Category: Flash Fiction

Escape Velocity

 Words 201

Sundar rang the bell, just as Rima came up behind him.

“Where the hell were you?” He rounded upon her. “You made me wait in the heat.”

“I was right behind you,” she opened the door, “and your AC cab just dropped you. I went walking in the heat to drop Neelam to a birthday party.” She held out a glass of chilled water.

“Shut up! How dare you talk to me like that?” He snarled.

“I am learning.” She tapped her chin. “I need to work on my tone.”

“What’s wrong with you?”

“Nothing. Everything is just perfect.” She spread out her arms and twirled on her toes.

“Stop this nonsense right now!” He yelled. “Otherwise,” he raised his hand.

She grabbed their son’s bat. “Otherwise what?” Her voice was firm and even.

“What happened?” he dropped his hand. Where was his meek cowering wife?

Rima laughed. “Didn’t you hear the death knell of male dominance?”

“What rot are you talking?”

“The triple talaq* got banned.”

It was his turn to laugh. “That is for Muslim women. And…”

“The ruling has empowered all women.”

“Rubbish! My word is still the law…”

She hefted the bat. “Overruled by 3 against 1.”

***

 *The Supreme Court of India in a historic verdict on 22^nd August 2017 struck down the practice of instant triple talaq by a 3:2 majority in India as unconstitutional and illegal. Triple talaq is a form of Islamic divorce that allows any Muslim man to divorce his wife by simply saying talaq thrice, over Skype, telephone, Whatsapp or by courier. This has not only empowered and liberated Muslim women but also revived hopes of doing away with other myriad social malpractices that continue in the name of religion and tradition.

The eclipse of 1,400 years is finally over and as you can see I am over the moon. 😀

Hip Hip Hurrah!

P.S Regarding the title, just in case it is too technical and the connection obscure, escape velocity is the lowest velocity, which a body must have in order to escape the gravitational attraction of a particular planet or other object.

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 167

A Clean Slate

 Words 100

“Aren’t you scared of ghosts Nani?”

“Nah. They’re my best friends.”

“Seriously Nani, isn’t it tough staying alone?”

“It is getting difficult dear. Maybe I’ll shift to an old age home.”

“Come and stay with us!”

“Not a good idea dear. You have your own schedules. I am too old and inflexible to fit into them. We’ll get on each others nerves in no time.”

“Will you be able to adjust with strangers?”

“Ever notice how we are nicer, kinder people when with strangers?”

“Yes, but…”

“When there’s no history, no expectations, it’s easier and simpler to get along.”

***

Returning after a hiatus, feeling rusty. Did it work? Do let me know – have a great weekend.

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

A Pick Me Up

 Words 101

“The meeting is weeks away but Her Royal Highness wants the presentation tomorrow.” I fumed. “And I’ve got guests for dinner.”

“In the middle of the week?” Exclaimed Rita, a colleague.

“Exactly!” I wasn’t done grumbling. “There’s shopping, homework, cooking and he’s working late. Hell!”

“A working mother’s life!” Rita waved goodbye.

I maneuvered the car home, adding one more to my list – couldn’t somebody open the damned gate?

Our neighbor’s son, about seven, tapped on the window.

Now what?

He held up a fistful of crushed periwinkles.

“For me?” I gaped.

He nodded and ran off to open the gate.

 ***

Based on a true incident 🙂

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

 

The Sneaky Ways of Fate

Words 102

The train chugged out of the station. He tried to the quell butterflies in his stomach, an alien city, an unfamiliar language. Jobless in Kolkata, fate had offered him a job in Delhi he had grabbed it.

In another part of the country, hectic preparations were on to send her to college.

Tonight, they would take the train to Agra.

Fate blinked. Oops! Her destiny was in Delhi.

“A telegram,” father said, “confirming admission in a Delhi college.”

Fate sighed. Her job was done.

Same city.

Same campus.

Time would lead them to Room 4027.

Biology and chemistry would do the rest.

***

Footnote: The numbers triggered this piece.

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

Thank you for visiting – have a super week 🙂

 

Accursed

Words 202

“That house looks eerie.” I said.

“It is haunted.” The villager touched his ears and backed away.

“Really? What happened?” I was intrigued.

“All because of one woman. Curse them all.” He spat.

“Tell me in detail Chachaji.” I offered him a cigarette. He settled himself comfortably on his haunches. He took a deep drag. “Two brothers lived here, Suresh and Ramesh. When Suresh was about 10 years old, they lost their parents. Suresh cared for Ramesh like a son. He refused to get married for fear that his wife may not accept Ramesh. They were model exemplary brothers.”

“Then?” I asked.

“Like any responsible father, Suresh arranged Ramesh’s marriage. Everything was perfect until she was caught.”

“Caught?”

“Caught seducing Suresh.”

“No!”

“She was of course killed on the spot.”

“And Suresh?”

“Suresh’s blameless! His reputation spotless, character impeccable.”

“Why did they leave?”

