Short Story: Healer’s Temple

Mehreen Ahmed shares a poignant story of love and longing in a world where chaos reigns supreme.

By the time I got home, it was evening as I stood at the entrance of my shack on the forest’s edge. I heard laughter from inside. Maa was laughing with my soul mate, Rumpa. Somehow, I didn’t feel like breaking up this delightful togetherness until Rumpa saw me.

“Is that you?” she asked.

“Yes, it is.” 

I walked in. Maa looked at me and said nothing.

“What took you so long? You’ve been gone for ages now,” Rumpa asked.

“Oh! It’s a long, sordid story. I’ll have to meet you tomorrow to talk about this. Let’s meet up under the tamarind tree,” I said.