Sentence 3

This is the third sentence I was given. The sentence was: "Indira had no idea that something so simple could hurt so much, and for so long."


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He had said yes seven months ago and broke her. Plain and to the point. It had taken him a long time before he spoke, but when he did there was not a hint of hesitation or doubt to his answer. She had asked and he sat there, his hand dry as she clutched it between both of her palms, warm and sweating with the exertion of her heart. The throbbing beat surged in her hands, echoing through his fingers as she looked him in the eye and asked her question.


It struck him like a frost. He went still as a frozen pond, unblinking, allowing Indira to see the thoughts speeding from one eye to the other as he pondered.

Two weeks later she had realized that he wasn't considering what answer to give her, but how to give it. The instant she had asked he had known what he would say. There was no chance of another outcome, but he went still and weighed the different ways he could break her apart.

It was mercy. Fast and sharp, a needle jab. Medicine instead of slow poison. The answer could have been longer, could have brooked argument or hope, left her hung and twisting. But he chose the single, deft blow. And then he stood up and left her, taking back his hand as he rose. Indira had no idea that something so simple could hurt so much, and for so long.