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Writer's picturealiya anand

XXIX. Friday The Thirteenth

Updated: May 5, 2023

The little martian nudges me emphatically as he points to my calendar.

I look away, pretend I don’t see what he’s pointing at, the numbers flashing on my screen like neon flags.

He yanks my moth-eaten sweater and pulls at my bandana, I continue to ignore him.

My cold hands freeze momentarily as I consider the possibility of listening to him. Listening means thinking, thinking means realising. Awareness forces action, I realize I am too scared to act. I push him out of my line of vision, carry on with my careful distraction, and force my senses into submission, a bumbling beneath disturbs this farce of peaceful victory.

There is silence for a moment or two

Pur plunk

The little martian hops into my room on a pogo stick, with fluorescent sunglasses, he waves a banner bigger than him.

“You can’t just pretend you don’t see it “ he yells out

I disagree, I can pretend as long as I want.

I can pretend I am okay with the games, I can pretend I enjoy playing, I can pretend as long as I want, as long as I need.

The little martian sighs,

He dumps the banner by my feet, takes off his glasses, puts the pogo stick behind my desk, and settles down beside me

I pick up the banner when I think he isn’t paying attention

“It's Friday the thirteenth. “

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