Author: Dahlia

The Many Hues of Love

Words 200

“Relax Dadi. We are on a holiday!”

“But darling I am relaxing!”

“Let’s go out. Dadu can unpack his bag by himself.”

“Perhaps. But I want to have a peaceful night.”

“It’s tough being a wife. I never want to get married.”

“Even Nandi didn’t want to get married.”

“Why?”

“He was afraid that marriage would take away his freedom.”

“Exactly!”

“But like Lord Shiva said – freedom means being free from all fear isn’t it?”

“I guess.”

“Marriage completes a person. The responsibility that comes with a marriage helps in the blossoming of ones personality…”

“What about love Dadi?”

“What about it?”

“Does Dadu love you? Has he ever taken you for a romantic date? Showered you with gifts?

“Is that love?”

“How else can you judge love?”

“Love is not to be judged! It is to be experienced, to accept…”

“How you can accept a curmudgeonly cantankerous man like Dadu is beyond me.”

“Now what did he do?”

“He vetoed our plans for a ropeway ride followed by lunch at a popular Chinese joint.

“Oh!”

“Why does he insist on being contrary, spoiling everyone’s fun…?”

“I am terrified of heights and neither do I care for Chinese.”

***

Footnotes:  Nandi: In Hindu mythology, Nandi, depicted as a bull, is the vehicle of Lord Shiva and is also the bearer of truth and righteousness.

Dadu, Dadi: Paternal grandparents

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

For readers of Moonshine, here's Chapter 147

Thanks for reading – have a great day 🙂

The extra X Factor

Words 100

“New car, new gold jewelry! Did you win the lottery Rhea?”

“I was born with five lottery tickets.”

“Excuse me?”

“I have five brothers.”

“Ah! The pampered sister.”

“Not always. They were such terrors when I was young.”

“Really?”

“They teased and bullied me mercilessly. But now they would do anything for me.”

“Even give you a share of the ancestral property?”

“Of course!”

“Want to bet?”

“Why are you so negative?”

“Ask them.”

“I will.”

“Well?”

“They said ancestral property was for sons not daughters.”

“I told you so!”

“You would know. After all you too are a son.”

***

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

For readers of Moonshine, here's Chapter 146

 Monstrous Tales

Words 201

“Ma, I never want to go to school!”

“I thought you were desperate to start school?”

“There’s a Monster in school.”

“Monster?”

“Yes. He has big fangs that jut out from pink gums. His eyes have streaks of yellow and red. And…” Molly shuddered.

“What?”

“He’s got a long flaming tail tucked in his pants.”

“Who told you?”

“Dada told me.”

“He’s teasing you.”

“He isn’t. I saw Dada’s hand – it was all red with big welts.” Molly clapped a hand to her mouth.

“What?”

“I promised not to tell anyone.”

“I am not anyone. I am your mother. What else did he tell you?”

“You know why Dada has his lunch standing up?”

“Why?”

“Because he can’t sit. The Monster whipped him with his tail.”

“What else does the Monster do?”

“He pinches their ears. Sometimes he puts a pencil between their fingers and squeezes until they scream. Ma, please don’t send me to school.”

“We’ll see.”

“Ouch!” Molly rubbed her arm.

Grinning Dada held up his weapon, a huge toenail.

“Is it the Monster’s?”

“Don’t you know? We chased away the Monster.”

“How?”

“With this nail.”

“Where can I get one?”

“There’s a cupboard full of nails in school.”

***

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

For readers of Moonshine, here's Chapter 145

Thanks for reading – look forward to your comments 🙂