Month: September 2016

“Your man died and you are washing clothes?”

Vimla’s tinkling glass bangles stilled. She straightened. “I sent the girls to pay their last respects.”

“But what about you? He was after all your man…”

“He stopped being my man the day he threw me and my four daughters out.” Vimla’s eyes shot sparks. “You expect me to mourn for him, don a widow’s attire, break these bangles? Why should I when my real man is still by my side?”

Babel broke out.

“My trusted companion,” Vimla pointed, “the one who clothed us, fed us and educated my daughters.”

 

Written for Rochelle’s Friday Fictioneers – a story in 100 words or less (this one is 99 words). For other stories on this prompt click here. Thank you Sandra for the lovely photo 🙂

Thanks for reading!

It’s Sunday Photo Fiction time once again. Scroll down for my story in 200 words or less and click here for other stories on this prompt.

Something Fishy

Words 198

“Mom!”

Trisha’s shriek brought everyone running to the verandah.

“Look!” Trisha pointed, “The river is flowing in our garden.” She turned to Shweta, her mother, “How will I go to school? You know I have my spelling test today.”

“Don’t worry, the other side is clear.”

“I better go and revise my spellings, especially of ‘tongue’ and ‘stomach’…”

“Owww!” Samrat doubled over.

“Oh my poor baby!” Granny crowded him.

“What’s the matter?” Shweta asked. “Homework not done?”

Samrat straightened. “That’s not fair!” He hurriedly bent over again, leaning heavily on his grandmother. “That’s all done,” he gasped painfully, “My stomach’s hurting.”

“Really? Since when?”

“Oh come on Shweta! Are you his mother or stepmother? Can’t you see the poor boy is in agony?” Granny butted in. “Come child, let me give you some homeopathic medicine.”

“But what about school?”

“No school for you today,” Granny threw Shweta a challenging look.

Shweta glared at her husband.

He promptly vanished.

.

.

“Mom! I got 10 on 10 in my spelling test.” Trisha ran in. “Has the water gone down?”

Trisha stopped short.

Her ‘ailing’ brother was waist deep in water.

He grinned. “Here catch!” He threw her a fish.

***

“You can drag my body to school but my spirit refuses to go.” ― Bill Watterson, Creator of Calvin and Hobbes.

Exactly what my brother and son thought. I, however, loved school, including (especially) spelling tests although tongu did have me (and that much more fun). As you may have guessed by now, the above story is based on a true (more or less) incident from my childhood.

Do be generous with your thoughts and experiences on the matter 🙂

For readers of Moonshine, here's Chapter 83.And Calvin is back.

And if you have a few minutes to spare – Hop on for a ride

Written for Rochelle’s Friday Fictioneers – a story in 100 words or less based on the photo prompt provided this week by Vijaya – Thanks Rochelle, thanks Vijaya 🙂 For remarkable stories on this prompt click here.

2084

Words 99

Diwali celebrations were on. Only Om’s house was dark.

Vidya paced the terrace. She didn’t have time to mourn his passing. She had other things on her mind – would the years of experimentation pay off? Had they achieved that elusive fusion of ultramodern technology and ancient mind control?

Vidya pressed the amplification button implanted in her wrist and concentrated.

Nothing.

Foreboding assailed her. What if they had again miscalculated? Would Om go Dev’s way?

Focus dammit focus!

Her wrist throbbed.

The button vibrated emitting waves in Om’s distinctive handwriting – Netherworld cooler than Delhi. No pollution either. Dev says Hi.

***

 Do drop in for a glimpse of Nature and for a bit of fun

Thanks for visiting.

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Coat of Arms

Words: 200

 “Chanda! Chandaaa! Where’s that dratted girl?” grumbled Chandni as she stirred the pot. “Always reading some book or the other.”

“If you could read, you would understand the pleasures of reading,” said Ramesh.

“Yes Mother?” Chanda hid the book behind her back with a guilty look at her mother.

Chandni shot her an exasperated look. “Do you think I am blind? That I can’t see the book you are hiding?”

“You should be proud of her.” Ramesh said. “How many girls in the village can read English?”

“Don’t you encourage her,” snorted Chandni. “She is bad enough with her obsession not to mention questions.”

“Questions?” Ramesh looked from one to the other.

“Yes! Questions!” Chandni flared up, “You are either busy at the tailoring shop or with your friends. I am the one she nags with her questions.” She looked at Chanda. “Go on. Ask your father.”

Chanda promptly sat down on the floor and asked, “What is the ‘Royal coat of arms’ Father?”

Ramesh coughed. “What’s the sentence?”

Chanda rifled through the pages. “The cloak fell away and he caught a glimpse of the Royal coat of arms.”

“It’s a special coat worn by Kings. It has long sleeves.”

***

Written for the Sunday Photo Fiction – a story in 200 words or less. For more stories on the photo prompt click here.

 

For readers of Moonshine, here's Chapter 81. And do check out the Eye on the Tree photo challenge post as well - thank you!