SPF: A Letterbomb

226-03-march-25th-2018

A Letterbomb

Words 200

Dear Mom,

I am going away. Far away. You won’t have to wake up early, send me to school, or pack my lunch. You’ll be free. Don’t bother looking for me. I am going to another planet – Zeutron, my home planet.

Didn’t Dad always say I was good-for-nothing trash? Turns out that I fell out from the spaceship hovering over Earth into the garbage dump. They’ve been searching for me ever since. After all, I am the Prince and heir to Zeutron. My parents, real parents were so desperate to find me that they stationed one of their best undercover agents (better than 007!) on Earth with orders to find me or die here.

You remember the guard at the mall? He’s not human. He’s a Zeutronian and his name is Gerkle. He recognized me right away, but he had to play his cards well so as to gain my trust. He told me everything once we became friends. We are leaving on the spaceship that arrives tonight. I’m not taking anything along except for a photo of you and me. Maybe you can come and visit me sometime. To see how I am doing.

Lots of love

Dan

***

Written for the Sunday Photo Fiction – a story in 200 words or less. Thanks to Alistair Forbes for hosting the challenge and the photo prompt. To read the other stories inspired by this prompt click here.

Peepal in Spring

The Peepal tree or the Ficus religiosa (sacred fig) is a common tree and I seem to see one no matter where I go. Except when I want to photograph one 😦

But this time I got lucky or rather created a bit with some mix and match πŸ˜‰

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Can you see the massive windblown and rather harassed looking tree in the background? That was taken just under 3 weeks ago.

20180325_094029.jpgAnd look at it now – it is as if it had never been bare.

20180324_100346.jpgI also managed to snap some lovely fresh colorful leaves growing at the roots of a massive dour staid Peepal πŸ˜€

And one more, simply because I couldn’t resist – purple leaves too! And to think I spent all my life around them. What on earth have I been doing all these years?!!!

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Sometimes,

a cleansing wash

is not enough

and one must

shed the old

and

start anew

 

WPS: Into the Maelstrom

Screen Shot 2018-03-25 at 8.49.48 AM

Photo from Google Maps

Into the Maelstrom

Words 151

β€œExams over?”

She gave an ecstatic twirl. β€œI am free!”

β€œFree?” I queried. β€œBut what about admissions, career…”

β€œNone of that nonsense for me,” she dismissed with her nose in the air. β€œI have my future all planned.”

β€œLet’s hear it.”

β€œFirst college for some graduation course…”

β€œWhich course?”

β€œWhatever I qualify for.”

β€œOkay. Next?”

β€œPrince Charming will find me and sweep me off my feet. I will lead him to a merry dance, before agreeing to marry him.”

β€œWow.”

She smiled dreamily. β€œA stupendous destination wedding with both Shah Rukh and Salman Khan dancing and then go abroad for our honeymoon.”

β€œWhere abroad?”

β€œAnywhere! The States to do lots of shopping.” She giggled. β€œVisit all the famous tourist spots, go trekking, camping, just him and me.” She clasped her hands. β€œIt will be the most romantic time ever.”

β€œNice.” I said. β€œAnd then what?

β€œI haven’t thought further than that.”

***

Written for What Pegman Saw – a story in 150 words or less based on locations chosen from Google Maps. This week we are off to Yellowstone National Park in the US and on my bucket list. Thanks to K Rawson for hosting the challenge. To read the other stories inspired by this prompt, click here.

Enough of Double Standards

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Photo (c) Bjorn Rudberg

 

Enough of Double Standards

Words 100

β€œBelated happy birthday!” Shipra greeted Deeksha.

β€œThanks.”

β€œHow did you celebrate?”

β€œWe didn’t. We are still in mourning.”

β€œOh I am sorry.” Shipra offered her condolences. β€œLast year too you couldn’t celebrate as your father-in-law was unwell.”

β€œYes.”

β€œIt must be over six months since he passed away?”

β€œYes.”

β€œYet your husband attended his cousin’s wedding last week?”

β€œIt wouldn’t have looked nice if he hadn’t gone.”

β€œSo only you’re expected to mourn?”

β€œThat depends.” Deeksha said. β€œAs I am integral part of their family, they made sure I participated actively in the wedding festivities soon after my father’s death.”

***

Written for the Friday Fictioneers – a story in 100 words or less. Thanks to Rochelle for hosting the challenge and Bjorn for the photo prompt. To read the other stories inspired by this prompt click here.

SPF: Blast From the Past

225-03-march-18th-2018

Blast from the Past

Words 199

β€œAren’t you too young to be a face-reader?” Madhulika looked her up and down.

β€œIt’s a gift.” Tuhina said.

