!

Please don’t shout. I have been quite patient myself.

Why do you guys have to talk in circles?

What guys?

You know what I mean.

No I don’t.. what DO you mean?

Umm, why do you guys.. I mean girls.. talk in circles?

Why the fuck would you say such things? How sexist of you to say that.

What has happened to you? I am right here standing next to you. Can you look into my eyes and call me a sexist Pri? Manav asked.
Besides didn’t you just say a while back that all men are dogs?

Fuck you, your kind, your dogs and your stupid hell bent arguments. You just don’t listen to me.

I have been listening to you all this while. I heard you. I understood what you said. I even told you to not go to Ajji’s house the other day. You came running to me again today complaining about the same thing that I had warned you about. I told you so!

Why would you say that man? Don’t you get it? Are you deaf?

SAY WHAT!? Manav screamed at the top of his voice.

I told you so! Pri replied.

But I did tell you so… Manav said sternly asserting his righteousness

Pri let out a laugh. The kind of laughter that Manav was scared of. A laughter that was more intense than any other breakdown. A laughter of indifference, a laughter of exclaiming how the conversation was now beyond Pri’s comprehension.

Manav didn’t know any better. He genuinely thought that he was doing everything right. He was infact right and Pri was wrong. He had told her so and warned about not going to Ajji’s house but she still didn’t follow through and now she came back to him venting about it.

Manav sat down next to where Pri was sobbing uncontrollably. He slowly held her hands in his own. Pri’s hands gently cupped between Manav’s while she let down her tears.

A part of Manav was still fuming with anger at the absurdity of it all, of being misunderstood when he was right, and yet a part of him wanted to do better.
He just didn’t know how.

He chose to be silent for he believed his words were being taken wrong and misinterpreted. Pri found the silence and space she was craving for. She knew she was wrong but why did her partner had to repeat that to her.

Couldn’t she be wrong and yet fully be who she was in front of her partner?

As they lay unmoved on the sofa, silence bridging the gap between the two.

Manav gently said. “I should have just listened, you told me so!”

Thanks for reading.
This newsletter is ad-free, AI-free, and an anti-algorithm publication.

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Since a very long time, I had been aching to start writing short stories. I have written a couple of them earlier during covid when I was not as regular a writer. Somehow, even though I had the intention, time and space to write one, I couldn’t get started with it. It felt like that laborious task that could be avoided. Last night, while I sat with myself shuffling through few topics I had in mind for the newsletter, the idea to write a short story popped up in my head. I was already on my bed (in my bed?) and my laptop was in the other room. I opened up the notes app wanting to start writing the story such that I could continue with it the next morning. Within 10 mins, I wrote this ultra short piece (by my standards). I felt complete, acknowledged, validated. It is perhaps not THE short story I wanted to write but it did get the motor running for me. Can’t wait to write more. Thank you for keeping up with me, hoping to hear from you, all your appreciations and criticisms. Love.

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I invite you to reflect and write on the following prompt:

How do you feel when somebody tells you “I told you so…” after you’ve confined in them for a ‘mistake’ you made?

As a feature of all my newsletters, I share a blackout poem, a quote, a song, a book,
plant-based meal, film/video that inspired me, and some photographs.

• Blackout Poem: Tutorial to make your blackout poem

  

• Quote: “Sometimes all a person wants is an empathetic ear; all he or she needs is to talk it out. Just offering a listening ear and an understanding heart for his or her suffering can be a big comfort.”
  ― Roy T. Bennett

• Song:

• Book/Newsletter/Article: Beautiful essay on listening and what it means to listen actively and whole heartedly.

• Meal:

  

  

  Reminiscing the beautiful hearty plant based meals I had at Dharmalaya :)

• Film/Video: Watched this mind blowing documentary a little too late. Highly recommend it.

  

• Photograph(s):

  

  

  
  Free Journaling eBook:
  Last year, I compiled a journaling ebook for myself for times when I feel I have nothing to write. I am offering it to you for free. Whether you’re starting your journaling journey or feeling stuck in a creative block, this guide will help you find your way.
  Download your journaling eBook here.
  
  Thank you for reading my work
  Rishabh