Category: Flash Fiction

WWP #287: Not So Sweet Revenge

Hello! I am back with a piece for Sammi’s Weekend Writing Prompt – Revenge in exactly 79 words. Hope you like!

Not so Sweet Revenge

Words 79

“Where’s Deva?”

“Daddy!” Chotti ran to him sobbing. “He’s gone off to play football. He has an exam tomorrow as well.”

“That boy.”

““He’s always playing.” Chotti rubbed it in. “Or teasing me.” She pouted.

“Hari Prakash!” Her father shouted. “Go get Deva home immediately.”

Chotti skipped, but stopped short.

“Daddy, let him play today.” She wore her most angelic expression. “Scold him later.”

“Why?” He frowned.

“Because, he promised to get her an ice cream today,” Khushi revealed.

***

Thanks for reading, would love to hear your thoughts. Have a super day ahead

FF: The Monster

Written for the Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle – a story in 100 words or less. Click here for other stories on this prompt.

Photo prompt Sandra Crook

The Monster

Words 101

“Nani,” Chotti pulled at her granny’s hand, “let’s go the other way.”

“But that’s so much longer dear!”

“Chotti is terrified of afraid of that,” Deva snickered nodding his head.

“That’s just a hill.”

“No Nani,” Angel clung to her hand “that’s a monster from space. It’s face was eaten up by the creeper.” Her eyes were wide with terror.

“Deva.” Nani looked at him reprovingly.

“It wasn’t me! “He raised his hand solemnly, but couldn’t quite hide the gleam in his eye.

“Chotti,” Deva capitulated, “the creeper is actually trying to save the poor monster from being completely washed away.”

***

So, what do you think? Go on, say something 😀

Have a super weekend and thanks for dropping by.

FF: Foot in the Mouth

Written for the Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle – a story in 100 words or less. Click here for other stories on this prompt.

PHOTO PROMPT © Starsinclayjars

Foot in the Mouth

Words 101

“Resting? At your age, you should be running.” A middle-aged man chastised Raghu beside him on the park bench. “I do 20 laps and you gave up after just 10,” he snorted.

“I am trying.”

“Yeah right. All you youngsters are lazy lumps. Only good for junk food and video games.” He cast him a scathing look. “No wonder you are overweight. Look at me, so fit. If I were younger,” he broke off staring at the ground, “what’s that? Did you injure your leg? You’re bleeding!”

Raghu looked down. “Ah. Just a bit. I’m still adjusting to my new foot.”

***

Inspired by the Jaipur foot and Sudha Chandran who reclaimed her place on the stage of dance after losing her leg in an accident with the help of the Jaipur foot.

Thanks for visiting!

WWP #285: The Search Continues

Here’s my submission for Sammi’s Weekend Writing Prompt  and the challenge is to is to write a piece is exactly 50 words – the word is “thalassic”.

The Search Continues

Words 50

“The prompt this week is ‘thalassic’.”

“What’s that?

“Something to do with the sea, seagoing, seashore…”

“We haven’t visited the sea in a while, have we?”

“Almost a decade.”

“Everyone, shall we go? Andamans?”

“Too expensive!”

“I’ve no leaves left.”

 “The weather’s not good for traveling.”

“Abyssal is another option…”

***

I learnt a new word this week, actually many – thank you Sammi 🙂 Did you know? Care to join the challenge? Thank you for reading – have a super week ahead.

JSW: What Goes Around

Hello! I am back with a slightly longer piece this time. I just hope I am not too late for the JSW challenge – my first time participating in it.

The challenge is to write a story in 300 words or less on the prompt (in blue below). Here goes my attempt:

What Goes Around

Words 298

“I don’t think this is a good idea.”

“It’s the only chance we’ve got.”

With that, I grabbed his hand and we jumped into the darkness.

I woke with a gasp.

Fumbling for the bed switch, I sat up, still trembling.

That dream again.

Was I becoming suicidal?

When would this nightmare end?

A shiver shook me as I recalled that day.

No. I  wouldn’t think about that.

I flung away the bed covers and jumped into action.

Work was the only way.

“Sandwiches! For all of us? You are the best Ma’am!” My colleagues gushed as
they gobbled.

I couldn’t help but smile, “It’s been so long since I did anything for you
all. Everyone has been so kind.” I choked.

“Cheer up, Ma’am. We are rooting for you!” They chorused.

“Thank you dears. I wonder what I would do without you.”

“You are our inspiration Ma’am. How you have faced all the adversities
alone…”

There was a knock at the door.

“The insurance agent,” the receptionist informed.

I drooped.

Not again.

Hadn’t they rubbed enough salt on my wounds?

“Hello Ma’am.”

I swallowed, but seeing his guilty expression, I mustered up a smile, “It’s
ok. Any progress with the paperwork?”

“Yes Ma’am. I just need your signatures on a couple of more documents. The
police are also through with the investigations and are likely to close the
case as an accident sometime soon. Once we have that the money will be released
right away.” He beamed.

I dabbed at my eyes and nodded my thanks.

After he left, I permitted myself a tiny smile.

I  had covered my steps well.

No one knew that I had pushed him over the bridge.

Now, if only I could get rid of his petty clingy ghost just as easily.

