Month: April 2025

FF: The Collapse of a Merger

Hi there! Today I am again attempting to play a 100 words for Rochelle’s Friday Fictioneers on a photo kindly provided by Roger Bultot. If you want to join in or read the other stories inspired by this prompt, click here. Thank you Rochelle and Roger.

Photo Prompt © Roger Bultot

The Collapse of a Merger

Words 100

There were smiles and claps all around as they shook hands and embraced.

The envisaged final outcome promised to set an example to the world. The wide arched span, bolstered modern support systems and thoughtful inclusion of futuristic elements, instilled confidence and joy in all.

Money exchanged hands, deadlines were set and tasks assigned. In keeping with the design requirements, work began simultaneously from both ends.

Over time, differences arose, however, yielding to pressure from senior advisors, all activities were completed on time.

Barely into the first monsoon, the foundation collapsed and the entire structure toppled over

Another failed marriage.

***

Thank you for visiting. For anyone interested, Chapter 5 of Some Sugar & Spice is up.

#haiku 2

Haiku is just three lines and yet i find it the most difficult form to attempt. And probably that’s why i have so few haiku published. Sharing one today, which is actually not a haiku (i did tell you i am still struggling with it) but a senryu, which in contrast to haiku deals with human elements rather than nature.

Thanks for visiting. Also wanted to let you know that Chapter 4 of Some Sugar & Spice is up.

Have a great week.

FF: A Makeover

Hello and welcome to another edition of Friday Fictioneers with Rochelle leading the way, this time with a photo from Sandra Crook for a story in 100 words. If you want to join in, click here. Thank you Rochelle and Sandra.

PHOTO PROMPT © Sandra Crook

A Makeover

Words 100

In her heydays, there were long queues. They would come in one by one, voice their worries, and on occasion, go off into peals of laughter.

With time, the queues had dwindled until there were none.  Inside too, there was nothing but dusty corners. In a limbo, the days, months, weeks, rolled into one.

A thunderstorm.  With a crash, a glass shattered.

One spring morn, sprouting between the cracks — tiny purple blooms.  The egg that the pigeon had nurtured with such care, hatched.

The squab flapped its wings, flying over hills and vales, carrying the scent of her myriad tales.

***

Thank you for visiting. For anyone interested, Chapter 3 of Some Sugar & Spice is up.

#tanka 2

Shubho Noboborsho!

Wishing you all a very happy Bengali New Year! And my warm, albeit belated, greetings to all for Baisakhi, Vishu, Ugadi, Puthandu, Maha Vishubha Sankranti, Bohag Bihu and (my apologies for the) many more that I am sure to have missed. This New Year, may all our lives be filled with peace and joy.

Posting one of my published tanka for your kind perusal.

Thank you for visiting and leaving me a note.

And for those reading Some Sugar & Spice the second chapter is up. See you there!

PS: How does this image look? First time trying my hand on Canva. Do share your thoughts and tips. Thank you.

FF: Ostrich in the Sand

Hello and welcome to another edition of Friday Fictioneers with Rochelle leading the way, this time with a photo from Nancy Richy for a story in 100 words. If you want to join in, click here. Thank you Rochelle and Nancy.

Photo Prompt © Nancy Richy

FF: Ostrich in the Sand

Words 100

Quick, this was his chance!

Ron began to tiptoe

He froze.

The familiar shuffle of footsteps.

No time to lose, he dived behind the sofa.

“Yes darling,” Her voice floated across. “the coast is clear. Let’s party!”

A titter.

“Yes darling. Just you and me. Oh Ron? He ran off to play football. Time he learned to take responsibility for his actions. Do you want to go out for dinner?” She lowered her voice. “Or should we order in and…?”

“Mom!” Ron sprang up, “You have a boyfriend?!”

Mom’s eyes gleamed with mischief as she stood there hands on hips.

***

Thank you for reading and leaving me a note. And in case anyone is interested, a new story: Some Sugar & Spice is now live! Hope to see you there as well.

Have a wonderful week.

#haibun 1 & A New Story

Hello everyone. Hope everyone is having a good day. Today is special for me as it is my Father’s birthday. I am celebrating by posting my first published haibun and the new story.

Thank you for visiting and leaving me a note. Have a great day.

Ah and the promised story…

From today I begin to post the story Some Sugar & Spice. It is the story of various women and one man stuck in the middle of it all, though not in the way you are imagining! 😀

And don’t worry, this is a limited series and is likely to be about 38 chapters long. If you are ready for another ride, do hop on! See you there 🙂

Some Sugar & Spice

PS: Readers of Silver Streaks may like to visit their page which has now been renamed: 3S: A 2025 Update

#haiku 1

Hello! Hope you are having a great Sunday. Today i share my first published haiku.

Do share your comments and thoughts.

Have good day.

FF: You Can’t Beat Them

Hello, everyone, hope you are having a good week. I am back with another attempt to participate in Rochelle’s party of Friday Fictioneers. The story is inspired by the photo by Jennifer Pendergast. Thank you Rochelle and Jennifer! If you wish to participate or read the other stories based on this prompt, click here

PHOTO PROMPT © Jennifer Pendergast

When you can’t Beat Them…

Words 100

“Enough playing games. What about work?” I grumble at my offspring glued to the screen, fingers dancing over the keyboard.

He nods agreeably without budging. And he is in my room.

Sighing, I scroll through the apps on the iPad.

I sink into ‘Zen Word’ until I am lured by the ‘Royal Match.’ I start by renovating his castle, the garden, decorating his bed, the dog’s bed, setting up his library…

Rebelling, I switch to ‘Nut Sort’ where one has to sort nuts by color.

Having done this for years, in no time, I top the charts. Next ‘Hidden Objects.’

***

Thank you for reading and especially for leaving me a comment. Hope you have a great weekend too.

PS: For readers of Silver Streaks or anyone else interested in the long format of stories please visit 3S: A 2025 Update

Cheers.

PPS: After posting, i went back to my game and it struck me that the story was about something else. Hence, a minor tweak in the title and last line. And some re-framing to keep within 100 words. Apologies for any inconvenience.

#tanka 1

Hello everyone! Today i present two unpublished tanka for your comments and suggestions

Thank you for visiting and leaving me a note.

Have a great day.