The Veil
word count: 100
By Neel Anil Panicker
Some people are a closed door__the one that comes securely fastened in adamantine steel chains.
Aunt Anjali was one such character.
Far from talking about her, it was taboo to even take her name.
I remember an incident from childhood when everyone including our extended clan swarmed around grandmother’s bed.
Someone had inserted cotton balls into her nose.
I nudged Mamma inquiring about the woman in white at the corner.
“Why don’t you ask Papa?”
I had never heard her speak in that tone.
That was the day a ten year old learned that certain questions come laden with answers.
(c)neelanilpanicker2016#fridayfictioneers#100wordstory
neelwritesblog 
A lesson learned. Nicely done.
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Thank you
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Dear Neel,
I’d be curious about Aunt Anjali, too. I have to wonder what answers were given the ten-year-old. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks Rochelle. The fact about certain dirty family secrets that are kept under wraps. A scandal, perhaps.
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Thank you dear Rochelle. Maybe due to circumstances some ten year olds mature faster than others. After all man is but a product of his circumstances. As to what secrets did he lay upon it all just a matter of conjecture and therein lies the mystery of it all.
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I did wondered if the lady in white was a ghost, and if so, was she carrying a adamantine chain.
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I deliberately kept it a white just to give a surreal feel to what is otherwise some really scandalous family secret.
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Now we’re all curious about Aunt Anjali!
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Yes, even me too and I guess that is the purpose of a flash –to leave a slight element of mystery, isn’t it?
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For sure!
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Ah you had me fooled. I thought it was a ghost, too. Good one.
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Oh, this is very intriguing. Children can spin the most adventurous stories out of such family secrets. I’m a bit sorry for Aunt Anjali.
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Oh, that’s true for they have the most vivid of imaginations and can quickly put two and two together. About Aunt Alkali, I will have to keep it at that_ a bit of a mystery does no harm anyways.
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Yes, me too. Thanks for the appreciation. Some children learn and how.
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This is intriguing. So much unanswered that we need to know!
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Love this, especially ‘questions laden with answers’
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Thanks Ceayr. I shall always look forward to your genuine comments as it would help me to hone my craft further. Much appreciated.
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So much pain!
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yes, maybe, life’s like that.
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or perhaps some questions are better left unanswered.
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I wonder if there are any questions to fit the answers…
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