***

Well, would do you think? Did it work? No? Do let me know in the comment section. Thanks for reading and have a wonderful weekend.

FF: Faded

Written for the Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle – a story in 100 words or less. Click here for other stories on this prompt.

Photo prompt Dale Rogerson

Faded

Words 100

“Crying?” His gruff voice broke into her reverie.

“I’m not.” She huffed.

A familiar yet unfamiliar touch.

She jerked away as more tears rolled down. “I thought you couldn’t see in the darkness?” She said stiffly.

“After all these years, I don’t have to ‘see’ to know…”

“How many years before you know what I’m thinking?”

“Many lives. You’re mysterious.” He settled down beside her. “Part of your charm,” he coaxed.

“Thinking of my first love.” She confessed. “I miss him.”

“First love? Who’s that? Where’s he?”

“Even I wonder.” Khushi stared at him as the lights came back on.

***

FF: Parked

Written for the Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle – a story in 100 words or less. Click here for other stories on this prompt.

PHOTO PROMPT © Brenda Cox

Parked

Words 100

“Namaste Sharmaji! Congratulations on your new car.”

“Shukriya Guptaji. The kids insisted. Have some sweets.”

“Sweets and a spin!” Guptaji countered, “But, I will miss your company during the office commute.”

“Don’t worry! Metro is the best. Traffic!” Sharmaji shuddered.

“So much shopping Sharmaji!” Guptaji said one evening, “where’s your car?”

Sharmaji wiped his sweat and grimaced. “The wife insisted I take a walk.”

“Surely, you are going to Tanu’s wedding? Can we squeeze into your car?”

“Great idea. We can share the cab fare.”

“Cab? What about your car?”

Sharmaji coughed. “I am afraid to lose the parking spot.”

***

FF: Tripped Up

Written for the Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle – a story in 100 words or less. Click here for other stories on this prompt.

PHOTO PROMPT © Bill Reynolds

Tripped Up

Words: 98

“Where’s Mom?”

“How would I know?”

“She’s your wife too!”

“Not any longer.” He gave a snort.

“What do you mean?”

“Nothing.” He turned away and resumed packing.

“Where are you going?”

“Camping. Hiking. Boating. Barbecue.” He smacked his lips. “Why?”

“Without Mom?”

“Yeah, so?”

“Who would do all the work? You?”

“What do you mean?!”

“As if you don’t know.”

“I don’t.” His father heaved the can but couldn’t lift it. He gave up and attempted to drag it.

“Just a minute,” his son stopped him and raised the lid.

He found his mother.

Chopped into pieces.

***

FF: Into the Ring

Written for the Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle – a story in 100 words or less. Click here for other stories on this prompt. Thanks to Rochelle for the photo prompt.

Into the Ring

Words 101

Diwali was here.

Time for some clean up.

And new beginnings.

After days of dithering over the messy clutter, she took the plunge.

Choking, she tripped over the lamps – but alas, no genie appeared.

The sunglass display rack looked promising but it wobbled and swayed.

She let it go.

The pressure cooker?

On second thoughts, no.

Still fragile, she wasn’t ready to explore that angle yet.

She steadied her gaze and began.

Once upon a time, by the edge of the forest, there lived an evil witch alien. They had two smiling eyes, three ears and no lips.

The doorbell rang.

***

Happy Diwali to everyone. So happy to be back after ages. Hope all of you have been well. Looking forward to be able to reconnect with you all 🙂

SPF: The Christmas Gift

Hello and here’s hoping you are doing well in these difficult times. I am trying to get back to blogging but nothing new as of now. Unless you are into #IPKKND and Silver Streaks. In which case, Season 2 is now underway. See you there 🙂

SPF (2 of 2)
Photo (c) Susan Spaulding

The Christmas Gift

Words 200

“I wonder what Santa will gift me this year.” Rimi mused.

“Lucky you,” Rimi’s grandfather was jealous, “In my time there was no Santa.”

“That’s not possible!” Rimi protested. “Perhaps you were a bad boy.”

“I was always a good boy.” Huffed Dadu. “It’s not fair that I didn’t get any toys. Not even on my birthday.”

“Aww.” Rimi commiserated. “I’ll ask Santa!”

“As if he’ll agree.” Dadu snorted.

The next morning, Rimi ran to Dadu. “Guess what I saw last night?”

“What?”

“A thick blanket of snow covered the garden…”

“But it never snows here!”

She stamped her foot. “It did last night.”

“Fine!”

“Elves sat around the stumps talking when a sleigh drew up in a shower of snow. I jumped out and asked Santa why he didn’t give you gifts.”

“What did he say?”

“He said his GPS wasn’t as advanced then.”

Dadu coughed.

“I said, why not gift him now? But Santa said he brought gifts for only children.”

“I told you so!” Dadu grumbled.

“But I managed to convince him!” Rimi was triumphant.

“How?”

“I said what about those in their second childhood?”

Dadu laughed and enfolded Rimi in his arms. “My best gift ever!”

***

Written (after ages) for the Sunday Photo Fiction – a story in 200 words or less. Thanks to Susan Spaulding for hosting the challenge and for the photo prompt. To read the other stories inspired by this prompt click here.