Hosted by at https://whatpegmansaw.com/2017/12/02/fukushima-japan/
DEATH OF HOPE
By Neel Anil Panicker
Happiness is a relative term. Take, for instance, Tomoe Murao.
One would be deceived by those sparkling eyes that smile from behind rimless glasses, the delicately hair brushed bob of hair that crowns a face attractive enough to prise open doors and hearts.
At 55, she’s a happy woman.
Happy that she’s alive, happy that every morning she gets to see the vast Pacific Ocean, the sound of the gurgling waves music to her ears, happy that the little convenience store that she runs alongside her husband is up and running, even if it means a trickle of patrons stepping into the road facing shop that doubles that doubles up as their residence.
But then she’s also an intensely unhappy woman. Sad because her entire extended family, or whatever was left of it, has abandoned nee was forced to abandon Naraha, the town of their ancestors, the town they called their own until the nuclear accident.
‘I hope they’re back’, she says. But there’s no hope in that voice.
©neelanilpanicker2017 #whatpegmansaw #fiction #flash #shortstory #fukushima #japan #radiation #nuclear
TO READ FURTHER ABOUT THE FUKUSHIMA NUCLEAR ACCIDENT click on the links below:
ah – shows how life goes on while still displaced… nice piece Neel
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Living on bravely through the odds. Thanks for the compliment, Prior.
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🙂
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Dear Neel,
Nice character study. The bright smile that hides so much. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks a lot Rochelle. I am glad you liked it.
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A lovely character story. Love how you portrayed the contrast of gratitude versus the loss.
One question. Where you say “that doubles that doubles up” I wasn’t sure if that was intentional?
Glad to see you this week Neel! 🙂
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That was a typo, K. Glad you liked the story including the binary. Thanks and the pleasure is always mine.
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Nice, hopeful story Neel.
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Thanks Hardy
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Enjoyed the read…thanks
Scott
Mine: https://kindredspirit23.wordpress.com/2017/12/04/what-pegman-saw-fukushima-japan/
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You highlight the conflict between hope and despair in people who have suffered trauma or exile. Your prose is attractive. I particularly liked the phrase “a face attractive enough to prise open doors and hearts.”
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That was a heartwarming compliment. Thanks a lot, Penny.
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