An apple a day keeps the doctor away, someone said.
Rhia decided it really would this time. She’d had enough of doctors and nurses.
It was exhausting to have her home turned into a nursing home, with doctors and nurses buzzing in and out of the apartment. It wasn’t even the clinical smell of sanitizers and disinfectants, which was still tolerable, but the unpleasant smell of sickness and foul-smelling medicines.
An apple would be the best choice, she decided. It was the lull right after lunch and before evening tea – the perfect time to put her plan into action without the knowledge of her righteous husband.
But hadn’t the wicked queen used the apple to put Snow White to sleep? Was she the wicked queen? Who’d be Snow White, then?
‘Papa, some apple?’ She stirred the old man awake.
‘Hmm…?’ He flickered his eyes open.
‘Apple. See, I’ve softened it for you.’
She spooned the syrupy mash into his mouth, feeding him till he had finished it all, then helped him lay back down.
An apple today would keep the doctor away tomorrow.
I love how dark your writing has gotten! It is delicious: literally and figuratively 🙂 And this short short is such a punch to the gut – the way it ends!
🙂 Thanks, Mira! You just put a huge, big smile on my face. 🙂
Nice take on an old saying. Love the notice above!
Thank you, Nupur! 🙂
I have started loving your work, Piyusha. This was a good read. Didn’t see the path the story took. Look forward to more.
P.S.- This notice above comment box is hilarious. 😀 😀 😀
Thank you, Rashi! You’ve made me soo happy. So glad you liked it. Hahaha, glad you liked that too. 😀
I love the way you work a twist into the ending of your stories! Will be back for more as always 🙂
Yay! Thanks, Neha. Hope to live upto expectations. 😊
Umm! Okay, I don’t know to use flattery words but the story and the twist at the end are just awesome. Looking forward to reading your posts regularly… 🙂
Thank you ☺
Nice, tight writing! Great start to the challenge.
Nilanjana
Thanks so much.
This was very cleverly written, Piyusha! Loved the twist you gave to a common idiom. Looking forward to more such great reads! You are off to a fab start already! 🙂
Thank you, Tina. 🙂 You always manage to put a smile on my face. 🙂
Love your writing, Piyusha! Keep them coming, my dear 🙂
Beautiful
Great story! What a twist. Loved it!! Will come back for more.
Thanks so much, Meha. 🙂 Yay, I am glad you’ll be back. Look forward to seeing you around more often.
That was a great narration and what an unexpected turn of events. I so loved how you have put it all together. It was dark and intense.
Thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. 😀