Wondering

[free]

Tom entered his house, surrounded by a beautiful garden, after finishing his day at the office. It was almost six o'clock and he sighed sitting on a sofa and putting his legs on a small table beside it. He leaned his back on the pillows behind and closed his eyes. After a few minutes of rest, he got up and went to the bathroom. The sound of shower was heard for awhile, then he appeared again in the living room holding a plate with sandwich and a glass of milk. He took the TV remote control, switched the T V on and, eating his sandwich and drinking his milk, watched the News. When it finished he took his telescope from a cupboard and went out to the garden, set on a garden chair, put the telescope on the garden table and pointed it towards the sky. The view of the sky was large, not blocked by anything around. Tom looked with admiration for quite some time, making notes on a piece of paper.

'Date. Time. The sky is clear tonight. I see that all the stars are at the same place as yesterday at this time.'

He smiled and waved to them, to him it seemed that they smiled back.

Then he pointed his telescope to a far away garden and saw her. The woman he admired. She was sitting in her garden watching the sky through her telescope as always at this time. She had been looking through it since long time ago. Tom noticed it only several months ago wondering what was she doing, but had no courage to go and ask. That was why he had bought the telescope and started to do the same.

Who knows, maybe one day he would understand what was she doing.

[108 fountains]

I like this very short story a lot for the things it leaves unsaid as much as for what it says.

[free]

Thank you, fountains. My English is not so good that I can write 'long short stories' :) or criticise other members' stories, that's why I focus on the main 'message' of my stories. I am glad you like it.

[DATo]

I agree with 108 fountains: what sets this story apart from the average story is largely what is NOT said. I interpret elements of The Stockholm Syndrome in this story i.e. the man is so taken with the woman that he admires that he does whatever he can to identify with her, including the purchase of a telescope, though he has no knowledge of astronomy or how to use the instrument. This is a very simple premise but it evokes a complex idea. Deep emotions can cause us to behave in strange ways - in ways which are alien, and even contrary, to our own beliefs or habits.

Nice work!

PS: Your English is actually quite good.

[omferas]

Hi
I liked the simplicity of the story and shortened, I hope to read the other stories.
thanks

[free]

I agree with 108 fountains: what sets this story apart from the average story is largely what is NOT said. I interpret elements of The Stockholm Syndrome in this story i.e. the man is so taken with the woman that he admires that he does whatever he can to identify with her, including the purchase of a telescope, though he has no knowledge of astronomy or how to use the instrument. This is a very simple premise but it evokes a complex idea. Deep emotions can cause us to behave in strange ways - in ways which are alien, and even contrary, to our own beliefs or habits.

Nice work!

PS: Your English is actually quite good.

Thank you very much. Your comment is so enlightening for my story.

[free]

Hi
I liked the simplicity of the story and shortened, I hope to read the other stories.
thanks

Thank you. I am glad you like it.