“The brothers fell out. Accidents happened.” He lowered his voice. “Her ghost forced them to leave.”

“Ghost!”

“Denied entry to even hell, she haunts that house.”

“Suresh may…?”

“She should’ve handled him better. Men are like little children. She has the power to manipulate and incite them. Mark my words, women are at the root of all evil.”

 ***

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

Thanks for reading – would love to hear your thoughts and reactions 🙂

For readers of Moonshine, here's Chapter 158

 

 

Look Within

Words 194

“What’s the matter?” Madhu asked. “Had a tiff with your hubby?”

“When don’t I?” Trupti kicked a pebble, “All he thinks about is work and money.”

Madhu hesitated. “Perhaps you should…”

“Not you too!” Trupti groaned. “Have a baby and everything will be fine!”

“Perhaps you should learn to appreciate him.” Madhu advised. “Raghu’s a nice boy, steady, decent, doesn’t smoke or…”

“The perfect matrimonial catch.” Trupti sneered.

“Was there someone else?” A sudden doubt assailed Madhu.

“I don’t get this marriage business. Why can’t we lead our own lives, the way we want to?”

“Because each of us is incomplete.” Madhu said. “See that wall?”

“You should see it in spring, it turns orange…”

“Ever wonder why the creeper grows up?”

“To avoid getting trampled or munched up?”

“Not just security but also the space to showcase herself.”

“Yeah right!” Trupti scoffed.

“It’s there,” Madhu pointed out. “It’s up to her to utilize it.”

“What does he get?”

“She’s the wall’s raison d’etre, and also gives it stability and keeps it grounded.”

“But are they happy?”

“Nobody else can make you happy. You have to teach yourself to be happy, to be content.”

***

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

For readers of Moonshine, here's Chapter 155

 

 

Stumped

Words: I plead guilty

 “Why did you call the office landline?” She kicked off her heels.

“You weren’t picking your mobile…” He straightened the penguin.

“I was in an important meeting…!” Her bag was next.

“It was a question of our son’s future.” He fiddled with the pen stand.

“What if you were in a meeting? Would you also have left it?”

“Of course! I know my priorities.”

“Then why didn’t you check the admission papers before leaving?”

“Why didn’t you?”

“If I have to do everything, what will you do?”

“Put the blame on you.” He grinned.

“Very smart.” She seethed.

“I am glad you agree.” He smirked.

“I wonder you can say that after today’s fiasco.”

“I am not such a fool as you.”

“Are you calling me the fool?” She clenched her fists.

“I chose you. You chose me. So who’s the fool?”

 ***

A/N I overshot the word limit heavily but with a purpose – a bit of any experiment really. And I would appreciate your help. It’s about the dialogue tag. I used the first one (she kicked off her heels) to denote who’s speaking. And then I felt like adding a few more and ultimately went overboard. But I am not sure if they worked or not. In fact I think it didnt add, perhaps even detracted. But this is something that I have been wrestling with. Also is it okay to use just one dialogue tag? Wouldnt it have looked odd? Questions, questions and I am quite stumped 😉

What do you think? Could I request you to read it again minus the dialogue tags and let me know your thoughts? But I understand that you may be too busy. Thanks a lot for visiting – have a great day 🙂

 

Stumped

“Why did you call the office landline?” She kicked off her heels.

“You weren’t picking your mobile…”

“I was in an important meeting…!”

“It was a question of our son’s future.”

“What if you were in a meeting? Would you also have left it?”

“Of course! I know my priorities.”

“Then why didn’t you check the admission papers before leaving?”

“Why didn’t you?”

“If I have to do everything, what will you do?”

“Put the blame on you.”

“Very smart.”

“I am glad you agree.”

“I wonder you can say that after today’s fiasco.”

“I am not such a fool as you.”

“Are you calling me the fool

“I chose you. You chose me. So who’s the fool?”

 ***

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

For readers of Moonshine, here's Chapter 154

Thanks for visiting, have a great day 🙂

Once Upon a Time

Words 200

It was a carefree life.

I was the pampered child, the adored sibling the student of the year.

Friends were my life and I was the life of the party.

There was no need to conquer the world – I was on top of the world.

But something – someone was missing.

Someone of my very own, someone to love, someone to care, to share…

Fate was kind.

I found the one perfect for me in every respect.

We yodeled, tap-danced and ultimately waltzed through our rollicking wedding.

I now had a kingdom of my own.

That’s when the trouble began.

Lured by the lust of a good life, I fell deeper and deeper into the trap.

A bigger house.

A bigger car.

A bigger family.

A bigger loan.

Gone were my carefree days.

All I did was work and work.

Endless cycles of earn and spend.

Earn and spend.

Earn and save – for the near and the distant future, for children and children’s children.

Chained to the grindstone, squeezed into a straitjacket I underwent transmutation.

And that is the story of how I turned from a blue-eyed boy into the fire spewing dragon king of today.

***

Written for the Sunday Photo Fiction – 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 the prompt, click here.

 

For readers of Moonshine, here's Chapter 153