This week for the same setting and the same characters I ended up with two different stories and couldn’t choose between them. If you have the time and the inclination, I would appreciate if you would click here for the second version and do let me know your thoughts. From the comments, I thought it best to put the (edited) note right on top.
Not So Ill-fated
Words 196
“Let’s go for a walk?” She wasn’t too comfortable with being alone with her husband of a few hours. They had just checked into a hotel on their way to Darjeeling for their honeymoon.
He shrugged. “Sure.”
Walking down the deserted streets, a wave of nausea shook her. Sweating, she doubled over in agony.
“Saina!” Tarun supported her. “Are you okay?”
“I…I…know this place,” she gasped. She raised a shaking finger. “I was lynched by a mob…” she shivered and shook unable to speak more.
He froze. Had be been conned into marrying a mad woman?
He steadied. “Relax. Let’s go back. I think you’re overtired.”
“I can see it all so clearly.” She went on unheeding. “So many people and I alone. Suki…”
“Suki?”
“My love. We wanted to marry but I was older than him.”
“Was Suki also killed?”
“He ran away.” She pointed. “He used to live in that house.” She frowned. “But it wasn’t so rundown or,” she gasped.
A portly balding man wearing a singlet poked his head out of the door and spat on the road.
She linked her arm with Tarun’s and smiled up at him. “Let’s go back.”
***
Written for the Sunday Photo Fiction – a story in 200 words or less. Thanks (and apologies for breaking any rules by a double post) to Alistair Forbes for hosting the challenge and the photo prompt. To read the other stories inspired by this photo click here
By the roadside, a triple bonanza – sandy brown earth, school bus yellow cacti and safety orange flowers 😀
A saffron frame to an ancient lift
A nanny trying to feed a toddler playing on salmon tiles
A sandy brown sculpture from ancient times
A slate grey sculpture of Devi Durga as she destroys Mahishasura
A peacock with an intricately designed silver tail
A silver scarlet monster contraption at the airport
A safety orange light fixer on the roads of Delhi
A shamrock green monster parrot
Birds of a feather separated by a crow 😀
the intrepid traveler plods on and on undeterred and unmindful of the swirling traffic.
Caught the Prince charming hiding amongst the shrubbery on a winter night stroll
A dear friend’s blossoming kitchen garden 🙂
Okay now for some real magic. Can you see the light on the wall? Duh. Of course you can.
Well can you see it now? Same frame, same place, but no light! Magic isnt it? 😉
And finally a cold deary winter morning with the promise of spring. Got my eye on those freshly prepared beds – coming up in just a couple of months 🙂
Much like this opaque foggy or is it smoggy landscape
Then as the mist cleared I found this bouquet of trees – isnt it a lovely arrangement?
Rejuvenated we went to the Kolkata museum and admired the equine sculpture, though I do wonder why it looks so sad. Perhaps it is just exhausted, like I was
After the archeological exhibits I gave up and collapsed on the bench unable to even conceive of conquering the rest of the museum.
While shopping we were lucky to catch a glimpse of the store Queen. Though as you can see she is very camera shy and kept shaking her head. Or was it my hand in such exalted company?
Tired and desperate for a quick cuppa chai we ordered it. Did you know tea comes in this beautiful paper flask? 🙂
Starving, we ordered dinner soon after and it arrived hot spicy and delicious in a square box 😀
Desperate for some quiche we tried calling Hogg’s Room but sadly they didnt deliver from Kolkata to Mumbai 😉
Taking inspiration from these two blissful canines we too decided to call it a day and catch up on our quota of sleep.
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