Heedlessness

Apr 6, 2025

113

2 Mins Read

In the heart of a springtime path,

a husband and his wife strolled among the radiant ruins.

As the pleasant moments passed, the man made a confession—

one that required neither context nor justification—

yet it was of such gravity that neither mattered.

117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXPTi35HwR

"I will never sacrifice for you!"

And when he received no reply, he continued,

"Then why do you shower me with love?"

117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoJ6kJ3WUl

The wife didn’t pause to reflect.

She responded almost mechanically:

"The answer lies within your question: honesty! You are honest and sincere."

And both felt strangely comforted by the unusual harmony.

117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hbDofJO5x

No more than two days had passed since that walk

when the wife discovered the real reason behind his strange question.

The husband had decided to abandon her—

for five whole years of recklessness and indulgence.

He left this dreadful news in a letter,

pinned to a small table near the hallway.

117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMjtTwIqam

The grief was heavy...

Could honesty feed her child in the cradle?

Would honesty save her from loneliness and poverty?

Thoughts whirled in her mind like a storm—

a storm of reproach blended with anxiety for the future.

And before more thoughts could gather, she collapsed.

It wasn’t fainting.

It was the collapse of weakness and helplessness in the face of reality.

117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAUXwTJbeY

Then the thoughts returned... her reputation!

What would she say to those who asked about him?

Should she be honest?

Should she imitate the one good trait he had?

No! The task was bigger than her,

and her energy could barely manage the quiet company of the house.

117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegVZWzqpCP

That was the plan, then:

she would not leave home.

And as for sustenance,

she would rely on the vegetables from the garden.

117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fy0jXIOTO

Her thoughts were abruptly cut off by the ringing of the phone.

She rushed to answer.

It was her husband:

"To be honest, I was stopped at the border with my new beloved—

didn’t have a travel permit!

These Canadians!

In any case, my trip is temporary. I’ll return after five years.

You know that. Goodbye!"

117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdZksT2gwU

He didn’t wait for a response.

He knew already—she was fragile.

Had she not been, he would never have dared to betray her.

As for her—

she was happy!

She would wait for him.

She would eat the garden’s vegetables until the honest one returned.

117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtimmRFrd0k

Would she wait and forgive him because he was honest—

or because she was afraid without him?

That was of no importance in the equation.

ns216.73.216.6da2

1 like Suggest Edits

Be the first to like this issue!

Heedlessness

REGISTER

LOGIN

Interface Language:

Story Language: