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The Inability to Give

[Exploring Narcissism – 1]

From experience, narcissists abound the earth we walk on. Their superpower is, according to me, being able to read our needs accurately. Let’s admit it, we are all needy in various degrees. We crave true love, meaningful relationships, sexual contentment, money, social standing, respect, emotional security, financial gains etc. etc. The list goes on and on. Narcissists know and exploit that very need…. that specific one which nestles deep down withing the labyrinth of someone’s soul. It is so deep-seated and secretly treasured that sometimes the person harboring the desire is reluctant to admit its existence.

What lurks beneath?

It is common knowledge that narcissists wear a mask; often. Once in a while, when they are in the grip of rage or desperation, we might see the mask come off, but they would consciously never take it off voluntarily. The true face of the narc behind that humane veil is frightening, and most of all, it frightens the narc.

Annie* and Javen* were a match made in heaven. Or so their friends thought. Deep down, Annie knew that Javen displayed a tendency to be secretive, often about the most mundane things. For instance, even after months of dating one another, Annie had no idea what Javen’s favorite seafood was. It is not that she had not asked but Javen had somehow evaded the topic whenever it arose. After some time, Annie had decided to drop it since Javen showed discomfort and mild irritation when she pestered him to answer, but he was back to being his delightful self as soon as she changed the topic. Years later and after a heartbreak that left her numb with grief, Annie realized that the signs were always there. The ‘red flags’ as they say. She had told herself that it did not matter. But it did. Not the choice of seafood, but the unwillingness to let a romantic partner get closer to him, sharing information, likes and dislikes. As she brooded about these, Annie understood how Javen was always reluctant to share…. be it the simplest piece of personal information or the fact that he had a second phone number he had never bothered to disclose. That is another story altogether.

Trust me, because I say so..

How likely are you to put your faith in a person just because you find him/her charming? Could you possibly trust someone for they say they are trustworthy without really proving it? You’d be surprised by the answer. See the prickly cactus in the picture above? The thorns were always there, in plain sight. As the potential target, fuel source and victim of a narcissist, Annie chose to look at the few red, luscious fruits and ignored the spikes that were staring her in the face… until it was too late.

It was the first Thanksgiving after Annie had moved in with Javen and told her family of her relationship. Thanksgiving and Christmas were ‘big’ in her household and she could not wait to introduce him to her parents and her extended family. Secretly, she had hoped Javen would take the initiative and introduce her to his family but that had not happened. She had thought of broaching the topic once but knowing Javen, (she believed she knew him well) she decided he just needed more time. ‘Not everyone commits at the same level,’ she had told herself and cast her doubts aside. Annie had begun overlooking all the thorns that would pierce her later, making excuses for Javen’s behavior towards her. As long as Javen did not feel pressured in the relationship, Annie knew that he could be the perfect boyfriend, taking her to fancy dinners, joining tango classes just because she needed a partner, giving her a foot massage after a long day at work…. so what if she had not met his family yet! ‘All in good time,’ she had told herself.

The evening before their flight to her parents’ place, Javen told her he could not go and how very sorry he was. It was right after she had parked her car and danced up the stairs to their lounge. She began pleading and Javen held her in a tight embrace. One of his best buddies had had an accident and since he was a single dad, how could Javen abandon them during the holiday, especially as there would be no one to look after the eight-year-old?

As he was kissing her tears away, Annie implored, “Can no one else look after them for the weekend? It’s just 2 days…..” Javen had sighed. “I know, but I wouldn’t have cancelled had there been others at hand.” He was still cradling her face in his hands but Annie felt a sudden change, his eyes… they were not sad like they had been when he had first told her. His light brown eyes were cold. Instinctively, Annie knew that the curtains had fallen. His decision could not be challenged. Yet, a sudden flicker of hope which made her blurt excitedly.

“What if we bring Joshua’s child with us? He is such a good kid and am sure my family would love to…” He cut her off. “Are you listening to me at all? Joshua can’t be left alone… he has injured himself bad and the doctors might need me at a short notice! You surely trust me Annie, I wouldn’t ever let you go alone had it not been Joshua,” Javen’s voice was calm but his facial muscles were taut, his eyes shone with that cold, unfathomable something that threatened to push her away. Annie walked away but he did not see what his eyes reflected. Cold fury at being argued with.

After a sleepless and passionate night with Javen, Annie woke up in smiles the next morning and found him entering the room with 2 cups of coffee and breakfast. “I thought I’d make the most of the time we have before your flight,” he winked at her and set the tray down. Kissing her on the mouth, he said in that sexy voice of his, “I’ll miss you baby!” Her heart fluttered at that and the little nagging doubts were washed away.

Months later and after he had already moved out, Annie stumbled upon the truth. Joshua was away fishing with his son that Thanksgiving holiday. He had not been injured in any kind of accident whatsoever.

[**Names have been changed to protect privacy**]

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Four Women and a Bottle of Vodka

Four Women and a Bottle of Vodka

https://divineenchantress.wordpress.com/2022/07/08/four-women-and-a-bottle-of-vodka-4/
— Read on divineenchantress.wordpress.com/2022/07/08/four-women-and-a-bottle-of-vodka-4/

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On Baking a Lopsided Cake





The subject of the poem.
Great poets serenaded a river or a lake
But here's my ode to a lopsided cake
I baked it with love; and butter and milk
To give it a texture as smooth as silk.

I started from scratch as I measured the flour
Beat the eggs in, four large for more power.
For extra fluff, some buttermilk too
But after a while, I had no clue.

Two tiers, same size? For Heaven's sake!
But the oven was ready, it was time to bake.
The layers just sneered with their judgemental frown,
While I waited for them to turn brown.

At last, they were out with burnt brown faces,
I thought it was time to put them in their places.
I snuck up behind them, ready to attack
And knocked them down on the wire rack.

It was time to put the frosting, my hands just shook
My child gave me an anxious look.
"Don't worry," I said, "it's just a cake,"
She nodded and I grinned, but that grin was fake.

The buttermilk frosting was a hit below the belt;
I lathered it thick and it began to melt.
The top tier slumped, much like a landslide
Landing a blow on my culinary pride.

Baying for blood, I pounced on the platter,
And shoved it inside my crowded refrigerator.
For an hour or so, I fumed and raged
Until my child took a slice on her plate.

I stared at her, my chest felt tight,
But her face lit up after the first bite.
"The cake is yum!" She piped with bliss,
"No cake can be better.. my mommy baked this!"

My heart was full, and I just said
"Thank you love," with a pat on her head. 
So, long story short, want to know what's my take?
I'll bake this again, my lopsided cake:)
  


   
 
 

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Nothing brightens my day like a child and a book…

What with the Covid-19 and the little balls of energy stuck indoors, times seem to be pretty tough. Do take a look at these joyful creations that can bring a smile on their gloomy, little faces. They are perfect for children aged 4 to 8 years. If you like these colourful creations on Amazon, could you kindly leave a review? It would help me greatly and inspire me to keep writing…:)

A debut novel..

My debut novel… it’s special.

Sun and Shandies

is a dream, a writer’s deepest moments disclosed. Writing is not so much what you think with your head, it’s more what you feel with your heart. That is why Maya’s story had to be told. Maya and Anton’s story. A romance gone wrong but then, who cares about perfection in a story?

In writing this novel, I have invested my heart and it feels good because I have written the stories that my characters have told me. I created them but they created their own narratives. Love stories are so much more than the happenings between two characters, and just like the others, mine is complete with love, loss, grief, smiles, resilience and above all, being genuine and being human.

I do hope you read this book and feel the love that I felt while penning down their story. If this love that I felt transmits to you, my…

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