Category: Flash Fiction

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 (which is actually the original version!) and do let me know your thoughts 🙂 From the comments, I thought it best to put the (edited) note right on top.

Calling her Bluff

 Words 200

“Let’s go for a walk?” She looked with foreboding at his grim distant expression. She wished she were back home instead of at their honeymoon.

He shrugged. “Sure.”

Walking silently down the deserted streets, despair stole over her. He had seemed such a fun guy. Or was he too shy and nervous?

Suddenly, she doubled over.

“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.”

“Perhaps he still lives there? Let’s go and check?”

“No!”

“Why not? Perhaps Suki’s still waiting for you?” He stepped forward to ring the bell.

Horrified, she clutched his arm and dragged him back. “Are you crazy?” She yelled.

“No. Are you?” His lips twitched.

***

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

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

One Step Lower

 Words 100

“Bhaisahab* could you get me a job?” she burst out.

“But why?” He stared.

“Now I’ve time on my hands and…everything’s so expensive.”

“Why worry about expenses when your sons are earning well?” He laughed.

“Yes.” She hesitated. “But, they have their own expenses. If I had a job…”

“What about your health?”

“Exactly. Medicines are so expensive.”

“It’d be better to ask your sons.”

“Why should I have to ask?” She stood up. “Ask your Father, ask your husband and now beg from my sons?”

“It’s not begging. It’s your right.”

“If I have to ask, it’s begging.”

 ***

*Bhaishaab: Elder brother and commonly used to address an older male relative, family friend, neighbor or even an acquaintance or stranger on the road.

Perhaps the link to the photo may not be clear but the color white in India is associated with a widow – I hope that came through (that she’s a widow!)?

Thanks for reading – look forward to your reaction and comments. 🙂

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

The Genie

Words 100

 “Dadu, what did you get from the haat*?” His grandchildren crowded him.

Snehlata cracked another areca nut and spoke through a paan* stuffed mouth, “More junk for this junkyard.”

Ignoring her, he held up his treasure.

“What is it?” Rina wondered.

“I know!” Deep’s eyes sparkled. “That’s Humpty Dumpty. They put him together again!”

“No.” Dadu coughed. “It’s Aladdin’s lamp.”

“Rubbish!”

“Didu’s right,” Rina spoke hesitantly, “it doesn’t look…”

“They fooled us all these years.” Dadu spoke in hushed tones.

“Call the Genie Dadu,” Deep urged.

“Genie!” Dadu coughed. “Bring my inhaler!”

Snehlata held out the inhaler. “Dinner is served.”

 ***

*Haat: Local market in rural areas in India

*Paan: a preparation combining betel leaf with areca nut among other ingredients such as tobacco. It is chewed for its stimulant and psychoactive effects and prevalent in India since the 3rd Century A.D.

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