β€œBut to give you a booth at the event, I’ll need some proof of your talent.”

β€œI know what you did Muddy.”

Madhulika gasped. β€œWha…what do you mean?”

β€œDon’t you remember your friend, Muddy?” Tuhina shook her hair free and leaned forward.

There was a crash. β€œVrinda’s dead and you…you…”

β€œβ€¦I possessed Tuhina,” the voice was cold and unemotional, β€œand set out to avenge myself.”

β€œIt wasn’t me, I swear it wasn’t!” Madhulika edged towards the door.

A hollow laugh echoed. β€œStill lying Muddy?”

β€œIt was Shail. It was his idea to kill you…”

β€œAnd my unborn child.”

β€œChild!” Madhulika was stuttering. β€œI…I don’t know…”

β€œShail knew. And if he knew…”

β€œDon’t kill me please!” Madhulika begged.

β€œI wouldn’t do anything so passΓ© Muddy.” She bared her teeth. β€œI’ll just have some fun.”

β€œFun?” Madhulika quavered.

β€œShail has a new girlfriend. They are plotting a murder.”

β€œVrinda!

But she was gone.

.

.

β€œWhat have you been up to?”

β€œNothing.” Tuhina grinned at her mother. β€œJust settling some old scores.” She fingered the scar on Vrinda’s neck like she had since childhood.

***

Written for the Sunday Photo FictionΒ  – a story in 200 words or less. Thanks to Alistair Forbes for the photo prompt and hosting the challenge. To read the other stories inspired by this prompt, click here.

CB&W: The Bike Challenge

Okay so this week for the black and white challenge, Cee wants bikes or anything related to two wheels. Initially I thought I had only two photos but rifling through my archives I was surprised to find how many bikes had crept in without my knowledge! Good for me and them πŸ˜€

BikeYSA surreptitiously taken photo of the fascinating insides of a bike in a busy marketplace.

CycleThe good old bicycle, the lifeline for many. I used to love cycling as a child and often wish I could cycle now as well, but I feel shy and embarrassed.

BnglreThis one I have shared before, perhaps some of you remember. Quite an eye-catcher right?

Bnglre2A front view with minimal color. Which one do you prefer?

CamelBOn the streets of Udaipur, while admiring a camel with its nose in the air.

CamelB2The car and bike halt deferentially as the camel made its way sedately across the highway πŸ˜‰

HaldighatiA bike parked near a distillation flask used to prepare rose essence.

Cubbon

Two bikes near a massive gulmohar tree (at least the leaves look like that). The creepy roots are fascinating aren’t they? Oops I forgot the bikes were supposed to be the focus!

Cubbon2Hmm not sure if those are the same bikes as in the previous pic. But the tree is definitely different – such character don’t you think? I’m fascinated by how trees don’t seem to have any requirement to follow rules. Anything goes and each to her own is their mantra. Yet each is particular and conscientious about fulfilling their CSR (corporate social responsibility) for the less fortunate. By just being, they replenish the oxygen in the air – isnt that amazing?

Tree Cheers to them.

Thanks for visiting and have a wonderful week.

 

Different Shades

I missed Sunday Trees last week as I was busy with shifting (but I did post lots of trees (and leaves) but I’m back this week with a couple of photos of the same tree one early morning and the other a bit later in the day. Have a look.

20180125_092430Looks like night doesnt it? But trust me, the sun was right behind the tree allowing me to block it even if for a little while. The tree caught my eye for two reasons – the lighting and the funny bushy stumps/arms. And of course it was tall and being an Eucalyptus tree it reminded me of home. But yet the leaves seemed different and not so long and pointy. So which one do you prefer? Me? I still haven’t made up my mind πŸ˜€

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Do you see

how well you see

and what you see

is subject to which

side you are

WPC: St. Patrick’s Day

The Daily Post’s Weekly Photo challenge is I’d Rather Be…but of course blogging! After a hectic two, nearly three weeks of shifting, sifting and sorting I got my day to do what I enjoy most. But to be honest I am still rather exhausted and all frazzled with my thoughts on a million different corners. Providentially, I got a bunch of lovely snaps of the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in Dublin from my sister and brother-in-law who are currently staying there. So I didn’t have to travel, hunt or work too hard to join the fun. I am hoping you will like the photos too.

IMG-20180317-WA0044

St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. He was a Christian missionary credited with taking Christianity to Ireland.

IMG-20180317-WA0035St. Patrick died on March 17, 461 and this day is celebrated the Roman Catholic feast day of the patron saint of Ireland.

IMG-20180317-WA0043It is also a celebration of Irish culture.

IMG-20180317-WA0042Bright and colorful aren’t they?

