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.

His First Pair

My second submission (first one here) this week after my ‘inspirational’ walk 😀 Would love to know which one you think is better. Thanks!

adamickes-childsboots
Photo (c) Adam Ickes

 

His First Pair

Words 102

“Dadu you came!” Rimi ran to hug her grandfather.

“Soon our village will get electricity…”

“Great! Dad will have no choice but to take me.” Rimi pulled him.

“Wait. Let me wash my feet first.”

“Why are you bare feet?!”

“I couldn’t wear leather on my feet!”

“But Dadu shoes are also made of synthetic material.”

“Really?”

“Yes! Let me buy you a pair of shoes.”

 

“I love my new shoes.” He carefully tucked them into his bag. “Thank you.”

“Aren’t you going to wear them?”

“Oh but I couldn’t!”

“Why not? They aren’t leather…”

“They’ll get dirty and frayed.”

***

Written for the Friday Fictioneers – a story in 100 words or less. Thanks to Rochelle for hosting the challenge and Adam Ickes for the photo prompt. To read the other stories inspired by this prompt (and showcase your story) click here.

 

 

 

 

A Shoddy Job

adamickes-childsboots
Photo (c) Adam Ickes

A Shoddy Job

97 Words

 

“For sale: baby shoes, never worn” 

She sighed. Another blank. Why did she even try?

She frowned and stared at the prompt.

A sturdy pair of shoes.

Just like the ones she needed to fulfill her New Year resolution.

Perhaps she could buy one before the year ended. At least it would be a step in the right direction. The shoes looked comfortable, not something that would give shoe bite. But probably beyond her shoestring budget, she sighed.

Perhaps she would dig out an old pair, go for a walk, and find some inspiration on the way.

***

Written for the Friday Fictioneers – a story in 100 words or less. Thanks to Rochelle for hosting the challenge and Adam Ickes for the photo prompt. To read the other stories inspired by this prompt (and showcase your story) click here.

Something is better than nothing right? Or not? Go on say it!

Thanks for reading and (hopefully) commenting.

And a second submission here after the ‘inspirational’ walk 😀

Enslaved

dales-waterfall
Photo (c) Dale Rogerson

Enslaved

Words 102

“There!” Mohini huffed from the gentle climb on to the dam, “This is where I grew up, beside the mighty Ganga. Beautiful isn’t she?”

Sia blew on the bubble till it popped. “Sure.” She ruminated, busy taking selfies. “The mountains in the distance look better. She’s too dull and bloated, like an over-fed slithering python for my liking.”

“She wasn’t always like this. She was free, fresh and sparkling, singing her song while skipping and dancing her way over boulders and stones.“

“What happened?”

“She was dammed up for the greater good.”

“How much longer Mohini?” Her husband called. “I am hungry.”

***

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. If you want to read the other stories inspired by this prompt (or add your link) click here.