Kavya liked going to the park every evening. Today was awfully cold, but she walked to the park covering herself in layers of cloth. Her attempt to keep her warm in those layers of warm cloth was a failure as the numbing cold held her in its embrace mercilessly.
If Nikhil saw her out in this freezing weather mindlessly strolling around, he would scold her. His scolding wasn’t the problem, she was used to it. He would lecture her forever. His memory is annoyingly excellent that he recalls the events that had transpired eons ago and effortlessly brings them all up into the current moment as if they have all categorized under a particular tag to be remembered as and when he wanted. He’s got a spectacular mind, she thought uneasily.
Memories shouldn’t be used for taunting someone. Kavya thought memories as a savory to make her present moment delectable. Much like how someone discarded spoiled food, she discarded bad memories without a second thought. Why bother with the past and its nuisance when it can’t make her life better? That was her policy.
Nikhil and Kavya were on opposite poles to say the least. Nikhil took pride in analyzing and coming up with foolproof plans for the future based on learnings from the past experiences.
He never knew how to live in the moment, a sigh escaped from Kavya. All his plans couldn’t stop death from snatching his life. If only he lived when he was alive, she would’ve had some sweet memories to cherish now.
Nikhil wouldn’t lecture her now, somehow remembering that failed to make her happy.
© Vinitha 2020
This Flash Fiction is written in response to the seventeenth edition of Fiction Monday for the word prompt ‘Remember’ hosted at Reflections by yours truly. Do join in if you have a tale to tell.
Void Thoughts 
This fiction has so many deep meanings. You never know when you face a situation that can’t be reversed and you are left with memories and only memories.
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Life is so unpredictable. You just never know what will hit you next. We need to create more beautiful memories.
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Memories shouldn’t be used for taunting someone. People need to understand this more.
Very nice twist in the end. Carpe Diem, we need to live each moment fully.
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I wish he lived when he was alive too. Poignant. Hauntingly beautiful.
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I wish she had some good memories to cling to! Strange how the heart so fondly remembers so many things even after years…Life is such a mix of the happy and the sad, isn’t it? Another effortlessly and beautifully told tale, Vinitha. ❤
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That’s a story that many would relate to. I think we all fall in the trap of planning things to perfection, missing out on living life and meanwhile life escapes. So this one is a good reminder.
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Living in the moment saves us from so much. Like, holding on to unpleasant memories and grudges. It makes life so much more pleasant! And, worth remembering. 🙂
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Yes living in the past is very ridiculous for one’s present. Living in the moment and for the people then and there is the most important thing to do in life to make it happy.
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