Category: Short stories

FF: Crossroads

Hello! Happy to be able to participate, even if a late for Rochelle’s weekly party – Friday Fictioneers, a story in 100 words based on a photo prompt kindly provided by Lisa Fox this fox. To read the other stories inspired by this prompt and join the fun, click here.

Photo Prompt © Lisa Fox

Crossroads

Words 100

“Rohan?” Sohini stopped short. He was working as a driver?

“Hi.” His embarrassment was evident.

“Bye.” Turning, she hesitated. “I still hate you. Especially the way you dumped me. I was barely 18, you could have been kinder.” She gave him a faint smile. “That said, I know it was the best thing that could have happened to me. It woke me up and made me stronger. I am in a happy place now.”

“Good for you.”

“You need to come out of your self-absorbed misery and introspect how this could be the best thing that happened to you. Goodbye.”

***

Thanks for visiting, looking forward to reading your stories. Have a great weekend.

For those who are reading, Some Sugar & Spice — Chapter 35 is up.

FF: Fireworks

Another weekend and time for Rochelle’s Friday Fictioneers – a story in 100 words based on a photo prompt, kindly provided this week by Roger Bultot. If you too would like to join the challenge or read the other stories inspired by this photo, click here.

Photo Prompt © Roger Bultot

Fireworks

Words 100

Nita breathed in the sea air. “A long drive to show off your new car!”

“It’s been weeks since we met. Even the car’s a month old. Do you even care?” Rohit huffed.

“Sorry, this month was crazy.”

“Mine’s next month.” He tucked a strand behind her ear. “Should we…do you think…will you marry me?” he was on his knees, holding out a ring. “I know it’s not much of a proposal. I thought of fireworks but they cause pollution…”

“That clinches it!” she held out her hand. “As a child, I was forced to work in a firecracker factory.”

***

Thank you for visiting. Hope you have a great weekend.

For those who are reading Some Sugar & Spice, the next chapter is up.

FF: The Party

Hello, hope you are having a grand weekend. It’s time for Rochelle’s Friday Fictioneers and as usual i am running late. But better late than never. So here i am with another story in 100 words, inspired by Rochelle’s photo. If you want to read the other stories inspired by this prompt, click here.

Photo prompt © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

The Party

Words 100

“The party isn’t until 7 pm.” My husband looked at his watch, “how come you’re ready?”

 “Aunty requested me to come early and help her get dressed.”

My husband gave a snort. “You always rave about the way she wears her sari and make up. Why would she need you?”

I hesitated. “Perhaps she’s feeling her age.”

My husband grunted and thankfully let it go.

I had kept my promise. All Aunty wanted was moral support. She needed someone to hold her hand and soothe her jangling nerves.

Her husband of 60 years had raised his hand at her, again.

***

Thank you for reading, i will be along to read the other stories inspired by this photo in a bit.

For anyone interested, Chapter 17 of Some Sugar & Spice is up. Or if you prefer poems in the haikai genre, click here

FF: The Wedding

Hello! Happy to be on time this time, or at least not late for Rochelle’s weekly party – Friday Fictioneers, a story in 100 words based on a photo prompt kindly provided by Ted Strutz. To read the other stories inspired by this prompt and join the fun, click here.

Photo Prompt © Ted Strutz

The Wedding

Words 100

“Say cheese!” Rupam clicked the newly-wedded couple’s picture. “You both are looking great. You can frame this photo.” He turned to his kids. “Come and touch your mother’s feet and say goodbye.”

“Isn’t Mother going to live us anymore?” Sukhi, their five-year-old asked. “And who is that man next to her?”

Rupam hustled his children. “Let’s go. Your mother has a new husband and she’s going to live with him from now on.”

“But seriously Rupam,” his friend frowned, “how you can get your own wife married off to another beats me.”

“Much better than having them bump me off.”

***

Inspired by a true incident:

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/up-murder-man-gets-wife-married-bablu-vikas-radhika-katar-jot-scared-after-cement-murder-up-man-gets-wife-married-to-lover-then-a-plot-twist-8061918

Thanks for visiting.

For anyone interested, Chapter 15 of Some Sugar & Spice is up.

FF: The Collapse of a Merger

Hi there! Today I am again attempting to play a 100 words for Rochelle’s Friday Fictioneers on a photo kindly provided by Roger Bultot. If you want to join in or read the other stories inspired by this prompt, click here. Thank you Rochelle and Roger.

Photo Prompt © Roger Bultot

The Collapse of a Merger

Words 100

There were smiles and claps all around as they shook hands and embraced.

The envisaged final outcome promised to set an example to the world. The wide arched span, bolstered modern support systems and thoughtful inclusion of futuristic elements, instilled confidence and joy in all.

Money exchanged hands, deadlines were set and tasks assigned. In keeping with the design requirements, work began simultaneously from both ends.

Over time, differences arose, however, yielding to pressure from senior advisors, all activities were completed on time.

Barely into the first monsoon, the foundation collapsed and the entire structure toppled over

Another failed marriage.

***

Thank you for visiting. For anyone interested, Chapter 5 of Some Sugar & Spice is up.

FF: Ostrich in the Sand

Hello and welcome to another edition of Friday Fictioneers with Rochelle leading the way, this time with a photo from Nancy Richy for a story in 100 words. If you want to join in, click here. Thank you Rochelle and Nancy.

Photo Prompt © Nancy Richy

FF: Ostrich in the Sand

Words 100

Quick, this was his chance!

