Kalinda's Turn
Microfiction on being oneself
Modelling on others shouldn't be at the cost of the soul. Michelle Liew
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Kalinda sat in front of her bedroom window every day, pouting as she watched her brother, Kyan, and sister Elise, playing softball. She shaped herself on the fragments of charm they left behind--Elise, her poise, and Kyan, his confidence.
Until one morning, the window greeted her.
"Payment is due."
Kalinda froze, her mouth open. "I didn't take anything from them."
The reflections in the glass turned slowly, each wearing a familiar face.
Hers. Pale. Uncaressed.
"Return what you owe us," they demanded, stepping forward.
"Elise's" grace cracked. Kyan's face dimmed. Her voice twisted. Her features realigned. Kalinda's mouth opened as the window glass rippled--and drew in.
Her brother's and sister's reflections smiled within.
Outside, a child played. Not Elise. Not Kyan.
Her.
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Here is a short narration of this story.
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This microfiction is entirely original. AI tags are coincidental.
About the Creator
Michelle Liew Tsui-Lin
Hi, i am an English Language teacher cum freelance writer with a taste for pets, prose and poetry. When I'm not writing my heart out, I'm playing with my three dogs, Zorra, Cloudy and Snowball.
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More stories from Michelle Liew Tsui-Lin and writers in Fiction and other communities.
Notes on Afterwards
I can no longer think about anything. I simply savor the moments when I can close my eyes and let myself be carried away by the memories of that night. Desire burns me, devours me, paralyzes me. Abrupt sentences, monosyllabic words, insults, linguistic pirouettes—from god to whore—loop endlessly in my head. It’s the moment when one no longer knows how to speak, like a newborn, the moment when the verb is not yet there. The moment when one feels the present instant in all its nuances: through touch, sight, taste, smell. The moment when one almost no longer exists. No, when one truly no longer exists, especially as an individual being. It is the moment of absolute fusion with another. It is the moment of coït. With two dots on a single i.
By Anastasia Tsarkovaabout 10 hours ago in Fiction
Comments (5)
I'm so sorry Michelle but I don't get it 😅😅
You're so good at these microfictions, Michelle!
<3 This is great, Michelle
This drew me in, Michelle, I had to read it a couple of times to take it all in and figure out what was going on. Excellent, deep message!
Oh this was hauntingly gorgeous! Kalinda finally being instead of borrowing and it gave me shivers in the best way.✨