IMG-20180317-WA0045It was freezing cold and my sister caught a cold despite being wrapped in layers. But you wouldn’t be able to make that out looking at these young girls would you?

IMG-20180317-WA0037I thought this little boy was the best – what about you? It is also a custom to wear green on St. Patrick’s day. Apparently wearing green made one invisible to leprechauns, fairy creatures who would pinch anyone not wearing green. And those who don’t wear green do get pinched!

Thanks for visiting – all info from Google.

I think this post would also perfectly fit the #QOGUIN series. What you think?

#QOGUIN Series

Hello and welcome to my new venture – #QOGUIN Series.

Puzzled? Curious? Interested? Intrigued? Well I hope so! Anyway here’s the thing, while shifting houses I seem have to misplaced my muse. Probably off on a vacation which I deserve – but then there’s no rest for the wicked. And since I cannot seem to stay away from blogging either so I hit upon a compromise. I can finally hatch an idea that I have been incubating for quite some time – share some Quirky Odd Good Ugly Intriguing News from all over the world. Perhaps some stuff thrown in from around my tiny world as well.

So, are you game?

I’m not sure if it is going to be a weekly, monthly or even a regular feature. Ahh well we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it right? Hey, here’s an idea? Why don’t you join in? Surely you have something non-fictional to share? Just make a post and drop your link here whenever you’re ready – no rush, no rules. And to prove that I would like to make an earlier post A Salute to the Wall as the first in the series πŸ˜€ And all the other positive news that I may have posted earlier, will hunt them out and list them in a dedicated Page.

Today’s article for this series is on underage driving which, as most of us are aware more often than not lead to disastrous consequences. Children, especially in certain Indian Metros are notorious for going off on jaunts, motor racing and stunts late at night and are a danger not only to themselves but also the others. Fed up with repeated unfortunate and countless such incidents, in 2015 the traffic police in Bengaluru threatened to imprison and confiscate driving licenses of parents of underage children caught driving. In fact, scores of parents were booked. But they got off after paying a fine. Finally last month, the Hyderabad police cracked down on errant parents and arrested 69 such irresponsible parents of these daredevil (I’m willing to bet) boys.

This bit of news gave me a lot of cheer and hope. I now wait for the day when parents of daughters who commit suicide and are forced to suffer atrocities at their in-laws are also arrested.

If you wonder at my extreme reaction, perhaps you might like to read my article on Bride Burning, a call to action and my long running fictional piece (most of which is drawn from real-life) – Moonshine.

Thank you for visiting, I am happy to play hostess after a long time πŸ™‚ Do let me know your thoughts and look forward to reading anything interesting – the good the bad the ugly – that you may have to share.

Have a wonderful weekend.

You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete. -R. Buckminster Fuller

CFFC: Leaves and Trees

Whew! I almost missed this fun foto challenge of Cee’s! And my favorite topic too – Leaves and Trees. And I have discovered a recent fascination for leaves as well so picking and choosing was quite a challenge. Hoping that you will enjoy my selection.

Assorted

Let’s begin with an assortment of leaves, mostly teak leaves.

3leaves

Just trying for some perspective here – they are huge arent they?

GreenLI was fascinated by this find and carried it inside for some special treatment

AshokA collection of dried Ashoka tree leaves.

BananaBanana leaves against a cloudy evening sky

EucaEucalyptus tree standing tall against the litchi trees. Don’t miss the fair elbows!

RedgreenThe greens attempts to tone down the exuberance of the reds

BattyNext I have a really batty tree for you. Yes! those black things are bats waiting for darkness to fall.

Bare

Perhaps she dropped her leaves because she didn’t want any hanger-ons – what do you think? Did you notice her pose? Perhaps the stone sculptors of ancient India took inspiration from her kind. And before you scroll down – look! Mango blossoms – the prize for the heat and dust!

GoldenA golden tree by the road

TendrilsA mystery tree with strange tendrils hanging down like some exotic jewelry. Anyone know which tree? Ferdi?

FortThe last one standing at the Chittorgarh fort. Oh the stories it could tell

BadhairThis one’s having a really bad hair day πŸ˜€ Or perhaps it has seen some really hair-raising stuff in its heydays. After all this is the place for committing jauhar and sati.

CloverI clicked this patch of clover leaves hoping to find a lucky four-leafed one at leisure. No such luck yet – what about you?

ParlorAll neat and tidy, ready to toe the line and follow rules and regulations with not a hair out of place.

AsulikeAnd then we have this place where there’s no sense or order, each to her own to be as she likes no questions asked. Which do you prefer?

SunkissedAnd finally the Sun kisses this one good night πŸ™‚

Thanks for visiting and sharing your favorite one!