Ron began to tiptoe

He froze.

The familiar shuffle of footsteps.

No time to lose, he dived behind the sofa.

“Yes darling,” Her voice floated across. “the coast is clear. Let’s party!”

A titter.

“Yes darling. Just you and me. Oh Ron? He ran off to play football. Time he learned to take responsibility for his actions. Do you want to go out for dinner?” She lowered her voice. “Or should we order in and…?”

“Mom!” Ron sprang up, “You have a boyfriend?!”

Mom’s eyes gleamed with mischief as she stood there hands on hips.

***

Thank you for reading and leaving me a note. And in case anyone is interested, a new story: Some Sugar & Spice is now live! Hope to see you there as well.

Have a wonderful week.

FF: You Can’t Beat Them

Hello, everyone, hope you are having a good week. I am back with another attempt to participate in Rochelle’s party of Friday Fictioneers. The story is inspired by the photo by Jennifer Pendergast. Thank you Rochelle and Jennifer! If you wish to participate or read the other stories based on this prompt, click here

PHOTO PROMPT © Jennifer Pendergast

When you can’t Beat Them…

Words 100

“Enough playing games. What about work?” I grumble at my offspring glued to the screen, fingers dancing over the keyboard.

He nods agreeably without budging. And he is in my room.

Sighing, I scroll through the apps on the iPad.

I sink into ‘Zen Word’ until I am lured by the ‘Royal Match.’ I start by renovating his castle, the garden, decorating his bed, the dog’s bed, setting up his library…

Rebelling, I switch to ‘Nut Sort’ where one has to sort nuts by color.

Having done this for years, in no time, I top the charts. Next ‘Hidden Objects.’

***

Thank you for reading and especially for leaving me a comment. Hope you have a great weekend too.

PS: For readers of Silver Streaks or anyone else interested in the long format of stories please visit 3S: A 2025 Update

Cheers.

PPS: After posting, i went back to my game and it struck me that the story was about something else. Hence, a minor tweak in the title and last line. And some re-framing to keep within 100 words. Apologies for any inconvenience.

FF: Child’s Play

Hello and welcome to another edition of Rochelle’s weekly challenge of a story in 100 words – Friday Fictioneers – based on the marvelous photo prompt kindly provided by Dale. I had so many threads running for this one that I just kept vacillating between them. Anyway ultimately settled on the first one. Hope you like 🙂 If you like you may click here to read and add your own story. See you there!

PHOTO PROMPT © Dale Rogerson

FF: Child’s Play

Words 100

“Your pills darling.” Rekha hugged her new husband, “Thanks for fixing the lights and my favorite pink roses.”

“But,” Jim frowned, “I didn’t fix the lights or send roses. Don’t you prefer red?”

“Who could it be in this deserted place? Stalker? Ghost?”

“Don’t…”

The lights flickered and a disembodied voice spoke. “Shaina my love….”

“Wh…who…” Jim quavered gripping Rekha.

“Get away from my wife…”

“She’s my wife.”  

“She’s mine. Leave her or you’re dead…”

“Nooooo!” Jim screamed and collapsed at Rekha’s feet.

“Well that was easy.” Rohit emerged from the shadows.

“I told you he was terrified of ghosts.”

***

Thanks for visiting. Looking forward to hearing from you as well. Have a grand weekend.

FF: Summer Plans

Hello and welcome to Friday Fictioneer’s party hosted by Rochelle where we all are invited to post a story in 100 words or less based on the photo prompt (with due credit to the contributor). Click here to join or read the other stories on this prompt.

PHOTO PROMPT © Lisa Fox

FF: Summer Plans

Words 100

“How about a long relaxed vacation at a log cabin in the hills?” Dad asked.

“Wow! Will there be any snow?” Rhea asked.

“Yes. If you are willing to trek.”

“Great.” Shreyas lit up.

“Won’t it be crowded in the summer?” Mom was doubtful

“Not at all.” Dad beamed. “It’s far from the madding crowd.”

“Meaning I will have to cook.”

“I will cook. We all will.”

“As if.” Mom snorted. “All of you will sit with your phones….”

“Oh there’s no phone or internet connection there.”

“What? Count me out.” Shreyas stood up.

“Me too.” Rhea said. “Sorry Dad.”

***

So would you be willing to go for a vacation to such a place? Do let me know! Have a super day and week ahead.

FF: The Visitors

Hello, hope you are having a grand week. I am busy as the Durga Puja celebrations are on. Yet I am pleased that I could manage to post an entry to this week’s Friday Fictioneers challenge hosted by Rochelle. I will be along to read your stories in a bit. Click here to read the other stories inspired by the photo prompt provided by Liz Young. Thanks Liz.

Photo Prompt Liz Young

FF: The Visitors

Words 100

“This is terrible!”

“The innocent are suffering the consequences of hate and greed.”

“We must stop this endless cycle of senseless killing!”

 “What can we do?”

“Let’s go away!”

“But where?”

“I know the perfect place.” Their leader said.

“Are we at the right place?”

“I think so,” whispered one. “What do you think?”

“Let’s go and find out.” Their leader ventured a bit further, only to stop short.

“Abort mission! Withdraw!” The leader ordered.

“What’s happening?” Powering their spaceship they surveyed the scene of carnage and mass destruction.

“Déjà vu.  The Blue Planet is no longer perfect for life.”

***

Happy Durga Puja to all of you and may the Mother shower peace, prosperity and oneness on us.