The Chasm.

Last week, I read a short story, “The Squabble” by Gogol. The central theme is about a petty quarrel between two of Mirgorod (a hamlet in Little Russia) ‘s landowners, who were thick friends. The squabble matures into a long drawn legal battle that devours the whole of their lifetimes. This set me wondering on how the best of friends can fall apart on the most trivial of matters. That’s when this conversation came wafting through the channels of my mind.

S: I don’t like him anymore. He’s developed an attitude.
Voice: The feeling is mutual, my dear.
S: That’s why I don’t like him at all. He gives me the cold shoulder.
Voice: Your behavior towards him would have frozen him to be a preserved specimen till 3010 A.D.
S: I just react. I don’t initiate. And that’s another reason I loathe him.
Voice: For all that you might know, he may have the same thoughts about you.
S: How can he? After knowing me for so long?? I feel disillusioned. He is simply not worth my friendship.
Voice: A smile can shorten miles.
S: I smiled, he didn’t return it. I hate him now.
Voice: You walked past him, without saying even a Hi the other day.
S: (silent)
Voice: Why don’t you talk it out?
S: He doesn’t deserve it. Anyways who cares…
Voice: You do..
S: Get Lost, will you? I ll stuff a barrel down your throat if you don’t shut up this instant!
Voice :( Sighs, and disappears)
S: (Sulks. Misses the voice). How I hate voices in the head!!



P.S: No points for guessing who S is.