* The End *

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This post has been published by me as a part of the <b>Blog-a-Ton 30</b>; the thirtieth edition of the online marathon of Bloggers; where we decide and we write. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following <a href="http://blogaton.in/"><b>Blog-a-Ton</b></a>.
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He placed his jacket on his left arm, and placed his glasses firmly on his nose, and pulled his pants, as they hung loosely on his thinning figure. He stood there listening to the sound of the waves splashing across the sand; the sounds of innocent chatter, and laughter filled his ears. He smiled and closed his eyes to the setting sun. He lived that minute and knew how it was going to end.

***

He drove into the driveway, and reminisced of the first time he saw her. A smile gently lit up his wrinkled face. The lines gave away his age. He stamped on the brakes and slowly wheeled the age old Toyota into the garage. He picked up her favorite bunch of white roses, from the seat. He let himself in the house very stealthily, but one could not blame him, he never made a sound.

“…… and i'm sure i’m running out of it …. “ she laughed and turned around, and was startled when she saw her husband standing with a bunch of roses.

“Phew, you almost gave me a fright Andrew, when did you come”, she stammered away.

“Ummm, yea, i'll uhhhhh call you back”, she placed the phone on the table, and looked enquiringly at her husband.

He went across and kissed her forehead, and sat down in his usual chair , and waited as she poured him coffee , and started making him a sandwich.

“I was talking to Keith…..” she mumbled, not bothered with the mess she was creating on the table. She splattered mayonnaise, on the table cloth, and looked in her husband’s direction. He seemed totally oblivious to the mess.

“I hope he is doing great, do pass on my regards to him”… he smiled, and devoured the sandwich, and got ready for his charade of pruning and watering the garden.

***

His life was a routine that she could easily recite; there was never a change except for guests, occasions, and the occasional outings. He was a man who would get up on the same side of the bed, wake up at an exact hour every day, leave for work at the same hour. But today something about him was different. She wondered whether he did hear her conversation .She dismissed that thought, till she saw him drag the chair at the study, and write out something. He placed it in two envelopes and sealed it, and placed it a rusty old drawer. He kissed her on her forehead, wished her goodnight, and went off to sleep.

She had no clue as to what that letter contained and was not bothered about it in the slightest.

The charade started off early morning, with the only addition of him taking the two envelopes and placing it inside his jacket.

The vehicle coughed under his coercion to wake it up from its slumber, and finally gave in. He waved as he drove away. He stopped at the nearest Post office and dropped the letters. He smiled to himself, and headed towards the beach – where he first saw her.

He still remembered that scene vividly, her strolling across he beach, with her hands crossed across her chest. He stood mesmerized by her presence. A few enquiries here and there gave away her background. He was aware that her family was facing a financial crisis, and that they would be happy to have her married off to a suitable suitor. He knew it had to be her, or no one else, and the rest they say is ‘History’ they were married .He was a “happily ‘married man.

Keith was one of her best friends, whom she started talking to again after 5 years of their marriage. He was back in town, and they rekindled their friendship. Andrew was happy to see that Simone was happy to have found her friend back.

Andrew and Simone were blessed with a baby girl after 7 years of marriage.

****

Andrew removed his shoes rolled up his pants and started walking on the beach. He walked a mile and sat down recollecting the conversation…

“I know Keith, its about time, I have been living with him for 20 years and I had it, even the arsenic seems to not show any effect on him”, she placed her hand on her hips “yes I did love, it said slow poisoning, but I never thought it would be so slow, but tomorrow, i’m increasing the dosage, which would make it seem like he had a stroke”

“Oh Sasha, is just fine, she has your eyes” she giggled

Andrew had wound up early from work, and had come home directly. He stood there and listened to her end of the conversation.

“I miss you Keith, and yesterday, mmmmm”, she couldn’t sop blushing “I can’t wait any longer … mmmm …. You have loads of patience, and i’m sure i’m running out of it”

Andrew sighed deeply. He still remembered his doctor saying that they could never a child. HE had a problem, he never told her. He did not say anything when she told him that they were pregnant. And today he knew what was in store for him.

Andrew loved Simone from the first time he set his eyes on her; to the first time he knew that she was having an affair with Keith, and every time when she lied to meet him, and even when she decided to kill him. He preferred Death to come from her, than from anything else. He was ready.

He stood watching the last sunset of his life. He placed his jacket on his left arm, and placed his glasses firmly on his nose, and pulled his pants, as they hung loosely on his thinning figure. He stood there listening to the sound of the waves splashing across the sand; the sounds of innocent chatter, and laughter filled his ears. He smiled and closed his eyes to the setting sun. He lived that minute and knew how it was going to end...


3 weeks later :

Simone received two letters. The first was from their family lawyer, the second from Andrew.Their lawyer was surprised as to how Andrew had changed his will, a day before his death.After skimming through the condolence message, Simone read the change in the will. Andrew had divided his property and assets equally between Sasha and Simone, and Simone was appointed as the legal custodian till Sasha turns 18.

She opened Andrews letter : "Just in case she decides to not have you around".



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